slopes shrinking, glazed, grayed

slopes shrinking, glazed, grayed was commissioned by Constellation Men's Ensemble in 2025 for their NOVA VIII program. The theme of this iteration of their NOVA comissioning project is chicago seasons, soliciting works that are inspired by the various vibrant seasons of the city of Chicago. When tasked with composing a work based on Chicago's seasons, I immediately gravitated toward the concept of the slow thaw. In my first year of living in Chicago, I was so struck by the incredibly slow emergence of new growth after winter. It was such a stark

contrast to anywhere I had lived before. Tiny buds emerging day by day in the still-cold air, green shoots appearing at the ends of dead branches, the first hints of flowers poking through brown, sometimes frost-covered, grass. A very non-linear process, warm temperatures can always give way snow and wind, and it makes the fragility of tiny new growth all the more special. I absolutely love the time of year in Chicago when the first hints of life and hope emerge from the long winter, and I absolutely love how long it takes to transform from winter into spring. This piece is a reflection on and celebration of savoring the slow thaw. slopes shrinking, glazed, grayed was premiered by Constellation Men's Ensemble at several Chicago Parks District locations the weekend of June 6, 2025.

Chuck Chandler, Matthew Cummings, Jack Reeder, Ryan Townsend Strand, tenors; Matthew Brennan, Conor Broaders, Ian Prichard, Aaron Wardell, basses

recorded live in performance at Trinity Wilmette