Spiritual Songs of the New World (for Orchestra)

Certain musical patterns are shared among all of humanity, transcending geographical and temporal boundaries. This brief orchestral suite of early spiritual songs originating from the North American continent exemplifies this remarkable unity. Whether it be the music of indigenous peoples displaced by European colonists, the religious songs adapted from folk songs of European origins, the poignant spirituals of the enslaved forcibly brought to America’s shores, or the hymns sung by impoverished rural Southerners, humanity expresses hope through their shared language of music. Featuring the traditional songs “Lakota Lullaby”, “Wayfaring Stranger”, “I Wade the Water to My Knees”, “Wondrous Love”, and “Idumea”, this musical journey illustrates the striking commonalities shared in the music of our diverse heritages.