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About the Composer
Joan Szymko
Joan Szymko Music
Invincible
A joyful, exuberant testament to the indomitable human spirit.
SSAA, piano
Commissioned by the Oklahoma Choral Directors Association for a premiere by the 2022 OkMEA All-State Treble Chorus. A joyful, exuberant testament to the indomitable human spirit.
Composer’s Notes
Composed during the summer of 2021, under the shadow of a persistent pandemic, devastating climate change events and increasing cultural polarization in the US, I found great solace and encouragement in this text and an emergence of joy within through the creative act of composing.
—Joan Szymko
Text
In the midst of hate, I found there was
within me, an invincible love.
In the midst of tears, I found there was
within me, an invincible smile.
In the midst of chaos, I found there was
within me, an invincible calm.
I realized, through it all, that [in the midst of winter,
I found there was within me
an invincible summer.]*
Invincible calm, invincible smile—
Invincible love.
No matter how hard the world
pushes against me, I know
There’s something stronger,
something better, something
there within me pushing back—
An invincible summer.
Invincible calm, invincible smile—
Invincible love.
Anonymous expansion on a quote by Albert Camus (1913-1960)
Adapted by the composer. *text in italics/parenthesis is Albert Camus quote
$2.50 per licensed PDF
Music from Joan Szymko Music
-
Eagle Rounding Out the Morning
Difficulty: 3 -
It Is Happiness (Choral Rehearsal Score)
Difficulty: 3Duration: 20–30 min. -
-
Our Common Prayer
Difficulty: 2Duration: less than 3 min.
