Open

Program Notes:

I: Beauty

Quote from patient: “This sun on the left and the moon on the right represent the two closest supports I have in my life- I know I can always call on them. These words are for them- beauty, love, caring. On the bottom right, I drew me chilling in my neighborhood when it’s quiet at night. There are usually a lot of people around BBQing at the picnic table, but I like it when it’s quiet.” (Sickle Cell Clinic) My thoughts: This person is keeping a positive attitude in response to difficult disease. The focus is on nature, rather than humans: flowers, sun, moon, stars, being alone in a quiet place. The picture has a big blank space in the middle. Why? Is it to show expansiveness, the vastness of the universe, separateness? There is only high and low, no middle. The picture is simple, quiet, and natural. Text: “sun, moon, love, caring, beauty, quiet” Sonorities: drone, harmonics, slow, quiet, plucking and strumming in piano, double stops in cello and violin, flute timbral trills, piano “sparkles”. The music reflects relaxing quietly, sounds of nature, spaciousness, and finding a place of joy and contentment. This artist/patient is keeping a positive attitude in response to a difficult disease. The focus is on nature, rather than humans: flowers, sun, moon, stars, and being alone in a quiet place. The picture has a big blank space in the middle. Why? Is it to show expansiveness, the vastness of the universe, separateness? There is only high and low, no middle. The picture is simple, quiet, and natural. The sonorities in the music include a drone and harmonics in the strings, plucking, “sparkles,” and strumming in the piano, and flute timbral trills. The music reflects relaxing quietly, sounds of nature and growth, spaciousness, and finding a place of joy and contentment.

II: I have sickle cell, but sickle cell does not have me

Quote from patient: “Having sickle cell means you get poked a lot. I have a port because you can no longer find my veins. On the right is when I have a crisis- my eyes turn yellow and I cry. In the middle are my blood cells and the green represents growth.” (Sickle Cell Clinic) Text: “Nononononononono”, various vocal sounds (gasps, ululation, scream) Sonorities: sudden loud, shouts, quarter tones/bending, flute sing/play, voice inhaling/gasping/groaning/, strings scratch tone, ends positive w/ tendrils growing, entire group shouts “no.” To transition to next piece, group says “yes” , stomping

III: Stay Positive

Quote from patient about artwork: “Having sickle cell makes me feel so agrivated! That is my fist in red holding bad blood cells and good blood cells. Pink is my happy color so I drew me in pink, staying positive.” (Sickle Cell Clinic) Text: “Agagagagagagagagag” Sonorities: driving fast rhythm, 16ths, strings quarter tone bends during 16ths, some pretty / open chords

IV: Open

“Open” was created by a 15yo boy with cancer. He drew the monster and talked about how “we shouldn’t judge others for looking different, how can we define what “scary” is when it has just been taught to us through certain images in society? We should remain open to everyone because we never know what they have gone through.” Scary, teeth, brows narrowed, wrinkled forehead like it’s angry, spiky hair, red pencil. Picture is scary, but his statement calls for openness and acceptance. Can the music be scary/unusual, because the definition of scary is taught to us? Sonorities: piano ping pong balls on low strings, quarter scratching Strings sul pont, flute sing n play gliss, voice/flute diverging quarter tones

V. I am Destiny

“I Am Destiny” was created by an adult woman recovering from major surgery. This represents her “journey from dark to light and she feels she is finally on a healthy path towards recovery.” My thoughts: the center of the piece is a highway, showing that she sees herself on a path somewhere, not stuck. Right under that is the phrase “I am what I make up.” She uses the words beginning, destiny, illuminates, love, something new, think, and another picture of a pathway (bottom right) to show a positive attitude toward where she will go next. The pictures of the dove and the heart show peace and positivity, and the picture of the woman in the hardhat shows her strength and resilience. She acknowledged the difficult times with the words just another day at the office, cloudy day? and weeps. She uses bright yellow paper that is offset from the white background paper – thinking outside of the box. Positive, realistic, energetic, bracing for a long path ahead. Sonorities: moderate tempo, upbeat, a little fun, repeated notes w dotted rhythms or 6/8

VI: Untitled

“Untitled” was created by a 14yo girl with severe anorexia. This image was created at the “beginning of her treatment when she felt the most depressed. She used black to express her feelings and told herself she has already cried enough.” Dark, black, crying. Trying to be positive: “I’m fine, your okay, you will not cry.” Surrounded by blackness, but she is totally white. Big head, big eyes. In the pupil of the eye, says “No heart.” Button on her lapel is a face crying. Sonorities: sobbing (flute big vib, strings pizz/bend, voice sobbing), heavy, maybe drone of darkness, voice speaks words “I’m fine, your okay, you will not cry.”

VII: Eyes to the Hills

“Eyes to the Hills” was created by an adult woman with cancer. She used watercolors to “represent the flow of life, which can be unpredictable at times, and we have to learn to trust the flow. Eyes to the hills is a comforting image/reference to her as it comes from one of her favorite bible passages and reminds her that she is never alone.” Sonorities: flowing, sparkly, pretty, melody with bible passage, uplifting, beautiful, full, increasing energy throughout the movement. End forte, full ensemble.