Date of Award

5-2026

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Music (MM)

Department

Music

First Advisor

Michael Schelle

Second Advisor

Trae Blanco

Third Advisor

Eric Stark

Abstract

Where Springs Not Fail is a 23-minute multimovement work for mixed choir, mezzo-soprano and baritone soloists, and a chamber instrumental ensemble. Drawing texts from Gerard Manley Hopkins and Rabindranath Tagore, the composition explores themes of spiritual darkness, anxiety, and a profound yearning for hope—shared human experiences that are often under-acknowledged. The work aims to reside between sacred and secular expressions, offering a space of vulnerability, reflection, and honesty for performers and listeners alike.

The composition engages a wide range of stylistic influences, including serial and minimalist techniques, chant-like melodic writing, modal language, and motivic symbolism. Structured as an arch form, the work places expressive emphasis on the central movement, establishing a dramatic turning point that shapes the flow of the entire cycle.

While the listening experience of the work may often feel unsettled, Where Springs Not Fail embraces the uncertainty inherent to spiritual struggle. Rather than offering definitive answers, the work seeks to affirm the dignity of honest questioning and to find comfort in the resilience that emerges from deeply human doubt and hope. By elevating these poetic voices through music, the composition encourages empathy, communal support, and the belief that clarity and grace remain possible even in times of great darkness.

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