It was surreal traveling back to my alma mater, The University of Alaska Fairbanks, to hear the world premiere of my new work for accompanied choir, Give Me Room on a text by Meta Herrick Carlson. I was commissioned by Dr. Jaunelle Celaire and the University of Alaska Department of Music to celebrate the massive $2.5 million gift from Steve Holmberg to endow the Department Chair of the University of Alaska Department of Music. After a party at Chancellor Daniel White’s house, the Music Department at UAF put on a program of impressive diversity and soulfulness, with faculty and student offerings, concluding with my setting of Meta’s poetry.
The Choir of the North sang with passion, and Dr. Celaire gave my work a fabulous premiere.
Meta Herrick Carlson
Dr. Jaunelle Celaire