Ever a Song

Score, rehearsal tracks, and perusal score available from Beckenhorst Press!
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A bright, energetic partner song using fun mixed meter and an upbeat tempo with a slower contrasting lyrical middle section.

Ever a Song was commissioned by the Cantiamo Choirs of Ottawa in celebration of their 20th anniversary, and premiered on June 3rd, 2023. The organization’s founder and artistic director is my mother, Jackie Hawley, so this was an extra proud day for me!

The goal for this piece was to create something that would be accessible for the training, apprentice, and girls choir levels of the Cantiamo Choirs of Ottawa so that all three groups could perform it together in the anniversary concert. The piece is set up as a partner song with an energetic melody in hybrid time signatures and a more lyrical bridge. An optional descant introduces a third part for the end.

Cantiamo has been a huge part of my life. I worked with this organization for 14 years first as accompanist, and later as associate conductor and composer-in-residence. It was during this time that I first found my compositional voice, and wrote many pieces for the group; some as gifts and some as commissions. It was such a privilege to have such a fine instrument that I knew so well to write for, and a profound gift to be able to work closely as a mother-daughter team all those years.

This piece is also extra special to me because I composed it in the final weeks of my pregnancy with my own daughter!