SATB choir with double wind quintet (2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 french horns)

Marjorie Pickthall is an oft-forgotten Canadian writer and poet. Her short life yielded an output of fiction and poetry which is unabashedly lyrical and romantic. Full of youthfulness and fresh imagery, Daisy Time is a simple celebration of the arrival of spring and the fresh flora which comes with it. There is something distinctly Canadian in the feel of the text due to the beauty, pride and celebration found within the imagery. As with any attempt at text-setting, the music strives to paint the di􏰀erent colours found in the flora of the poetry using a variety of e􏰀ects, including twinkling whistles to describe stars reflected in the dew of the grass, airy tones from both the instruments and singers to send wind through the music, and ultimately a "Superbloom" e􏰀ect at the end of the piece which portrays the glory of flora in full-bloom.

The Canadian-ness of this text was attractive upon receiving this unique commission from Windago, which boasts a doubled wind quintet as part of the ensemble. In preparation for the premiere, it was discovered that Marjorie Pickthall had actually attended school just down the street from Windago's performance venue. This piece gained new meaning as, many years after Pickthall's death, this music gave her a brief but sweet homecoming.

Song of the Daisies was commissioned by conductors Leah McGray and Elaine Choi for their ensemble, Windago. The premiere performance was conducted by Leah McGray on July 3, 2013 at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church on St. Clair Avenue in Toronto, just two blocks away from Marjoie Pickthall's high school alma mater, The Bishop Strachan School on Lonsdale Road.

Daisy Time

See, the grass is full of stars,
Fallen in their brightness;
Hearts they have of shining gold,
Rays of shining whiteness.

Buttercups have honeyed hearts,
Bees they love the clover,
But I love the daisies' dance
All the meadow over.

Blow, O blow, you happy winds,
Singing summer's praises,
Up the field and down the field
A-dancing with the daisies.

- Marjorie Pickthall

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