I asked Dr. J. Christine Linschoten if I might write a piece for the Texas State University Singers, and she graciously agreed, sharing that the theme of the concert would be love. With that in mind, I wanted to approach love from a different perspective. We often speak about the love we give to and receive from others, but less often about the love we extend to ourselves. This piece pairs a short poem of my own with text from the Book of Timothy to portray the inner noise that convinces us we are unworthy of joy or love. As the work unfolds, that doubt is met not with silence, but with endurance. By fighting through the noise and staying the course, the music ultimately affirms a quiet truth: that perseverance itself is an act of self-love, and that we remain worthy, especially of love from ourselves.

This piece is available for purchase as the full open score or with the piano reduction of the instrumental parts.