OVERFLOW - SATB + 5 sop. Soloists + Piano - by Ritika Bhattacharjee

“Overflow of soul, dripping to mine. Lord, let me hear you laugh forever.”

My original composition, commissioned by and for Austin-based Panoramic Voices (dir. Juli Orlandini) and VAMP Vocals with commissioned the text by poet Mickey May at the Austin Public Library 💙

If you’ve lost someone, you know grief is the outpouring of love looking for a place to go. The most difficult part of death and indelible loss is not the loss itself, but choosing to live after it happens.

Thank you to this incredible community. So many shared cherished stories about their deceased loved ones at rehearsals, during intermission, over Instagram DMs, and through my website. Sharing is how we keep our memories alive. ❤️‍🔥

“OVERFLOW” by Ritika Bhattacharjee
Text by Mickey May
World premiere by Panoramic Voices and VAMP Vocals
10.4.25

THE TEXT by Mickey May:

Flickering footage
of fingers through hair,
of dustmotes floating—
like fairies or galaxies—
in a sunbeam sneaking
through window shades.

The curves of your kindness
are a homecoming. Quick
perception, gentle connection,
overflow of soul dripping
from your lips to mine.

Lord, let me hear you laugh
forever. Let me lick the stray
tear from your cheek to taste
every nerve signal, every ounce
of empathy and salt within you.

#newmusic #choir