hours is a sixteen-movement melodrama for mezzo- soprano and piano without extractable movements–an unusual format that defies the traditional "song cycle" trope. The cycle includes portions for both acapella voice and solo piano and is in three parts: a triptych portraying the "dark night of the soul" as first explored in the poetry of St. John of the Cross (1542-1591).

The work draws structural inspiration from the 12th-century Book of the Hours which combined biblical texts, psalms, and poetry into a devotional or prayer book. These prayer books would also frequently include "illuminated" texts or elaborate illustrations for each of the works included. Because of this historical relationship between text and visual art, hours has a third component, artist Kristy Kristinek, who provides live dance-based art during the performance. The result is an hour-long song cycle and a unique set of paintings for every performance, each reflecting that time, that moment of performance.

This idea was born through feelings of hopelessness, loss, loneliness, and exhaustion. This work is our response to living as young adults in the South in the 21st century: our roots run deep, yet we see that tradition is no longer serving us. We experience this throughout almost every facet of our existence: family, love, sexuality, religion, politics, war, and survival. Many feel the need to reassess who we are and where we are going. This piece endeavors to give voice to this new reality.