— from the DARE TO BE POWERFUL choral series —

"River" was commissioned by the Cincinnati Children's Choir whose mission is Building Tomorrow's Leaders, one Voice at a Time. I hoped to create a new work that related to CCC's mission and to the lives of the singers. As the threat of climate change accelerates, we all— young people in particular face an uncertain future together on Earth. The opening theme of "River" on the words, "There is a river now flowing fast, flowing very fast" develops with ever growing urgency by means of texture and key changes while accompanied by an unrelenting piano groove. The tension breaks with a single hopeful voice— a call to action. The full chorus joins in and "River" flows into a celebration of empowered community.