On a Columnar Self

for TTBB a cappella choir

I composed this piece titled "On a Columnar Self," inspired by Emily Dickinson's poem of the same name. The composition examines the irony in the concept of "self-reliance," questioning the steadfastness of an individual likened to a column on a granite base.
While Dickinson's verses suggest that relying solely on one's "columnar" self offers comfort and gratification, it also risks becoming stagnant rather than resolute. My composition delves into these themes, presenting a nuanced perspective that challenges the traditional celebration of an unyielding self.