BECAUSE by Mo Willems

​In 2019, Hilary composed a short work for Because, a book by children's author Mo Willems with illustrations by Amber Ren. Because tells the story of how a young girl grows up to become a composer. Her first symphony, "The Cold," is inspired by events that lead her to fall in love with music and pursue a career as a conductor and composer.

Listen to "The Cold"

"For me, music has always been about performance and participation. I started as a pianist and a singer, and I performed many of my early works (usually as an ensemble member). I found the process of creating something new and then collaborating with other artists—usually my friends—to bring it to life so rewarding."

— Hilary Purrington