SpecOnline 2024

'Born To Be' tells the story of being truly yourself, growing up is a journey in itself, working out who you are and your role in the world isn't always easy. One of the best feelings is having people around you who you can be yourself around; for us, performing and being with other people who love music as much as we do allows us to be ourselves.

The theme 'All For One' inspired the song, everybody coming together as one, a place where thousands of students can express their passions and be themselves as well.

At the end of 2023, our band/duo 'Tracing Hearts' formed.

Creating 'Born To Be' took a little bit longer than some of our other songs, as we wanted to make sure we were conveying the message the way we imagined. After discussing the direction of the song and the key, Jeremy playing the piano, started trying different progressions until we both agreed on the tempo and pattern. After this we had a base for the song, this is where Marijke, writing the lyrics and singing, began developing the melody and phrasing. After a few weeks and conversations with our music teachers, we had our song; 'Born To Be' was ready.

The All For One theme to me is about TAU community. Included in the piano vocal score are lyrics for the chorus of the song. These lyrics, along with the main hook of the song 'Let It Out', capture a kind of creative catharsis that I have experienced throughout the time I have spent at The Arts Unit. Being surrounded by so many like-minded musicians creates really rewarding experiences, because I can be unapologetically myself. I can be as expressive and ambitious as I want, I can 'let out' a new side of myself that I have never tapped into before, that's the point of the title.

The Dorian scale has always appealed to me, and the Am - C/G - D/A progression of the chorus is a staple of Dorian. I really wanted to do a simple, syncopated melody which is what eventually became the last chorus, however I felt using that idea for every chorus would be too heavy-handed, which is where the melody for the first chorus comes from. The melody came from whatever felt right to sing, I imagined myself on stage trying to sing the song. I always knew what I wanted to write about, but couldn't come up with lyrics until I knew how the song sounded.

Verse:
So, your heart, lethargic, longs for something new
To push and to see it through
You want it, you thought it, don’t give it up
(Let it out!) 
Try a new job, new hobby, do everything there is to do
But nothing out there works out for you
You want it, you thought it, don’t give it up
(Let it out!) 

Pre-chorus:
Life will throw you to the sea
It doesn’t hurt to sample vivacity
Take my hand let me show you around
Arts are where all the lost become found!

Chorus:
Look around, lighten up and show ambition
Look alive, putting on a show’s our mission
I can see, shining through, your real expression
Let it out!
Look around, lighten up we love ambition
Look alive, creativity’s our vision
I can see, shining through, your real expression,
Live it up, let it out!

(When you’re down, let it out
Don’t give in, let it out)

Verse:
Lead a double life, live bifurcated days
A balance to pave the way
You got it, excited, you found your light
(Let it out!)
Never been this hungry before, you’re desperate for that opening door
Tomorrow’s better than yesterday
You got it, excited, you found your light
(Let it out!)

Pre-chorus:
Life had thrown you to the sea
So aren’t you glad you found a community?
Hand in hand, we’ve unlimited fun
One for all and all for one!

Chorus:
Look around, lighten up and show ambition
Look alive, putting on a show’s our mission
I can see, shining through, your real expression
Let it out!

Chorus:
Give it all, all you got, we’ll be right behind
Loosen up, let it out, today is your time
Show me you, someone new, your authentic vision
Live it up!
Give it all, all you got, we’ll be right behind
Loosen up, let it out, today is your time
Show me you, someone new, your authentic vision
Live it up! 
Let it out!

My composition 'Time To Shine!' is an upbeat, motivating and inspiring song that has an encouraging message to not be afraid to show them your specialty and it's time for you to shine! This song relates to the theme because of the lyrics. I wrote the lyrics in a direction where it shows how everyone is special and we all together can shine.

I used a music software called FL studio which plays a big part of all of my compositions. I started with a piano chord progression that is very lively and strong. However, it got to the point when I got stuck on the melody and lyrics. Since I'm strong and confident at writing positive and inspiring lyrics I started of with some messages that I wanted to say to people in general and that soon became the lyrics of my composition.

The composition reflects the theme by emphasising the importance of unity and collaboration, which is conveyed through the lyrics.

I made a first draft when I heard of this years spec theme, and have had many drafts since then. I wanted to incorporate a way for the audience to be involved so I added that into the composition