If the River Leaves without me

for soprano solo, SSAA, and piano Written for the California Junior High All-State Honor Choir, this piece sets a motivational text by the composer on the theme of embracing new opportunities and, using the metaphor of a river, encouraging singers to champion the bravery required to go against the flow. The sensitively written homophonic choral parts are accompanied by a rippling piano part that takes on the character of the river.