Songs of hope and freedom express some of the innermost desires of the human spirit. They encompass matters of love and life that resonate deep in the soul. They speak of truth and justice, of change and peace. They cry out and they pray. They laugh and they dance. Robert De Cormier’s dedication to the pursuit of peace and justice is evident throughout his career as composer, arranger and conductor. His powerful cantata, They Called Her Moses, tells the incredible story of the life of Harriet Tubman and her work helping slaves escape to the free states and Canada on the Underground Railroad. Composed in 1969 for mixed voices, this work premiered as a ballet by Donald McKayle for CBS television. Bella Voce commissioned a re-voiced version for women’s voices in 2013. Louise De Cormier, who studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City, narrates the fascinating story of Tubman’s life woven into and amplified through a selection of spirituals whose words are known to refer to messages about escape and life beyond slavery. The next two selections continue the theme of peace with texts that encourage people to “walk together” and to “sing for peace.” This arrangement of Walk Together Children was commissioned by Bella Voce as part of its 10th anniversary celebration in 2014. De Cormier’s arrangement for double choir of Hold On was the first piece commissioned by Bella Voce in 2006. The breadth of De Cormier’s compositional style is evident in the next 3 selections. By n’ By is a gentle lullaby, followed by the driving spiritual Let Me Fly. Sing Everyone, Sing Me is a setting of a poem written by his wife, Louise. In addition to his vast array of arrangements of spirituals, De Cormier is known worldwide for his arrangements of carols and folk songs. His lyrical arrangement of the beloved carol Away in a Manger includes flute and guitar. In 2009, Bella Voce commissioned De Cormier to re-voice the charming Italian carol Dormi, Dormi, O Bel Bambin. The last piece of this collection is a quintessential example of the composer’s abiding pursuit of peace through his music. Why Can’t We Have Christmas The Whole Year Around combines We Wish You a Merry Christmas with a call for peace throughout the year. ~ Dawn Willis, Artistic Director