Between the Lines: "Are You Proud of Me?" by Mark Burrows

Are You Proud of Me? is a sensitive choral ballad sure to ignite "all the feels," as your singers ask for validation from the influential adults in their lives. Lyrical lines and uncomplicated voice parts allow even the youngest performers to get right to the heart of the piece—the touching message, especially poignant in the final unaccompanied phrase.

Composer Mark Burrows received his undergraduate degree in music education from Southern Methodist University and his graduate degree in conducting from Texas Christian University. He has many years of experience as a composer, conductor, and educator. In addition to composing, Mark serves as a guest clinician and leads workshops and reading sessions at several conferences each year. He lives in Fort Worth, Texas with his wife, Nina, and their daughters, Emma and Grace.

What inspired you to write Are You Proud of Me?

I was having a conversation with a dear friend when she shared that she could only remember two times in her whole life when her father said, “I’m proud of you.” That really stuck with me. We need to hear those words from the people we love, and not just after we accomplish something. I think we need to hear those words even more after we’ve tried our best and come up short.

I started thinking about all the things we say—“I got a 90 in Math” “I made the team” “I cleaned my room”—and what we’re really doing so often is asking “Are you proud of me?”

I wanted this piece to be more than just a “nice little song” on a concert. I want it to be the beginning of a dialogue. The singers get that dialogue started by asking such an emotionally vulnerable question, “Are you proud of me?” And after each time it’s sung, my dream is that every parent looks their child right in the eye and says, “Yes. I am very proud of you, and I always will be.”

What teaching suggestions do you have to share for Are You Proud of Me?

The words are very important. Clear, clean consonants, and warm, open vowels. Also, phrase momentum is important for keeping the energy up. Sing all the way to the ends of the phrases.

What message do you have for singers learning this piece?

Every day you get up and dare to be your best self, the world benefits. Keep daring, keeping singing, keep being you.

I’m proud of you.