I HAVE A VOICE by Moira Smiley performed by The Women's Chorus of Dallas

I Have A Voice words and music and body percussion by Moira Smiley Arranged for SSSAAA or SSSAAAB + body percussion + floor toms (sheet music available at www.moirasmiley.com) Performed by The Women's Chorus of Dallas on March 5, 2020 at Moody Performance Hall. Directed by Melinda Imthurn. I wrote 'I Have A Voice' to explore the responsibilities that come with speaking up and speaking responsibly - especially in times of conflict. Writing this piece was an encouragement to myself, and to all of us to keep trying to find, and use our voices to make our world better, even if we sometimes feel unsure and faltering. Today, to me, part of owning your voice is listening constantly, voting, questioning, amplifying the silenced. This was begun in response to the tides of racism, sexism and greed that greet us in the news on many days. “What can I do?” I often find myself asking. Over and over, I see that my work is to stay awake, responsive, and encourage others to aspire to the same. As I wrote, I imagined YOU, women (lionesses!) of all stripes, singing this, encouraging each other, being encouraged, and shedding all shyness - exclaiming “HA!!” - while you sing, stomp and clap! Commissioned by the 2015 Women’s Choir Commission Consortium of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Iris S. Levine, National Repertoire and Standards Chair for Women’s Choirs AUDIO: Michael Vazquez VIDEO: I-DEE Productions