Music, Lead the Way! by Laura Farnell Choir - Sheet Music

SKU: CF.BL1291

UPC: 672405011389. 6.875 x 10.5 inches. Key: E major,f major. English. Robert Van Dyke, with additional text by Laura Farnell.

The text of Music, Lead the Way is based on "Storm-Music" by Henry Van Dyke, specifically the final sections of the poem.  This poetry conveys the idea that music can change "dissonance and pain" into "something great and pure" and that peace comes at the end of the storm.These words immediately resonated with me and conjured up images in my mind of the peace movement of the 1960's. I have always admired Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and others like him who worked to break down the barriers of racial and social discrimination and to embrace peace through non-violent protest.Music played an important role in the peace movement of this era. Today, any time I hear or work with choirs with singers from ethnically diverse backgrounds joining together in song, I smile to imagine Dr. King's dream realized. Though we have made great strides in embracing these ideals, hatred and conflict still exist today; in our schools, our country, and our world. It is my hope that when individuals choose love and sing together in community, that "peace and love will conquer hate and strife."This piece should be performed in an unhurried gospel style. Strive for stopped, less articulate consonants on the endings of words with staccato markings (for example, "Music lead the way" and "Let us greet the day").  Also, the accompanist should feel free to improvise, if desired, especially toward the end of the piece.Above all, enjoy singing this piece and let that joy be evident in your facial expressions as you share the important message of this text with your audience!.
The text of Music, Lead the Way is based on "Storm-Music" by Henry Van Dyke, specifically the final sections of the poem.xa0 This poetry conveys the idea that music can change "dissonance and pain" into "something great and pure" and that peace comes at the end of the storm.These words immediately resonated with me and conjured up images in my mind of the peace movement of the 1960's. I have always admired Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and others like him who worked to break down the barriers of racial and social discrimination and to embrace peace through non-violent protest.Music played an important role in the peace movement of this era. Today, any time I hear or work with choirs with singers from ethnically diverse backgrounds joining together in song, I smile to imagine Dr. King's dream realized. Though we have made great strides in embracing these ideals, hatred and conflict still exist today; in our schools, our country, and our world. It is my hope that when individuals choose love and sing together in community, that "peace and love will conquer hate and strife."This piece should be performed in an unhurried gospel style. Strive for stopped, less articulate consonants on the endings of words with staccato markings (for example, "Music lead the way" and "Let us greet the day").xa0 Also, the accompanist should feel free to improvise, if desired, especially toward the end of the piece.Above all, enjoy singing this piece and let that joy be evident in your facial expressions as you share the important message of this text with your audience!