Birth Day

Type
Piece
Composer
Alexander Boostrom
Composer Nationality
American
Composer Date of Birth
1986
Text
Robert Boostrom
Year Composed
2018
Pages
7
Minutes
5:00
Language
English
Voicing
4 part mixed chorus
Divisi
No
Solos
No
Extended Techniques
No
Sacred or Secular
Sacred
Mood
Dramatic, with dynamic contrasts; Caring, warm
Description

Taking a more complex and involved look at the birth of Jesus, this piece tries to capture the implications of all that Jesus and Christianity have brought to the world.
The piece begins with the natal cry of Jesus after first being born. Growing into the first words of the text, the piece immediately becomes more dense and convoluted as the Stable-born, Royal, Baby God bridges the gap beyond comprehension between our world and the next.
As the piece continues, Mary sees in Jesus' eyes all the misguided divisions that were never intended or hoped for by Jesus. The piece becomes even more dense and conflicting as in-fighting among the followers continues as to the direction of the religion.
But beyond all of that, Mary also sees the ultimate good and potential for hope that Jesus brings, and the piece ends with an uplifting presention of what is possible for humanity with the help of Jesus and Christianity.

Group
C4
Performances
Sacred Singers of St. John's: December 2018 (world premiere), cond. Boostrom