Call yourself beautiful was commissioned by the WVSD Treble Honour Choir in 2019 under the direction of Suzanne Fulton in Vancouver, BC, and premiered May 23rd, 2019. Suzanne had a vision for a “Dove campaign, in choral music,” and this piece seeks to offer that. It has the feeling of a pop anthem, and incorporates audience participation in a recurring phrase of “believe in yourself” as well as choral improvisation that invites singers to call out the things they, as individuals, are good at, and really own that proudly.

The text is one that Suzanne found online, and we have had trouble tracking down the original author, as this poem has many different attributions on the web. Currently, I have attributed the text to “AKR” (Amanda Katherine Rickertson) but the text source has yet to be confirmed. Input is welcomed and appreciated!