Kyr, RobertFulton, Hannah2024-08-072024-08-072024-08-07https://hdl.handle.net/1794/29787“The Way of Life,” a new oratorio with music and text by Hannah E. Fulton, is a celebration of life and the connection between humanity and nature. It explores the coexistence of positive and negative experiences in life: the paradoxical cycle of triumphs and troubles we all face in our lifetimes. This piece connects this human cycle to the cycles of life, death, and renewal in nature, and in all life on earth. These themes are explored in the piece through a series of six meetings between the two vocal soloists, a mezzo-soprano and baritone, who represent a human being and the voice of nature, respectively. Through these six encounters, which occur over an extended period of the human being’s life, they experience a range of life’s emotions, including joy, grief, anger, hope, and reverence. Through these seasons of life, the oratorio’s main character deepens their understanding of what it is to be alive, and the connection between all life on earth. This piece encourages both listeners and performers to reflect on their own experiences of life and their connection to each other.This work is scored for mezzo-soprano and baritone soloists, SATB chorus, and chamber orchestra. Its performance is approximately 60-70 minutes long.en-USAll Rights Reserved.chamber orchestralibrettomusic compositionnatureoratoriovocal musicElectronic Thesis or Dissertation