Spire (2024/2026) - Willie Cornish, Jr.

"Spire" is a musical ode for string quartet to the Lucky Tree of Chapel Rock, a solo pine tree perched on an outcropped sandstone column on Lake Superior’s southern shore in Shingleton, Michigan. In 1840, explorer Charles Penny discovered and described Chapel Rock as “a costly temple… (that) grows a large straight pine for a spire.” Despite the odds of a lone pine tree thriving on a rock, its extensive root system creates a bridge to the mainland, allowing it to flourish. The Lucky Tree of Chapel Rock is a symbol and reminder to be resilient, grateful, and live vibrantly despite life's adversities. Special thanks to the amazing Anda Jiang, Frances Norton, Anna Sykes, and Gabriel Hennebury for performing this piece. - Get in contact with me!: williecornishjr@gmail.com Visit my website: www.williecornishjr.com SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/willie-cornish Instagram/tiktok: wcjrmusic