Recently I’ve been listening to NPR while driving to various gigs. I especially look forward to their Jokes segment and the hour filled with random/interesting news about musicians and composers. Today I heard a short interview with Jennifer Higdon, a composer who has gained a huge amount of popularity within a very short time, and her notes about her piece, Blue Cathedral. I only managed to hear the first few minutes, but it was quite captivating how she used bell-like sounds and strings to indicate the light shining and reflecting through the crystal edifice in the sky. She also commented on the psychological journey from being introspective to being extroverted as one ages and goes through life with the purpose (?) or natural tendency to become associated with many people. Being introverted myself and having to coerce myself to meet new people as I expand my career, hearing that statement by Higdon made me want to listen to the piece and others written by her, perhaps for chamber ensemble. I am curious to hear how she translated all of the above into a cohesive work for orchestra.