I listen with my hands

Program note

I listen with my hands was inspired by the birth of my nephew. After his birth, my sister tested positive as a carrier of a virus that typically is asymptomatic. However, if the virus is passed from mother to child and the child is symptomatic, the child can be left completely deaf, blind, or both. I struggled with the possibility that I may never be able to share a large part of my life with him, which came to writing this piece. I listen with my hands explores a musical expression without sound, or a music without hearing, or a music without either.

to Gavin

Performaned by

Illinois Modern Ensemble in 2019 at the Krannert Center in Urbana-Champaign