“Paraiso” by Lawrence Laureano - American Festival Chorus and Orchestra

American Festival Chorus and Orchestra, Veterans Day Concert

I think of our human journey and our inner longing to have peace and purpose in our lives. Paraiso means paradise in Tagalog, a Filipino language. It represents the goodness of life and the gift of love that unites us. It is a reckoning that in spite of the hardship that happens in our world, our Paraiso still awaits us. More than an external place Paraiso is a place that exists within us and is a part of our being. I call it peace, which is our true home.
Growing up in the Philippines and Hawai’i, the ocean has always been a symbol of an endless space of openness and acceptance. A quiet section of the piece that highlights this profound truth may be found in the text:
“Oh may my heart grow wide as the sea, with love abiding in me.”

If you would like to learn and play this original piece, you can purchase my music sheets, which are available on my website:

For SSAATTBB Chorus & Piano
Words & Music by Lawrence Laureano
https://lawrencelaureano.com/products...