Writ in Water is a major choral cycle by US composer, Michael Daugherty, now available for general performance. 

 

Commissioned in celebration of Jerry Blackstone’s 30 years as Director of Choirs at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance, the 30-minute composition is "inspired by poetry, books and films reflecting on the wonders, mysteries and dangers of water." 

 

Included are poems by John Masefield, Emily Dickinson, Herman Melville, Christina Rossetti and Langston Hughes, and text from the science-fiction film Creature from the Black Lagoon and Rachel Carson’s seminal book on water pollution, Silent Spring.

 

The seven-movement cycle was premiered by University of Michigan Chamber Choir and Jerry Blackstone on 14 April 2018 (see video below). While the composer intends it to be performed in its entirety, individual movements may be performed separately, or in various combinations.

 

The complete score of each movement can be seen at these links: