News & Views Tuesday, March 19, 2024

I Am Not Yours Monday, February 13, 2017

recommended by Jen Sper and Alissa Ruth, School Choral Music Specialists

I am not yours, not lost in you,               Oh plunge me deep in love – put out
Not lost, although I long to be                 My senses, leave me deaf and blind,
Lost as a candle lit at noon,                     Swept by the tempest of your love,
Lost as a snowflake in the sea.                A taper in a rushing wind.

You love me, and I find you still                                  -Sara Teasdale
A spirit beautiful and bright,                                           
Yet I am I, who long to be
Lost as a light is lost in light.

 

Sara Teasdale’s poem has been set by a number of composers, but this new setting by Victor Johnson beautifully captures the warmth of the text and allows for many opportunities to teach rich, open tone and elegant phrasing. For the most part, Johnson uses three-part writing, but divides into four parts at key musical moments for added depth. The voice leading both in and out of the divisi is intelligent and accessible, and is supported by a delicate, artful piano part that adds some shimmer to the warmth of the vocal lines. If you choose, you can add the optional violin part to this piece; it doesn’t detract from the singers but adds one more layer of color to the piece. Although we know that there are so many pieces for women’s voices inspired by text like this, we really feel that this is one that should be on your radar and that your students will love to sing it.

If you have any questions about these or other octavo recommendations, feel free to contact us for this and any other sheet music needs!

About the Authors:
Jen Sper has been with Stanton’s since 2006. A former middle school and high school choral director, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, she also enjoys good food, running (to counteract the good food…) and the Muppets.

Alissa Ruth began working at Stanton’s in the summer of 2016. She is a former middle and high school choir director and holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Capital University. She is an active choral singer in the Columbus area, and spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.


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