TUNE: The Seven Sisters (Jig)

Justin Randolph, Gretchen Koehler, Greg Cicchino, Northampton, Massachusetts.

My inspiration for “The Seven Sisters” came from a hike in Massachusetts with my friends Justin and Greg. At the top of the mountain there was a fire tower. I decided to “play it cool” and not admit that I am not a big fan of heights. (Eek!) I was quietly brave as I climbed the rickety, metal stairs and didn’t look down. I grabbed the railing at the top and quickly found solace by focusing on the hawks soaring in front of us. These large raptors take advantage of the hot air that rises over open, rocky surfaces. They use these thermals as a hot air elevator to rise up and glide down slowly until they spy another thermal —which saves valuable energy from not flapping. It is glorious to watch and I found myself longing fly with them.

After the hike, Justin told me he was afraid to climb the tower but didn’t want to admit it either! We had a big laugh and on my 5 hour drive home I decided to give him the “gift of flight” in the form of a jig. In the tune I tried to capture the hawks’ flight, holding long notes in the melody between ascending and cascading lines.

The Seven Sisters is featured on Koehler & Kelly CD, The Waxwing. To my absolute delight, my friend Ola Aldous was inspired to interpret The Seven Sisters in a large abstract painting. It hangs in my studio and I appreciated it every day. Here is the link to her painting and the story of its creation. The Seven Sister/Ripple of Inspiration

The Seven Sisters, Massachusetts