Academia takes its toll on artists in many different ways. As a Freshman, I found myself going into college doing my best to stick to what I knew and doing the best at it that I could without any distractions. This unfortunately led to burnout and frustration, because I wasn't able to connect with people due to isolation, lack of creativity as a result of streamlining only what I knew, and overall depression from the constant dissatisfaction with where I was as a musician. There came a point, however, when the Lord brought a verse across my path, how that pain endures for a short while, but that joy comes in the morning (Ps. 30:5). That verse encompasses how after that, I decided to pick myself up and start fresh, doing my best to try new things, be more optimistic, and take advantage of each opportunity God brought my way.

This piece demonstrates the journey I took as a college student, starting off very introspective, taking mostly my own time and pace, but then halfway through, being spurred to action and taking new chances with some unexpected excitements along the way. The music ends in a hopeful and optimistic way, leaving the listener relieved after anxiety, tension, and pain gave way to joy and optimism.

Joy Comes In 'Mourning'

In Hebrew poetry, some poets would occasionally use a device in which two l contrasting ideas and distinguish their choices on the same experience. An example of this can be seen in the Hebrew proverbs, such as Proverbs 10:5 which says “The son who gathers during summer is prudent; the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful,” or Proverbs 15:7, “The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge, but not so the heart of fools” (CSB).

“two characters” was written with this binary form in mind, first describing an individual who is beautiful but with a quasi stoic quality, whereas the second individual exudes beauty with depth and more apparent qualities, yet both are nonetheless beautiful characters. Written with 12-tone tendencies, the idiom fluidly passes between serialism and conventional harmonies, a method of composing Daniel Gowans enjoys writing in.

Performed by Dr. Priscilla Oliveira, DMA on May 13, 2024.

Joy Comes In 'Mourning'

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