Bokeh, Japanese for blur and pronounced like “bouquet” in English, is a photographic term for a blurred background or out of focus points of light. I chose this title as the piece gradually comes into focus, creating a more clear image. To achieve this, you’ll notice the piece utilizes some odd techniques. Before the concert, the piano was “prepared” with special putty to “blur” the sound of seven specific strings. In the piece I used multiple techniques to portray a struggle to come into focus, including pizzicato string plucks, harsh string scrapes, and the “aeolian harp,” where the pianist quietly depresses a chord and strums the strings inside the piano.

As I reflect on my life and notice with gratitude all the gifts God has given me, I also sometimes ask why God gave all of this to me and not to someone else. I totally believe that God put me where he wants because he knows I can make a difference, even though sometimes it doesn’t make any sense that he put me here and not someone else. This piece puts into music the challenge of trying to understand God’s plan that I never completely understand. The piece ends expressing my hopeful yet naive understanding that I cannot comprehend what God is up to, but I can trust that it will be ok.