Joy Comes In the Morning

Joy Comes In the Morning was commissioned by the senior class of the Waynesboro High School Concert Choir (Waynesboro, VA) in honor of their director and my dear friend, Jeff Ryman, both as a graduation gift and to celebrate Jeff being cancer free for five years. It was done in secret; Jeff knew nothing about it, and the students planned to get together on their own to rehearse it.

I sent them the piece on April 1, 2014. THE VERY NEXT DAY was Jeff's actual five-year anniversary. Here is his Facebook post from that day -- remember, he had NO IDEA I had written this piece, and certainly didn't know what text I had set:

Jeff's incredibly thoughtful and talented students premiered the piece on May 18, 2014. I am honored to have been invited to be a part of this joyous surprise and celebration.

Scoring: SATB, piano
Text: Psalm 30:1-5, 12
Duration: 3:30
Publisher: manuscript

Score coming soon

Listen: