A bold meditation on political conflict, communication and compassion, with a compelling dialogue of voices, and a "call to action" refrain. The interplay between different sections of the choir reflects the dynamic relationship necessary for all difficult and important conversations.
Dialogue is a key element of this song. In the original version for youth and adult choirs, it works well for the two choirs learn their parts separately, combining them at 1 or 2 final rehearsals. In all the other versions, there are prominent soloists/small groups in all parts.
Look | Listen | Instrumentation/Voicing | Duration | Level | Item | Delivery Method | Price | Quantity |
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SATB, SAB (youth choir), piano - Choral Score | 4' | M | SEA-099-00 | Sheet Music | $3.50 | ||
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SATB, SAB (youth choir), piano - Choral Score | 4' | M | SEA-099-00D | Licensed PDF | $3.00 | ||
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https://www.seafarerpress.com/sites/seafarerpress.advantagelabs.com/files/works_variant_audio_files/fighting_over_what_we_believe_satb_%26_soloists.mp3 | SATB, soloists, piano - Choral Score | 4' | M | SEA-099-01 | Sheet Music | $3.00 | |
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https://www.seafarerpress.com/sites/seafarerpress.advantagelabs.com/files/works_variant_audio_files/fighting_over_what_we_believe_satb_%26_soloists.mp3 | SATB, soloists, piano - Choral Score | 4' | M | SEA-099-01D | Licensed PDF | $3.00 | |
SSA, SAB (youth choir), piano - Choral Score | 5'30" | M | SEA-099-02 | Sheet Music | $3.50 | |||
SSA, SAB (youth choir), piano - Choral Score | 5'30" | M | SEA-099-02D | Licensed PDF | $2.00 | |||
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https://www.seafarerpress.com/sites/seafarerpress.advantagelabs.com/files/works_variant_audio_files/recording-fighting_over_what_we_believe_ssa.mp3 | SSA, soloists, piano - Choral Score | 4' | M | SEA-099-03 | Sheet Music | $3.00 | |
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https://www.seafarerpress.com/sites/seafarerpress.advantagelabs.com/files/works_variant_audio_files/recording-fighting_over_what_we_believe_ssa.mp3 | SSA, soloists, piano - Choral Score | 4' | M | SEA-099-03D | Licensed PDF | $3.00 |
This commission came with an exciting and irresistible mission: To compose a piece with social justice at its core, which youth and adult choirs could perform together. The church that commissioned the song knew my work already, so I’m sure they suspected that this mission would have me chomping at the bit. And because I already knew of the church’s commitment to unflinching dialogue and bold actions, I knew that this song’s hard edges and difficult questions would be welcome.
While this piece was still in its conceptual stage, Minnesota’s legislature was becoming increasingly polarized and paralyzed. Eventually this resulted in a full state government shutdown, foreshadowing the federal shutdown that would occur the following year. As I saw the suffering caused by this lack of bipartisan cooperation, I realized I need look no further for my social justice theme.
“Fighting Over What We Believe” became a meditation on conflict, communication and compassion, with a dialogue of many voices and a “call to action” refrain. The interplay between soloists and different sections of the choir reflects the dynamic relationship necessary for all difficult and important conversations.
"The choir begged me to come home and write you...WE LOVE IT!! It's a mighty piece, powerful and fun to sing." Nancy Grundahl, Director of Music, Mayflower UCC Church (Minneapolis, MN)
"I just think everyone on the whole planet needs to hear this wonderful text and music." Gwen McLeod Hall, Choral Music Faculty, NC Governor's School East
"The choir LOVES these lyrics!" David Glasgow, Director of Music, Unitarian Universalists of Cumberland Valley
"This piece brought tears to my ears. Thank you for your beautiful work." Linda Jo Reinhard (Portland OR)
SATB and SAB:
Choirs of Mayflower United Church of Christ - Nancy Grundahl, conductor (Minneapolis, MN) * Premiere
Choir of UUs of the Cumberland Valley - David Glasgow, conductor (Boiling Spring, PA)
SATB and piano:
Choir of First Unitarian Universalist Church - Jason Shelton, conductor (Nashville, TN) * Premiere
Choir of First Unitarian Society of Madison - Dan Broner, conductor (Madison, WI)
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