TUNE: A Thousand Wishes (Quebec Reel)

Hello friends!

I have a story and a video to share!

I love the night sky and was inspired to compose "A Thousand Wishes" after viewing 40+ meteors in one night during the Persied Meteor shower. On a mid-august night, 2020 I brought my sleeping bag outside, cozied in and crossed my fingers that I'd be able to wish on a few shooting stars. I often laugh at what pops into my mind in that split second before I have time to edit my thoughts into the perfect wish. But this particular evening, 5 months into the pandemic, my wishes were all very serious as the virus, US politics, human relationships and my future career as a musician were heavy on my heart and quick to the surface.

Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, NY 2021

I lay quietly for a long time looking up at the sky. Slowly, I felt a shift as the places where I was holding onto anxiety started filling with gratitude. I realized I needed to let go of the stress of the many months I spent bottling up my anxiety and pushing away joy. There seemed to be a flurry of star activity during this epiphany, and the happiness I felt was so delightful I began to giggle out loud.

I wanted to capture that in a tune. The piece begins with a slow reflection as I look up at the stars, then picks up speed as my mood lightens. I wrote it as a Québec "crooked" reel, which features uneven phrases to represent the unpredictability of the meteors and how my thoughts were interrupted with each exciting whoosh across the sky. The piece ends as it began, with a moment of reflection about the awesomeness of our universe.

I was thrilled to debut the piece -under the stars- at the Mohonk Mountain House's Festival of the Arts. Thanks to my son Sylvain for capturing a video of this special performance. I hope you enjoy "stargazing" with me, and as you listen, maybe you'll be inspired to make a wish.

~Gretchen

Under the stars, fiddler Gretchen Koehler debuts her new piece,
A Thousand Wishes” written for the Persied Meteor shower, 2020.