Sigma Alpha Iota

PAN PIPES Spring 2019 7 MUSIC NOTES A History of Canticle for Peace Music by James Adler & Lyricist Debra Rue S igma Alpha Iota includes objectives to promote women in music and develop strong women leaders. A perfect example and role model, although not necessarily in music, was Eleanor Roosevelt. According to the New York Times, she was "one of the most esteemed women in the world". She was the first Chair of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, whose responsibility it was to oversee the draing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As a tribute to her human rights achievements, President Truman later called her "First Lady of the World". To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1988, James and I wrote Canticle for Peace for the ecumenical service at the opening of the 43rd Session of the United Nations. I met James when I worked at Lawson-Gould Music Publishers. Lawson being Robert Lawson Shaw - one of the leading conductors of our time and Walter Gould - his partner whom I served as his assistant. rough this connection James and I became friends, and we have collaborated on three compositions, two published by Colla Voce Music Publishers. In addition to Canticle for Peace, Disciples for the Lord was commissioned by Western Hills United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, TX for their 50th anniversary. Daughters of Music was commissioned by the Fort Worth Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota for their 70th anniversary and performed at the SAI National Convention 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona, also published by Colla Voce Music Publishers. e text for Canticle for Peace was written as a reflection of the world's religions. e goal was to represent the essence of peace and freedom displayed at the beginning of time and how we were all created and destined to live together in this world. e world premiere included United Nations Ambassadors, other guests and the esteemed Cardinal John O'Connor, Archbishop of New York, who led the standing ovation in support of the inherent message. e composition was performed by a choir of hand-picked professional singers conducted by Debra Rue and accompanied by James Adler at the Holy Family Church in September 1988. Canticle for Peace was submitted for a Pulitzer Prize nomination. On February 24, 2019, the Fort Worth Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. e performance was conducted by Dr. Jerome Bierschenk, Fine Arts Dean at Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, and accompanied by Ahreum Ahn-Congdon on the organ with three trumpets. e performance of this work was not meant to be a political statement. Rather, it was a tribute to peace and how our world was intended by our Divine Maker. In today's continued quest for world peace, this composition represents the creation of the world, the turmoil and the steps we can take as humanity to achieve the ultimate goal - as it was in the beginning… — Submitted by Debra Rue At right, National Arts Associate James Adler, Fort Worth Alumnae Chapter President Debra Rue, and Friend of the Arts Jerome Bierschenk . Above, the three greet the alumnae chapter performers of the Canticle.

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