Reflection

Reflection

They Return to the Sea Once More is a reflection of humanity's desire to be close to the water. I gained inspiration for this piece by looking at photos of the ocean I had taken from past vacations, specifically those along the Oregon coast. In exploring this year's theme, I did a lot for reflection about what it means for humanity to be connected to the water. I asked myself "what does our desire to live with the water sound like?" I believe that humanity's love for the ocean, and also our own actions that affect its health, are because the ocean reminds us of our own mortality. It is a force larger than anyone could ever tame, and we find a subconscious peace in knowing the temporal nature of life.  The ocean is a giver and taker of life, and so I thought I intertwined two contrasting themes of life and death into the piece. Written for string ensemble, the moving and shifting phrases dance between a requiem and a lullaby. Multiple cultures and civilizations have unique uses and connections to the ocean, so trying to consolidate one specific culture's heritage into music would be reductive. Instead, I wrote in a style that felt most comfortable to me. I hope my piece has the audience reflecting on why they return to sea, what they gain, and what they wish to protect.