Unbroken, My Storm

Theme: Mental Health and Resiliance

“Unbroken, My Storm” Early Access Details

Duration: 5 minutes in length

SATB, SAB, SSA, TBarB, SSAB arrangements

with piano

Soundtrack recording for performances enthusiastically encouraged!

Optional string parts available as well

Lyrics

Unbroken, My Storm

Verse 1: The Public Performance (The Mask)

Stepping through this threshold into a crowd of familiar faces. You see me, you ask me, “How are you?” A held breath, a slight lean, my mask answers, “I am fine.” Yet, it’s a lie. My mask is fixed with a smile, but it’s a lie, so I can stay for a while behind my mask.

Pre-Chorus 1: The Plea for Solitude

At times I cannot see you, I cannot see through the maelstrom always inside me, ever churning, blustering, blowing. Please, just let me be!

Chorus 1: The Present Defiance

The wind may blow, my storm may hail, as I cry out, "I will prevail!" I face the fear, I spear the light, I own this fight. I am unbroken!

Verse 2: The Moment of Truth (Acceptance)

I held my breath then let it go: difficult words yearning to flow. My eyes met theirs, my mask dropped down, shattered into a million pieces. They listened close, and asked, "Tell me more?Stay for a while." My back straightened as they asked, The air clears fast, And I sigh, I reveal "I'm not OK."

Pre-Chorus 2: The Plea for Liberation

But now, I think I see you. At this moment I can see through the storm that is inside me, ever churning, blustering, blowing, breaking. Set me free!

Chorus 2: The Past Victory

The wind did blow, my storm did hail, and I cried out I did prevail! I faced my fear, I claimed my light. I own this fight! I am unbroken!

Pre-Chorus 3: The Release

Gone is my unease. I feel the fresh breeze Blowing through the trees Racing o'er the mountains Sailing o'er seas.

Chorus 2 Returns

The wind did blow, my storm did hail, and I cried out I did prevail! I faced my fear, I claimed my light. I own this fight! I am unbroken!

Coda: Final Statement

Unbroken by my storm. I am unbroken by my storm.


“Our struggle is only part of who we are, and not the whole of us”

Listen to Excerpt of Soundtrack Recording for Performances

Score Details

Vocal Score PDF and Instrumental Parts with Permission to Reproduce and Keep

Accompaniment Recording to Keep

Your Name and Your Group in Commissioning Ensembles List

Virtual Meet with Composer, Michael Bussewitz-Quarm (available by request)

Performance Window

Exclusive Window through June 2026

Fee per Choral Group or Individual Commissioner

$85

due after receipt of PDF score

Express Interest in Joining for the Unbroken, My Storm Commissioning Consortium