We dedicate this season's Latinx Composer Miniature Challenge to the memory of Ida Sánchez Tello (1979-2023). We are blessed to have known her as we worked on "Mirando hacia el Firmamento" for a live premiere in April 2023 and its upcoming LCMC virtual premiere. Rest in power.

Dedicamos el Latinx Composer Miniature Challenge a la memoria de Ida Sánchez Tello (1979-2023). Ella escribió "Mirando hacia el Firmamento" para el LCMC, que estrenamos en un concierto en vivo en abril de 2023 y tendrá su estreno virtual. Descansa en el poder.

“Mirando hacia el Firmamento” by Ida Sánchez Tello

IDA SÁNCHEZ TELLO studied voice at the National Conservatory of Music and later transferred to Mannes where she majored in Choral Conducting under the tutelage of Mark Shapiro. She studied harmony and counterpoint with Robert Cuckson, Chris Park, and José Suárez. Her first published works were premiered in 2018 in Mexico City as part of the cycle of songs "Testimonios de la Tierra". Aside from music, she also studied Biomedical Engineering. She's currently working as a freelance organist and choral conductor while working on a Spanish mass and an opera based on her hometown's legends.

NOTE: "I wrote this poem as a hopelessly romantic 15-year-old, never imagining that it would be turned into a song almost 30 years later. While adding notes, rather than doing it in the here and now, I tried to place myself back in León during the spring full of Jacarandas wearing a middle school uniform and tried to impress that simple, yet awakening self into it.

Thanks, Ali and Ariel for this great opportunity. It is an honor to have this song performed along with fantastic performers."

TEXT/LETRAS

Mirando hacia el firmamento

contigo, amor

me doy cuenta de que todo

lo tengo yo.

Mirando hacia las estrellas

sé que las ves,

podrías decir que son bellas

más de una vez

Mirando hacia el infinito

me encontraré

y si tú no estás conmigo

me moriré

Mirando hacia el universo

eres mi amor.

Mirando hacia el firmamento

juntos, tú y yo

Written for the Bahué Latinx Composer Miniature Challenge. Performed and recorded by Ariel Campos and Aliana de la Guardia at Mt San Antonio College in Walnut, CA, and the Community Music School of Springfield in Springfield, MA. Audio and video editing by Jeffrey Means, Suonovivo Audio.