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Entitled, "Far From Here," the three-movement piece celebrates this year’s Greenwich High senior class and "captures the unique mix of excitement and uncertainty that defines this landmark moment in their lives," according to a statement.
Mathes is a 1981 graduate of Greenwich High and his daughter, Emma, is a member of the choir.
“I just wanted to write a piece that presented exactly how the seniors felt,” he said in the statement. “I remember that feeling acutely. You are thrilled to be going to college, and yet it is a poignant time. Some of those people you are literally not going to see until your 10-year reunion. You are leaving a family, and it is thrilling, and you are ready to go. But it is also terrifying and sad, and it’s all these conflicting things at the same time.”
Mathes has produced recordings by Rod Stewart, Carly Simon, Lou Reed, Bettye Lavette, Vanessa Williams, Matthew Morrison and Panic At The Disco. He was the musical director for President Barack Obama's 2009 inaugural concert and has been musical director for the Kennedy Center Honors for the past decade.
He also composed string arrangements for Bruce Springsteen's latest album, "Wrecking Ball" and performed with Springsteen at the 2012 Grammy Awards.
“We are really thrilled to have someone of Mr. Mathes’ talent and creativity to come in and help us create this original song cycle for our year-end concert,” GHS director of choirs and program associate for music Patrick Taylor said in the statement. “Rob has always been an enthusiastic parent, but to work with him in a professional capacity has been incredibly inspiring. We hope that the audience is as moved by this concert as we have been preparing for it.”
The concert will be held at the First Presbyterian Church at 1101 Bedford St. in Stamford on Wednesday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students.
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