Compose Like A Girl

Compose Like A Girl Compose Like a Girl amplifies female-identifying composers & works toward more equitable programming.

09/10/2025

NEW COMPOSER ALERT!! Welcome Abigail N. Lewis to the Compose Like A Girl Choral Series!!

The addition of vibraphone to traditional piano accompaniments adds an ethereal color to Abigail Lewis’s “Unlost.” A play on words, to be “unlost” is to be found. The vibraphone suggests this inversion of meanings, almost like a mysterious reflection of the piano. “Unlost” pulses with a wandering heart, searching for peace amidst the constant changes of life.

The flowers may forget your face, but they will remember your heart.

Check out this SATB, vibraphone, and piano work now at graphitepublishing.com!!

09/02/2025

May this song feel like a warm hug to you and your family.

“I’ll Love You Every Moment” by Grace Becker is a lovely, unaccompanied partsong suited for any mixed choir. The message is one of gentle yet powerful love. Becker uses silence to emphasize important passages in the text, leaving space for thought and contemplation. A soaring soprano descant concludes the work with the strength of a “warrior.”

Performance above by Mr. Daniel Novotney and the Adel Desoto High School choir in Iowa - check out the full recording on our YouTube channel and give the score a peak at graphitepublishing.com!

08/29/2025

“Found,” by A.K. Carroll, takes the listener on a gentle journey from despair to hope. The long, sustained lines gradually rise and burst into a reassuring climax before ebbing away into a relaxed cadence. “Found” tells a story of metaphorical sunshine conquering a darkened sky.

No matter what darkness you face, it is never too late for you to find yourself again - this NEW SATB div. a ca****la work is now available through the Compose Like A Girl Choral Series at Graphite Publishing!

08/28/2025

Compose Like A Girl isn't just a slogan—it's a movement. A celebration of creativity, vulnerability, and strength.

I created this initiative to empower the next generation of composers—especially girls and young women—to boldly take up space in the world of music. In this process, I have found much inspiration myself from all of them.

The Compose Like a Girl Choral Series seeks to empower composers who identify as women through mentorship, editorial direction, publication, and promotion. Composers of all ages sign up for 30-minute zoom sessions with me and are provided composition lessons, engraving feedback, publishing and general career advice. This community has become a safe space to exchange ideas, thoughts, and stories as well.

On the Compose Like a Girl podcast, I share conversations with female-identifying composers, help conductors diversify their concerts, and work toward more equality in music programming and commissioning.

We are exploring the privilege, power, and opportunity that all intersect with our ability to self-advocate and live confidently. When we say “compose like a girl,” we’re really encouraging you to express your authentic self.

Let’s change the face of composition, together. Every voice deserves to be heard.

Learn more about Compose Like a Girl here: https://jocelynhagen.com/compose-like-a-girl/

08/26/2025

Welcome Hannah Jensen to the Compose Like A Girl Choral Series!

“Mr. Sun” by Jensen is a sophisticated and accessible work that fills a special niche. A playful, innocent text hides a deeper meaning: the sweet things of life are only temporary. Just as the sun sets, our joys cannot last forever. Jensen’s sophisticated piano writing gives the keyboardist a voice to share with the choir. Taken all together, “Mr. Sun” can help developing voices and minds find expression and affirmation of their emotions.

This work is now available through Graphite Publishing for 3-part mixed, 2-part treble, or unison choir and piano - check it out now!

Compose Like A Girl Choral Series composer, Sherry Blevins, recently conducted her work 𝘛𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵: 𝘈 𝘊𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘯...
08/07/2025

Compose Like A Girl Choral Series composer, Sherry Blevins, recently conducted her work 𝘛𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵: 𝘈 𝘊𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 at its New York Premiere at Carnegie Hall!!

𝘛𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵 was a collaborative composition project with Santa Monica College Choirs led by Dr. Jeremiah Selvey inspired by the choir's and composer's passion for environmental justice based on the stages of grief (excluding bargaining).

Learn more about the performance here: https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2025/06/29/New-England-Symphonic-Ensemble-0830PM

Read the program notes here: https://www.midamerica-music.com/programnotes0629

CONGRATS Sherry!!

“Vanheim” by Johanna Malmberg is a thrilling achievement of vocal orchestration and a slow burn of anticipation, until t...
07/29/2025

“Vanheim” by Johanna Malmberg is a thrilling achievement of vocal orchestration and a slow burn of anticipation, until the brilliant, concluding chords.

