DESCRIPTION:
Premiere performance at Stetson University on January 18, 2014 by Kristie Born and Rose Shlyam Grace.

Vibrations of Hope (2013) was commissioned by Barbara Chung and Yoonmi Ham and premiered by Kristie Born and Rose Shlyam Grace. The composition is my response to the terrible tragedy that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. The extreme and fragmented emotions associated with this event are reflected in the music by the use of seven themes derived from a variety of sources. Using feng shui, the birth dates of the victims are used to generate the Children's Theme and the Teacher's Theme, while the date of the tragedy was used to compose the Theme of Darkness. "Waiting on the World to Change" by John Mayer has been associated with the pro-gun control movement and is used here for that purpose and titled Theme for Change. "Why Can't We Live Together" by Timmy Thomas is used to create the Theme for Peace. The Theme of Hope presents variations on the hymn "Jesus Loves Me" and the final theme is In Paradisum (In Paradise) taken from the traditional Latin liturgy of the Requiem Mass.
All of the themes are presented within a three-part structure lasting 13 minutes and whose 45 subsections are presented below. The 12 sections of Part I freely juxtapose grieving, anger and hope. Part II presents the seven themes within 27 sections whose durations are strictly calculated by applying feng shui to the date of December 14, 2012. Part III is entirely based on the Theme of Hope and In Paradisum whose opening text states:
"In paradisum deducant te Angeli" (May angels lead you into paradise).

Vibrations of Hope

Part I
1. Grieving for the Lost I dramatic and emotional
2. Searching I suspenseful
3. Emotional Outburst I aggressive
4. Hope Within Darkness I ("Jesus Loves Me" inversion) powerful
-accented rock
-with passion
5. Grieving for the Lost II in agony
6. Hope Within Darkness II ("Jesus Loves Me") steady groove
-with a singing voice
7. Emotional Outburst II assertive
8. Conversation trading accents
9. Anger dramatic energy
10. Searching II building tension
11. Group Power I climatic energy
12. Grieving for the Lost III with a heavy heart

Part II
1.1 Theme of Hope I rock groove
1.2 Children's Theme I excited energy
1.3 Teacher's Theme I power pulse
1.4 Song for Change I with conviction
1.5 In Paradisum I (inversion) delicate and divine
1.6 Theme of Hope II rock high
1.7 Song for Peace I feel the rhythm
1.8 Teacher's Theme II dancing pulse
1.9 Children's Theme II rising energy
2.1 Theme of Darkness I mysterious
2.2 Theme of Hope III rock beat
2.3 Song for Change II with strength
2.4 Song for Peace II ride the rhythm
2.5 Theme of Darkness II forceful
2.6 In Paradisum II (inversion) expressive
2.7 Teacher's Theme III accented pulse
2.8 Children's Theme III dramatic energy
2.9 Theme of Darkness III powerful
3.1 Theme of Hope IV rock song
3.2 Song for Peace III sounding the rhythm
3.3 Children's Theme IV intensifying energy
3.4 Song for Change III with passion
3.5 In Paradisum III (inversion) sadly
3.6 Song for Peace IV dramatic rhythm
3.7 Children's Theme V constant energy
3.8 Teacher's Theme IV hammered pulse
3.9 Theme of Hope V rock out

Part III
1. In Paradisum IVwith respect and reverence
-gently moving forward
2. In Paradisum V with spirit
3. Hope Above Darkness I ("Jesus Loves Me") in radiant glory
4. Hope Above Darkness II ("Jesus Loves Me") gospel rock celebration
-dramatic drive
5. Grieving for the Lost IV with powerful emotions
-climatic run
6. Group Power II with maximum energy