NKEIRU OKOYE Composer
“In vigorous march time, with the chatter of muted trumpets giving way to jazzy riffs and then an elegiac melody, Voices Shouting Out affirmed a faith in the ability of America to put tragedy behind it and move forward.”
The Grand Rapids Press.
July 2005
Basic Information
YEar ©2002
Length 5’
Genre orchestral short
Audiences all
COMPOSITIONS
VOICES SHOUTING OUT
Nkeiru Okoye penned the initial sketches of what would be “Voices Shouting Out” on New Year’s Eve, 2001/02. The completed work, an engaging orchestral short, premiered six weeks later with the Virginia Symphony. “Voices” has continued to captivate audiences in concert halls throughout the US, making it Okoye’s most popular piece.
I sat to write 'Voices" in the wake of September 11th; however in my grieving process, I failed to find music within. It was as thought my muse crumbled with our twin towers. So, though I originally attempted to compose a piece, “Voices Crying Out,” in response to the destruction, I could not. As this nation recovered, we were united in response: we would resume our lives, using normalcy to defy the terrorism. In the end, rather than ‘crying out’ my official response was “Voices Shouting Out” in freedom, as it were, through the music. It was a march to acknowledge those fighting on behalf of our safety, that day and yet a sparkling celebration of life for those of us who continue living.”
Programming Information
Instrumentation 3(picc)-2-3(bcl)-2/4-4-2(btbn)-1/timp+3/harp/strings
NOTE programs well with general audiences as well as with community concerts
