When I Am Woman: SSA Choral Octavo

This piece brings a powerful, affirming message without sacrificing musical substance. Clearfield's writing for SSA creates opportunities for genuine part independence while remaining singable for developing voices, making it equally effective for a community choir or an advanced high school ensemble.

The piece conveys quiet strength and clarity of purpose. There's an directness to the writing that feels both modern and deeply human, inviting the choir to inhabit the text fully without theatrical excess.

This octavo reaches choirs with solid reading skills and an interest in programming contemporary works with substance. It's suited for festival competitions, concert programming, and any setting where you want a piece that singers will feel genuinely invested in.

• Shape the text-driven moments to land meaningfully; Clearfield often writes longer lines that invite you to control the breath and phrasing for maximum impact.
• Balance upper and middle voices carefully, particularly in sections where the sopranos carry the primary melodic material. The texture works best when each line feels present.
• Attend to the harmonic rhythm. What may appear static on first read often contains subtle voice-leading that rewards careful attention in rehearsal.
• Consider the piece's emotional arc across the full length. Recording a run-through early will help you identify where the energy naturally builds and where it needs gentle support.

Pair this with other contemporary secular choral works to create a thematic program around women's voices in music, or use it as a centerpiece in a concert that celebrates contemporary composition. At 14 pages, it anchors a concert segment without dominating the entire event.

• Part independence in SSA voicing
• Text expression and word stress in contemporary choral writing
• Sustaining longer phrases with intention
• Harmonic listening within modern tonal contexts