May the Road Rise to Meet You

Though it sounds like a traditional Irish folksong, May the Road Rise to Meet You is an original work written by Steven J. Pyter (see below) in 2024.

From the composer:

“May the Road Rise To Meet You is a lush, expressive work for concert band. Written in the style of a Celtic air, the beautifully lyrical melodies are inspired by an Irish blessing which reads, in part:

May the road rise to meet you

May the wind be at your back

May the sunshine warm upon your face;

The rains fall soft upon your fields.

The blessing is a traditional way of wishing someone good fortune on the journey of life. It is a simple yet powerful message that has resonated with people all over the world.

(My mother comes from a large IrishAmerican family of eleven children, which also meant lots of cousins for me. I have many fond childhood memories of large family gatherings at my grandmother’s house in the picturesque Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago. Over the years, through good times and bad times, family has remained a cornerstone of my life. This piece is written in part, as a tribute to the enduring beauty of a family's love.)”

Composer Steven Pyter (b. 1982) is a music educator, composer, and arranger from the Chicago area. He began his teaching career in 2007 and has taught a variety of instrumental, vocal, and general music classes at the high school level.

Steven received his Bachelor of Music degree from Northern Illinois University (DeKalb) and his Master of Music Education Degree with teacher certification from VanderCook College of Music (Chicago, IL). His compositions and arrangements have been performed at concerts and festivals throughout the United States, including the Midwest Clinic Band and Orchestra Conference.

The music for May the Road Rise to Meet You was provided for the band by Barbara and David Cotton.