Official site of composer Andrea Clearfield. Biography, list of works with audio, score samples, reviews and program notes, photographs, upcoming performances.
NOTES: This work was commissioned by Singing City for their Songbook in honor of their 75th Year Anniversary. They commissioned 24 composers to write works that resonate with Singing City’s mission and can be taken into community settings where they will be shared and taught, inviting everyone to join together in song. When We Listen is set to a poem by Susan Windle. The piece speaks to our need for connection and what is possible in humanity when truly we listen to one another – a timeless and timely message. The composer extends her gratitude to the Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity for time and space to create this work.
PERFORMANCE NOTES
This piece may be performed with or without the Bass part.
It may be done as SSA treble choir (S2 sings A, and A sings T), SAT, or SATB
The entire work may be sung more than once, ending with the Coda. The audience may join in m. 1-6, the “refrain” in m. 11, and the Coda. Measures 17-19 may be repeated as spoken word or whispers, each individual at their own pace, gradually diminishing into silence.
WATCH
TEXT
THIS THING WE DO
Poetry by Susan Windle
When we listen deeply, each to each
you to me and I to you
there is a bridge between us, stretched
across a glistening gorge.
The bridge itself is lovely
a slender, swaying thing
lovely as the snaking river
lovely as the reaching rock.
You and I, a river and a bridge –
That’s what I mean by heaven. That’s
When we Listen
Scored for: SATB chorus
Text: Susan Windle
Duration: 4 minutes
Commissioned by: Singing City
Premiere: Singing City, Old First Reformed Church, Philadelphia, Nov. 6, 2022
Published by: Angelfire Press. Distributed by Black Tea Music. Contact Trudy Chan
for score and parts. For questions, contact Andrea:
NOTES
NOTES: This work was commissioned by Singing City for their Songbook in honor of their 75th Year Anniversary. They commissioned 24 composers to write works that resonate with Singing City’s mission and can be taken into community settings where they will be shared and taught, inviting everyone to join together in song. When We Listen is set to a poem by Susan Windle. The piece speaks to our need for connection and what is possible in humanity when truly we listen to one another – a timeless and timely message. The composer extends her gratitude to the Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity for time and space to create this work.
PERFORMANCE NOTES
This piece may be performed with or without the Bass part.
It may be done as SSA treble choir (S2 sings A, and A sings T), SAT, or SATB
The entire work may be sung more than once, ending with the Coda. The audience may join in m. 1-6, the “refrain” in m. 11, and the Coda. Measures 17-19 may be repeated as spoken word or whispers, each individual at their own pace, gradually diminishing into silence.
WATCH
TEXT
THIS THING WE DO
Poetry by Susan Windle
When we listen deeply, each to each
you to me and I to you
there is a bridge between us, stretched
across a glistening gorge.
The bridge itself is lovely
a slender, swaying thing
lovely as the snaking river
lovely as the reaching rock.
You and I, a river and a bridge –
That’s what I mean by heaven. That’s
what I’ve been trying to say.