When I Was a Boy / When I Was a Girl

(Progress Initiative pride flag created by Daniel Quasar – used with his permission)

“When I Was a Boy” is an irreverent romp through the challenges of gender stereotypes and of growing up in our modern world. This piece is not meant to be sung by traditional choirs that only sing serious music. It is meant to be fun and playful, the music reminiscent of a circus organ.

The composer writes:
“Gender stereotypes were very strong when I was growing up, and children and adults were expected to fit predetermined ways to look, dress and behave. As I grew up, I realized that these expectations just didn’t work for everyone, and that many people live life in different ways. Do we have everything in our society figured out? Not yet.”

“When I Was a Boy / When I Was a Girl” demonstration track realized by Cantāmus Vocaloids

This score is available for purchase directly from the composer using the Contact page. Please order a copy for each choir member, one for your conductor and one for your accompanist .

Full score (pdf with license): $2.00 / copy
A free score (with some redactions) is available for preview