Can We Talk *Acoustic Cover* w/t Kenyon Dixon

Singers from the UW-Madison choral program, under the direction of Dr. Michael Johnson, premiered Lawren Brianna Ware's piece, Elijah Speaks in the spring of 2021.

Program Note (L. B. Ware)

Elijah McClain was a 23 year-old African-American man who died as a result of police brutality in the
summer of 2019. McClain, who was believed to be autistic and who was known to have asthma, was on his
way home when he was detained by police. Someone had called 911, reporting that he was "sketchy." The
police utilized the caroitid hold on McClain in order to handcuff him. Additionally, when the medical
responders arrived, he was given a dose of the powerful sedative, ketamine. Elijah McClain went into
cardiac arrest on the way to the hospital and died a few days later.
After hearing of this terrible incident--yet another story of a Black person's live being cut short due to
police brutality--I felt compelled to speak out through my own unique medium: composing. "Elijah Speaks"
is a work for SATB choir, violin, piano, and narrator that details the moments leading up to Elijah McClain's
death. The source for the text of the work comes from McClain's "last words" which were shared on Twitter
after the incident. Additionally, I drew inspiration from the bodycam footage of the incident. At many
instances during the piece, one can hear quotes and alterations of the first violin theme from Pachelbel's
Canon in D. I chose to quote this piece as an ode to the fact that Elijah McClain was a violinist. I am sure, that
at some point during his lifetime, he may have performed the canon. I intended "Elijah Speaks" to not only
be an "in memoriam" for Elijah McClain, but to also be a vessel that would tell his story and bring attention
to his death and the deaths of the many other African-Americans who have lost their lives to police brutality.
Tompkins,Lucy."Here'sWhatYouNeedtoKnowAboutElijahMcClain'sDeath."TheNewYorkTimes, August16,2020.
https://www.nytimes.com/article/who-was-elijah-mcclain.html.


Elijah McClain's Last Words
"I can't breathe. I have my ID right here. My name is Elijah McClain. That's my house. I was just going home. I
am an introvert. I'm just different. That's all. I'm so sorry. I have no gun. I don't do that stuff. I don't do any
fighting. Why are you attacking me? I don't even kill flies! I don't eat meat! But I don't judge people, I don't
judge people who do eat meat. Forgive me. All I was trying to do was become better. I will do it. i will do
anything. Sacrifice my identity, I'll do it. You all are phenomenal. You are beautiful and I love you. Try to
forgive me. I'm a mood Gemini. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Ow, that really hurt. You are all very strong. Teamwork
makes the dream work. (*crying*) Oh, I'm sorry I wasn't trying to do that. I just can't breathe correctly."
(*proceeds to vomit from the pressure to his chest and neck.*)
Booker, Cory. Twitter Post.June 26, 2020. 9:10 am. https://twitter.com/CoryBooker/status/1276518088842850309

Elijah Speaks  By Lawren Brianna Ware, 2021

My Boo *Acoustic Cover* ft. Rahky

Lost Me *Acoustic Cover*

As It Was *Acoustic Cover*

I Wanna Know *Acoustic Cover* ft. Rome Flynn

3rd single from our upcoming debut EP
https://Blyne.lnk.to/dontyouever

featuring https://soundcloud.com/iamchuala
https://instagram.com/iamchuala
https://twitter.com/iamchuala
https://www.facebook.com/iamchuala

cover art by Max v. T.

lyrics:

I took a turn I’m over being bitter 
Bridges burn the ice is getting thinner 
Keep it real I feel like falling 
Once you learn it’s not just gold and glitter

I’m taking my taking my time 
I’m not trying to be on your line 
I don’t care if you think I live right 
I don’t care 

Fingers to my head guess I’m thinking too much 
Don’t you ever?
I know I’ve had enough you keep filling my cup 
Don’t you ever 
Feel like I do 

This time I’m not chasing no perfection 
No crime to love your own complexion 
No shield to conceal what’s in me 
I learned it’s not just gold and glitter

Don't You Ever (feat. Chu)

Nakala ~ How Can You
Stream: fanlink.to/hwcny

Released 06.04.2018
Written by: Nakala
Produced, Mixed and Mastered by: Brad Baker
Artwork by: Yukari Ochi

Follow Nakala:
www.instagram.com/nakalaviiv
twitter.com/nakalaviiv
@nakalaviiv
www.facebook.com/nakalaviiv

Follow Brad Baker
www.instagram.com/bbviiv
@bbviiv

Follow Yukari:
www.instagram.com/ocoyu
@ocoyuwtvr

How Can You - Single

Nakala ~ How Can You

I summoned a few for these new flows. I just hope you like it.

Pt.1 | prod. WAVYBOYPRODUCTIONS x BOBdAHIPPIE

"The Ocean Sings to the Shore" by Scott Gendel.  Performed & recorded by the composer in his living room.  Mistakes were made in this performance without a doubt, but it's a pretty good representation of how the piece goes. And I would like nothing more than for some other pianists to interpret this MUCH BETTER than I was able to do in this quick morningtime recording session. Please! Do so! Make me sound bad! :)

The Ocean Sings To The Shore

An Original Comic Book Soundtrack Companion for the newly released comic by Jaromir François, "My Brother, Teddy." Official release date 2/3/21!

Monsters Don't Come From Under The Bed...(pg. 1 - 3)

Hello! My name is Dr. Lawren Brianna Ware and I am a composer and a classically trained pianist. Compositionally, I focus on creating music that is emotional, gripping, and thoughtful (my motto is “Composing music that makes one feel).  My music is intended to evoke strong sentiments and should transport the audience.

Elijah Speaks By Lawren Brianna Ware, 2021

Lawren Brianna Ware

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