Composition

Natalie is a storyteller. She feels composition and arrangements are blueprints for journeys, that explore current social and political events. They also offer spaces for cross-cultural understanding, through centering voices of the oppressed. Natalie finds joy in writing choral arrangements of traditional Levantine music, and new compositions. Natalie at times includes elements of participatory art in her compositions and arrangements. In her writing, she finds connections between composition and social justice.

Ya Hala bil-Deif يا هلا بالضيف

Commissioned by the Oakville Choir for Children and Youth (Raise Her Voice choir)

Arabic Language. SSAA, SATB (divisi)

Translating to “Oh most welcomed guest!” , this traditional Bedouin song is about welcoming and hospitality through serving them coffee. The first sentence, “Balla tsubbu hal-gahwa” translates to “would you pour this coffee”. It is a fun and upbeat song, incorporating traditional Dabka dance, and celebratory energy in Arab culture!

 

Tubb il Jarra

SSA voicing + Body Percussion and/or Udu Drum

Based on the proverb in Arabic that translates “like mother like daughter”, through the metaphor of a clay jug! This is a fun, humourus composition with a simple melody! The song is in 4 voice parts, one of which only does body percussion (BP).

 

For Freedom

Commissioned by Amadeus Choir of Greater Toronto, in their “Portrait of Home” series.

SSAATB voicing

The music, alternating between Major key and the Arabic Hijaz mode, is a worldly contemplation of human interconnectedness in local and global struggles for freedom. The composition invites singers to explore the definition of freedom, through their roles in bringing justice for indigenous peoples, and liberation of marginalized people. It incorporates a playful community-engaged paper bird activity, that builds a sense of togetherness, introspection, and conversation amongst choir singers and audiences!

Laylat al-Milad ليلة الميلاد

Arabic Language. SSAA, SATB, SSAB + Piano

A carol from the Levant that touches the essence of Christmas. This arrangement is a labor of love. It embodies the intimacy, togetherness, and love, of the song. It is a piece of music that transcends religion into human care, and can be sung by groups of any ages and identities.

 

Beirut

Collaboratively arranged by Hawanim ensemble (Toujan Atari, Raneem Barakat, Natalie Fasheh, Shireen abu-Khader)

SSAA Voicing

The song is a tribute to the city of Beirut, as a response to the 2020 Beirut port explosions that shook the city, in the midst of Lebanon’s financial crisis; one of the largest financial crises in human history. The repeated melody, weaved within lush vocal lines, goes through phases of despair, and hope. The video premiere of the piece shows messages we gathered from people around the world for Beirut.

To be premiered soon

  • Ya Sitti يا ستي

    Commissioned by Shallaway Choir

    SSAA or SAAB + Water Glasses

    A tender traditional Palestinian lullaby of a woman singing her grandchild to sleep. This arrangement celebrates the cultural ancestral wisdom and knowledge of Palestinian women, passed down through generations of storytelling and song.

  • ROY G BIV

    Commissioned by Oakville Choir for Children and Youth

    This colourful graphic score is about a light ray’s journey travelling through different mediums. It invites us to remember that we are rays, and in our relative and finite time, constantly colour this spectrum with our humanness. 

  • Ya Amar - يا قمر

    Commissioned through Elektra Women’s Choir

    SSAA with two soli and ukulele or guitar

    An ode to the Moon. Written during the pandemic about the lockdowns. Regardless of social isolation, we are all connected through Earth’s one moon.

Composition Ideas Seeking a Choir Home

  • Based on a true story that happened the summer of 2020, during the pandemic. 30 year old woman named Ahlam was killed by her father in an act of domestic/family violence, in Jordan (West Asia). Her final moments were filmed by a stranger on the street, and shared through social media. The father and family got away with murder, under the pretense that it was an “Honor Killing”, which is legal in Jordan. This sparked uprisings in Jordan and across the Arab world by women, calling for a change in laws, and moreso, a change in society’s dehumanization of women.

    Arabic Language

  • A lush SATB arrangement of Jon Gomm’s song “Passionflower”, about the beauty and tenacity of wildflowers.

    English Language

  • An arrangement of a traditional Levantine song about a person longing for their loved one who went to get food from a location “Rozana”!

    Arabic Language

  • An arrangement of Aseel Tayah’s song. The word “Rahou” means “They are gone”. The song, only containing one word: “Rahou”, is a lamentation and grieving song, for Palestinians who were massacred by Israeli forces in the beseiged Gaza strip. Aseel created the song for the award-winning play by Samah Sabaawi “Tales of a City by the Sea”.

    Arabic Language