Awakening
SSA - Sheet Music

Choral SSA choir, piano

SKU: CF.BL1170

Composed by Christi Jones. 12 pages. Duration 3:30. BriLee Music #BL1170. Published by BriLee Music (CF.BL1170).

UPC: 672405010184. Key: B minor. English. James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938).

This piece is based on the poem The Awakening by James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938). Johnson was a civil-rights activist, writer, composer, politician, educator, lawyer, and diplomat. He was also a leading figure in the creation and development of the Harlem Renaissance. He is best known for writing the hymn Lift Every Voice and Sing with his brother in 1900. I was drawn to The Awakening because it has a powerful and moving text that I think many can relate to, especially adolescents and teenagers. As I wrote it, I imagined a disoriented, dream-like state at the beginning, where the singer identifies as a beautiful, yet lonely rose that no one notices or appreciates. In the second verse, the excitement and anticipation grow as the bee approaches and responds lovingly to the rose. Now blissfully validated, the rose realizes that it was well worth the wait! Christi Jones has been teaching choir since 2000 at Young Junior High School in Arlington, Texas. Choirs under her direction have performed at TMEA, SWACDA, ACDA, the Middle School and Junior High National Convention, and for the Texas State Board of Education. Jones was named Teacher of the Year at Young Junior High School in 2011, and also received Runner-Up for the AISD "AWARE" award in 2011, 2014, and 2016. Jones has published pieces with Carl Fischer Music, BriLee Music, and RBC Music, including several Texas UIL sight-reading pieces. Most of her compositions have been in response to a need of one of her own ensembles, or a need or interest from within her choir director community. Jones is a member of TMEA, TCDA, ACDA, and TMAA, and is sought after as a Regional Clinician and UIL Adjudicator. She is also on staff as a Worship Ministry Assistant at First Baptist Church in Arlington, where she directs the Youth Choir and Contemporary Worship Team Vocalists.
This piece is based on the poem The Awakening by James Weldon Johnson (1871–1938). Johnson was a civil-rights activist, writer, composer, politician, educator, lawyer, and diplomat. He was also a leading figure in the creation and development of the Harlem Renaissance. He is best known for writing the hymn Lift Every Voice and Sing with his brother in 1900.I was drawn to The Awakening because it has a powerful and moving text that I think many can relate to, especially adolescents and teenagers. As I wrote it, I imagined a disoriented, dream-like state at the beginning, where the singer identifies as a beautiful, yet lonely rose that no one notices or appreciates. In the second verse, the excitement and anticipation grow as the bee approaches and responds lovingly to the rose. Now blissfully validated, the rose realizes that it was well worth the wait!Christi Jones has been teaching choir since 2000 at Young Junior High School in Arlington, Texas. Choirs under her direction have performed at TMEA, SWACDA, ACDA, the Middle School and Junior High National Convention, and for the Texas State Board of Education. Jones was named Teacher of the Year at Young Junior High School in 2011, and also received Runner-Up for the AISD "AWARE" award in 2011, 2014, and 2016.Jones has published pieces with Carl Fischer Music, BriLee Music, and RBC Music, including several Texas UIL sight-reading pieces. Most of her compositions have been in response to a need of one of her own ensembles, or a need or interest from within her choir director community.Jones is a member of TMEA, TCDA, ACDA, and TMAA, and is sought after as a Regional Clinician and UIL Adjudicator. She is also on staff as a Worship Ministry Assistant at First Baptist Church in Arlington, where she directs the Youth Choir and Contemporary Worship Team Vocalists.