"The Song of the Red Dove" was composed in the immediate aftermath of September 11; it is dated September 25, 2001. Often divisi, the choral writing is particularly intricate in the middle section with interweaving sixteenth note runs simulating the flames [that] stain the white moon red in what at times is an eight-part texture. The dynamics are varied throughout, but the only fortissimo comes at the vocal high point of the middle section (...through endless night...), and the opening and closing A sections describing the strange red dove are marked no louder than forte (in the opening measures) and piano (at the close). The text comes to us from the poet, Kim Rich. It was expressly written to commemorate the awful tragedy that was 9/11. Kim, working in a nearby building was an eyewitness to the monstrous event. She barely escaped with her life.

Voicing:

SATB divisi, a cappella