Sing Democracy 250-50 States Program

Sing Democracy 250-50 States Program

Your Choir Can Take Part in 2026

By Tina Sayers, Program Director for Sing Democracy 250’s 50 States Program

NAfME is proud to support this endeavor by Sing Democracy 250.

America’s 250th birthday is coming! July 4, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The Sing Democracy 250-50 States Program is a non-partisan, nationwide chorus of hope, a movement of resilience, and a celebration of this auspicious occasion in our nation’s history.

We are inviting choirs in all 50 states to perform this program in 2026, to engage singers and citizens with a powerful message of hope for democracy through music that represents American history honestly, reflects America’s diversity, and calls all Americans to fulfill their obligations to America . . . to build together that more perfect union!

WHY MUSIC?

Throughout history, music has fueled social change, from protest anthems to solidarity tunes, forging connections and fostering community. As a universal language, music holds the power to transcend divisions, affirm diversity, and inspire hope and harmony for our nation. What better medium to bring Americans together in solidarity and hope for democracy?

Therefore, we’ve commissioned two new pieces of choral music, one by Brandon Boyd and the other by Michael Bussewitz-Quarm, that connect Americans to our history and the promise of our democracy.

OUR TWO NEW COMPOSITIONS

Redeem the Dream, by Brandon Boyd

“Redeem the Dream” is based on Langston Hughes’s 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 our history. Yet the poem ends with hope that America can live up to its promises of freedom, equality, and opportunity for all. The poet affirms that we the people can and will redeem the vision of America and make America what it is intended to be. Hughes’s poem is introduced by words of the Declaration of Independence.

(approx. 25 minutes in length)

US, by Michael Bussewitz-Quarm

“US” was inspired by Richard Haass’s book The Bill of Obligations, published in 2023, a bold call for Americans to adopt the habits of good citizenship. Haass asserts that most Americans understand far more about their rights than they do about their obligations as citizens. To keep our democracy strong, we must adopt these obligations as habits of citizenship. Through the music, we introduce the challenge and the hope of democracy’s promise. We then name 10 obligations and define each one through quotations by famous and not-so-famous Americans, from founding fathers to contemporary citizens. The piece concludes with a call to citizenship, for US—we the people, each one of us in these United States—to join together and make the full promise of our democracy a reality.

(approx. 35 minutes in length)

OUR COMPOSERS

Dr. Brandon A. Boyd is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Missouri, Columbia. In addition to his conducting duties, he teaches a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses in conducting and choral music education. As holder of the Marie M. and Harry L. Smith Endowed Chair, he plans to undertake significant projects that will not only enhance academic discourse but also impact society at large. He appears regularly as a conductor, clinician, composer in residence, collaborative pianist, and lecturer.

The award winning music of Michael Bussewitz-Quarm engages singers and audiences through the soulful exploration of social and environmental themes around the world. Michael is passionate about effecting change through choral music, addressing topics ranging from art in post-civil war Raleigh-Durham, to gun violence, to the global refugee crisis. Ms. Bussewitz-Quarm won The American Prize in Composition (major works) in 2021 and made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2023 featuring her work, “Where We Find Ourselves.”

YOUR CHOIR IS INVITED TO JOIN THIS NATIONWIDE MOVEMENT IN 2026!

Our goal is to have multiple high school, college/ university, community, church, and professional choirs in all 50 states perform the full Sing Democracy 250 music program in 2026.

If your choir commits to do a performance of this program between March 1 and December 31, 2026, we will provide our two new compositions to your choir for FREE!

THE SING DEMOCRACY 250 PERFORMANCE REPERTOIRE

Performances of the Sing Democracy 250 program include our two new major commissions:

• Redeem the Dream by Brandon Boyd (25 minutes)
• US by Michael Bussewitz-Quarm (35 minutes)

The two new works are written for SATB choir, and you may choose from the following instrumentations:

• Full orchestral accompaniment
• Chamber ensemble accompaniment (20 instruments)
• Piano and percussion accompaniment

These concerts must also include “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” (arrangements of your choice).

PREVIEW SCORES & REHEARSAL TRACKS

We understand that you will need to preview our new scores, and perhaps hear a recording of them, before you can commit to having your choir participate. We will have preview scores and tracks available soon via our website at www.SingDemocracy250.org.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

The power of democracy is in the voice of its people, and every voice matters.

Participation in this project is open to choral organizations throughout this country. We encourage you to participate if you are:

• A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, a tax-exempt entity (school, university, church, etc.), or apply using a U.S.-based fiscal sponsor that is designated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

• Located in the United States and Native nations that share this geography.

COLLABORATIONS

We understand that producing the Sing Democracy 250 program will require time, talent, energy, venues, and support. But, like America’s democracy, when we come together and share our resources, we can have great results! Therefore, we encourage you to consider working together with other choirs in your community. Here are some suggested ways to collaborate:

• High school districts may have each of their high school choirs learn different portions of the music, then come together for a district-wide performance of the complete Sing Democracy 250 program.
• University/college choirs may invite local high schools or community and church choirs to perform this program together, utilizing the campus venue.
• A men’s chorus and a women’s chorus may join forces for a performance of Sing Democracy 250.
• A symphony chorus may invite one or more local university/college choir(s) to collaborate in a large performance with orchestral accompaniment.

HOW TO APPLY TO PARTICIPATE

Go to www.SingDemocracy250.org to submit a participation application via our online portal.

• Make sure your choir is eligible and agrees to our performance requirements and reporting requirements.

• Create a free account in Submittable (our online portal).
• Complete the application form.

APPLICATION WINDOW WILL BE OPEN January 15, 2025, at 12:00 AM CST, until July 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST.

TAKE THE LEAD IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Consider taking leadership in your community by encouraging other choral groups in your state and region to participate in Sing Democracy 250!

Here are some suggestions for how:

• Spread the word! Share our website, newsletters, social media posts, and contact information with your choral colleagues.
• Suggest collaboration ideas which will enable choirs to share resources for their Sing Democracy 250 performances.
• Discuss your ideas and suggestions with leaders from NAfME, Chorus America, and ACDA organizations in your state and region.

LEARN MORE

• Visit our website at www.SingDemocracy250.org to learn more about our program, participants, and more!
• Contact Us with any questions or comments. We’d love to hear from you!
• Sign up for our monthly newsletter, and you will receive updates, reminders, and other important information as our project develops.
• You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Please remember to like our posts, and share them with everyone in your social network!

About the author:

Tina Sayers has a diverse background in the arts as a classical soprano, music educator, and nonprofit arts organization creator and administrator. As Program Director for Sing Democracy 250’s 50 States Program, Tina is focused on spreading the word and inviting choral leaders to participate in this national movement. Read more about Tina here.

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