A Wish

On May 16, 2025, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay presented a deeply moving rendition of “A Wish” by acclaimed composer Lance Horne, as part of their emotionally charged concert “Tyler’s Suite / I Love the 90’s” at Allendale United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, Florida. The performance was part of Tyler’s Suite, a poignant choral work dedicated to honoring the life and memory of Tyler Clementi, a young gay violinist whose death in 2010 brought national attention to the devastating effects of bullying and the urgent need for LGBTQ+ advocacy and mental health awareness.

“A Wish”, one of the most tender and introspective movements in Tyler’s Suite, gives voice to the quiet hopes and dreams of a mother for her child—hopes that are as universal as they are personal. Lance Horne’s composition, with its lush harmonies and lyrical elegance, captures the bittersweet mixture of love, loss, and longing. The piece invites listeners into an intimate emotional space, one where memory and music intertwine.

The chorus brought this movement to life with rich, nuanced vocal layers, conveying both the sorrow and the quiet beauty of a life that, though cut short, left an enduring mark. The ensemble’s unity and sensitivity made the music soar, echoing the unspoken emotions of so many parents and families who have experienced similar grief.

Accompanying the chorus was KaleyAnna Raabe on violin, whose playing added a delicate, almost ethereal quality to the piece—perhaps evoking Tyler’s own voice and presence through the very instrument he loved. Her interpretation was subtle, poignant, and deeply expressive, complementing the chorus’s vocal textures with grace and depth. On piano, Kevin Wu provided a tender and supportive foundation, his playing both understated and emotionally resonant, allowing the music to breathe and unfold naturally.

Set within a concert that paired the heart-wrenching beauty of Tyler’s Suite with the joyful, celebratory energy of 1990s pop culture, this performance of “A Wish” served as a reflective moment of stillness and reverence. In the warm, affirming space of Allendale United Methodist Church—long known for its commitment to justice and inclusion—the song became more than music; it became a prayer, a memory, and a call to compassion.

It was a performance that not only honored Tyler’s story, but gave space for healing, empathy, and connection through the universal language of music.