Sowash: “I Hear America Singing”  for SATB chorus.
It’s June 14.  Flag Day.

Suppose you were asked to name some things that made you feel proud and happy
to be a citizen of your country.

As an American, I’d list our national parks, the Constitution, the Declaration of
Independence, our public libraries …

I’d mention the paintings of Grant Wood and Georgie O’Keefe, a few of our best
novels, the poetry of Walt Whitman, the music of Louis Armstrong,
Charles Ives and Pete Seeger … and community choruses.

Think of it.  Thousands and thousands of choristers in every city and
town of any size.  They venture out to rehearsals, learn their
parts, try to follow their conductors’ waving arms, coax family and
friends to attend the concert, stand on their feet for two hours ...
all so that they can SING.

It’s inspiring.

In 1975 I wrote a setting of Walt Whitman’s poem “I Hear America Singing”
for a community chorus in my hometown, Mansfield, Ohio.

Today I want to share with you a performance of that piece by the Tampa
Community Chorus under Tony Taranto.   They are amateur
singers.  Give them a chance.  You may be moved by their
heartfelt rendition.

To hear their performance, click here:
http://www.sowash.com/

To see a PDF of the score, click here:
http://www.sowash.com/