Joel Thompson

Still Waiting

$14.95

Duration: 5'

Instrumentation: Mezzo-soprano and piano

Instrumentation: mezzo-soprano and piano
Delivery Method: Physical Delivery
Performance Materials: Vocal Score

This work, inspired by the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on Dec 14, 2012, this work was premiered by Sasha Cooke, mezzo-soprano Kirill Kuzmin, piano on March 6, 2022.

Text:
I heard my daughter crying.
I went to her.
Honey bunny, That's just a shadow on the wall. 
Look...No need to be afraid.
I am here. Go to sleep.
I love you. I am not going anywhere.

I knew what to do.
And everything was ok.

The first time she got on the school bus.
She wouldn’t let go of my hand.
So, I took the barrette out of my hair
And placed it in her hand.
She held it tightly as she climbed into the bus.
No need to be afraid.

I knew what to do
And everything was ok.

Five weeks ago, I was at work.
I didn’t see the text come in.
But my phone kept vibrating in my bag...
My daughter: 
"There’s a shooter in the school.”
“I am in locked in the gym. “

“I’m ok. We're evacuating. I love you. I'm coming home.”

Is this part of being a mother now?
Guns in the cafeteria?

I took the barrette out of my hair,
as I'd done so many years before... 
held it tightly in my hand.
And waited for the fear to fade.
I’m still waiting….

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137-026-VS
Instrumentation: mezzo-soprano and piano
Delivery Method: Physical Delivery
Performance Materials: Vocal Score

About the Work

Duration: 5'

Instrumentation: Mezzo-soprano and piano

Commissioned by: Sasha Cooke

Text: I heard my daughter crying. I went to her. Honey bunny, That's just a shadow on the wall. Look...No need to be afraid. I am here. Go to sleep. I love you. I am not going anywhere. I knew what to do. And everything was ok. The first time she got on the school bus. She wouldn’t let go of my hand. So, I took the barrette out of my hair And placed it in her hand. She held it tightly as she climbed into the bus. No need to be afraid. I knew what to do And everything was ok. Five weeks ago, I was at work. I didn’t see the text come in. But my phone kept vibrating in my bag... My daughter: "There’s a shooter in the school.” “I am in locked in the gym. “ “I’m ok. We're evacuating. I love you. I'm coming home.” Is this part of being a mother now? Guns in the cafeteria? I took the barrette out of my hair, as I'd done so many years before... held it tightly in my hand. And waited for the fear to fade. I’m still waiting….

Pages: 12