Mari Esabel Valverde joins Jocelyn to talk language, unlearning shame, gender, and pathways to excellence for the under-resourced.

Companion playlists: YouTube, Spotify

Episode Transcript

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Learn more: Compose Like a Girl

Relevant Links:

Before Spring

To digte af Tove Ditlevsen | Performed by Matthew Valverde, tenor

Darest, O Soul | Performed by Cantus

Earth, Mother | Performed by the University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club

Moonlight Quartet | Performed by Her Ensemble

Border Lines | Text by Yesenia Montilla | Composed for and Performed by Adams State University Chamber Choir

St. Olaf College

European American Music Alliance

Amir Rabiyah, poet

International Orange Chorale of San Francisco

Influences and inspiration:

Claude Debussy

King David, Part III: “The Death of David” by Arthur Honegger

Les Six

Wilhelm Stenhammar

Jean Sibelius

Wilhelm Peterson-Berger

Edvard Grieg

Siete Canciones Populares Españolas, V. Nana by Manuel de Falla

Resources on Gender Identity:

Video by Chase Ross: “Trans 101: Ep 1 - What is Transgender?”

Graphic by the Trans Student Education Resource: The Gender Unicorn

Graphic by Sam Killerman: The Genderbread Person

Season 2 of Compose Like a Girl will launch later this week!

Follow us: @composelikeagirl on Instagram and Facebook

Learn more: Compose Like a Girl

Emily Drum joins Jocelyn for a conversation on today’s bonus episode!

Emily (she/her) is a singer, arranger, composer, vocal producer, songwriter, and educator living in Phoenix, AZ. During her time at the University of Arizona, she became the driving force behind the award-winning a cappella group Amplified, serving as director, arranger, and producer. In addition to leading the group to historic success in the Varsity Vocals ICCA competition, she received four ‘Outstanding Arrangement’ awards for her work. Today, Emily is in high demand as a professional vocal arranger and composer. She is commissioned by high school groups, top-ranked collegiate a cappella groups, and semi-professional choirs all over the country, and her self-published arrangements have been sung all over the world, in over 15 countries spread across 5 continents. In addition to arranging and composing, Emily is also a vocal coach, producer, and member of the award-winning treble vocal quartet, Red Letter Daze. Over time, her contributions to countless vocal projects have landed her 27 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARA) nominations and awards. She is excited to continue making strides in the world of vocal music and is grateful to be featured in Graphite Publishing.

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Learn more: Compose Like a Girl

Transcript PDF

Relevant Links:

Emily Drum

Womankind, available through Graphite Publishing

Star Light, Star Bright, available through Graphite Publishing

GALA Choruses

Phoenix Women’s Chorus

International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella

Red Letter Daze

Boston A Cappella Festival

DAW