Summer - from "Touching Leaves Woman"

("Summer" is 20:30-27:42)

Program Note: "'Touching Leaves Woman' honors Nora Thompson Dean (1907-1984), a Lenape teacher and herbalist who dedicated her life to preserving Lenape culture. Nora was a beloved cultural treasure for the Lenape.

Scored for 4 voices and 4 birdroars, the sung and spoken lyric consists entirely of Nora's name 'Weènchipahkihëlèxkwe' in Lenape. Translated, her name was “Touching Leaves Woman” or as Nora herself suggested ‘Leaves-that-touch-each-other-from-time-to-time.’ - Brent Michael Davids

Text Painting: The sounds of each season are sung through Nora Thompson Dean's name, to honor her contributions to Lenape culture. What an incredible musical tribute to her legacy! (See Notable Passage below)

Pronunciation: Slowly try pronouncing Nora's six-syllable Lenape name: 
                           WEN-jee-paH-kee-LEKH-kway

Further Learning:
-Watch Nora Thompson Dean speaking in this video
-Learn about the Morgan Library’s exhibition on Nora and the Lenape people, and see some of Brent Michael David’s score in this video
-Use Native-Land.ca to locate Lenapehoking, the land of the Lenape! (Hint: find the modern-day New York / New Jersey area!)

Further Listening - Table of Contents:
Autumn 0:00-7:57
Winter 7:51-14:15
Spring: 14:29-20:18
Summer: 20:30-27:42