This Breath, This Life, Our Song (Vocal Score)

Other info: Commissioned in 2023, in grateful thanks to Paul Bushnell for his contributions to Coro Lux, this heartfelt and hopeful song, with words by the composer, should fizz with energy and lyricism and be a true celebration of what it means to sing and be a singer. Many thanks to Coro Lux artistic director Bradley Ellingboe for his support and input on the piece.

I was delighted to be contacted by Brad Eliingboe to discuss the possibility of writing a piece for Coro Lux to celebrate the contribution of Paul Bushnell to the life of the choir. The conversation between commissioner and artist is always important. As a composer and writer I try to take on board what it is the commissioner wants to express in the new piece. Brad was great to talk with, and is vastly experienced as a choral director and composer, so everything he said was very helpful and clear - ultimately, we  were after a piece that celebrates life and singing and the joy of being a choir. The resulting piece is This Breath, This Life, This Song with my own words, which developed at the same time as I worked on the melody and harmonies of the song at the piano. The opening chords of ‘Sing, sing…’ set up a sequence which is heard at several points during the piece and this is contrasted with the ‘verse’ material which begins in the relative minor and has a lightly folky feel. As the piece progresses there are madrigal-like variations on the material to give a sense of the joy and intricate energy of choral singing. The piece weaves through different keys and dynamics and eventually comes to a ‘big finish’ on the word ‘Sing!’. I hope the audience and choir enjoy this new piece and feel inspired by the positive and hopeful  message of the song.

- Will Todd

Sing! Sing!
Sing! Sing!
The weaving strands of melody,
Rich in harmony and love,
You are my heart as I take breath
And make ready
To join together in a burst of brilliant sound.
This breath
This life
This song
This voice 
This hope 
Our song

The longing theme and poetry
Flowing through me as I sing,
You are my heart as I take breath
And make ready
To raise our voices up as one to change the world.

This breath
This life
This song
This voice 
This hope 
Our song

Sing! Sing!

The hopes and dreams that music makes,
Friend forever by my side,
You are my heart as I take breath
And make ready
For we will make the greatest song when we become one voice.

This breath
This life
This song
This voice 
This hope 
Our song
Sing! Sing!