On Friday, May 2nd, at 7:30 pm at the University Congregational United Church of Christ, I’ll be presenting my final graduate conducting recital entitled: “Night Sky with Exit Wounds: Gratitude in All Seasons of Life.”
I have been developing this concert idea for almost two years now. It sets and explores stanzas of Ocean Vuong’s poem “Notebook Fragments” from his collection of poetry titled Night Sky with Exit Wounds through choral music. The concert will feature three choirs totaling roughly 150 singers from the University of Washington campus and percussion, string quartet, organ, and piano. The program features some of classical music’s most beloved composers as well as premieres of some original arrangements by yours truly.
While this concert is my final demonstration of artistic practice for my doctoral degree, it also serves as a space to look back on the seasons of life I have moved through to get to the place I am now. This poetry and music encapsulate my gratitude for all the love I have been shown throughout my journey as an artist and how this care has given me the strength to pursue my dreams. This program will celebrate and honor those who have grounded, cared for, and championed me all along the way.
Ocean Vuong’s “Notebook Fragments” (excerpt)
I dreamed I walked barefoot all the way to your house in the snow.
Everything was the blue of smudged ink…
There was even a light the shade of sunrise inside your window.
“God must be a season,” [you] said, looking out at the blizzard drowning the garden.
My footsteps on the sidewalk were the smallest flight.
Dear god, if you are a season, let it be the ones I passed through to get here.
Here. That’s all I wanted to be. I promise.
Michael McKenzie