White Lake Chorale is announcing its participation in the Sing Democracy 250 - All America Program, part of the nationwide Sing Democracy 250 initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is a movement of resilience, a chorus of hope, and a celebration of American values.
The Chorale's performance will take place Saturday, May 2 at 4 p.m. at the Montague High School Performing Arts Center.
In this call for civic engagement through song, choirs from across the country, of all sizes, traditions, and backgrounds, have been encouraged to create and share their own performances as part of this commemorative event. Participating ensembles receive free copies of the newly commissioned pieces, empowering communities everywhere to mark America’s 250th anniversary through these unique new works. Currently, over 100 choirs have planned performances in 2026 across 35 states and the District of Columbia.
The newly commissioned works include:
Redeem the Dream, composed by Dr. Brandon A. Boyd: Redeem the Dream is based on Langston Hughes’ poem “Let America Be America Again,” written in 1935. The poem reflects on the gap between the ideals of American democracy as articulated in the Declaration of Independence and the reality experienced by many people over history. Yet the poem ends with hope that America can live up to its promises of freedom, equality, and opportunity for all. Hughes’ poem is introduced by words from the Declaration of Independence.
US, composed by Michael Bussewitz-Quarm: US was inspired by Richard Haass’ book The Bill of Obligations, published in 2023, a bold call for Americans to adopt the habits of good citizenship. This piece begins with an urgent invitation, then presents, and unpacks, each of 10 obligations of good citizens with quotations from a diverse group of Americans, from founding fathers to living Americans. These quotes explain each obligation and, in so doing, demonstrate that each of these obligations has been understood and practiced throughout America’s history. The piece concludes with a call to citizenship, encouraging all citizens to adopt these obligations as an action plan for renewing American democracy.
Free tickets are available from Chorale members and at the Book Nook and Java Shop in Montague, and at Arts Council of White Lake-Nuveen Center, and White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce in Whitehall.
