We Will Do Miracles
Choral Music
chorus with piano
work detail
instrumentation: SSAA (or SA, or SAB) and piano
completion date: january 2018
duration: 3 1/2 minutes
texts: Adapted by the composer from Walt Whitman's "Song of the Open Road"
events
YOUR HAND AND MINE
Cincinnati Youth Choir (Robyn Reeves Lana) & CCM Chamber Choir (Joe Miller)
Cincinnati, OH
7:00 pm
Robyn Lana and Joe Miller join forces to give the world premiere of my work The Vast and Boundless Sky during "Your Hand and Mine," the Pre-Conference Opening Concert of the biennial ACDA National Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition, Henry Leck will conduct the combined Cincinnati-area high school choirs in a new SATB arrangement of my work, We Will Do Miracles, specially arranged for this conference performance. More information here.
NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHORUS: VOICES OF ACTION
National Children's Chorus
Carnegie Hall - Stern Perelman Auditorium - New York, New York
3:00 pm
The National Children's Chorus sings at Carnegie Hall as America's finest young singers transport you to a beautiful world of music and harmony.
This heartfelt season finale is led from the podium by Maestro Luke McEndarfer, Dr. Pamela Blackstone, Dr. Allan Laiño, and Dr. Nicholas Nicassio, and includes my work We Will Do Miracles.
NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHORUS SPRING SHOWCASE
National Children's Chorus
National City Christian Church - Washington, DC
4:00 pm
The NCC's acclaimed Showcases are among their favorite events each year, highlighting the talents and achievements of ensembles in both the Junior and Senior Divisions. The Spring Showcase will demonstrate the extraordinary progression of vocal skills at the NCC in a uniquely loving and supportive environment. Includes a performance of my We Will Do Miracles. More information here.
UK TOUR: NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHORUS OF THE UNITED STATES
National Children's Chorus of the United States
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
9:00 pm
Hear vocal works celebrating countries and cultures around the world when 200 students, ages 10-17, from the National Children's Chorus of the United States launch their United Kingdom tour with a concert in Edinburgh. The program includes the United Kingdom premieres of Diya Jalein by Gaayatri Kaundinya – set in Hindi and celebrating Diwali – and the beloved Spanish-language lullaby A La Nanita Nana by Carlos Cordero, as well as my We Will Do Miracles for SSAA and piano. More information here.
VOCES8 & NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHORUS OF THE UNITED STATES
National Children's Chorus of the United States
St John's Smith Square, London, England, United Kingdom
7:30 pm
VOCES8 in concert with the National Children's Chorus of the United States, on tour in the UK this July while they record their first holiday album at Abbey Road and AIR Studios in London. Led by Artistic Director Luke McEndarfer and Associate Artistic Director Dr. Pamela Blackstone, the GRAMMY Award-winning National Children’s Chorus has quickly become one of the world's leading children's choirs. Among the most exciting and fastest-growing music institutions for youth in the US, the chorus provides its unparalleled training to more than 1,000 students, comprising 30 choirs based in the chapter cities of Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Austin, Dallas, and Boston. The program includes the United Kingdom premieres of Diya Jalein by Gaayatri Kaundinya – set in Hindi and celebrating Diwali – and the beloved Spanish-language lullaby A La Nanita Nana by Carlos Cordero, as well as my We Will Do Miracles for SSAA and piano. More information here.
YOUNG NAPERVILLE SINGERS 40TH ANNIVERSARY SPRING CONCERT
Young Naperville Singers - Angie Johnson, artistic director
Wentz Concert Hall - Naperville, IL
2:30 pm
Angie Johnson and the Young Naperville Singers celebrate their 40th anniversary with a Spring Concert that features my new commissioned work, Young Today, honoring the memory of Alexandra Grace "Ally" Piepho. More information here.
YOUNG NAPERVILLE SINGERS 40TH ANNIVERSARY SPRING CONCERT
Young Naperville Singers - Angie Johnson, artistic director
Wentz Concert Hall - Naperville, IL
6:00 pm
Angie Johnson and the Young Naperville Singers celebrate their 40th anniversary with a Spring Concert that features my new commissioned work, Young Today, honoring the memory of Alexandra Grace "Ally" Piepho. More information here.
videos
We Will Do Miracles
Performance: Cincinnati Children's Choir - Robyn Lana
Meeting the Composer
On writing a new work for the Cincinnati Children's Choir 25th Anniversary
We Will Do Miracles
Luther College Aurora - Jami Dietz, conductor; Corey Silberstein, piano
image gallery
With the Cincinnati Children's Choir and Robyn Lana.
