David's first conducting gig after stroke

David wrote the music to the poem, Come To These Scenes of Peace, by William Lyles Bowles in 2009. A massive stroke in 2021 left the composer, David Schut, incapacitated. The medical community said that David would not improve. But now, four years after the stroke, David is conducting a choir for a piece he wrote in 2009.

Of special interest is the violin part. David’s occupational therapist and professional violinist, Jill Olsen Moser, joined our choir, Giving Voice Crosstown, for this performance. David originally asked Jill to play along with us and to play at her discretion. However, Jill instructed David to actually write a violin part for her.

This video documents their collaboration.

The recording was given to us by his longtime friend and fellow Two Rivers Chorale accompanist, Denise Dooher! Denise is a friend everyone should have. Thank you Denise for walking through this healing journey with David and me!