They All Saw a Cat

 

I spend a lot of time reading with my kids, and have made quite a tour of the children’s section of our local library. When I encountered Brendan Wenzel‘s dazzling book, They All Saw a Cat (a Caldecott Honor Book and New York Times bestseller), thanks to the helpful recommendation of a friendly librarian, not only did I fall in love with a gentle narrative about seeing through others’ eyes, but I almost instantly heard music!

In 2017, I received a commission to adapt the book for chamber ensemble and narrator, and shortly thereafter had the opportunity to create a version for full orchestra. The result is a contemporary nod to Peter and the Wolf: as you sit in the hall, you hear the words from a semi-theatrical narrator (who leads the audience in fun actions and a singalong), you hear the narrative in music from the orchestra, and you see the gorgeous art—with added motion graphics—projected on a large screen above the orchestra.

Are you interested in bringing They All Saw a Cat to your orchestra (or wind ensemble / band)? Contact me for score rental information.

I’m impersonating a fish (or is the fish impersonating me?) as I narrate during a performance by the BYU Philharmonic Orchestra (Kory Katseanes, director) in September 2019. Photo: Clark Goldsberry.