March 2018
performances
Cincinnati Children's Choir
25th Anniversary Concert
Robyn Lana, artistic director
Corbett Auditorium - Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music - Cincinnati, OH
Seattle Women's Chorus
Paul Caldwell, artistic director
Seattle First Baptist Church - Seattle, WA
Seattle Women's Chorus
Paul Caldwell, artistic director
Seattle First Baptist Church - Seattle, WA
Seattle Women's Chorus
Paul Caldwell, artistic director
Highline Performing Arts Center - Burien, WA
Luther College Aurora
Jennaya Robison, conductor
Luther College - Decorah, IA
Spivey Hall Treble Honor Choir
Henry Leck, conductor
Spivey Hall - Morrow, GA
WMEA High School Treble All State Choir
Henry Leck, conductor
Yakima, WA
ACDA Eastern Region Children's Honor Choir
Henry Leck, conductor
Rochester, NY
(cancelled due to Coronavirus)
Manhattan Concert Productions
Henry Leck, conductor
Carnegie Hall Stern Auditorium - New York, NY
National Youth Festival Chorus & Robyn Lana, conductor
- Manhattan Concert Productions * Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
scores
commission and dedication
Commissioned by the Cincinnati Children’s Choir Board of Directors in honor of Robyn Lana
and the 25th anniversary of the Cincinnati Children’s Choir
program note
I received a call a few days before Christmas 2017 from my dear friend Robyn Lana. Robyn told me that she was in urgent need of a new piece for the 25th anniversary of the Cincinnati Children’s Choir, and asked if I could write a work to be premiered a few months later for their Spring concert. She shared a few texts with me by Walt Whitman that had a bit of the message and spirit she wanted in the new work. A few days later, I sent her a revised text of my own creation, and we were off to the races!
We Will Do Miracles is unapologetically boisterous, and it has a driving and infectious energy throughout. The text is hopeful and aspirational, perfect for an occasion of joy and celebration. I am honored and delighted to dedicate the work to Robyn Lana and the beautiful young voices of the Cincinnati Children’s Choir.
-- Dominick DiOrio, January 2018
text
Text adapted by D. DiOrio from Walt Whitman’s
“Song of the Open Road”
We will do miracles.
We travel the open road, the world before us:
All is beautiful.
You, air that serves us with breath to speak, to sing:
You are our words.
You, earth before us with possibility:
You are a picture alive.
Air, earth, world:
You express us.
You reflect us.
You are more to us than our words.
You are our poem.
You are our song.
We will live here with you and do miracles.
We are better than we thought.
We are larger than ourselves.
We are the possibility of the world.
information
events
YOUR HAND AND MINE
Cincinnati Youth Choir (Robyn Reeves Lana) & CCM Chamber Choir (Joe Miller)
Cincinnati, OH
7:00 pm
Robyn Lana and Joe Miller join forces to give the world premiere of my work The Vast and Boundless Sky during "Your Hand and Mine," the Pre-Conference Opening Concert of the biennial ACDA National Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition, Henry Leck will conduct the combined Cincinnati-area high school choirs in a new SATB arrangement of my work, We Will Do Miracles, specially arranged for this conference performance. More information here.
NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHORUS: VOICES OF ACTION
National Children's Chorus
Carnegie Hall - Stern Perelman Auditorium - New York, New York
3:00 pm
The National Children's Chorus sings at Carnegie Hall as America's finest young singers transport you to a beautiful world of music and harmony.
This heartfelt season finale is led from the podium by Maestro Luke McEndarfer, Dr. Pamela Blackstone, Dr. Allan Laiño, and Dr. Nicholas Nicassio, and includes my work We Will Do Miracles.
NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHORUS SPRING SHOWCASE
National Children's Chorus
National City Christian Church - Washington, DC
4:00 pm
The NCC's acclaimed Showcases are among their favorite events each year, highlighting the talents and achievements of ensembles in both the Junior and Senior Divisions. The Spring Showcase will demonstrate the extraordinary progression of vocal skills at the NCC in a uniquely loving and supportive environment. Includes a performance of my We Will Do Miracles. More information here.
UK TOUR: NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHORUS OF THE UNITED STATES
National Children's Chorus of the United States
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
9:00 pm
Hear vocal works celebrating countries and cultures around the world when 200 students, ages 10-17, from the National Children's Chorus of the United States launch their United Kingdom tour with a concert in Edinburgh. The program includes the United Kingdom premieres of Diya Jalein by Gaayatri Kaundinya – set in Hindi and celebrating Diwali – and the beloved Spanish-language lullaby A La Nanita Nana by Carlos Cordero, as well as my We Will Do Miracles for SSAA and piano. More information here.
