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.
“The Descent” begins with hesitation, as this student considers making the great jump off the cliff, into a new, free college life. When they fall, the release and rush of the air is invigorating. Freedom is beautiful, and allows the student to forge their own independent path. Without the rules back at home, there is no harness, and the student begins to lose control. Endless drug use, partying, and negligence of responsibilities ensues. Mental health deteriorates, and impulsivity wins. The fall from the cliff becomes terrifying, the student hopelessly flailing and tumbling through the air. They find themselves maimed and bruised, back at the bottom of the hill. They look up at the stars again, longing to be back on that hill, at the top of the world.
“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