Choral SATB Choir and
Piano
SKU:
CF.CM9787
Composed by
Coty Raven Morris.
Arranged by Saleel Menon.
Duration 3:45. Carl
Fischer Music #CM9787.
Published by Carl Fischer
Music (CF.CM9787).
ISBN 9781491164587.
UPC: 680160923496. Key: D
major. English.
Original.
The text
for the first voicing
(SSA) of this piece came
to me in the fall of 2020
while teaching at Crosby
High School in Crosby,
Texas. My students,
though enthusiastic to be
back in Choir, were
struggling to cope with
the civil unrest around
them, in addition to the
pandemic. When
considering how I could
help them navigate this
time, I realized that
they were in need of some
sort of consistency, of
feeling grounded in
themselves. As weÂ
focused on building of
community and
citizenship, this text
and tune came to mind,
each phrase highlighting
an element of personal
and community wellness.I
lead with my
spirit keeping love in
the circle around me.
(Social)Expressing my
spirit
(Occupational)Loving what
I can see and cannot see,
I'll take care of the
vessel I am in
(Physical)I love with me
that's under the skin
(Emotional)Taking care of
my mind
(Intellectual)Envisioning
the me I want to be
(Spiritual)I had the
honor of collaborating
with composer/educator
Saleel Menon to create
the beautiful piano
accompaniment and SATB
setting.Who I Want To Be
opens with a solo
functioning as a mantra
throughout the tune. As
the piece continues,
voices join in unison and
harmony to emphasize the
intent.When the repeats
in mm. 48–51
occur, invite students to
share some of their own
mantras and affirmations,
or feel free to borrow
from the words my
students in the Crosby HS
choir inspired me to
write:Allow yourself
graceI am persistentI am
fragile, not brokenYou
are worthyI am worthyI
know that your success is
not my demise!The only
validation I need is my
ownI believe in myselfI
see youIt’s okay
to not be okayBreatheI
love and I am
lovedPrepare yourself for
not only a powerful
performance, but a
rewarding experience and
conversations with your
students.THIS is the
piece you want stuck in
your students’
heads!~CRM.
Who I
