The Debt - Benedict Koh (text by Paul Laurence Dunbar)

I wrote this "big band" piece as an experiment to see how I can translate it onto poetry I was reading. Here is the score video and I hope you enjoy it. If you want to buy my score...just saying :)
Poem:
This is the debt I pay
Just for one riotous day,
Years of regret and grief,
Sorrow without relief.
Pay it I will to the end -
Until the grave, my friend,
Gives me a true release -
Gives me the clasp of peace.
Slight was the thing I bought,
Small was the debt I thought,
Poor was the loan at best -
God! but the interest!
Vocals: Jillian Moore
Alto I/Soprano I: Annalisa Stalls
Alto II/Soprano II: Kira Daglio Fine
Tenor I/Clarinet I: Hunter McKay
Tenor II/Clarinet II: Gabriel Nieves
Baritone: Vladyslav Dovhan
Trumpet I: Richard Stanmeyer
Trumpet II: Issac Dubow
Trumpet III: Maddoc Johnson
Trumpet IV/Flugelhorn: Lemuel Marc
Trombone I: Josh Gagnon
Trombone II: Aiden Coleman
Trombone III: Jim Connolly
Bass Trombone: Weza Jamison-Neto
Guitar: Nadav Brenner
Piano: Peter Vazquez
Bass: Daniel Mayer
Drums: Carlo Kind
Recorded live in Brown Hall, New England Conservatory on December 12th 2023

[@ethandymit1229]

Nice man! What a unique sound for a big band chart!

[@reha152]

🔥🔥

[@harrissimo]

Awesome

[@lacrimis_solis]

nice