Malmberg constructs a “wall of sound” that would fill an acoustically live space. Great for large ensembles looking for a challenge.

“This viking song is about the first war in the world according to northern mythology, the battle of Vanaheimr (or Vanheim). It was held between the Vanir and the Æsir, two families of gods in which the first one is associated with fertility, wisdom, and the ability to see the future. And the latter represents gods of bloodthirst, strength and power. […]” - Johanna Malmberg

Visit the Compose Like A Girl Choral Series at graphitepublishing.com now to read more about Malmberg and give this piece a listen!

07/22/2025

"Mars in Retrograde” is a 3-part vocalise for SSA and piano based on planetary motion and gravitational orbits.

Composer Amy Gordon employs talea (a repeating rhythmic pattern) and color (a repeating pitch pattern) unique to each voice part as they represent the planets Venus, Earth and Mars orbiting the sun, represented by the piano.

A spacious, spiraling SSA choir work perfect for incorporating agility and explorations of overtones and vowel shapes for singers.

Check out the full NEW performance recording by the Azusa Pacific University (APU) Bel Canto Women’s Choir; Brandon Chase Di Noto, conductor here: https://youtu.be/mF55KiKvswg?si=h1VwGyehaAvbArj-

Add this piece to your next program here: https://graphitepublishing.com/product/mars-in-retrograde/

A sincere and heartfelt farewell, “A Departing Blessing” by Amelia Ouverson reminds us that goodbyes are as filled with ...
07/19/2025

A sincere and heartfelt farewell, “A Departing Blessing” by Amelia Ouverson reminds us that goodbyes are as filled with gratitude and hope as they are sad.

Great intimacy is achieved through the use of solo voices, as well as a solitary obligato violin (or other C instrument). A simple, folk-like style binds the work together. Diatonic harmonies and homophonic textures enable a quick study and rewarding experience for the choir.

Check out the performance by The Wartburg Choir now by visiting https://graphitepublishing.com/product/a-departing-blessing/

“Life Has a Loveliness” by Grace Brigham is a positive, life-affirming work. To drive home the point that “life has a lo...
07/09/2025

“Life Has a Loveliness” by Grace Brigham is a positive, life-affirming work. To drive home the point that “life has a loveliness to sell,” Brigham engages all the voices equally. Every voice is affirmed, all people are welcome to this happy feast.

What begins as a relatively straightforward, 4 part, diatonic work gradually unfolds into an enriched climax with widely spaced and divided voices, supported by eminently playable accompaniment. Great for advanced high schools and college choirs.

Allow your choir to enjoy the loveliness of life in this work today by visiting the Compose Like A Girl Choral Series at graphitepublishing.com!

Learn more about Brigham and her work here: https://www.gracebrigham.com/

“Can You Hear My Heart Sing” by MaryAnne Muglia Smith is a lovely, accessible song, great for younger treble voices. The...
07/04/2025

“Can You Hear My Heart Sing” by MaryAnne Muglia Smith is a lovely, accessible song, great for younger treble voices.

The moderate ranges will enable singers to build a healthy, beautiful tone and the melodies are easy to learn. By gradually dividing the voices into six parts, Smith gives each singer a chance to shine; every part is fun to sing! Gentle momentum with flowing eight notes is provided by the piano accompaniment.

Text:
can you hear my heart sing
or will my words be enough?
breathing songs of the past
songs of our love so long
i stood with you
and as i journey far,
my thoughts will stay here
and so will my heart.
so use the music as your wings
and let your soul take flight
rising up through the sky
together in the light

– Elle Campbell

Visit the Compose Like A Girl Choral Series at graphitepublishing.com now to program this piece for your next concert!

Learn more about MaryAnne Muglia Smith here: https://www.maryannemuglia.com/

In the chaos of our lives, we often neglect our needs for community, support and rest. In “The World is Too Big,” Grace ...
06/05/2025

In the chaos of our lives, we often neglect our needs for community, support and rest. In “The World is Too Big,” Grace Becker creates a warm embrace, reminding us to turn to one another for comfort and solace when things are difficult. The piece begins in unison, and then splits into two-part harmony, creating a wonderful work for developing choirs.

Face the world together with your treble choir now by programming Becker’s “The World is Too Big” for your next concert! This piece is available for purchase at graphitepublishing.com through the Compose Like A Girl Choral Series!

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