A Brief Message From Makanda Illinois (2005)
Words of the late Senator Paul Simon
compiled by Sheila Simon & Frank Stemper for unaccompanied Choir [5.5’]
World Premiere by Coro de Bellas Artes, Gustavo Flores Music Director, in the Concert Music of Frank Stemper at Teatro de Los Heroes, during NUEVA MUSICA EN CHIHUAHUA
Chihuahua, Mexico
The USA premiere was performed by VOLTE - Robert Geary Music Director
in Mill Valley, Oakland and the Presidio in San Francisco
Illinois Premiere by S.I. Chorale in Symphony Center, Chicago
Opus 54 — A.S.C.A.P. work I.D. 312538377
SCORE
Chihuahua, Mexico
The USA premiere was performed by VOLTE - Robert Geary Music Director
in Mill Valley, Oakland and the Presidio in San Francisco
Illinois Premiere by S.I. Chorale in Symphony Center, Chicago
Opus 54 — A.S.C.A.P. work I.D. 312538377
SCORE
NOTES
In his remarks at the 2003 funeral of Paul Simon, the Late Senator Edward Kennedy said that all politicians “claim to be honest, but Senator Simon actually was.” Teddy went on to say that Simon also had “…a relentless way of successfully getting his way and passing appropriate legislation; he did so because he was always on the right side.” Paul Simon lived in the very small town of Makanda, Illinois. After a long career as a journalist, he rose in politics through the state level to the U.S. Senate and was a major presidential candidate in 1988. He is known for his bow ties! His politics were neither conservative or liberal, but informed and compassionate. The text of this brief choral piece is from some of the late Senator’s writings. His daughter, Sheila, a Law Professor at Southern Illinois University and former Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, helped me put it together. Volti will be presenting the American premiere; the 2005 world premiere took place in Chihuahua, Mexico by the Coro de Bellas Artes.
PERFORMANCE NOTE:
For the first performance, the soprano soloist began alone on stage, and as she began, “like calling children in for supper” the rest of the chorus came out of the audience and gradually joined the singing.
In his remarks at the 2003 funeral of Paul Simon, the Late Senator Edward Kennedy said that all politicians “claim to be honest, but Senator Simon actually was.” Teddy went on to say that Simon also had “…a relentless way of successfully getting his way and passing appropriate legislation; he did so because he was always on the right side.” Paul Simon lived in the very small town of Makanda, Illinois. After a long career as a journalist, he rose in politics through the state level to the U.S. Senate and was a major presidential candidate in 1988. He is known for his bow ties! His politics were neither conservative or liberal, but informed and compassionate. The text of this brief choral piece is from some of the late Senator’s writings. His daughter, Sheila, a Law Professor at Southern Illinois University and former Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, helped me put it together. Volti will be presenting the American premiere; the 2005 world premiere took place in Chihuahua, Mexico by the Coro de Bellas Artes.
PERFORMANCE NOTE:
For the first performance, the soprano soloist began alone on stage, and as she began, “like calling children in for supper” the rest of the chorus came out of the audience and gradually joined the singing.
INTEGRITY
Text by
Senator Paul Simon
Somewhere in this Nation
Maybe you’re the one to start the idea
(The one who will start us down this road)
Like dropping a stone in a quiet lake;
The ripples will reach out and out.
Each of us can act,
If we learn to care
And want to make a difference.
We need your involvement;
We need your insight;
We need your courage;
We need your dreams.
Somewhere in this Nation
Maybe you’re the one to start the idea
(The one to start stimulating people)
Like dropping a stone in a quiet lake;
The ripples will reach out and out.
You and I are on this planet but a short time.
Let us seize this time and opportunity
To build a better tomorrow
So that generations to come will look back upon us and say,
“These were people of uncommon compassion and vision and courage.”
Somewhere in this Nation
Maybe you’re the one to start the idea
(The one who will think compassionately and beyond this short moment, )
Like dropping a stone in a quiet lake;
The ripples will reach out and out.
The ripples will reach out and out.
The ripples will reach out and out.
… … … … … … … … … … … out and out
Text by
Senator Paul Simon
Somewhere in this Nation
Maybe you’re the one to start the idea
(The one who will start us down this road)
Like dropping a stone in a quiet lake;
The ripples will reach out and out.
Each of us can act,
If we learn to care
And want to make a difference.
We need your involvement;
We need your insight;
We need your courage;
We need your dreams.
Somewhere in this Nation
Maybe you’re the one to start the idea
(The one to start stimulating people)
Like dropping a stone in a quiet lake;
The ripples will reach out and out.
You and I are on this planet but a short time.
Let us seize this time and opportunity
To build a better tomorrow
So that generations to come will look back upon us and say,
“These were people of uncommon compassion and vision and courage.”
Somewhere in this Nation
Maybe you’re the one to start the idea
(The one who will think compassionately and beyond this short moment, )
Like dropping a stone in a quiet lake;
The ripples will reach out and out.
The ripples will reach out and out.
The ripples will reach out and out.
… … … … … … … … … … … out and out
Volte - Robert Geary, Music Director - Mark Winges, Resident Composer