VocalEssence Chorus, Tonia Hughes (soloist), Sanford Moore (piano), Hannibal Lokumbe (trumpet), James Young (Bass), Kevin Washington (Drums), Ramsey School Performing Arts Magnet

In the Spirit of Being is the autobiographical account of my life in words and sound which depicts my metamorphosis from one veil of consciousness to the next. It took three weeks of forest time, time away from the world, to compose it. Normally it would take months if not years of research and preparation alone for me to compose a composition similar in length and instrumentation. In the case of this work, I only had to locate one document, my birth certificate. Of other significance,

this work marks the first time that I wrote the music and text simultaneously. Usually one informs and inspires the creation of the other. I pray that this work will cause as many as possible to contemplate the infinite spiritual powers we possess. And that we will not allow those powers to be defined by words and other entities that are, in fact, unable to do so. This is my prayer, especially for the children/babies of the world. I pray that they will learn to look for acceptance and definition as to who they are not from society but from the infinite power which created them.

- Hannibal Lokumbe