Shine
commissioned by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Shine is a short work for orchestra commissioned by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra for their Young People's Concert series. The work employs melodies by winners of the CSO's Melody Contest: students of the fifth through eighth grade music classes at Holy Family School in Covington, KY. 

The title is inspired by the name the seventh/eighth grade class gave their melody, "Shine Bright." Light is often an important motif in my work (see LUX, Lux Aeterna, and Mantras), so I was drawn to this melody. Drawing on my own struggles with bullying and conformity when I was this age, I wrote this work in the hopes that these children find the strength to always let their true self shine bright.

The work will be performed on the Cincinnati Symphony's "Bach to the Future" Concerts on March 2 and 8, 2016. For more information or tickets, click here.