With resonant and poignant reminiscences of early musical experiences, this piece explores the dynamic relationship between music and lived experience; a timely reminder of the way that music can fundamentally change us, and in turn influence the music we make. This richly harmonic piece will be a satisfying sing for any group.

Composer’s Notes

In 1889, Oscar Wilde opined “Life imitates art far more than art imitates life”. The idea of reflecting on the human urge to consume and make art is one that feels newly urgent, and this work takes it on directly. In the piece, I recall some of my earliest and most treasured musical experiences, many of which will resonate with performers and audiences alike. To what extent have these experiences defined me? Do I have control?

-Simon Pearson

Text

How does it start?
Why does it happen?
Does music find us, or do we find our music?
When does it begin?

Was it…
Your humming at the side of the bathtub?
Or a jingle from children’s TV?
Or a lullaby baby don’t you cry
A robin singing high in a tree?

These little things that I barely remember
These are the threads through it all
Weaving away

What happens next?
Nature or nurture?
Does music make us, or do we make the music?
How does it become part of our being?
Is it just the silly happenstance of living?

Like the…
First time I touched a piano
Or the first time I danced a samba
The first time I sang with a choir
Oh these are the things that I fondly remember
These are the threads

These are the threads through a thousand choices
The cord that draws them all together
And though I strove for so long to try to be so different
Now I see that these are the threads through it all
Weaving away

These are the threads through a thousand choices
The line that joins them all together
When I’m lost and confused these threads are there to guide me
Now I see these are the threads through it all

These threads are the things that make us human
These are the the threads

Weave away
The beauty of happenstance awaits.

-Simon Pearson

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