Before getting started with the composition, I spoke briefly with the poet about what she meant to portray – the idea of how nice it would be to detach from what is expected, and as she put it, to “say what I feel without distraction.” When I read the text, I can imagine the perspective of the writer: a young person with hopes and dreams who just wants to express those (maybe unrealistic) passions without feeling foolish about doing so. The words progress from tentative hopefulness to pure exaltation and finally to calm resignation.

In writing the music, I hoped to capture that hopefulness, exaltation and resignation. For me, the words are as if spoken in a prayer or a dream. I tried to keep that in mind when choosing the melodic and harmonic schemes. I wanted the musical phrases to communicate a sense of longing, almost as the moments just before waking from a perfect dream when you want to linger there just a bit longer. I think, alongside the hopefulness and exultation, there is also a pervasive sense of disappointment in the text. The writer, despite living for a moment in reverie, knows reality will always return. I think one of the great gifts of youth is boundless hope for the future, and the unfortunate side effect of growing up is the abandonment of many of those dreams.

Duration: approximately 5 min. 30 sec.

– Drew R. Fennell, April 11, 2008

• The Very Depths of Me is published by Drew Fennell Publishing.
  Available for SSAATTBB Choir and Piano.

• Hear The Very Depths of Me (complete) as performed by the Fox Chapel Area High School Madrigal Singers, Craig G. Cannon, Director [SSAATTBB Choir version]*.