Your Heart

Your Heart was commissioned in memory of Ryan Daniel Wedemeyer and in honor of his home town of Guthrie Center, Iowa and its many heros.  In 2013, Ryan was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 38 and found out he had only a short time left with his family.  The text of this piece, written by the composer, is adapted in part from a phone conversation Ryan shared with his childhood friend John Flanery just days before he passed away in 2016.  Ryan refused to embrace fear but spoke gratitude for the time he had left with his wife Jennifer and three children: Andrew, Luke and Alena.  This piece aims to honor those we have lost too early from this life and remind us that they will always be with us in our hearts.  It also strives to inspire hope in the hearts of all who perform it, reminding them that every day is a gift.