Choral SAB Choir, Piano SKU: CF.CM9794
Composed by Mark Burrows. Duration 3:45. Carl Fischer Music #CM9794. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.CM9794). ISBN 9781491164655. UPC: 680160923564. Key: A major. English. Coty Raven Morris. Original.
The text for When I Grow Up first came to me while I was teaching in Houston, Texas. I noticed that my students were becoming more and more concerned about what steps they had to take as students to secure a future for themselves decades ahead. Young people are finding themselves having to make lifelong decisions at a time where they are still in a season of exploration and wonderment. I then asked myself, What happened to discovery through play and imagination?With the help of one of my former and forever choir students, Monica Juarez, we took my original text and created illustrations of a young Coty in New Orleans, Louisiana imagining, in real time, all of the things that she could be! It was important to me that the images were of real things that I had seen growing up every day.That we are limitless and that it's only in the pressures of growing up that we can lose our creativity, I hope this text allows both singers and conductor to let their imagination take the lead and shape the journey ahead!Sing with JOY!—CotyOccasionally, when I get to visit with young people, I’ll ask, Has anyone ever asked you want to be when you grow up? All the hands go up. Children say yes, and then proceed to tell me what they want to be when they grow up. So, then I ask a follow-up question, Why on earth do you have to wait until you’re a grown-up to be somebody?!When I first read through Coty’s text, I was so moved by how clear and beautiful that message of empowerment shines through:I want to live, and that begins now. I want to be happy. And I refuse to wait until I grow up. I also was struck by her imaginative use of the four classical elements—air, water, fire, and earth—to bring us on a journey of discovery and wonder.I’ve tried my best to, not so much set Coty’s words to a tune, as to go along with her on the journey and see what music would emerge. And I’m so happy you’ve joined us on the journey, too.Welcome!—Mark.
