Whew!

This last week of classes has been a hectic one, and I'm feeling positively pooped out at the end of it. This is only partially because of school commitments. Three or four weeks ago, I received notice of a composition competition sponsored by the Unitarian Universalists. While I'm not UU myself, I've been fortunate to make the acquaintance of several UUs through blogging (you know who you are), and I've found them to be wonderful folks. If there's any religion I could join, it's the UU (no really, they even make a point of welcoming atheists and agnostics).

I fairly quickly hit upon a text that I wanted to set and thought would be appropriate for this Anthem competition: "Jars of Springwater," a translation of Rumi by Coleman Barks (it's down a little on the page to which I linked). My original intention was to pair that with "Today, like every other day," but I ran out of time and steam. It was more than enough just to get this piece finished in time to mail it today--the deadline is received by June 1, but of course that's a Sunday, so it's really May 31).

The process reminded me of my love for my grad school composition teacher and adviser: I sent him an e-mail yesterday morning asking him if he could give me some feedback, and within a couple hours he had written back with a plethora of excellent considerations and suggestions. I couldn't work on it again until mid-afternoon, at which time a flurry of e-mails ensued. I felt a lot better about it after consulting with him--his suggestions were, as always, spot on. The process of bouncing ideas around with his was one of my favorite parts. Honorable mention goes to my friend and once-upon-a-time fellow-grad-student Matt for his feedback, and to Lauren for putting up with me while I was frantically trying to get all my ducks in a line. 

Computer problems during the process (plus a big break for Lost and to bake some goodies for my students) kept me up until 12:30 and got me up just after 5 a.m. (actually, I had to drop Lauren off at the train station--she's away for the weekend and this way I have the car--but I had to stay up and work after I dropped her off). After school, I was able to put together the packet of materials I needed and send it express mail to Florida. 

Now, I just have to wait and see.

In any case, except for the exhaustion, I've loved every part of the process. Over the past two years, I've written very little music, and this contest gave me real focus to work on and finish a composition. Whether I win or not, I'm glad to have been writing and I'm happy with the way the piece turned out in the end.  

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