DID YOU HEAR?

for mixed a cappella choir

Written: 2010
Duration: ca. 6'
Instrumentation: mixed SATB choir (a cappella with divisis, SSAATTB)
Commissioned by the Vermont Youth Orchestra Chorus, Jeffrey Buettner, director. Text by David Cote.
World Premiere: Vermont Youth Orchestra Chorus, Jeffrey Buettner, director, April 7-8, Elley-Long Music Center, South Burlington, VT, USA, 2011.
Publisher: Bill Holab Music

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PROGRAM NOTE

The idea for Did You Hear? was conceived by the Vermont Youth Orchestra Chorus and its director, Jeffrey Buettner. They asked me to write a piece that would reflect their lives, something they deal with on a daily basis, so we settled on the theme of rumors. Since I could not find an appropriate text, I enlisted the help of writer and librettist David Cote, one of my friends and frequent collaborators.

Did You Hear? was commissioned by the Vermont Youth Orchestra Association while composer in residence through a Meet The Composer/League of American Orchestras Music Alive Residency.

  • Did You Hear?

    Did you hear? No. Hear what
    You won’t believe— I will. Tell me.
    You won’t believe if I say. Tell me I promise—
    It just happened today. I promise, I won’t tell a single soul.
    Do you want to hear? Whisper in my ear.
    No way. Way!
    Sick! Weird! Gross! Insane!
    A friend of a friend of a friend said they heard it first.
    I’m gonna tweet it. I have like fifty-two followers!
    Tweet. Tweet. Tweet. Tweet! Twitter. Twitter.
    Retweet. Retweet. Retweet.

    Shhhhhh!
    Here he comes.

    They say your ears burn when someone talks about you.
    My ears are burning. Why? Nobody notices me.

    What is wrong with him? What is wrong with them?
    What is wrong with her? What is wrong with me?
    What is wrong with us?

    I’m a freak. I’m like that song.
    I’m a freak; I don’t belong.
    Something’s wrong with me.
    After I’m gone, will anyone talk about me?
    Will I disappear?

    Hey, everyone. Did you hear?
    Did you hear about SARAH?
    No. What? Tell me!

    © Copyright 2010 David Cote. Used With Permission.

Press Quotes

“Robert Paterson could probably set a telephone book to music and create something that captivates. Luckily, he chooses much better texts... [In Did You Hear?], Paterson depicts the bright, conflicted chatter of teenagers (to David Cote’s text in Snow Day and the rumor-laden Did You Hear?)...”
— Donald Rosenberg, Gramophone