Composition
Natalie is a storyteller whose work has been sung by choirs across the world. 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.
Compositions and Arrangements
Please click on the arrow to learn more about each piece.
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Arabic and English Languages. SSAA with two soli and ukulele or guitar
An ode to the Moon. Written during the pandemic. Regardless of physical distance, the moon’s presence reminds us that we are all connected. Incorporates spoken reflections from choir members.
“Oh moon, light up the night, Warm up our hearts, Give us hope.
Oh moon, Oh spirit of the stars, this distance gets smaller, when we see you.”
Premiered by Elektra Women's Choir, Morna Edmundson, Artistic Director. (March 2023)
Commissioned by Allison Tremblay in memory of Marie-Anne Tremblay, devoted mother and friend, who sang everywhere she went. You are so missed.
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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 song has no words. The composition invites singers to explore the definition of freedom, through their roles in bringing justice for indigenous peoples, and all oppressed people.
It incorporates a community-engaged paper bird activity, that builds a sense of togetherness, introspection, and conversation amongst choir singers and audiences.
Commissioned by Amadeus Choir of Greater Toronto, in their “Portrait of Home” series. (2022).
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Arabic Language. SATB + Bouzuki/Oud and Doumbek
This is an arrangement of a Palestinian folk song about going to a coffeeshop. This Palestinian folk song was first documented by “El Funoun Dance Troupe” after they heard it from an elder woman in Haifa, Historic Palestine.
This arrangement of the simple melody and words gives the humble, mellow, and playful atmosphere of drinking some coffee with community in Historic Palestine. It allows singers explore the cultural Palestinian feeling and musical flavour of drinking coffee in together in a mellow presence. Through this arrangement, singers will be able to practice Levantine vocal style and melismatic singing.
Second place winner in Cantabile Choirs of Kingston’s inaugural BIPOC Song Competition.
Premiered by Minneapolis Choir Co-Op.
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Arabic Language. SSAA, SATB (divisi)
Translating to “Oh most welcomed guest!” , this traditional Bedouin song is about welcoming and hospitality through serving coffee. The first sentence translates to “would you pour this coffee”. It is a rhythmic song, incorporating traditional Dabka dance, and celebratory energy in Arab culture!
Commissioned by the Oakville Choir for Children and Youth (Raise Her Voice choir)
Commissioned by the Oakville Choir for Children and Youth (Raise Her Voice choir)
Arabic Language. SSAA, SATB (divisi)
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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.
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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).
Co-written with Shireen Abu-Khader
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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.
Collaboratively arranged by Hawanim ensemble (Toujan Atari, Raneem Barakat, Natalie Fasheh, Shireen abu-Khader)
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acapella, SSAA (with divisi)
An acapella arrangement of India.Arie’s song “I am Light”.
Natalie’s arrangement of the song honors the meditative realms of India.Arie’s original recording, as a source of self-empowerment. The song is arranged in SSAA, to honor the power of women, and trans and nonbinary people with treble voices. Natalie’s arrangement incorporates bursts of harmonic uplift. Natalie stays within the realm of neo-soul, with rhythmic syncopation and her reinterpretation of riffs in a choral setting. The song also taps into the lower register of treble voices.
Natalie arranged this song for her graduation recital during her Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance studies. It was premiered at her recital alongside other graduates.
Compositions Seeking a Choir Home
Compositions/arrangements that have not been premiered, or ideas of compositions that could be commissioned.
Please press the arrow to read more.
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A lush SATB arrangement of Jon Gomm’s song “Passionflower”, about the beauty and tenacity of wildflowers.
English Language
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Arabic Language. solo + SSAA (acapella)
This is an arrangement of a traditional Levantine song about a person longing for their loved one who went to the Rozanna. The Rozanna is said to be a ship that delivered food to the Mediterranean coast of Lebanon and Syria. The song is strophic. In this arrangement, Natalie brings to life imagined sonic landscape of ships and the Mediterranean sea, through rhythmic motifs, and jazz-influenced harmonies.
Not premiered.
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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
To be premiered soon