Songs of Our Struggles - An Overture to Hope
Instrumentation: 2 Piccolos, 6 C Flutes, 2 Alto Flutes, Bass Flute, Contra-Alto Flute, Contrabass Flute
 
My work entitled, Songs of Our Struggles, is a collection of original themes that are variations on Lift Ev’ry Voice. 
 
The beginning of the piece begins with a vision of a valley becoming clearer. It’s green and pastoral with energies of hope and acceptance. This is a promised land free of struggle. I added the subtitle Overture to Hope as the goal of feeling love, equity, and the promise of equal human rights.

After establishing the theme of Lift Ev’ry Voice, I incorporated excerpts from my third symphony, titled Poemas y Canciones - Poems and Songs. I incorporated this excerpt because it adds to the passion of moving forward and progressing toward an emotion. 
 
The work slowly accelerates throughout the movement to represent progress moving forward with bits of Lift Ev’ry Voice and De Colores added to represent our people moving toward the promised land of acceptance. 

This work is part of a longer project where I look for works, songs, and chants of overcoming struggle. As I progress, there will be additional overtures written for the same ensemble and adapted for other ensembles like chamber orchestras. 
 
This work was premiered at the National Flute Association Convention 2024 by the Melanin Rhapsody Flute Choir, conducted by Christian Lampkin.