Hear Us!

for youth SATB chorus and youth string ensemble

Commissioned by Chris Williams and Eric Schatz for the Otter Creek Middle School music program.

duration: 4 minutes

Premiered in Terre Haute, Indiana in May, 2016 by Chris Williams and Eric Schatz and the Otter Creek Middle School music program.

Hear Us! is a piece that focuses on a lively, groove rhythm in seven. Although odd meters are something that performers of this level aren’t used to seeing, it is a rhythm that is easily felt. The text is a call to action for music and music education.

AUDIO: Hear Us! (Demo), by Choral Tracks

Hear Us! – by Anthony Joseph Lanman

HEAR US!
Hear us, Hear us.
Hear us, Hear us.
Hear our music.
Hear us, Hear us,
Listen to us!

Singing, Playing,
Dancing,
Hear our rhythm,
Feel it,
Contemplate our music.
Listen with us.
Let us move you,
Move you with our music.

Hear us, Hear us.
Hear us, singing,
Listen to us
Sing out,
Hear us.
Please just hear us,
Listen to me!

Blooming beauty,
Stormy weather,
Music can excite the senses.
Singing lifts the Human spirit
Higher past the tallest breakers.

Joy and education,,
Pure elation,
Wonder and cooperation
Make the singer
And musician
Play much better together.

Dancing, meter, melody,
We sing with passion
To the rhythm.
Our world with no music
Withers.
Sing
And give it water.

Joy and education,
Pure elation,
Wonder and cooperation
Make the singer
And musician
Play much better together.

Blooming beauty,
Stormy weather,
Music can excite the senses.
Singing lifts the Human spirit
Higher past the tallest breakers.

Joy and education,
Pure elation,
Wonder and cooperation.
Listen, Listen
To our music.
Listen
Pay attention!

Hear our music.
Hear us.
Hear us.
Hear us.
Hear us.
Hear us!