Welcome to the official website of pianist and composer Deanna Witkowski.
The City Where Jazz is Love
Read Deanna's October 2019 article, "The City Where Jazz is Love," on why she took up temporary residence in Williams's hometown of Pittsburgh.
We Walk in Love- a modern justice anthem
“We Walk in Love” is for this moment.
We Walk in Love- piano part!
Deanna’s Justice Choir song now has a piano part (complete with a modulation)! WATCH CHORAL VIDEO PLAYLIST. SEE DEANNA PLAY THE PIANO PART. READ THE STORY BEHIND THE SONG. DOWNLOAD THE FREE VOCAL SCORE. During this time of canceled performances, please consider making a donation (above the $2 score fee) via https://paypal.me/deannajazz or Venmo (preferred method) @Deanna-Witkowski so that Deanna can keep creating more new music for your communities. Thank you!
Price: $2.00
“Witkowski did a wonderful job of honoring the gospel style with We Walk in Love and the lyrics carry such a beautiful message that resonates with singers of all ages. I’ve conducted this piece with an adult gospel choir as well as a young elementary choir of 1st-3rd graders. It was beloved and deeply felt by both groups.”
-Sara Alswager, elementary music teacher, Omaha, NE
Lyrics to “We Walk in Love” by Deanna Witkowski and Lemuel Colon:
1. We walk in love united in purpose
We join our hands and lift up one voice
We speak the truth with strength and compassion
resounding with hope, with courage and joy.
2. We cry for peace and rights for all people
We welcome friends from far and near
We fight for those whose voices are silenced
Resisting in faith until all are free.
3. We dream a world of justice and kindness
We build a bridge creating new paths
We march with joy as all walk together
Embracing each one, we boldly stand.
In early 2017, I responded to a call for scores for a new collection of social justice songs being curated by Abbie Betinis, Tesfa Wondemagegnhehu, and Ahmed Anzaldúa. The songs to be selected as part of a new movement called Justice Choir would be offered free of charge for anyone to sing for non-commercial use: at concerts, marches, protests, and in houses of worship.
The idea was to have accessible, easy-to-learn songs that speak into the moment that we are living in now, and to provide opportunities for all to create community by singing together.
When I saw a Facebook post from Abbie about the call for scores, I immediately responded by sitting down at the piano. I wrote and harmonized a simple tune in 3/4- not rangy, no big jumps, something that everyone could sing.
