This piece was written as the final piece of a collection, “Songs from the Departed,” all setting texts left behind by departed poets, instructing loved ones on how to mourn. Initially a set of 5 pieces, Marie Bucoy-Calavan, my graduate professor and the conductor of the premiere, thought that it was missing something. I found this anonymous text through ChatGPT and immediately feel in love with it. Ambiguously spiritual, this text is deeply hopeful about the time after death, and I found it incredibly comforting. When searching for a good choral text, I am frequently drawn to the final line of the poem and the sentiment it conveys. There is no more comforting thought about imminent death than “Welcome Home.” Hear it, See it, Buy it on MusicSpoke. https://musicspoke.com/downloads/release-me
