A Message From Mark Grey, The Phoenix Symphony Composer-In-Residence

Thank you all for your wonderful support. The world premiere of Enemy Slayer: A Navajo Oratorio wouldn't have been possible without the countless hours put in by the entire Phoenix Symphony staff including Maryellen Gleason, Michael Christie, and the project manager himself, Phoenix Symphony General Manager and Music Alive! Residency Director, Jay Good. A huge round of applause for all of them! I have been deeply moved by the chorus, and Chorusmaster Greg Gentry's vision. They are the heart and soul of this story and have flowered into a profound "voice" of the ancestral Navajo people.

The orchestra musicians have been fantastic and so supportive throughout the entire Residency. Each musician has been putting in 200% to help make this a powerful experience certainly in my life, and hopefully yours. It is so rare in today's fast-paced world, and cautious arts community, that this amount of time and care is put into a contemporary work. I am humbled and honored. We should all be very proud to show the world the importance of the Southwest and its people in the United States's fifth largest city. It is the continuous support of patrons and concert-goers that keep projects like this alive and possible. Many thanks to all of you! See you at Symphony Hall!

Editor's Note: Mark Grey will be appearing at both world premiere performances of 'Enemy Slayer: A Navajo Oratorio' February 7th and 9th at Symphony Hall. Also, join Mark on stage one hour before each performance for a discussion of his music during our regular Musically Speaking event!