TOO DIFFICULT TO FORGET (2026)

FOR BARITONE VOICE AND PIANO

C. 15 MINUTES

The first movement of this work was co-commissioned by the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc, and the Cincinnati Song Initiative, with support from Lori Laitman. The second and third movements were commissioned by the George Shirley Vocal Competition as the winner of the Karen Slack Commissioning Prize. The full premiere of this work was by Justice Yates and Mariah Boucher at the 2026 GSVC Welcome Concert in Ann Arbor, MI, May 2026.

Lately, I have been interested in the many gradients of emotions that can be stirred by various the dreams, nightmares, and other means of imagination caused by our memories. In particular, I have been interested in why some memories become firmly engrained in our minds for our entire lives, and why others slip away without a second thought - even if it’s something we perceive as important. What happens when a memory is too difficult to forget? I found much inspiration and joy through the many poems of Lola Ridge, someone who is also obsessed with dreams and memories. In this three song cycle using Ridge’s poetry, the baritone is forced to endure torturous memories stuck in their mind. Over each movement, the pain becomes increasingly unbearable, running rampant until the desire to recall thoughts evaporates.

Recording: Justice Yates, baritone; Mariah Boucher, piano; George Shirley Vocal Competition Welcome Concert, Ann Arbor, MI, May 2026