Prayer for Meaning

(SATB choir, a cappella)

Program Notes

            I came upon this text in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020. Amidst all the feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, as things were being cancelled and people were dying and leadership was essentially lacking at best, I felt that this simple prayer conveyed exactly what I needed: the simple things that give meaning to our lives. I was told that this composition channels Bruckner and Lauridsen, and I take that as a tremendous compliment. And, because it has come up more than once, the double-flat is not a mistake, it’s voice leading. I would encourage sings to carefully tune vertical harmonies and to make full use of the dynamic markings.

Prayer for Meaning [PDF]

Dear God, make my days useful,
my nights restful,
my home peaceful,
and my efforts fruitful.
Amen..

Anonymous