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Songs of Youth

An exploration of the thrill (and impatience!) of growing up
Commissioned by Waunakee Middle School
Poet/Lyricist: 
Elizabeth Alexander

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An atmospheric and energetic two-movement work about the thrill and impatience of growing up. Its lyric, comprised of verbs suggesting stages of growth, creates a progression from "waiting, watching, wondering" to "doing, daring, flying!"  An optional vibraphone part lends more color to this unique youth choir showpiece.

Movements:
I. When?
II. Now!

This song is included on the CD, Finally On My Way To Yes

 iTunes

Songs of Youth

Lyrics by composer Elizabeth Alexander, with students from Waunakee Middle School

I. When?

When? When?
Stretching, seeking, slumbering...

What a world of shapes and colors, gentle hands and lullabies.

Crawling, reaching...

Will there be a time to use my eager arms and open eyes?

Waiting, watching, wondering...
When? When? When?

II. Now!

Now! Now! Now!

Sailing, soaring, running, racing,
Speeding, sporting, cheering, chasing,
Shouting, sharing, doing, daring —
No more wondering when!

Working, wishing, dreaming, dancing,
Reaching, risking, choosing, chancing,
Growing, giving, learning, living —
No more wondering when!

Trusting... Trying... Loving... Crying...

Sailing, soaring, running, racing,
Speeding, sporting, cheering, chasing,
Shouting, sharing, doing, daring — flying!

Now! Straightaway!
At once! No delay!
It's now or never, here and now,
Without hesitation the moment to live...is Now!

© 1992 by Elizabeth Alexander. All rights reserved.

Performers: 

Waunakee Middle School Chorus - Elizabeth Alexander, conductor (Waunakee, WI)  * Premiere

 

Louisville Youth Choir - Frank Heller III ~ Memphis State New Music Festival (Memphis, TN)

Elisabeth C. Adams Middle School Chorus - Gabrielle Johnson, conductor (Guilford, CT)

 

 

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Genres: 
Choral
Difficulty: 
Medium (M)
Choral/Vocal Categories: 
Secular
Choral Voicings: 
Youth (SAB)
Children (S, SA, SSA)
Accompaniment Type: 
1-2 Instruments
Piano
Themes: 
Dreams
Courage and Risk
Other Cool Criteria: 
"List" Songs

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