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….

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