Program Note:

This piece was commissioned by Lake Forest College, Make a Wish Illinois, and Sing Me a Story. SMAS is an organization that works with artists to musicalize autobiographical stories from children in need. In so doing, they serve to “bring the voices of children in need to the world through music”. It was my honor to be entrusted by them with a story by Kamila Santiago, a 12-year-old cancer survivor whose beautifully written and illustrated account of her experience shows maturity beyond her years. While her story certainly captures the life-altering difficulty of her diagnosis and the trials that came along with it, the overarching sensibility is one of joy, resilience, and a strong sense of grounding in her faith and her family. With this in mind, I chose to interpolate against the narration my own setting of Psalm 121 (RVA Version), the message of which I feel resonates with Kamila’s incredible spiritual resolve.

This piece is presented with immense thanks to the amazing teams at Lake Forest College, Sing Me a Story, and Make a Wish Illinois. Most of all, I wish to express my utmost thanks to Kamila and her entire family.

Salmos 121 (RVA)

121 …ALZARÉ mis ojos á los montes, De donde vendrá mi socorro.

2 Mi socorro viene de Jehová, Que hizo los cielos y la tierra.

3 No dará tu pie al resbaladero; Ni se dormirá el que te guarda.

4 He aquí, no se adormecerá ni dormirá El que guarda á Israel.

5 Jehová es tu guardador: Jehová es tu sombra á tu mano derecha.

6 El sol no te fatigará de día, Ni la luna de noche.

7 Jehová te guardará de todo mal: El guardará tu alma.

8 Jehová guardará tu salida y tu entrada, Desde ahora y para siempre.

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Psalm 121 (KJV)

121 …I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.