I Am The World

Jan 24

A stirring, expansive SATB choral composition commissioned for WACDA 2024.

5 min • Composed 2023 • Purchase SATB & piano

Robert Istad, conductor Zachary Lindquist, Graduate Assistant Conductor David Bergstedt, Accompanist Performed at the Western ACDA Regional Conference at the First United Methodist Church in Pasadena on March 6th, 2024.

Composer’s notes

In 2023, I was selected as winner of the Western Region ACDA Emerging Composer Competition and commissioned for the 2024 WACDA Regional Conference “Many Voices, One Song." My chosen text—Dora Sigerson Shorter’s “I Am The World”—uses imagery of space and nature to proclaim the interconnectedness of Creation. With distinct Celtic influences, haunting minor melodies, and war chant elements, this setting of “I Am The World” showcases the struggle of humanity to become unified.

Lyrics

Text from Dora Singerson Shorter’s poem, “I Am the World.”

I shall arise, and like a shooting star
Slip from my place;
So lingering see the old world from afar ⁠
Revolve in space.
Of song and shine, of changing leaf apart, ⁠
Of bud uncurled:
With all the senses pulsing at my heart,
⁠I am the world.