The Music of Elizabeth Alexander

Works about Courage

Title

Poet/Lyricist

Voicing/Instrumentation

Level

Being Who You Are
A lighthearted romp affirming individual differences (with a touch of Shakespeare!)
Poet/Lyricist: Elizabeth Alexander
  • SA, piano, misc. percussion
Level: ME
Blessed Be the Flower That Triumphs
A rich meditation on tenacity, resilience, and rebirth
Poet/Lyricist: Michael DeVernon Boblett
  • SATB a cappella
  • SATB, 2 horns, harp, strings
Level: M
Caterpillars Crawl
A lighthearted look at the daunting act of “going out on a limb”
Poet/Lyricist: Elizabeth Alexander
  • SA, piano
Level: ME
Cherish Your Doubt
An salute tothat underrated but vital component of belief: Doubt!
Poet/Lyricist: Elizabeth Alexander
  • SSA, soloist, piano, opt. bass
  • SATB, soloist, piano, opt. bass
Level: M
Climb
A rapturous call to freedom and risk
Poet/Lyricist: Edna St. Vincent Millay
  • SSATB, piano
Level: MA
Conversation on a Train
A courageous conversation across a deep divide
Poet/Lyricist: Elizabeth Alexander
  • SA or SSAA, piano
  • low voice, high voice, piano
Level: ME
Die Gedanken Sind Frei
A 16th century German protest song, recast with wit and defiance
Poet/Lyricist: Traditional, additional lyrics by Elizabeth Alexander
  • SATB, piano
  • Treble voice, bass voice, piano
  • Two equal voices, piano
Level: ME
Get Curious
A compelling look at how curiosity can nudge anger into something beautiful and transformative
Poet/Lyricist: Elizabeth Alexander
  • SSAA a cappella
  • SATB a cappella
Level: MA
I’ll Go Alone
An affirmation of faith during difficult times
Poet/Lyricist: Evelyn K. Dudley
  • SSAA a cappella
  • SATB a cappella
  • TTBB a cappella
Level: MA
Jump!
A sonic saga falling and flying
Poet/Lyricist: Ray Bradbury
  • SSA, narrator, piano
  • SSA, narrator, string quartet
Level: M
Kindling: Small Reflections on a Limitless Faith
A wide-ranging exploration of the touchstones that bring meaning, inspiration, and wonder to our lives
Poet/Lyricist: Elizabeth Alexander
  • SATB, piano
  • SATB, chamber ensemble
Level: MA
Let it Matter
An urgent call to deep listening across cultural and class divides
Poet/Lyricist: Elizabeth Alexander
  • SSA, piano
  • SATB, piano
Level: M
Life is Not a Garden
An open-eyed and open-hearted view of this complicated world, acknowledging both disappointment and hope
Poet/Lyricist: Elizabeth Alexander
  • SSAA, piano, opt. bass
  • SATB, piano, opt. bass
Level: M
May This Be a Working Alleluia
A “roll up your sleeves” embrace of gratitude, work, healing and joy
Poet/Lyricist: Elizabeth Alexander
  • SATB + children’s choir, piano, opt. flute and trumpets
Level: M
No One Gets A Program
A sassy take on a wise old saying
Poet/Lyricist: Dutch proverb / Elizabeth Alexander
  • Medium voice
  • Vocal duet
Level: M
No Ordinary Song
An earnest call to heal old wounds and build beloved community
Poet/Lyricist: Elizabeth Alexander
  • Medium voice, piano
  • Community / Congregational Song
Level: ME
No Other People’s Children
A song of reconciliation affirming the belovedness of all people
Poet/Lyricist: Elizabeth Alexander
  • Flexible voicing: 1-4 pt. choir
Level: E
Oath Taking
An incisive song about reconciliation, promises and integrity
Poet/Lyricist: Opal Palmer Adisa
  • High voice, piano
Level: M
Off the Page
Nine improvisations for string players and other adventurous people
  • All Instruments
Level: Various
Pages
A clear-eyed reflection on the world’s challenges, with a purposeful call to action
Poet/Lyricist: Elizabeth Alexander
  • SATB, piano
  • SATB, chamber ensemble
Level: M
Songs of Youth
An exploration of the thrill and impatience of growing up
Poet/Lyricist: Elizabeth Alexander
  • SAB, piano, opt. vibraphone
Level: M
Things That Go Bump in the Night
A humorous and courageous journey from dusk to dawn
Poet/Lyricist: Elizabeth Alexander with Edward Smith Elementary School students
  • SSA, piano
  • SATB, piano
Level: M
This is What Democracy Looks Like
A rally-ready protest song (Creative Commons)
Poet/Lyricist: Elizabeth Alexander
  • Community / Congregational Song
Level: E
Trust the Seeds
A meditation seed-planting, patience and faith
Poet/Lyricist: Elizabeth Alexander
  • SATB a cappella
  • SATB, flute, oboe, piano
  • SATB, orchestra
Level: Various
You were meant for this
A fierce and vibrant farewell to a dying friend
Poet/Lyricist: Teresa Schreiber Werth
  • SSAA a cappella
Level: MA