Thompson, Joel - America Will Be!

The friction between professed ideals and painful reality that Langston Hughes captured in his poem, “Let America Be America Again,” is also the foundation of the piece commissioned by Shannon Lyles and the Freedom High School Patriot Singers in Orlando, FL. FHS serves such a diverse community of immigrants that eleven languages were represented in Ms. Lyles’ top choir. Emma Lazarus’ words, which are engraved at the base of the Statue of Liberty, are a perfect foil to Hughes’ dark (but ultimately hopeful) sentiments. The members of the choir were asked to complete three prompts I hope…/I dream…/I sing... some of which are included in this unique and powerful piece. Duration:6:00