A WORLD AGLOW

Commissioned by Craig Hella Johnson and the Cincinnati Vocal Arts Ensemble for the Rededication of Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati, Ohio and premiered by VAE, the Cincinnati Children’s Choir (Robyn Lana, artistic director) and the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra (Eckart Preu, music director) with Craig Hella Johnson, conducting

SATB chorus, SSA chorus, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in Bb, 2 bassoons, 2 trumpets in Bb, timpani, and strings (65432)

Hal Leonard (Craig Hella Johnson Choral Series)

Text Adapted by D. DiOrio from Amy Lowell's The Congressional Library

We, the people,
Of all races,
Of all tongues,
Of all traditions:

Where else may we be so symbolized as in this hall?

Observe the stars at nighttime.
Count and recount the hues of clouds at sunset and at dawn.
Name their colors.
Name our colors.
Name us.

We are America,*
Our vast, confused beauty,
Our staring, restless speed of loveliness,
Making grandeur out of profusion,
Afraid of no incongruities,
Sublime in our audacity.

Our color is the vari-colored world.

Where else will we be so symbolized as in this hall?
We therefore name this space.
We claim this space.
We, the people,
Of all races,
Of all tongues, 
Of all traditions,
We proclaim in this space:
Unity,
Equality, 
Possibility,
For all of us.

Our space radiates with our color,
And our color is the vari-colored world,
An old world always remaking, 
Whirling and evermore beginning,
A world aglow in the joy of all-colored light.

*Alternate text for international performances: "We are a world aglow,"

I was so honored to receive this commission—from my dear friend Craig Hella Johnson—for a work involving the Cincinnati Vocal Arts Ensemble, the Cincinnati Children’s Choir, and the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra. The work is meant to serve as a celebratory statement to rededicate Memorial Hall, a historic venue in the Over-the-Rhine community of Cincinnati.

When Craig and I were searching for texts, we decided it was important to make a statement of unity for this space. Somewhat ironically, my final hours of composing this work took place at the same time as a vicious and terrible racist riot in Charlottesville, Virginia. These words and this music are needed now more than ever. The message of inclusivity, equality, and equity of opportunity inherent in this poem is absolutely foundational to what it means to an American, a global citizen and a member of an international community committed to peace and prosperity.

I offer this work and its optimism in the hope of a future free of hatred and bigotry.

Commissioned by Craig Hella Johnson and the Cincinnati Vocal Arts Ensemble for the Rededication of Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati, Ohio and premiered by VAE, the Cincinnati Children’s Choir (Robyn Lana, artistic director) and the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra (Eckart Preu, music director) with Craig Hella Johnson, conducting

SATB chorus, SSA chorus, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in Bb, 2 bassoons, 2 trumpets in Bb, timpani, and strings (65432)

Hal Leonard (Craig Hella Johnson Choral Series)

Text Adapted by D. DiOrio from Amy Lowell's The Congressional Library

We, the people,
Of all races,
Of all tongues,
Of all traditions:

Where else may we be so symbolized as in this hall?

Observe the stars at nighttime.
Count and recount the hues of clouds at sunset and at dawn.
Name their colors.
Name our colors.
Name us.

We are America,*
Our vast, confused beauty,
Our staring, restless speed of loveliness,
Making grandeur out of profusion,
Afraid of no incongruities,
Sublime in our audacity.

Our color is the vari-colored world.

Where else will we be so symbolized as in this hall?
We therefore name this space.
We claim this space.
We, the people,
Of all races,
Of all tongues, 
Of all traditions,
We proclaim in this space:
Unity,
Equality, 
Possibility,
For all of us.

Our space radiates with our color,
And our color is the vari-colored world,
An old world always remaking, 
Whirling and evermore beginning,
A world aglow in the joy of all-colored light.

*Alternate text for international performances: "We are a world aglow,"

I was so honored to receive this commission—from my dear friend Craig Hella Johnson—for a work involving the Cincinnati Vocal Arts Ensemble, the Cincinnati Children’s Choir, and the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra. The work is meant to serve as a celebratory statement to rededicate Memorial Hall, a historic venue in the Over-the-Rhine community of Cincinnati.

When Craig and I were searching for texts, we decided it was important to make a statement of unity for this space. Somewhat ironically, my final hours of composing this work took place at the same time as a vicious and terrible racist riot in Charlottesville, Virginia. These words and this music are needed now more than ever. The message of inclusivity, equality, and equity of opportunity inherent in this poem is absolutely foundational to what it means to an American, a global citizen and a member of an international community committed to peace and prosperity.

I offer this work and its optimism in the hope of a future free of hatred and bigotry.