High up! is a setting of Amy Lowell’s poem for SSA choir and piano, commissioned by the Howard Hanson Institute for American Music in Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Eastman School of Music and premiered by Eastman Treble Choir directed by Philip E. Silvey on April 10, 2022.
In this piece I used slightly shorter version of Amy Lowell’s poem (in public domain) which at first sets up a scenery of a country life, reflected in music by very simple folk-inspired melody. However, the main idea of the poem is in constant movement towards a higher goal, which comes with some struggle, and ends with a success. The imagery of climbing an apple tree to reach the top translates for me into an encouraging message to all who work hard striving towards success and overcome all the obstacles on their path. This piece is dedicated to my composition professor David Liptak, whose kindness and thoughtfulness guided me through my years at Eastman and beyond.

High up! is a setting of Amy Lowell’s poem for SSA choir and piano, commissioned by the Howard Hanson Institute for American Music in Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Eastman School of Music