The Price (2022)
for SATB choir and piano
Text: James Ostime (b. 1983)
Duration: 3 minutes
Difficulty: 1/4
Commissioned by the Saskatchewan Music Educators Association for the SMEA Honour Choir, and dedicated to Val Kuemper for her years of service as Executive Director. First performance tentatively planned for November 2024.
In January 2020, I was approached by my old friend & colleague Katlyn Redding with the opportunity to write a commission for the Saskatchewan Music Educators Association. This new piece for their annual Honour Choir program was intended to honour Val Kuemper on her retirement as the Executive Director. As a valued leader in the organization, it was clear to me that Val’s piece should be something special that spoke to her as a person. The committee shared their idea for a text: the belief that finding nickels on the ground is a gift from a loved one in heaven—in this case, Val’s late husband Brian. I asked my friend James Ostime to write a brief poem on this subject, which became The Price. His words celebrate everyday joys and treasures, and the value of our loved ones. My music is heartfelt and genuine with bright harmonies, and although the COVID-19 pandemic delayed this project by two years, I am infinitely grateful to the SMEA for the opportunity to create something new for these young singers.
Click here to see the complete score.
Live recording currently unavailable. MIDI available on request.
Full Text
What is the price for a day in this life
The care of a mother, the love of a wife
How do we add up those things beyond measure
The love we have given, the friendships we treasure
Life is full of these gifts, if we look around
The glint of the stars, the coins on the ground
I’ll value our time spent wherever I go
For you’re always with me, more than you know
I’m blessed with the riches you’ve given to me
And just in case this life isn’t free
I shall have such wealth when my journey is through
In pennies from Heaven
And nickels from you
© James Ostime, 2020. Used with permission.