AMBER SUN

for

Mixed Choir

Piano and Cello

An original composition written for

Bosque School

Albuquerque, New Mexico

by Donald Patriquin

On a Poem by Michael VeSeart

Premiered by the Award winning Choir

Cantate

under the direction of

Joanna Hart

I found Michael VeSeart's poem a perfect reflection of my impression of Bosque School

that wonderful, amber day in the fall of 2009 when my daughter and my grandson and I

cycled through the Bosque to meet with staff and students who would later be so helpful in

finding a text and performing Amber Sun.

Patrick Dougherty was in the initial stages of

creating a huge installation fashioned from thousands of local saplings that students had

cut and brought to the back of the school; the choir and the band were rehearsing and

provided immediate inspiration; staff and students were enjoyably occupied with their

school work, but never too busy to say hello and make me feel 'at home'.

The sense of wonder, creativity and dedication was palpable throughout the place. I was struck by the

feeling of team spirit in every room we visited, and with everyone I met personally-

students, staff and all who help keep a school moving along twenty-four hours a day.

It has been a pleasure to spend a couple of months this cold, windy Quebec winter,

recalling the warmth of Bosque School as I worked on Amber Sun. It brought back

wonderful memories of my own school, albeit in a very different time and place.

It is my pleasure and delight to dedicate this piece to all who comprise Bosque School.