In 1993, I was asked to speak at the national convention of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association. The subject of my talk was the nature of music in our lives, especially from the point of view of a composer. After the talk, I took the opportunity to attend some of the workshop sessions. I became very enthusiastic about the creativity of the Orff-Schulwerk method. I could see that each Orff student tapped his or her creative center first with the result of music making. The Orff students I watched seemed to feel the joy of creating music as one and the same as the joy of performing music. I wanted to honor this creative spirit as fully as I could in Song-Dances to the Light. Drawing on the writings and poetry of children who contributed to the project, I found a libretto which celebrates various kinds of light and natural elements. This poetry was full of motion and emotion. Each poem struck me with its imagery, so beautifully simple, lyrical and rhythmic.