Dual Voices, Single Journey is a commissioned piece by the Chicago Sinfonietta for Monica Ellis and me, Sandra Bailey, two world-renowned Black women bassoonists. The piece begins by exploring styles that are foundational and beloved by many bassoonists: Baroque, Classical, and Programmatic. These styles include numerous concertos, solos, and soli specifically written for the bassoon and even for women bassoonists. Within this space, I examine the tension of playing an instrument and repertoire from a time when my ancestors were not free. There is a lonely feeling when I look at repertoire and wonder, was it premiered before or after 1865? I reimagine these classical styles through the Negro Spiritual “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me.” I specifically looked at some of the oldest variations of this spritual from where my ancestors migrated, the Mississippi Delta.
It's a spiritual repurposed throughout gospel, classical music and even hip hop. Through these various styles of music, I am able to navigate the complexity of their dualities, showing my hope and creativity. The piece ends with my own Afro-futurist variation of the opening theme, my own vision of the present and future. The future that can be represented by two black women bassoonists performing on one stage. It exemplifies how persistence can bring forth the dreams of our subjugated ancestors.

I dedicate this piece to my enslaved ancestors.

I hope that when you play this piece you can imagine a future that your subjugated ancestors or community members hoped and imagined.

This is Dual Voices, Single Journey!