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Something To Say
For Flute, Cello and Piano (2021)
Program note:
This work was premiered as part of a series of works by Asian and Asian-American composers, with a uniting theme of dedication towards Eastern parents who have immigrated to the United States. When I was originally commissioned to write this work, I was quite torn with how to direct this new work, especially having been an American-born Asian myself. I am the son of a Taiwanese parent who arrived in the United States in the 80s. She did not speak a word of English, though eventually with years of unimaginably hard work, rough living conditions and a job that paid a dollar per hour, she not only became fluent, but was also given a full scholarship to Yale’s nursing program. She now works as a nurse practitioner at the Veterans’ Association Hospital in New Haven, CT, and remains one of their hardest workers to this day. “Something To Say” is a statement of empowerment, not only to those from foreign backgrounds, but to anyone who feels misunderstood or left out amongst our society at large today. I would like to dedicate this piece to my own parents, who have been my biggest supporters throughout my life and career. With all my love, I would not be where I am today without them!
Performances:
March 23, 2024: Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra’s “The New York Suite” event (arr. for flute and cello)
January 16, 2023: KOE, Carnegie Hall in New York, NY (arr. for flute and cello)
July 22, 2022: KOE, Avaloch Farm Music Institute in Boscawin, NH (arr. for flute and cello)
May 25, 2022: KOE, Live Ramp AAPI celebration and performance (arr. for flute and cello)
May 18, 2022: KOE, The Greene Space in New York, NY (arr. for flute and cello)
November 20, 2021: KOE, The Center at West Park in New York, NY
November 19, 2021: KOE, The Center at West Park in New York, NY
November 18, 2021: KOE, The Center at West Park in New York, NY