Kusimama is written in a world-music style that is accessible for choirs, both young and old, that are just beginning to be exposed to world rhythms and language - a sort of introduction to new

Expressing a powerful message of hope for a better world, this dynamic piece strikes a universal chord for all to hear! The quiet and subdued opening gradually builds to a dramatic musical statement using

"I ask for one day where I don't have to hear about pain, or life that's lost, I ask for one day where whispers of hope are alive inside my heart." These words, written by 5th graders in a writing workshop,

"Give us hope and we'll show you the way." This popular piece is celebrating its 20th anniversary with this edition. Identical in each voicing to the original editions - but now, more of the royalties are

"Can you hear my cries? I am calling out to you." The global community of children speaks together in this dramatic call for a better future that uses worldbeat sounds, unified chordal harmonies, and

With a powerful pop/gospel feel, this work captures the hopes and wishes of young people's thoughts on how to improve the world. Written in a youth song writing workshop, the idea of "rising as a people" is

Full of life and energy, this work in Spanish and English expresses the plea of Mexican children to the rest of the world to listen to their cry for help. The percussion and bass parts (included in the

The Foundation for Small Voices advocates for school music programs in many ways. Proceeds from sheet music sales of this piece by co-founder Jim Papoulis go directly to the Music Changes the World project.

The essence of this work, in a world of conflict and violence, is the need for a deep understanding that peace can come from all of us. After the opening phrase, "Look in the eyes of the children, feel the

This energetic, uplifting work fuses the rhythms of African, American and Latin cultures, and uses a text primarily in Swahili but interspersed with phrases in Spanish. Supported by shaker, djembe and agogo

Born out of the composer's virtual songwriting workshops with students during the pandemic of 2020, this piece expresses the thoughts and feelings of the younger generation. With themes of love, hope,

"In every heart there is a place that shows us who we are." The opening phrase presents the challenge that unfolds in this significant song: bringing our inner voice to expression. Bound to be the highlight

Born out of virtual songwriting conferences with students held during the first few weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, this set of three songs expresses the students' words and thoughts as they struggled to

Kuwa Furaha is a song about joy. More specifically, it is about the simple and beautiful way that children have of showing and expressing their joy. Jim Papoulis is well known for his world music

Written in a Foundation for Small Voices song-writing workshop hosted by the Cincinnati Children's Choir, the students' message is loud and clear: "Whatever your journey, whatever your beliefs, whatever

For SA voices with divisi, this inspiring selection uses percussion to simulate a heartbeat and from that bringing forth a simple idea - that reaching even just one heart can be a very powerful gesture.

The upbeat multicultural feel of this piece combines great vocal lines and choral writing, modern driving rhythmic ideas, and a great message about uniting together on a collective "journey of hope." The

"When I close my eyes then I can see that I am not afraid." This song of confidence and hope for young voices resonates with positive lyrics, a strong melody and an expressive accompaniment for piano and

Beautifully melodic, with a great beat and a great message, this "world music" piece has a text in Swahili which translates as, "We have a right." Imbakwa was written for the score of a film about

With Gnothi Safton, composer Jim Papoulis raises the profile of Boomwhackers out of the elementary classroom and onto the concert stage. Including an original inspirational text that urges young

Celebrating the many reasons that we sing: "It fills my soul, it reaches something deep inside my heart, it makes me feel, more than anything." These lines and emotions are woven through this piece as the

This selection has good energy with a text that speaks to our time. African languages and English mix to help "tell me your story." Percussion and rhythmic chanting add to the atmosphere of this piece that

Written in a songwriting workshop, here is a song of multifaceted hopes. "I wanna believe in beauty, I wanna be seen in darkness, I wanna be heard in chaos." Composed in the world music style that has