Description
Kallman Creates Publications
SSA, SSAB or SATB choir with two soloists and piano; opt. rhythm combo (drums, bass and guitar), opt. audience sing-along. Appropriate for youth, high school, college and community choirs. Duration: 6’00”
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(Voices of Hope Choir of the Shakopee (MN) Correctional Facility, Amanda Weber conducting)
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Composer’s Notes
This piece combines an original choral tribute with the traditional song “We Shall Overcome.” It was composed for the inaugural “Arts for Martin” celebration in 2005 at Arcadia Charter School in Northfield, Minnesota. It has been used every year since then to close the January event. I have made a few revisions and am excited to share it with youth and/or adult choirs who sing at MLK events or who might want to include a tribute to Dr. King and his legacy throughout the year. The piece begins with verses for two soloists in a quasi-pop style, then segues into a double time refrain in gospel style for the choir. Coming out of the second refrain, there is a transition into “We Shall Overcome” with optional (preferred) audience participation on the final two or three unaccompanied verses. “Martin Luther King/We Shall Overcome” was written for amateur singers, so is not difficult.
