During the summer of 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic, George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police officers. I, like many other individuals, did not know how to respond. Since the death of Trayvon Martin I have been surrounded by the deaths of innocent black people by the hands of those who swore to protect people. I had become numb by these events, until now. I finally realized that I had a voice and I can express my feelings towards these deaths and the death of George Floyd.

 

This is "breathe"

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With "breathe" it highlights the reactions and emotions so many had. The piece goes through the traumatic moments before the death of George Floyd. There is a sense of tension throughout until the climax where the piece goes to a moment of pain. At the climax of the piece the music illustrates a universal scream that me and many others felt. Originally I wanted it to be a somber ending, however I changed it. The ending represents the ascension of George Floyd’s soul from this world of hurt to a world of peace and thus the piece ends with an urge to change.