Click the triangle above to hear the music as recorded by members of the Cantata Singers - Jessica Fierro, Nancy Ruda, Gary Tucker, and Will Wickham. Accompaniment realized electronically by Will Wickham.
Program Note: Lynn Rhoda Dates was a constant and huge presence in the artistic community of Elmira and Corning, NY for many years. Her personal work in and passion for the arts continued even after a career change brought her to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, but it was cancer that eventually took her from us. J McKnight, the poet of this work, knew Lynn originally through a book club in which they both were participants. According to J, "she told members of our group who wanted to support her that she would appreciate any small gestures to lift her spirits." J chose to send photographs of the natural world around his home in Hector, New York to honor Lynn’s request. This practice expanded to include a poem with the daily photos, and over time the recipient list grew to include others. When J learned of Lynn’s passing, he offered this poem and the photo of the pink rose to the daily recipients. Our music now seeks to extend the “light and healing energy” that Lynn found so precious.
