Program Note
Through Lightness Dark Shall Break was composed in response to the overwhelming sense of sorrow and confusion following the 2017 Las Vegas shooting. In a time marked by tragedy, this work seeks to affirm that light and humanity persist, even when darkness feels most present.
One morning, while driving to work, I saw a mother and her son sitting on a bench waiting for the bus. As she handed him a doughnut, his face lit up with joy. Just a short distance down the road, a father zipped up his young daughter’s backpack while she stood beside him, holding a balloon that looked like it was for her birthday. These simple moments, so easy to overlook, struck me deeply. They reminded me that despite the violence and sorrow that often dominate the news, small, beautiful acts of care and joy continue to unfold around us every day.
The title emerged late in the compositional process, reflecting a shift in perspective from despair to hope. This piece is not about ignoring hardship but about choosing to see and hold onto light where it still exists. It is a reminder that our identities and communities can be shaped by compassion, connection, and the goodness we too often overlook.
Photo taken at Torrey Pines Gilderport, San Diego CA
by Kristine Llanderal
