Journey Home (with Voice, Solo Cello, and Electronics) by Sophie Webber by Sophie Webber, Cellist

This piece is a tribute to the life story of Amanda Lenetta Asque, an incredible woman who in spite of being a victim of substance abuse and many other traumas, was able to transcend the hardships life dealt her, and is now a substance abuse counselor in Chicago who frequently travels nationally to help women in need. In her own words, "My struggles are not in vain; they are a means for me to connect with hundreds of other women to inspire them that life is beautiful."

The spoken word portion of the piece here is taken directly from an interview I had with her 2015. Amanda's recounting of her life events was at times incredibly lucid and insightful, and at others more fragmented. This fragmentation alternating with haunting clarity is reflected in the parts of the interview I chose for this piece. The music that surrounds Amanda's voice is comprised of cello, piano, the sounds of Amanda breathing, street sounds, waves crashing, and electronics. The work divides roughly into three sections:

I Childhood II Addiction III Homecoming

Please visit https://www.fusedmuseensemble.com/journey-home-transcription for a full transcription of Amanda's narrative.