Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Date of Award

Spring 2026

Document Type

Honors Paper

Degree Name

Music-BA

Department

Music

Advisor

Jennifer Merkowitz

First Committee Member

Paul Eisenstein

Second Committee Member

Jennifer Merkowitz

Third Committee Member

Lauren Spavelko

Keywords

Musical, Composition, Miscarriage, Personal Narrative, Creative Project

Subject Categories

Composition | Dramatic Literature, Criticism and Theory | Higher Education | Playwriting

Abstract

William: The Musical is the story of my parents’ struggle, and unfathomable loss while trying to start a family. The work follows the couple through their commitment to start a family together, through a devastating miscarriage, and up to the birth of my older brother, William. The work is still in progress, but is currently structured as a song-cycle including five songs in the style of contemporary musical theater. William: The Musical explores themes of loss and resilience, bringing to light the disturbingly common experience of miscarriage. While the creative goal aims to allow audiences to reflect and mourn their own experiences, this project is deeply personal to my family and me. Through the creation of this work, I have been able to come to terms with my own grief: grieving the older brothers that I never got the chance to meet, and coming to terms with the crushing weight and sense of responsibility I feel living in their stead. William: The Musical was conceptualized in January of 2024 and storyboarded through January of 2025. Music and lyrics were written and set from February of 2025 until February of 2026.

Licensing Permission

Copyright, all rights reserved. Fair Use

Acknowledgement 1

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Acknowledgement 2

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