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Compose Like a Girl
Sing When Your Voice Shakes
Nicole Schwartz Navratil
The memories of our loved ones inspire us to live with joy and courage.
for flexible voicing a cappella (optional piano and/or guitar)
“Sing When Your Voice Shakes,” is designed with flexibility in mind. While it is set for two choirs, it can easily be performed by a single choir split into two groups. It can be performed a cappella, or with piano or guitar accompaniment using the chords provided in the score.
Depending on what fits your ensemble, the piece can begin with a solo and features optional harmonic sections for the choirs, as your rehearsal time and singer experience allow.
This piece conveys a spectrum of emotions, from reflective to powerful. Featuring text inspired by Minnesota leaders Jael Kerandi and Peggy Flanagan, “Sing When Your Voice Shakes” offers singers of all ages inspiration through its message, flexible design, and simple interplay of voices.
Nicole Schwartz Navratil is a composer, lyricist, and performer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has a vocal and choral teaching degree from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and taught music for 15 years. Nicole has been writing music since 8th grade, and is delighted to make her choral publishing debut in the Compose Like a Girl series. Nicole also champions women’s empowerment through conferences and retreats, and is studying to become a spiritual director. Proud mama of two young boys (one of whom sings nonstop), Nicole is thrilled by the incredible journey of writing for and connecting with choirs.
Composer’s Notes
“Sing When Your Voice Shakes” is a flexible piece that can be done a number of ways, including with multiple choirs. It features an optional solo as well as optional harmony parts. My original vision for this piece is for a youth choir to be joined by ‘community voices.’ The Choir 2 part was written with this in mind and is meant to be accessible, even for singers who have not yet sung in a formal setting.
I would also like to invite singers to experiment with percussion using their bodies or by adding instruments, as they feel inspired. Drums, foot stomping, and clapping are all possibilities to consider. Take some time to play with ideas and try out different rhythms. Let it be a creative, collaborative, and joy-filled experience!
In closing, a note about the “love of one-hundred.” You may have heard the idea that a person’s village, or the number of people we can easily ‘keep track of’, is around 120 connections. I also believe that we are supported and encouraged by our loved ones who are no longer here with us on the Earth plane. I want “the love of one-hundred,” and the piece as a whole, to serve as a reminder: whenever we share our truth and speak from our heart, we are lifted up not only by the people who are with us here, but also those who have passed on.
May the memories of our loved ones be a constant source of inspiration, joy, and support as we live courageously in these times.
With gratitude to my composing mentors, Jocelyn Hagen and Sherry Blevins, as well as the students and faculty of the 2025 International Choral Composers Institute.
-Nicole Schwartz Navratil
Text
It can be lonely to feel things so strongly
I try to speak, but no one hears me.
Using my voice seems an impossible task.
It’s too much to ask,
it’s too much to ask.
It feels like people don’t notice you’re there.
Why don’t they see you?
Why don’t they care?
Pause for a moment, and let your heart know:
You’re never alone,
you’re never alone.
Sing with your voice, love’s around you!
Sing with your voice, love’s around.
Sing when your voice shakes,
the love of one-hundred is always around you.
Sing when your voice shakes,
the love of one-hundred is always around.
Sing when your voice shakes,
the love of one-hundred is always around you.
Sing when your voice shakes,
the love of one-hundred is always around.
My voice is sovereign, and I am not silent.
I speak from my heart, and share my truth.
We’re joined together — we’re stronger this way.
And we won’t let anyone take that away.
Sing when your voice shakes,
the love of one-hundred is always around you.
Sing when your voice shakes,
the love of one-hundred is always around.
Sing when your voice shakes,
the love of one-hundred is always around you.
Sing when your voice shakes,
the love of one-hundred is always around.
The love of one-hundred,
we’re stronger together,
you’re never alone.
-Nicole Schwartz Navratil
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