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