Just a note to let you know how much the students of the CMEA Capitol Section Honor Band and I enjoyed working on ‘Vulnerable Joy’ earlier this month. Beautiful and moving music that we were able to connect with so easily!

I even had a student give me a handwritten note about his honor band experience on the back of his ‘Vulnerable Joy’ sheet music because I used ‘Vulnerable Joy’ as a vehicle to speak about my family’s experience as refugees and immigrants. He is also the son of immigrants, and this gave him an opportunity to reflect on his family’s sacrifices.

Vu Nguyen, Director of Bands | Conservatory of Music, University of the Pacific