Some roads are simple stretches of earth; some paths have been walked for centuries. Dirt Roads and Footpaths takes inspiration from both. Dr. Stanley Roberts recalls growing up on a dirt road in South Georgia, where the rhythms of life, the care of the land, and the quiet lessons of daily travel shaped who he became. Decades later, he wandered the footpaths of England’s Lake District – trails crossing fields, villages, ancient walls, and hidden gardens – where every step invites reflection, wonder, and discovery.

These paths are more than routes from place to place; they are metaphors for life itself. On some days, we wander freely, delighting in the scenery, the sounds, the unexpected turns. On others, we are called to care for the path, to guide, to mark the way for those who follow. Life, like a footpath, asks us to journey thoughtfully, to notice the beauty around us, and to leave the path a little clearer than we found it.

The music of this concert mirrors these travels of the heart and mind. John Corigliano’s setting of Dylan Thomas’ Fern Hill captures the fleeting wonder of youth and memory, while other works illuminate the landscapes, challenges, and joys of the human journey. Through these voices, we traverse dirt roads and footpaths alike; celebrating adventure, honoring responsibility, and connecting through the shared experience of life’s winding journey.