Night Song at Amalfi (SSAA) by Marina Quintanilla

Inspired by her travels, 'Vignettes Overseas' is a collection of poems published in Sara Teasdale's massively successful book of poems, Rivers to the Sea. Written during a time where women's voices were often silenced, and just one year after her marriage, Night Song at Amalfi vibrantly illustrates the struggle to be a woman in a society that expected women to be submissive, and the stark reality that she and many other women faced. While women's rights have made great strides over the years, women and other minority groups still struggle to have their voices heard. This song is for all of them.
This piece was commissioned by the New Canon Project, a partnership between the American Choral Directors Association, the American String Teachers Association, and Rising Tide Music Press, with support of the Sphinx Venture Fund. This piece is written for school-aged groups, but is accessible to choirs of all levels and challenges the choir with part independence and modal writing. This piece starts out very open and celestial, then turns dark as the reality of unending silence sets in. There is hope, but also anger, confusion, and numbness.
The Press @ Rising Tide Music & Arts (formerly Rising Tide Music Press) presents works by emerging and under-published BBIA musicians composing for youth and collegiate performers. Visit us at risingtidearts.org.