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Double mixed chorus (SATB/SATB) a cappella (with body percussion), 6'15" Voices is a journey through six iconic spirituals that became anthems of the civil rights movement. Call-and-response interplay between choirs, interlocking percussive rhythms, and dynamic tempo shifts cast new light on these timeless (and still highly relevant) songs. Commissioned by the Concert Choir of Sunset High School, Portland, OR, Chris Rust, director. World Premiere March 20, 2018 in Portland. Chris Rust and I met at the Choral Chameleon Institute in June 2017, and I was honored that he asked me to write a piece for his students.
In deciding what to write, Chris mentioned that his students love pieces with body percussion. As it happened, I was beginning to research African-American spirituals—where body percussion has historically featured prominently—for my upcoming commission for the Oakland Symphony Chorus. We agreed that a mash-up of spirituals would not only be fun to sing (and stomp, and clap), but also quite relevant from a historical and social perspective. Full text (traditional) Nobody knows the trouble I've seen Nobody knows my sorrow Nobody knows the trouble I've seen Glory, glory, Hallelujah Come by here, come by here Come by here, Oh Lordy, come by here Come by here, Oh Lord, come by here Oh Lord, come by here Someone's cryin', Lordy, come by here (x3) Oh Lord, come by here Woke up this mornin' with my mind stayed on freedom (x3) Hallelujah I'm walkin' and talkin' with my mind stayed on freedom (x3) Hallelujah We shall not be moved (oh, Lord) We shall not be moved Just like a tree that's planted by the water Oh, we shall not be moved Black and white together We shall not be moved (oh, Lord) Black and white together We shall not be moved Just like a tree that's planted by the water Oh, we shall not be moved Ain't gonna let nobody turn me 'round, oh Lord, Turn me 'round, oh Lord, turn me 'round Ain't gonna let nobody turn me 'round I'm gonna keep on a-walkin' Keep on a-talkin' Marchin' into freedom land We shall overcome We shall overcome We shall overcome someday Oh, deep in my heart I do believe Oh, we shall overcome someday We'll walk hand in hand We'll walk hand in hand We'll walk hand in hand someday Oh, deep in my heart I do believe Oh, we shall overcome someday Comments are closed.
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