Program Notes In Victorian times, homosexuality was often called “a love that dares not speak its name.” The attitude that same-gender love is unnatural, sinful or an abomination continues today. The process of “coming out” –of being who you are boldly—is an internal and external struggle of personal and societal revelation, understanding and acceptance. Emergence is a tone poem inspired by this process. The piece opens in a minor key with thematic glimpses of Diana Ross’ disco classic, I’m Coming Out. The mood is expectant and melancholy. The lament theme, beginning with the scale tones of Bb-Ab-F-Ab-G-C played by the bassoon, is filled with a yearning to be released from the inner torment a person thinking of coming out inevitably feels. In the background, time is ticking—the march of the everyday world continues as our hero decides who and how to be. This theme is then tossed around the orchestra, each time a little different in its call; reflecting each person’s is slightly different, but hold a common theme. The orchestra percolates with the struggle: sometimes violent, sometimes sanguine, the question is never too far out of mind. Finally, our hero announces to the world, “I’m gay” and a magical transformation takes place (complete with fairy dust). As the burden of lies and secrets is lifted, the piece moves from minor to major. Transformed by the honesty of living who he is called to be, there is a new love theme—the love of oneself, the love of all of who we are—filled with hope of what this new world will bring to us. Again, we hear thematic material from I’m Coming Out helping to celebrate the life changing decision of our hero. Finally, after the celebration, the call of the world beckons. Hints of what came before are overwhelmed by knowledge the life is richer and more rewarding by being who you are boldly. So our hero marches out into the world armed with the truth.

Program Notes In Victorian times, homosexuality was often called “a love that dares not speak its name.” The attitude that same-gender love is unnatural, sinful or an abomination continues today. The process of “coming out” –of being who you are boldly—is an internal and external struggle of personal and societal revelation, understanding and acceptance. Emergence is a tone poem inspired by this process. The piece opens in a minor key with thematic glimpses of Diana Ross’ disco classic, I’m Coming Out. The mood is expectant and melancholy. The lament theme, beginning with the scale tones of Bb-Ab-F-Ab-G-C played by the bassoon, is filled with a yearning to be released from the inner torment a person thinking of coming out inevitably feels. In the background, time is ticking—the march of the everyday world continues as our hero decides who and how to be. This theme is then tossed around the orchestra, each time a little different in its call; reflecting each person’s is slightly different, but hold a common theme. The orchestra percolates with the struggle: sometimes violent, sometimes sanguine, the question is never too far out of mind. Finally, our hero announces to the world, “I’m gay” and a magical transformation takes place (complete with fairy dust). As the burden of lies and secrets is lifted, the piece moves from minor to major. Transformed by the honesty of living who he is called to be, there is a new love theme—the love of oneself, the love of all of who we are—filled with hope of what this new world will bring to us. Again, we hear thematic material from I’m Coming Out helping to celebrate the life changing decision of our hero. Finally, after the celebration, the call of the world beckons. Hints of what came before are overwhelmed by knowledge the life is richer and more rewarding by being who you are boldly. So our hero marches out into the world armed with the truth.