Apr 11, 2018 3 min read

When Washington Festival Chorale members were brainstorming a theme for their spring concert, they decided to focus on selections from composers with ties to the region, like Fred Rogers, Henry Mancini and Stephen Foster.

Director Matt Boice added another, more contemporary, songwriter to the list.

“Sea of Green,” by Garrett Hoffman, will be one of the selections performed during the chorale’s “Neighbors” concert Saturday at Faith United Presbyterian Church, Washington, and Sunday at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, McMurray.

Hoffman, 18, is a senior at Bethel Park High School.

“It’s really cool getting to hear it (performed),” said Hoffman.

It’s not the first performance of one Hoffman’s songs, nor will it be the last.

“Sea of Green” has been performed by his high school choir and by students during the Washington County Chorus Festival at Chartiers-Houston High School in February. Another of his compositions, “Where Will I Go?” just won top high school honors in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) composition contest and will be performed by the Lebanon Valley College Choir during PMEA’s state conference this month.

“I got to speak to the choir that sang (“Sea of Green”) a couple of months ago, and a lot of them came up to me and told me it was their favorite piece,” Hoffman said. “That was cool to hear, especially from people my age. I really appreciate it.”

Hoffman wrote “Sea of Green” as a junior, on the rare occasions he didn’t have anything else to do.

“I don’t have much spare time,” said Hoffman, who plays percussion, is the captain of the high school drum line, plays piano in jazz ensemble, is an Eagle Scout and a hurdler for the track and field team.

Hoffman, who has been drumming since elementary school, also plays piano and flute, but considers himself a vocalist first and foremost. He has until May to decide between three colleges to which he was accepted. Hoffman wants to become a music teacher and freelance composer.

Compared to “Where Will I Go?” Hoffman said “Sea of Green” is “very simple.”

“The melody isn’t very complicated,” he said. “It’s very basic.”

But Boice, who first heard it performed by Bethel Park’s choir on a social media post, said Hoffman’s assessment is a modest one.

“It does have a simplicity about it, but it’s very colorful and creative. Compared to most other choir music, I wouldn’t say it’s simple. There are some challenges,” said Boice. “It’s in tune and has a good sound. I love it. I think it’s a great piece.”

Hoffman plans to attend at least one of the Washington Festival Chorale’s concerts this week.

“I think it’s kind of cool to think how this piece has impacted my life. I’m throwing pen and pencil to paper, making notes, and looking at it right now, it’s just black and white. But when you put it all together, it can have an emotional impact on somebody,” he said. “It really goes to show the power of music.”

Tickets for Washington Festival Chorale’s “Neighbors” concert cost $10 and are available at Citizens Library, from chorale members, or at the door. Performances will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at Faith United Presbyterian Church, 900 E. Beau St., Washington, and at 3 p.m. Sunday at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 105 Gateshead Drive, McMurray.