Official site of composer Andrea Clearfield. Biography, list of works with audio, score samples, reviews and program notes, photographs, upcoming performances.
Scored for: SA chorus and piano Text:Sonia Sanchez Language: English Duration: 4 1/2 min. Premiere: October, 2014, The Pennsylvania and the Princeton Girlchoirs Commissioned by: The Pennsylvania Girlchoir Duration: 4. min. 30 sec. Published by: Boosey & Hawkes. Order here.
Notes:This work is a celebration of the journey towards womanhood with its joys, mysteries and possibilities. Spirited, ascending melodies, dance-like rhythms and vocal percussive sounds unfold into a structured improvisation wherein the members of the choir whisper their aspirations for the future, together forming a sea of sonic dreams. When I Am Woman was commissioned by the Pennsylvania Girlchoir, Vincent Metallo, Music Director, for GETMusic (Girls Empowered Through Music). The composer wishes to express her gratitude to the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of New Mexico for providing time and space to compose this work.
Additional Performances: This work was also performed by the Pennsylvania Girlchoir and girls from around the nation at the Girlchoir National Convention “Let Freedom Sing” in Philadelphia, July 27, 2016.
“When I approached Andrea Clearfield to compose a work based on the poem “When I Am Woman,” by Sonia Sanchez, I knew she would take the meaning and run with it. The energy through her compositional style would be evident in her vocal lines and rhythmic drive. The unique compositional style that Andrea provides in her music allows the singer to engage full-heartedly and the listener is completely taken by her overall musical vision. Andrea’s primal complexity in her music exceeds the traditional techniques and establishes a new and vivid sonority.”
–Vincent Metallo, Music Director, Pennsylvania Girlchoir
TEXT
Poem No. 12
by Sonia Sanchez
When i am woman,
then i shall be wife of your eyes
When i am woman, then i shall receive the sun When i am woman, then i shall be shy with pain
When i am woman,
then shall my laughter stop the wind
When i am woman, then i shall swallow the earth
When i am woman,
then i shall give birth to myself
When i am woman, ay-y-y-, ay-y-y-, ay-y-y-, When i am woman…
by Sonia Sanchez, 1973
When I Am Woman
Premiere of When I am Woman, October 17-18, 2014
Scored for: SA chorus and piano
Text: Sonia Sanchez
Language: English
Duration: 4 1/2 min.
Premiere: October, 2014, The Pennsylvania and the Princeton Girlchoirs
Commissioned by: The Pennsylvania Girlchoir
Duration: 4. min. 30 sec.
Published by: Boosey & Hawkes. Order here.
Notes:This work is a celebration of the journey towards womanhood with its joys, mysteries and possibilities. Spirited, ascending melodies, dance-like rhythms and vocal percussive sounds unfold into a structured improvisation wherein the members of the choir whisper their aspirations for the future, together forming a sea of sonic dreams.
When I Am Woman was commissioned by the Pennsylvania Girlchoir, Vincent Metallo, Music Director, for GETMusic (Girls Empowered Through Music). The composer wishes to express her gratitude to the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of New Mexico for providing time and space to compose this work.
Additional Performances: This work was also performed by the Pennsylvania Girlchoir and girls from around the nation at the Girlchoir National Convention “Let Freedom Sing” in Philadelphia, July 27, 2016.
Score Sample:When I am Woman Score Sample Boosey & Hawkes
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“When I approached Andrea Clearfield to compose a work based on the poem “When I Am Woman,” by Sonia Sanchez, I knew she would take the meaning and run with it. The energy through her compositional style would be evident in her vocal lines and rhythmic drive. The unique compositional style that Andrea provides in her music allows the singer to engage full-heartedly and the listener is completely taken by her overall musical vision. Andrea’s primal complexity in her music exceeds the traditional techniques and establishes a new and vivid sonority.”
–Vincent Metallo, Music Director, Pennsylvania Girlchoir
TEXT
Poem No. 12
by Sonia Sanchez
When i am woman,
then i shall be wife of your eyes
When i am woman, then i shall receive the sun When i am woman, then i shall be shy with pain
When i am woman,
then shall my laughter stop the wind
When i am woman, then i shall swallow the earth
When i am woman,
then i shall give birth to myself
When i am woman, ay-y-y-, ay-y-y-, ay-y-y-, When i am woman…
by Sonia Sanchez, 1973