VocalEssence Chorus and Singers Of This Age, Philip Brunelle, piano, Casey Rafn, piano

Commissioned by Marian A. Godfrey, Linda Hoeschler, and Peter Blyberg for VocalEssence Chorus and Singers Of This Age, G. Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor
Dedicated to the composer’s grandsons, Jacob and Aiden Godfrey.
World Premiere

Time and Tomorrow is a dialogue between a youth chorus and a chorus of adult singers. The text was written by Singers Of This Age alumnus and mentor singer, Ursula Beitz as a synthesis of ideas shared among the teen singers.
After a brief piano introduction, the first part begins with a musical exchange where the youth ask pressing questions about past, present and future, and adults answer in a reassuring tone that belies an underlying uncertainty. In the second part, after a brief instrumental interlude, the roles are reversed, and the adults ask questions with music and words that no longer hide their concern. The youth respond with honest reflections on the unpredictable future they face.

Youth: Can you tell us of the past?
Adults: We’ll try to tell you all we know.
Youth: Can you lead us on the path?
Adults: We can only follow you where you go.
Youth: What will happen when you’re gone?
Adults: You’ll keep on looking for the sun.
Youth: But what of the dust rising, chasing at our heels?
Adults: Tomorrow the rain will come.
Adults: Do you see the storm ahead?
Youth: We see it rising in the sky.
Adults: Can you weather all its winds?
Youth: We cannot know; we can only try.
Adults: Will the things we planted grow?
Youth: Only passing time can say.
Adults: Won’t the wait be far too long?
Youth: The time is passing anyway.
Together: Will you keep looking for the sun?
We’ll keep on looking for the sun,
or the sun, the sun…
–Ursula Beitz