I Dream A World

Langston Hughes' poem reflects on the desire for a world that he knew to be possible. This setting, variously victorious and hymn-like or dreamy and contemplative, reinforces the unity that the poet called for. The action halts for a moment as two soloists musically recite the text of "To You", another Hughes poem, before the choir recapitulates the grandiose chordal harmonies heard in the beginning. This piece, for unaccompanied SATB choir with divisi, is a message that while Hughes dreamed of such a world, it is our job to make it a reality.