Description
“Nou La” (We Are Here) was commissioned by the Phoenix Chamber Choir an organization committed to using its platform to make a difference and uplift voices that are too often unheard.
Haitian Creole, French and English text:
Koute nou! Tande, tande! Listen up! Hear our voices!
Nou la! Wi, nou la! (We’re here! Yes, we are here!)
N ap chante! (We are singing!)
Nou tout kanpe! (We are taking a stand!)
Nou kanpe avèk yo! (We stand with them!)
Di mwen, kisa m ye pou ou? Tell me, what am I to you?
If I cross your borders, am I a thief or a profit?
If I do your labor, am I skilled or a nuisance?
If I assimilate your ways, am I an imposter or a brother?
If I serve my time, am I redeemed or rebuked?
Nous témoignons du fantôme de l’esclavage dans sa forme contemporaine.
We witness the ghost of slavery in its contemporary form.
Di mwen poukisa! Tell me why!
Why is it only culture if you observe it?
Why is it only history if you write it?
Why is it only important if you say it?
Why is it only relevant if you are interested?
Why is it only inclusive if you make a profit?
It has to stop! Enough! Enough!
Hear the frustration in our voices.
Feel the heart in our words.
How can you be complacent at the sound of our plight?
March and let the weight of our heels crush inhumanity.
Stomp and let the sound ignite our souls to make a difference.
Let us sing and let our voices bring compassion to the oppressed.
Listen. Understand. Have compassion. Koute. Tande. Pran konsyans.
How can you be complacent at the sound of our plight?
Click Here for a PDF of the complete text | Download Word document |
Click Here for a PDF with the French translation | Download Word document |
Recordings
Nou La (Double Choir and Percussion)
1,400 Singers: Phoenix Chamber Singers & Nathaniel Dett Chorale & HarbourVoices Massed Choir
Frédéricka Petit-Homme, Soloist
Nicholle Andrews, Conductor
Recorded Live on July 2, 2024 at the Mary Brown Centrer in Newfoundland, Canada
Nou La ( World Premiere )
Phoenix Chamber Choir
Frédéricka Petit-Homme, Soloist
Nicholle Andrews, Conductor
Recorded on May 7, 2022 at Pacific Spirit United Church in Vancouver, BC, Canada
Brad Andrews, Audio Engineer
Perusal Scores
SATB Version
Double Choir Version – Full Score
Double Choir Version – Choir 1 Score
Double Choir Version – Choir 2 Score
Video Performances
Double Choir version
Original version
Practice Tracks