Each performance features two newly commissioned works. The first piece is composed by Dr. Brandon A. Boyd titled “Redeem the Dream,” with text based on Langston Hughes’ poem “Let America Be America Again.” 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 throughout our history. The second work, “US,” is composed by Michael Bussewitz-Quarm, whose text is inspired by Richard Haass’ book The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens, offering a musical call to “We, the people” to participate in renewing American democracy. Participating choirs receive the new music free of charge.  

Sing Democracy 250 expects to engage over 100,000 singers, musicians, and audience members nationwide. This national initiative was created by Gary Aamodt and Celia Ellingson to mark America’s 250th birthday with music that reflects on our shared history, refreshes our understanding of civic responsibilities, and inspires renewal of American democracy. 

Sing Democracy 250 is a project of Players Philanthropy Fund, a Texas nonprofit corporation recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code Contributions to Sing Democracy 250 qualify as tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Redeem the Dream - Commissioner’s Statement

Redeem the Dream was commissioned by the Together In Hope Project, whose mission is changing lives through music with a purpose: we focus the transformative power of music on issues of our shared humanity. Redeem the Dream is based on Langston Hughes’ 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’ poem is introduced by the opening words of the Declaration of Independence.

In 2026 America will mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and of American democracy. It is our hope that this work will cause singers and citizens to reflect on America’s history and to commit to participate in renewing American democracy, to work together toward that “more perfect union” envisioned in the United States Constitution.

Celia Ellingson and Gary Aamodt

Co-Founders of Together in Hope Project and Co-Founders of Sing Democracy 250

November 2024

US - Commissioner’s Statement

US was commissioned by the Together In Hope Project, whose mission is changing lives through music with a purpose: we focus the transformative power of music on issues of our shared humanity. US is based on Richard Haass’ book, The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens. The text for this composition was developed and integrated by Celia Ellingson and Gary Aamodt, co-founders of the Together in Hope Project, in coordination with Richard Haass, and in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.

To keep our democracy strong, we must understand both our rights and our duties, or obligations, as citizens and adopt those obligations as habits of good citizenship. Through this music, we introduce the challenge and hope of democracy’s promise. We then name Haass’ 10 obligations and further 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–to join together and make the full promise of our democracy a reality.

It is our hope that this work will energize, equip, and empower all singers and citizens to participate in renewing American democracy. The power of democracy is in the voice of its people, and every voice matters.

Celia Ellingson and Gary Aamodt

Co-Founders of Together in Hope Project and Co-Founders of Sing Democracy 250

November 2024