Choral Choir,Choral,SSAA Chorus - Level 3 - Digital Download
SKU: A0.1475304
Composed by Jocelyn Scofield. 21st Century,A Cappella,Singer/Songwriter. 33 pages. Bilsco Music #1052847. Published by Bilsco Music (A0.1475304).
SCORES INCLUDED:
Full Score & Parts Scores: Solo+Sopranos, Mezzos+Altos, Cajon
PERFORMANCE NOTES FROM THE COMPOSER:
I AM is a singing meditation. It is both a piece that honors the individual and the whole. It is meant to affirm an individual's worth, as well as the whole collective. When a choir prepares for a performance, they rehearse a piece dozens if not hundreds of times. I wanted the experience of rehearsing I AM to be an ongoing declaration of the singer’s value. Therefore, every phrase in this piece is an affirmation. When a singer finds themselves singing the piece outside of rehearsal, they will be singing words that are positive and affirming. I cannot express how much joy that brings me as a composer.
Musically, I AM is both complex, with its 7-part vocal split, contrasting rhythms, and varying accents, yet simple in its repetition, lyrics, and tonality. Each of the 7 parts sings a unique affirmation throughout the piece. They are simple statements like, I am enough and I am love, but can hold so much complexity depending on an individual's relationship with the statement. In the middle of the piece, there is an aleatoric section where each singer contributes their unique affirming statement. It creates a chaotic building of sound before coming together for the first and only time in the piece to sing I AM as a whole choir in block chords. It is one of my favorite moments in the piece because simple and complex are just a beat apart.
I AM was commissioned by the Grand Rapids Women's Chorus and premiered on May 10, 2024.
If you would like to hear more about the creation of the piece, you can hear the composer's original explantions on Youtube.
