Remembrance (2006) - Belinda Reynolds

for chamber chorus, piano and marimba Commissioned by Santa Clara University and BARBWIRE; Premiered November 2006 - Santa Clara, CA REMEMBRANCE is a one-movement work that was commissioned by BARBWIRE for premiere in their annual El Dia Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival in 2006. With REMEMBRANCE, I intended to compose a piece that expresses the joy and celebration that is the focus of this Mexican holiday. For Mexicans, this is a time in which the community comes together to celebrate the circle of life by remembering both deceased loved ones and children. Unlike many societies, death is approached with humor and grace, with festivities focusing on galas filled with sumptuous foods, lavish alters and gifts to the children. REMEMBRANCE approaches these elements of the holiday through both the musical structure and the text, written by Santa Fe based author, Elizabeth Orem, The simple, concise libretto follows a tale of celebrating the dead, celebrating the children, and acknowled