This piece is the third in a series called “The Resistance Suite”. Lighthouse,(show us the way), is about Hope. Hope is an orientation of the spirit, an orientation of the heart…Hope, in this deep and powerful sense, is an ability to work for something because it is good, not just because it stands a chance to succeed. (Vaclav Havel)
As performed at the Encore Creativity Scholarship Cabaret by choir director Joey Clark, March 8, 2025
I wrote the words for this piece on the morning of November 5, 2024; the day of the US Presidential election. I was giddy with hope that Kamala would finally become the first woman president of the United States. Twenty-four hours later, after her loss, I was in despair. I nearly abandoned this piece. But I quickly realized that, more than ever, I needed something fun and uplifting (and a bit silly) to bring me Hope for the future. I also needed an escape from the anticipated dark days ahead for me, my family and my much-loved Country. Thus, the sub-title of the piece, “Skippy two-shoes goes to La-La Land,” arrived in my psyche. I imagined myself and my loved ones skipping and dancing and singing together (perhaps down a yellow brick road?); all of us living fully for the moment. After all, when Community and Hope are united, we are Never Better! This piece is Part 1 of the Resistance Suite. Part Two is coming soon.
Early in 2025, seeing the destruction being wrought on my beloved country, by the people in power in Washington DC, was almost more than I could bear. A good friend challenged me to write a protest song for the moment. While this piece didn’t turn out to be that type of statement, I felt I needed to express the deep love I have for my country….something many of us didn’t know we had, until the threat of our precious democracy being annihilated, arrived at our doorstep. May there be a time, in the not-too-distant future, when all our trials are behind us and brighter suns will shine. ‘We Resist, Hope prevails, We Rise! ‘ This is Part Two of the Resistance Suite.
Performed by Jeffrey Chappell, March 22, 2025. Videographer: John Dennis Murphey
I have a big, beautiful garden. I look at it every day out my window. I walk through it often and at all times of the day or night. It brings me great calm and joy. I started this piece as a celebration of that space. But during the writing process, something changed. I have a dear friend, and fellow gardener, Maria. This summer, she received a diagnosis of cancer. And within 3 weeks she was gone. We thought we had time. This composition is for her. The different sections of the piece became a metaphor for her life and death. I will remember her always as a joyous garden spirit.
This contra dance piece was written in honor of my daughter’s wedding. It was performed at the local Town Hall where a local band played while the attendees danced to this piece. The dragonfly has a special role in the wedding planning for Ava and Genevieve; while discussing their wedding details at their cabin, a resident dragonfly had the final say on the choice of a wedding date! Ask them to tell you the story.
