Through texts spanning centuries, each movement probes isolation as ancient strategy. Anchorites flee worldly models of desire to pursue undistracted union with the divine.

The piece reveals isolation's double edge: escape from external rivalries, yet an internal imitation of ascetic exemplars who themselves wrestled with suffering. As each author grapples with loss and virtue, the music aims for intimacy, tracing a delicate line between vulnerability and resilience.

"Anchorites" employs a simple musical language and occupies a modest space. The movements are named for their authors rather than their works, acknowledging each writer’s devotion to the quiet work of writing itself.

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credits
released February 6, 2026

Anchorites Ensemble:
Kayleigh Sprouse
Kaylee Parker
Cameron Falby
T.J. Callahan

Live recording from "Nobody Is Ever Missing", Voxel Theater, Baltimore, January 17-19, 2025.

Sound Engineer: Jason Charney
Mixing/Mastering: Tim Holt
Presenter: Mind On Fire

Text Sources:
Movement 1: Text by Tao Lin. Used by permission of the author.
Movement 2: Compilation from Julian of Norwich (public domain).
Movement 3: "Dream Song 29" from 77 Dream Songs: Poems by John Berryman. Copyright © 1959, 1962, 1963, 1964 by John Berryman. Copyright renewed © 1992 by Kate Donahue. Used by arrangement with Farrar, Straus and Giroux. All rights reserved.

Special Thanks to Mind On Fire and to James Young for presenting this work along with the opera, "Nobody Is Ever Missing," and for bringing together the talented singers to perform it. To director Juanita Rockwell for believing and encouraging the work. All performers and the creative team who made it real. And to the Voxel/Figure 53 for their unparalleled dedication to supporting performing arts in Baltimore.

© 2025 Tim Holt Music
Performing rights administered by ASCAP
Text permissions as noted above

Cover Art: "The Penitent Magdalen" by Georges de La Tour, ca. 1640 (Public Domain, The Met Open Access Initiative)