The Horizon (What If I Let Go? No. 1)

This piece was composed in the Fall of 2024, during the first two months of college. In this piece, I wanted to tell a tale of someone who, after undertaking the throes of university applications, experiences freedom when arriving to their dream school. “The Horizon” being a representation of the uphill struggle and bittersweet feeling of high school graduation, and “The Descent” being the challenges of starting university life.

In “The Horizon,” the end of high school is represented by a student hiking alone on a desolate hill. When they wearily reach the top, they see the expansive evening sky and the world below the cliffside, the stars beginning to faintly flicker. The road was exhausting and tumultuous, but experiencing the view from the top was worth the struggle.

“What If I Let Go?” is a tale of freedom becoming a double-edged sword; it is both an important release from shackling rules, and a gateway into a volatile and dangerous lifestyle.

Miguel Granda (b. 2006) resides in Allendale, New Jersey, and attended Northern Highlands Regional High School. He began piano studies at the age of five and started to compose in middle school, heavily inspired and encouraged by his grandmother and great aunt, both Cuban musicians. He draws much inspiration from indie video game soundtracks and art pop influences. Currently, he is a music composition major at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University.

Recording Engineer - Gregg Rossetti