Katahj Copley (b. 1998) had his first composition performed as an undergraduate at the University of West Georgia in 2017. Since then, he has written an astounding amount of music, more than 100 pieces, many of which have been performed by ensembles in all corners of the United States and the world. He completed graduate studies in composition with Omar Thomas at the University of Texas at Austin, and is now pursuing further study at Michigan State University. He is featured at his own website, the Wind Repertory Project, …And We Were Heard, and the Millennium Composers Initiative. He also maintains a presence on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Halcyon Hearts (2021) is subtitled “An Overture for Love.” Copley opens his program with a quote from the Bible (1 Corinthians):

Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.

He goes on:

HALCYON HEARTS is an ode to love and how it affects us all. Halcyon denotes a time where a person is ideally happy or at peace, so in short Halcyon Hearts is about the moment of peace when one finds their love or passion. The piece centers around major 7ths and warm colors to represent the warmth that love brings us. The introduction- which is sudden and colorful- symbolizes the feeling of the unexpected journey it takes to find love. Using the colors and natural energy of the ensemble, we create this sound of ambition and passion throughout the work. No matter what race, gender, religion, nationality or love, we all are united with the common thread of passion from the heart. This piece was written in dedication to those who love no matter what negativity is in the world; do not allow hate and prejudice to guide the way we live our lives. Always choose love and the halcyon days will come.

The Georgia All State Concert Band brings this love-ode to dazzling, vivid life:

Dig deeper on this piece at Copley’s website, Murphy Music Press, and the Wind Repertory Project.