"Catch and Release" by Jocelyn Hagen
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ต.ค. 2024
- for SATB choir & piano
published by JH Music
commissioned in honor of Martha Graber, high school choir director at St. Paul Central High School
Program Note by Jocelyn Hagen:
I have known Martha Graber for a long time, and it has been such a pleasure to work with students at St. Paul Central High School several times during her tenure. This new work, “Catch and Release,” was composed in her honor. I spent a lot of time thinking about what it means to be a high school choral teacher. Many young people fall in love with choral music during high school, and they do so because of the passion of their teachers. As a conductor, Martha introduced her students to all kinds of music from a diverse group of composers. She encouraged them to compose themselves, and supported their dreams. Then these students graduate and/or move on, and the next crop of students walks in. Constant turnover. With each year, high school choral conductors have a new opportunity to create lifelong musicians. This cycle reminded me of my brother-in-law, John, who is a catch and release fisherman. His instagram feed is full of pictures of himself holding up big beautiful fish, with a huge smile on his face. Then he releases them back into the water to continue on with their lives. A short adventure for a small part of their life. I think that can be likened to high school teachers. You lure them in, expose them to the wonder that is music (or another discipline), and then you release them to go live their lives, hoping you somehow made a difference in the way they see the world. I think that many students under Martha Graber would say that she changed their world in a significant way. What could be more beautiful than that?
my high school just finished our last concert of the year, and what an amazing experience it was to preform this song. thank you jocelyn!
Thank you!
Absolutely beautiful….. I’ve got goosebumps!!!!!! Love it!!!!! I’m a huge fan of your wind symphony compositions…..
you're so sweet - thank you!
I look forward to the annual Summer Choral Festival in Albuquerque to hear more of your music.
Oh Jocelyn, what a beautiful tribute to all teachers! I love it. Yes, we try hard each year to "catche our students in our web of learning, and then must release them on their journey. I think of the 5th grade boys often headed for trouble. Sometimes, they were caught with dueling conga performances. Congratulations on your beautiful music.