Fairytale Dream (2026)
for SATB divisi choir, a cappella
for SATB (divisi) choir, a cappella
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Text: Su Croll (b. 1961)
Duration: 4 minutes
Difficulty: 3/4
Commissioned by Pro Coro Canada (Michael Zaugg, artistic director). First performed July 2026 in Ottawa, ON.
Fairytale Dream was commissioned by Pro Coro Canada for their Ontario tour in July 2026. The theme of their program, “Once Upon a Time”, was centred on myths and fairytales from across Canada and Europe. I was drawn to this poem by Edmonton writer Su Croll, which retells the opening of Rapunzel’s story with a humorous, tongue-in-cheek energy while also highlighting her lack of autonomy. My setting of Croll’s poem uses a wandering, dream-like harmonic language, blending humour with an ambiguous & oppressive tone.
Click here to see the complete score.
Live recording currently unavailable. MIDI available on request.
Full Text
Dream of waking up in jail.
Rather, behind brambles.
I must have been sleeping for years.
My hair had grown so long and heavy,
I had to drag it behind me.
When I pinned it up, it was a barbed,
weighted crown, a royal migraine.
Braiding my hair into a brittle yellow rope
(I had become blond in my slumber)
was no better.
When I took up my ornate silver
sheers to relieve the magic burden
of this unasked-for bounty, a sharp
voice beside my ear whispered,
Don’t do it. An old woman
held back my hand.
Don’t cut. Your great golden
ladder is required for princes
to ascend your tower.
What tower?
Text from "Batten Down" © Su Croll, 2026.
Published by McGill-Queen's University Press. Used with permission.