SSATB Choral (SSATB a
cappella)
SKU:
HL.1437384
Composed
by Cheryl Engelhardt.
Hinshaw Music. Octavo.
Hinshaw Music #HMC2726.
Published by Hinshaw
Music (HL.1437384).
UPC:
196288204497.
“Th
e Listening,” written
by Grammy-nominated
composer Cheryl B.
Engelhardt in December
2017 for VOICES 21C under
the artistic direction of
André de Quadros, draws
its inspiration from Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr.'s
impactful 1967 speech,
“Beyond Vietnam: A Time
to Break Silence.” This
dynamic, emotion-filled
piece expresses King's
call to end societal
silence. The rhythmic
elements in the piece are
derived from the poetic
nature of King's speech.
The inclusion of a
children's choir,
inspired by the Parkland
school shooting and
subsequent protests,
symbolizes the disruption
of childhood peace by
violence. Notably, the
virtual collaboration,
featuring Donzaleigh
Abernathy, Dr. King's
goddaughter, emphasizes
the song's contemporary
relevance in addressing
social issues, and was
featured in PEOPLE.
Premiered live at the
Massachusetts Music
Educators Conference in
2018 by VOICES 21C, and
digitally released during
Black History month in
2021, “The Listening”
stands as a profound
anthem for breaking
silence and to foster
positive change.
