Choreographic Structure

Yondering is set to six songs by the 19th century American composer, Stephen Foster, sung by the great American baritone, Thomas Hampson. These six songs are organized around a rousing orchestral arrangement of three of Foster’s other songs. Foster’s songs are so well known they are sometimes thought of as American folk music and, in fact, Neumeier has said that the songs stirred “something deeply American” within him. The Foster songs Neumeier selected for Yondering provide the structural organization for the ballet.

Together these songs provide an emotional arc for the ballet. They offer a glimpse into the hearts of the young- their longings and dreams as they are about to yonder- but while expressing energy and hope for the future, the ballet begins and ends with the contemplation of loss, a poignant reminder of the vulnerability of youth and the uncertainty that comes from yondering.