Frailty is the second movement featured within "Moods for Clarinet", a selection of pieces for clarinet and piano (premiered in 2022 by Michael Box and Marc Sanders). This orchestral arrangement enhances the colors buried underneath the original conception and invites new voices to partake in the exposed truth: "How can we handle the vulnerability of our humanity near the edge of death?". In this hour of frailty, we question the fates and remember what we are beginning to forget.

Frailty (Orchestral)

The following description was presented in the program notes of Emelia Johnson's 2021 Senior Recital notes:

"The creation of “Chamber V: Hesitation” is within itself a testament to its main concept. The consistent strife of facing hesitation on a daily basis, whether it was for school, work, or personal matters, drove my creative process. The struggle is represented in the voices and phrases as they struggle to keep momentum. Extensions and offsets created realities that will inevitably result in disaster. The lack of action leads to more trouble and regret than it is worth to be cautious."

Hesitation (Chamber V)

The following description is provided from the program notes presented for Emelia Johnson's 2021 senior recital:

"Loose Footing” is an experiment with unusual instrumentation and electronic editing. This meditative soundscape features eastern instrumentation (sitar, dulcimer, and mandolin) alongside instruments that are more familiar to western audiences (guitar, harp, lute, and ukulele). A misstep in the wrong direction can lead to ambiguous consequences."

Loose Footing

The following description is provided by the program notes of Emelia Johnson's 2021 senior recital:

In the beginning, there was the “Sunrise”. The heavenly body ascends upon the backs of strings, but the sun awaits the perilous trials of the night. Each one of us faces our own night which we must overcome. One question haunts us in uncertain times: “Will the sun ever rise again?”