ABOUT THE ARTIST
Cade Johnson, composition
Cade Johnson is a senior composition major at West Chester University. He has had the opportunity to write for many esteemed musicians and groups, including The Criterions jazz ensemble, Dalí Quartet, The Living Earth Show, and the West Chester University Symphony Orchestra. His approach as a composer is to try and embrace all types of music, writing works for many different media, genres, styles, and instrumentations to broaden his musical scope and versatility.
Cade’s time with Wells School of Music faculty and mentors has been impactful, leaving a lasting impression on both his music and life. After graduation, he will continue his pursuit of music and looks forward to taking all that he has obtained from his academic experiences and applying them throughout his musical journey.
INTROSPECT
Reach within. Break free the burdens of fear, taking hold of your soul. Let go!
The pain of misguided shame will subside when you realize, that you’re more than your flaws. Pave your way. Embrace the change inside.
TAKE A PIECE OF ME
Take a piece of me, before you go, ‘cus I don’t know when you’ll return. Take a piece of me, and hold it close, when you’re alone and the tears are drawing near.
The fact is that your absence, leaves a hole in my heart. Fragments of your presence distract from the sadness, while our souls are apart.
Take a piece of me, before you go, before I hear you say, “farewell.”
The fact is that your absence, leaves a hole in my heart. but I’m lastin’ through the madness ‘cus no matter what happens, you’ll bring that piece of me back home.
HAVEN(2023)
Haven is a solo piano work written during the spring of 2023. The basis of the composition was to try to capture that feeling of peace that arises when the weather is changing, and nature begins to bloom again.
STRINGQUARTETINDMINOR(2024)
This piece was written for and performed by the Dalí Quartet in the spring of 2024. It is a study and exploration of the post-Romantic, Expressionist sound world.
INTROSPECT(2024)
Introspect is a message of resilience and identity; to shed the weight of your past mistakes in life and to live as your authentic self, embracing who you’ve become and how you’ve changed for the better.
VOYAGE(2023)
Voyage was written for the West Chester University Symphony Orchestra in the fall of 2023 and was performed in the spring of 2024. It is solely meant to serve as a dramatic, emotional journey.
STEPBYSTEP(2024)
This piece was written and arranged for The Criterions jazz ensemble in spring of 2024 for their student showcase. While there may not be any words, Step by Step is a tune about love. No matter if you’ve just found a partner or you’ve long been with the love of your life, that journey of discovery and joy is one you can only take step by step, and no matter what happens on that journey, they make it worth it every step of the way.
TAKEAPIECEOFME(2025)
This is another tune about love, about that pain you feel when you and your lover must say goodbye that yearning you feel when you have to hurt from a distance, but that hope you feel knowing that one day, you’ll be reunited again.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Cade would like to express his immense love and appreciation for his family, his girlfriend, and his friends for always being there and giving constant support and encouragement. He would also like to thank his professors and mentors at the Wells School of Music who have helped shape him as a person and musician. Without their guidance, he would not be half the musician he is now. Cade also wants to thank Christian Mechem for offering his tremendous assistance with live-sound and setup during the show, as well as thank all the amazing performers who have dedicated their time to help bring the music to life.