Three Songs of Innocence

Instrumentation: High Voice & Piano
Duration: 6 minutes
Year: 2018

Program Notes

Commissioned by the Community Music Schools of Toronto (formerly Regent Park School of Music) for their Songbook project Vol.5, “Three Songs of Innocence” is a set of songs for high voice and piano setting the poetry of youth from Regent Park, Toronto. The text is fresh, uncompromising, and full of a naivete that only youth could have. In these texts, the budding writers express feelings from boundless wonder to the crushing sense of pessimism that are felt during exam seasons. Holding nothing back, the words come from a place of sincerity and honesty that truly enchants and serve as the perfect inspiration for a cycle of three songs.

All three songs are meant to be performed by advanced young performers and are scored for soprano and piano.

I – Whoever You Are
A song full of life and energy, reflecting the text which is written by a young lady in school. Her words exhort others to be fearless and be whatever you want to be.

II – You Will Never Know
The second song in the triptych, the writer in this case expresses his feelings of pessimism at the sight of exams, and ponders the larger truths in life…

III – Quincey
To wrap up the triptych, we have Quincey, a young man who claims he is intelligent, funny, and…unappreciated. The music illuminates this very interesting personality who exhibits dashing confidence as well as a desire to perform.