During the summer of 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic, George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police officers. I, like many other individuals, did not know how to respond. Since the death of Trayvon Martin I have been surrounded by the deaths of innocent black people by the hands of those who swore to protect people. I had become numb by these events, until now. I finally realized that I had a voice and I can express my feelings towards these deaths and the death of George Floyd. This is "breathe" With "breathe" it highlights the reactions and emotions so many had. The piece goes through the traumatic moments before the death of George Floyd. There is a sense of tension throughout until the climax where the piece goes to a moment of pain. At the climax of the piece the music illustrates a universal scream that me and many others felt. Originally I wanted it to be a somber ending, however I changed it. The ending represents the ascension of George Floyd’s soul from this world of hurt to a world of peace and thus the piece ends with an urge to change.
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