Love Letters is a song cycle for soprano and woodwind quintet based on letters, notes, and personal diaries; texts found among the detritus of lives and loves left behind by family members and friends.

This live video documents the premiere of the first three songs of this work-in-progress at the Eastman School of Music in March 2023, featuring soprano Heather Holmquest and the Iris Winds (Brooke Walden, flute; Alex Kang, oboe; Sophie Fears, clarinet; Cristina Vieytez, horn; Austin Strubble, bassoon), conducted by the composer.

I. I Can Hardly Wait

I can hardly wait for our meeting. There will be so much to say and so much to do, but our happiest moments will be in saying nothing, but lying quietly in each others’ arms while our hearts speak out their love.

II. A Blonde Named Lorna

I dreamt that you told me you’d met a girl you loved, a blonde named Lorna. You said that you’d never really loved me, but would be very generous and give me $500 a month to care for Linnie and myself. This took place in a church where I found myself singing the tenor (!) solos of the Messiah. Oh, what a night!

III. What Might Have Been

I can still see us laugh, caught in a photograph - like butterflies on a pin, ready to fly, our lives waiting to begin.
That was so long ago. So much we didn’t know, like how fast the clouds roll in - things come and go, you lose even when you win.
Then I was blind but now I can see - now that you’re gone you’re always with me.
I can still see us laugh, caught in a photograph - like butterflies on a pin, ready to fly, our lives waiting to begin. Now it’s what might have been.