VOCES8 & NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHORUS OF THE UNITED STATES
National Children's Chorus of the United States
St John's Smith Square, London, England, United Kingdom
7:30 pm
VOCES8 in concert with the National Children's Chorus of the United States, on tour in the UK this July while they record their first holiday album at Abbey Road and AIR Studios in London. Led by Artistic Director Luke McEndarfer and Associate Artistic Director Dr. Pamela Blackstone, the GRAMMY Award-winning National Children’s Chorus has quickly become one of the world's leading children's choirs. Among the most exciting and fastest-growing music institutions for youth in the US, the chorus provides its unparalleled training to more than 1,000 students, comprising 30 choirs based in the chapter cities of Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Austin, Dallas, and Boston. The program includes the United Kingdom premieres of Diya Jalein by Gaayatri Kaundinya – set in Hindi and celebrating Diwali – and the beloved Spanish-language lullaby A La Nanita Nana by Carlos Cordero, as well as my We Will Do Miracles for SSAA and piano. More information here.
YOUNG NAPERVILLE SINGERS 40TH ANNIVERSARY SPRING CONCERT
Young Naperville Singers - Angie Johnson, artistic director
Wentz Concert Hall - Naperville, IL
2:30 pm
Angie Johnson and the Young Naperville Singers celebrate their 40th anniversary with a Spring Concert that features my new commissioned work, Young Today, honoring the memory of Alexandra Grace "Ally" Piepho. More information here.
YOUNG NAPERVILLE SINGERS 40TH ANNIVERSARY SPRING CONCERT
Young Naperville Singers - Angie Johnson, artistic director
Wentz Concert Hall - Naperville, IL
6:00 pm
Angie Johnson and the Young Naperville Singers celebrate their 40th anniversary with a Spring Concert that features my new commissioned work, Young Today, honoring the memory of Alexandra Grace "Ally" Piepho. More information here.
videos
We Will Do Miracles
Performance: Cincinnati Children's Choir - Robyn Lana
Meeting the Composer
On writing a new work for the Cincinnati Children's Choir 25th Anniversary
We Will Do Miracles
Luther College Aurora - Jami Dietz, conductor; Corey Silberstein, piano
image gallery
With the Cincinnati Children's Choir and Robyn Lana.
March 2018
performances
Cincinnati Children's Choir
25th Anniversary Concert
Robyn Lana, artistic director
Corbett Auditorium - Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music - Cincinnati, OH
Seattle Women's Chorus
Paul Caldwell, artistic director
Seattle First Baptist Church - Seattle, WA
Seattle Women's Chorus
Paul Caldwell, artistic director
Seattle First Baptist Church - Seattle, WA
Seattle Women's Chorus
Paul Caldwell, artistic director
Highline Performing Arts Center - Burien, WA
Luther College Aurora
Jennaya Robison, conductor
Luther College - Decorah, IA
Spivey Hall Treble Honor Choir
Henry Leck, conductor
Spivey Hall - Morrow, GA
WMEA High School Treble All State Choir
Henry Leck, conductor
Yakima, WA
ACDA Eastern Region Children's Honor Choir
Henry Leck, conductor
Rochester, NY
(cancelled due to Coronavirus)
Manhattan Concert Productions
Henry Leck, conductor
Carnegie Hall Stern Auditorium - New York, NY
National Youth Festival Chorus & Robyn Lana, conductor
- Manhattan Concert Productions * Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
scores
press
commission and dedication
Commissioned by the Cincinnati Children’s Choir Board of Directors in honor of Robyn Lana
and the 25th anniversary of the Cincinnati Children’s Choir
program note
I received a call a few days before Christmas 2017 from my dear friend Robyn Lana. Robyn told me that she was in urgent need of a new piece for the 25th anniversary of the Cincinnati Children’s Choir, and asked if I could write a work to be premiered a few months later for their Spring concert. She shared a few texts with me by Walt Whitman that had a bit of the message and spirit she wanted in the new work. A few days later, I sent her a revised text of my own creation, and we were off to the races!
We Will Do Miracles is unapologetically boisterous, and it has a driving and infectious energy throughout. The text is hopeful and aspirational, perfect for an occasion of joy and celebration. I am honored and delighted to dedicate the work to Robyn Lana and the beautiful young voices of the Cincinnati Children’s Choir.
-- Dominick DiOrio, January 2018
text
Text adapted by D. DiOrio from Walt Whitman’s
“Song of the Open Road”
We will do miracles.
We travel the open road, the world before us:
All is beautiful.
You, air that serves us with breath to speak, to sing:
You are our words.
You, earth before us with possibility:
You are a picture alive.
Air, earth, world:
You express us.
You reflect us.
You are more to us than our words.
You are our poem.
You are our song.
We will live here with you and do miracles.
We are better than we thought.
We are larger than ourselves.
We are the possibility of the world.