Description
Hymn for a New Land was written for a 2001 Spring Revels production with an immigration theme. The Revels were created in 1971 by John Langstaff and his daughter Carol, who staged a celebration of the rituals each culture has to mark the rebirth of the year. After the first Christmas Revels at Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre, a community of “Revelers” grew across the country, presenting seasonal celebration-performances all over the United States. These professional productions are set in a wide range of cultures and eras, from an English parlor to a Mexican village, and feature adults and children’s choruses, instrumentalists and great artists from around the world. This particular piece was written for a Revel that honored the Irish, Italian and Eastern European Jewish families who crowded aboard ships, sharing songs, dances and stories from their homelands as they passed the time during their difficult sea voyage. Hymn for a New Land opens with children’s voices singing thankfully as they first see the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, and the other adults soon join in. The central text, “The stone which the builders refused is become the headstone of the corner,” from Psalm 118, acknowledges the contributions that immigrants bring to their adopted nation. For beginning to intermediate-level choirs. Dur.: 2’30” Instrumental score and parts are sold separately (392-03100A – $50.00)
Author: George Emlen
SKU: FSH-392-03100
