Between You and I is an SATB choral work commissioned by Ariadne Antipa for virtual choir in response to the racial & systemic social justice issues within the United States. Also written during the COVID-19 pandemic, the work also displays themes of humanity, hope, and reality. The work is in four movements that form a narrative from darkness to light.  The first movement consists of a 3-part canon that contains bits of text from the collection of poems that are used in the following three movements. It combines the powerful meaning of all three poems respectively into a chant that lays down the foundation for the rest of the work. Movements 2 and 3 are from the organization CHARM, a literary arts organization that amplifies the voices of youth in Baltimore, Maryland. CHARM's recent publication, "Poems for Black Lives Matter," is a curated collection of poems that address systemic racism, police brutality, and racial justice. They also feature poems celebrating Black joy, identity, and liberation.   Movements 2 & 3 feature Zaire Avery's (Grade 8 when written) "Bullets Don't Have Names On Them" & Samar Darby's (Grade 6 when written) "The Difference Between You and I," from which this piece was named. Visit charmlitmag.org/poems-for-black-lives-matter-at-school to read the full text of each poem.  Featured in movement 4 is exceptional 2-Time Pushcart nominated poet Erren Kelly with his encapsulating work "A New World Coming (for Duke Ellington)." It captures a world with peace and balance; a place where love abides. Read the full text at jerryjazzmusician.com  Program Notes by Brian Raphael Nabors (2021)