Blessed Be! (DeMore)

Name: Blessed Be! (DeMore)
SKU: VE-4006
Availability: InStock

Melanie DeMore

A celebration of life, joyfully expressing our gratitude for human connection–to generations that have come before us and those yet to come.

Choral

Difficulty: 3

Duration: less than 3 min.

VE-4006

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SATB a cappella

“Blessed Be!” is a celebration of life that uses the “tree of life” metaphor to joyfully express our gratitude for human connection–to generations that have come before us and those yet to come.  Melanie DeMore shares the following, when talking about her inspiration for the text in “Blessed Be!  ”
“Trees are shelter. Trees are sanctuary and symbols of antiquity and strength. Trees are the living embodiment of the passage of time. They endure scarring and disease, and they become gnarled and creaky, yet they remain steadfast. They can grow despite the changes happening around them. Trees live in harmony with their surroundings much longer than humans do. They are always an inspiration, especially in winter when their skeleton forms can be seen against the pale sky.” 

Composer’s Notes

Melanie DeMore: Vocal Activist – is one of the most outstanding vocal artists of today helping to preserve the African American Folk Tradition through song and Gullah stick pounding. She was the subject of a documentary called Stick and Pound which showcases this tradition. She has a career spanning 30 years dedicated to teaching, lecturing, mentoring, conducting, directing, and inspiring children and adults about the power of song as social and political change. Melanie is a sought after presenter, conductor, and soloist at national and international choral and music festivals, including Festival 500 in Newfoundland, Canada and Chorus America.

She is sought after as a song/prayer facilitator, creating spontaneous choirs for The Trinity Institute, The Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society and the Powell Foundation as well as many varied spiritual and faith based organizations. She adjunct faculty at the California Institute for Integral Studies, Master teaching Artist for CalPerformances at UC Berkeley, a featured presenter for SpeakOut! The Institute for Social and Cultural Change and was the Artistic Conductor of The Oakland Children’s Community Choir with Living Jazz for nine years.

She was a founding member of the Grammy nominated Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir and has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with such varied artists as Odetta, Richey Havens, Pete Seeger, the Trinity Choir, MUSE Cincinnati Women’s Chorus, The International Threshold Choirs, and many others.

Melanie DeMore is a singer/songwriter, composer, conductor, and vocal activist, who believes in the power of voices raised together.