The Watcher of the Wood

TTBB + soloists, c. 10’ (2022)

Commissioned by Chor Leoni (Vancouver, Canada); Erick Lichte, artistic director; through the Chor Leoni Diane Loomer Commissioning Fund.

The mechanism of memory in the human mind is complicated. The neural process of recalling events in the brain is far from straightforward, and recall pathways can be affected by emotions and sensations before, during, and after the fact. The relationship to memory is even more complicated for someone healing from trauma.

The poem “The Watcher of the Wood” was written by my husband Thomas LaVoy in response to his experiences with post-traumatic stress disorder. This piece has become a sort of creative conversation between us, illuminating the experience of distressing memories surfacing and resurfacing, and his journey toward remembering without reliving.

Tom and I were pleased that this piece provided Chor Leoni with an opportunity to have in-depth discussions within their ensemble about mental health, and further deepened their sense of community in that process.

Click here for a perusal score.

I would be eager to produce and premiere a version of this piece for mixed choir, but I have not had the space in my schedule to do so yet. If you think you may be interested in commissioning a version of this piece for mixed ensemble for a very small fee, please contact me!