Blessings

In the winter of 2009,Peter and poet, Mark A. Boyle met James McCullough at the National ACDA Conference in Oklahoma City. For some reason, this Harvard trained composer, who had studied with the likes of Daniel Pinkham and Undine Smith Moore, decided to spend time with Peter and Mark. He shared stories of a life well lived in music. A new friendship was born. When it was time to part and go separate ways, James said, “my father always said, ‘Look for Blessings every day.’ Today, you two are my blessings.” James’s sentiment touched Peter and Mark very deeply. On the plane ride back to Pennsylvania, Peter said to Mark, “I want to do something special for James but I don’t want you to steal my idea.” Having known Peter for almost 20 years, Mark replied, “I know you want to write him a piece.Why don’t you let me write the poem?” Somewhere over the middle of the United States, the poem Blessings came to be. Peter set it rather quickly and the finished piece was sent to James as a gift. Each choir that performs the work takes away something different, however there seems to be a unifying effect – we can find blessings everywhere.