by Molly Walsh
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” asks the poet Mary Oliver in her widely celebrated piece The Summer Day. Oliver’s question has been etched into the minds of many creatives, serving as a longtime source of conversation and inspiration. Joan Szymko, a Portland, Oregon-based composer, crafted an enchanting and evocative three-movement choral suite titled It Is Happiness, which animates Oliver’s words from The Summer Day, Sunrise, and Wild Geese.
In the new year, Oliver’s well-worn question remains top of mind for members of the Capital City Chorus of Olympia Chorale, as they have been invited to New York City this May to perform It Is Happiness at Carnegie Hall.
The CCC’s Chorale initially performed It Is Happiness as part of their spring concert series in 2024. At the time, CCC Chorale Director, Vicki Jardine-Tobin, had a goal to feature more female composers, as well as pieces with a fresh perspective and sound.
Ahead of the 2024 spring concert series, Szymko traveled from Portland to Olympia to work with the CCC’s Chorale during rehearsals. Selecting It Is Happiness provided a rare opportunity for the Chorale to ask questions and speak with a living composer who could share their unique insights and vision for the piece. Tobin recalls how fun it was to rehearse with Szymko, while also remaining committed to accurately representing the piece and putting on a high-quality performance.
“We had a lot of questions,” said Tobin. “It’s not an easy piece to sing. It’s constantly changing meter to really meld with the rhythm of the words. So it’s constantly changing and ebbing and flowing, to go with the poetry, and she helped us make our way through that.”
When It Is Happiness was selected for a national debut at Carnegie Hall in May 2026, Szymko also wished for the CCC’s Chorale to be invited to sing the three-movement suite. Tobin recalls a sense of shock when she initially heard from representatives at Carnegie Hall, especially considering the CCC’s Chorale is a relatively new ensemble. Around 38 singers originally performed the piece as part of the 2024 spring concert series, and Tobin is hopeful that almost all of the singers will be able to make the trip to New York.
A common thread through Oliver’s poetry, The Summer Day, Sunrise and Wild Geese, is imagery that evokes the natural world, melded with more philosophical musings. Szymko’s composition underscores and adds texture to these themes through harmonies, stops and repetition.
“No 1. The Summer Day, evokes sweet tones, almost serving as a score for a gentle midday walk on a wooded path. No 2. Sunrise, plays with tempo and volume and features a finale that explodes with sound, reminiscent of the sun peeking over the horizon at dawn. No. 3 Wild Geese provides a more contemplative tone, with rich, layered harmonies.
Tobin noticed how Szymko incorporated elements of the natural world within the composition, from the use of the violin to mimic the sound of grasshoppers, to open chords that are reminiscent of open land on the prairie.
“Joan did not get in the way of the poetry, and she also supported it with sounds that helped bring that to life in the listeners’ minds,” said Tobin.
In recent months, Tobin has been rehearsing with the Chorale members who will perform at Carnegie Hall. Breaks have also been built in to prepare for the CCC “Christmas with the Chorus” series that took place in December, and the Chorale’s upcoming concert season.
In support of CCC Chorale members who will be traveling to New York, the CCC is hosting the It Is Happiness concert fundraiser, which will take place on Saturday, January 17 at United Churches of Olympia.
The concert fundraiser will include a performance of It Is Happiness, and will commemorate the seventh anniversary of Oliver’s death. To further celebrate Oliver’s life and body of work, the event will include a live reading of Oliver’s poetry, in collaboration with Browsers Bookshop. Browsers will also host a pop-up display featuring anthologies and other reads that include Oliver’s writings. Attendees may also look forward to a silent auction and a secret wine pull. Silent auction items will include pieces of art, jewelry and gift certificates to local businesses.
According to Tobin, the Chorale’s opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall is, in many ways, a credit to Olympia’s flourishing creative community, and attending the concert fundraiser is a way to connect with the community and ensure Chorale members have the means to travel to New York for the performance.
“The level of this event is quite high, and also accomplished by all local people, and I think that’s a tribute to the talent and the scope of abilities of the people in Olympia and around Olympia,” said Tobin.
Photos by Vicki Jardine-Tobin.
WHAT:
It Is Happiness Concert and Fundraiser
WHEN:
3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17
WHERE:
United Churches of Olympia, 110 12th Ave SE, Olympia
HOW MUCH:
$11
LEARN MORE:
https://cccolympia.org
https://cccolympia.org/store/front/product_display/15