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Linda Tutas Haugen
Linda Tutas Haugen (Ephraim Bay Publishing)
To Change the World
Includes a simple refrain that is easily learned for a large group singing as a chorus.
SATB, viola, piano
“To Change the World” focuses on a three ways to achieving a better world: to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God. This piece has a simple refrain that can be easily learned for large group singing as a chorus. Perfect for social justice emphasis!
Composer’s Notes
“To Change the World” was commissioned by the Mayflower Church Choir in Minneapolis, Nancy Grundahl, Music Director, in memory of one of their beloved members, Beth Benson Peterson. Beth was remarkable person, known for her strong beliefs in peace and social justice issues, and I wanted to choose a text that would reflect and honor her spirit. To Change the World premiered in May 2016.
While I was writing this piece, the long and contentious prelude to the 2016 US Presidential election was occurring. The rising political tensions and dissent among people in our country were unprecedented, and I found the behavior and unrest very discouraging. I looked to find another way of interacting with each other, and was reminded of a simple formula from ancient times that would look to God, to help first bring change in ourselves, and then the world.
The text is comprised of a verse from the book of Micah, my elaboration on this text, and a meditation from the Jewish Reform movement’s, Gates of Prayer. Musically, the piece begins in a lyrical, straightforward and contemplative manner, moving to an active and rhythmic middle section, and ultimately returns to the original material in the final section.
I wanted this piece to be simple enough that a large number of people (or congregation) could learn the beginning and third sections, singing as a large chorus. My hope is that it would calm their hearts, as it did mine, and affirm their action for kindness, justice and peaceful change in the world.
– Linda Tutas Haugen
Text
What does God require of you?
What does the Creator of the heavens and earth,
the Sustainer of life, the Source of peace, ask of you,
but to Do justice,
and to Love kindness,
and to Walk humbly with your God.*
When justice burns within us like a flaming fire,
when love evokes willing sacrifice from us,
when to the last full measure of selfless devotion,
we demonstrate our belief in the ultimate triumph of truth and righteousness,
then [O Aeternal One,] Your goodness enters our lives
and we begin to change the world,
And you live in our hearts, and we, …behold Your Presence.**
What does God require of you?
What does the Redeemer of the heart and the soul,
the Sustainer of hope, the Source of grace, ask of you,
but to Do justice,
and to Love kindness,
and to Walk humbly with your God.
* from Micah 6:8: What does God require of you but to Do justice, and to Love kindness, and to Walk humbly with your God?
**— from Mishkan T’filah (Gates of Prayer)
“When Justice Burns”, from Mishkan T’fila: A Reform Siddur © 2007 by the Central Conference of American Rabbis. Used by permission of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. All rights reserved.
$3.00 per licensed PDF
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