Perigee takes wing

Bloomington composer Abby Henkel has created a masterful choral work based on my poem "Perigee". Abby and I sing soprano together in the chamber choir Voces Novae. I had become aware of her work as a composer when we performed Venite Ad Me Omnes in 2021. Offhandedly, I mentioned I yearned to encounter a piece one day based on a poem by Mary Craig...

Abby took a look at my Birthday Elegy series and got to work. She selected "Perigee", the longest and most wide-ranging poem in the series. The work is for SATB (often subdivided). You can listen to it and purchase sheet music: abbyhenkel.com/listen. While you're on Abby's page, take a listen to her other works, like the choral settings of Ross Gay's "Thank You" and "Sorrow Is Not My Name".

Susan Swaney, Mary Craig, and Abby Henkel
introducing Perigee, November 2022

Abby's video of Voces Novae performing "Perigee" includes images from Simon's life. The music, lovingly learned and performed by the group and insightfully conducted by Sue Swaney, is lush, beautiful and expressive. The work deeply honors my poem and the memory of Simon.

What an experience! Especially to be among the performers. Thank you, Abby! Thank you, Voces Novae!