'The Gate of the Year' was commissioned by the Alliance for Arts and Understanding for the 2004 Alliance World Festival, with uplifting text by Minnie Louise Haskins, and complemented by a simple Latin chorus, this work offers a powerful showcase for female voices. 'Lullaby from a Child' is a lovely setting of an original poem celebrating motherhood, which is also appropriate for Christmas. It would mesh well with a concert or service of carols. In keeping with Sister Rosetta Tharpe's stylistic blend,'Heaven Somewhere' has a funky doo-wop flavored middle section that reminds us just how many different rock styles go back to the gospel source.