Finalist of the 2024 Phoenix Boy's Choir Composition Competition
 
Introducing "My World Wears Chains" – a powerful new choral work by Ron Loo, for SATB choir with divisi. This emotionally charged piece delves deep into the human experience of struggle and yearning, exploring — in thematic progression — the themes of confinement, longing, and ultimate freedom. 
 
The lyrics convey a poignant journey of self-realization: “I know my world wears chains. I can feel its weight, and my spirit caged. My heart screams for wings.” The haunting melody complements these words, creating a visceral sense of tension and weight, building towards a climactic moment of transcendence. The profound yearning expressed in “I know my dreams wear chains, so I am breaking free” is beautifully captured through harmonic layering, as the choir moves through rich, textured chords.
 
Written for SSAA divisi and rearranged for SATB divisi, “My World Wears Chains" challenges the choir to balance subtle dynamics with soaring harmonies. Ideal for performances that seek to connect with audiences on a deep, introspective level, this work offers a transformative experience, celebrating the power of perseverance and the triumph of the human spirit over limitations.