Students in the HS choir recently had the opportunity to meet with the composer of one of the choral pieces they’re working on for their winter concert. Mark A. Miller wrote the music to “I Choose Love”, a song written after the tragic shooting on June 17, 2015, during a Bible study at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Charleston, S.C. where nine people were killed. The text was part of a poem by Lindy Thompson and it expresses the need to choose love in the midst of the most tragic and painful times.
Mr. Miller earned degrees from Yale and Julliard, and currently works at both Yale and Drew University where he specializes in teaching sacred music. He is also the Minister of Music of Christ Church (UCC & Am Baptist) in Summit, N.J.
Mr. Miller was so gracious with his time, sharing thoughts about his composition process, the piece “I Choose Love” in particular, and he shared some of his past musical inspirations. He also took time to answer questions that students had submitted to him in advance.
We hope you’ll come to the HS winter concert to hear our students perform his beautiful and impactful piece, “I Choose Love”.