Freedom's Hallowed Light

Description

Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Alto, Percussion — The text for Freedom's Hallowed Light was inspired by and quotes excerpts from the poem The North Star by James Monroe Whitfield (1822-1871). Whitfield was an African American poet, born in New Hampshire to a father who had escaped slavery and a mother whose parents had been enslaved. Whitfield was an abolitionist, and his writing served as a way to address the injustices of slavery and the difficulties faced by both enslaved and free African-Americans in the U.S.As an adult, Whitfield worked as a barber in Buffalo, NY, and through his work met Frederick Douglass, who recognized Whitfield's gift for writing poetry.xa0 In 1853 Whitfield published a volume of poetry titled America and other Poems. xa0This musical adaptation seeks to connect both singer and audience with the fugitive that is at the center of Whitfield's poem and personalizes their quest for freedom through the addition of the first-person perspective.xa0 The piece should be sung with strong conviction and contagious energy, shining light and hope on all who have struggled or continue to struggle for freedom and equality. Using excerpts from the poem The North Star by African American poet James Monroe Whitfield, Patterson seeks to connect both singer and audience as he personalizes the quest for freedom through a first-person perspective. Written to be sung with strong conviction and contagious energy, Freedom's Hallowed Light should shine light and hope on all who have struggled or continue to struggle for freedom and equality.

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