The joy in Desiree Goyette's new Easter oratorio
Commentary: SpiritLinks
By Diana deRegnier
UPI Religion & Spirituality

MILL VALLEY, April 10 (UPI) — How do you write an Easter oratorio for five soloists, accompaniment and choir, at times nine parts deep? At the age of five, sitting under the family's upright piano, listening to Rachmaninoff, Desiree Goyette may not have imagined composing the 40 minute, jubilant arrangement, but she was already 8 setting her destiny in motion.

Even then, music was a great panacea in her home. Desiree articulates it now as, "Where there was darkness, we could find our space and freedom through the music." It provided a means of communication that transcended any tension, and empowered her as the bearer of good tidings. "I did my utmost to come in with a plan. Maybe this will brighten up their day. I'll sing this song for them. I'll write this little thing. It was a way to lighten the load for my parents, and it helped me."

From there, Desiree entered into a lifelong journey of studies and growth and a magnificently successful career as a musician, actress, composer, producer and "herself." Desiree's first job was at Marriott's Great America. Three years later she staged a one-woman show at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. The day after the show closed, she went to work for producer, Lee Mendelsohn on a revised version of the television show "You Asked For It." Following that, Desiree worked as a musician, voice-over artist and associate producer on 25 Charlie Brown television specials and 125 Garfield cartoons, and in other movies and television productions

Over the years, as Desiree firmed up her studies of music, she developed her ideals in spirituality as well. In 1995, while her mother and a brother fought cancer, she turned to sacred music, for them as well as for herself. Once again she delivered music to soothe the soul. So that her mother could hear the fully orchestrated compositions, Desiree took to the studio. "You know you're really guided when it's something you can't not do. Every space in your being is eaten up on this thing." Nine months later, Desiree gave birth to her first recording, "From Where He Stands."

With the CD, Desiree soon discovered she had an eager audience in her Christian Scientist community, of course, but also with her fundamentalist, Presbyterian, and Jewish friends. Sacred music became the true expression of her being. Lightchild Publishing and a website were created to make the recording and sheet music available to her ever-growing devotees. Desiree followed with numerous other CDs and cassettes, all are inspirational music.

In November, 1999, Marie Carmichael, the Music Director of Unity In Marin asked Desiree to "cook up" something special for Easter. "Once planted, it was in the soil," says Desiree, and after the holiday bustle and turn of the millennium in 2000, she turned to the task before her.

From the King James Bible, she read the four accounts of the Gospels. Passages that jumped out at her she wrote down. Then she closed the book and began to write. "I like to feel inspired and to have my pencil not keep up with what's flowing in. I'd throw pages on the floor and write the next one. I began at the beginning and wrote straight through, going back just for little changes."

Sub-titles take you through the story: If I Be Lifted Up; Fear and Envy; Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled; Let the Cup Pass; The Betrayal; Darkness Into Light; The Brightness of His Rising; He Is Risen; If I Be Lifted Up.

To Desiree, the story of the crucifixion is told only to point out that in the end it is all about the Resurrection. "For me, the Resurrection goes on daily when we are inspired; when we are lifting up our thoughts away from where the world might be presenting us. It is imagining that there is something higher and holier and sacred in every moment if we choose to take that step back and lift our consciousness to that."

"This idea resonated for me when Jesus says to all his disciples, 'You and I be lifted up. I shall draw all men to me.' Take the egotistical aspect away, 'I' is the Absolute Consciousness and Divine Presence, God or Spirit." She wanted to bring people into the idea that as Jesus left His consciousness, He was lifted up. "It wasn't by Jesus' crucifixion that He inspired people. Life is eternal. It isn't the physical. 'Trusting in the Spirit gently, I arise far from the earth,' from physicality thinking, far from fear. 'I inspire all to come unto me.' Walk in darkness but be in light."

Early on in the oratorio is the phrase, "except a corn of wheat fall to the ground it abideth alone, but if it die it bringeth forth much fruit." Desiree explains, "There is something in going to the lowest possible space. Jesus was crucified; how low can you get. He went where He needed to go in order to prove the absolute highest ideal. I feel he lived for us rather than died for us. His whole life is testimony to you who are lowly sinners. I'm doing this to show you that you're children of light not of darkness. If we all loved, we wouldn't need rules. We would all be obeying the Ten Commandments because it's natural and born of love to relieve our detriments."

Desiree writes from a place of interfaith inclusion. "I don't want to dishonor any religion because I find truth in every one I've been exposed to. I view the listener and the members of the choir as disciples in Jesus' pure teachings." Many practice Buddhism, Sufism, and other faiths, and also believe in Jesus.

Typical of Christian Science interpretations, in the opening and closing Desiree created a juxtaposition of the masculine and feminine with voices, and of the metaphysical and biblical with words. She says, "With music you can hear both side by side.

Desiree says that the words dictated the styles of music she chose. Again, with a sense of inclusion, she wrote a Bach-like fugue, Stravinsky-like percussion, some Gershwin, some Gospel. This conveys all the more color, surprise and appeal. The music and lyrics take you through the Easter story on waves of emotion, without instilling fear, guilt or shame, ending in joy and exhilaration.

Unity In Marin has been blessed with performances of the piece for six years now. Each is more joyfully anticipated. With Desiree's dedicated and exuberant choir and Ed Bogas at the piano, she always delivers a profound and lasting event. "I've come into a place, and Unity is largely responsible for it, where there is an enormous opening. My experience here is affirming my instinctual desires as a child to just love."

"If I Be Lifted Up" is the zenith of Desiree's studies, explorations, and adaptations. Desiree lives her music, which she has merged with her spirituality and personal philosophy. "If I Be Lifted Up: An Easter Oratorio" is the expression of her deepest loves; dedication to her art, talent and family; and her nonjudgmental love for all.

Desiree is married to Ed Bogas, an award winning musician, composer and producer. Desiree says of their four year old twins, Lily and Ben, "from the smallest step to the grandest achievement, how blessed we are to partake of this mysterious and marvelous experience." To learn more about Desiree and hear samples of her music go to Lightchild Publishing.

Diana deRegnier lives in Mill Valley, California. She is webmaster of Spirit Links Newsletter; facilitates the Living Well Support Group for those with chronic pain and illness; and has co-lead Grief's Garden workshops. Diana is writing a memoir about healing her childhood. healing.spirit@comcast.net. © copyright 2006 by Diana deRegnier