Instrumentation: Clarinet and Piano

Purchase Score - Available Soon! (Under Exclusivity until June, 2027)

Duration: 6:45

Program Notes:

Although mental health has been frequently overlooked and minimized over the years, due to its stigma and silent symptoms, more recently, it has gained momentum as it has been linked to better physical health, relationships, and overall wellbeing. Cultivating one’s mental health builds one’s resilience to the daily stressors of life.

Interior Castle depicts an inner transformation and growth in the face of adversity. The music explores ways to cope with stress and anxiety through mental exercises, including journaling, unsent letters, and prayer/meditation. Interior Castle is also inspired by the writings of St. Teresa of Avila and St. Faustina. In St. Teresa’s book, The Mansions, she writes of the “soul resembling a castle,” with the gate to entering the castle being prayer and meditation. While trying to enter the castle, one can be easily led away by distractions and temptations. It is my hope that through these exercises of mind and spirit, and explorations of words and music, one can find interior peace.

Consortium Members

Julianne Dumm, Lead commissioner 
Jeff Anderle and Joshua Gardner and the ASU Clarinet Studio 
McKinley Baker
Mackinzee Carpenter, Lawrence University Clarinet Studio
Lynda Dembowski, Anne Arundel Community College
Victor Drescher
Rosemary Englestad
Lucas Gianini
Tucker Hall-Klingensmith, Lawrence University
Daniel Hayden
Andy Hudson, Lawrence University
Julianne Kirk Doyle and the Crane Clarinet Studio
Joanna McCoskey Wiltshire, The College of New Jersey
Shannon McDonald
River Melcher, Lawrence University
Amanda Morrison 
Jack Mulrooney
Grady Newsum
Lisa Oberlander, Columbus State University
Miguel Velasco
Tommy W. Walsh
Tyler Workinger