My Heart Be Brave—Marques L.A. Garrett

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The VocalEssence Chorus and Ensemble Singers conducted by Associate Artistic Director G. Phillip Shoultz, III, perform "My Heart Be Brave" by Marques L.A. Garrett
.

Marques L.A. Garrett is an accomplished vocalist, composer, and
researcher who currently serves on the faculty of the University
of North Texas. Garrett skillfully crafts his musical setting to
mirror the journey into action for the protagonist of James Weldon
Johnson’s poem "Sonnet." The piece invites us to be courageous and
embrace difficult circumstances and conversations as we seek to be
conduits of positive change.

MY HEART BE BRAVE
My heart be brave, and do not falter so,
Nor utter more that deep, despairing wail.
Thy way is very dark and drear I know,
But do not let thy strength and courage fail;
For certain as the raven-winged night
Is followed by the bright and blushing morn,
Thy coming morrow will be clear and bright;
’Tis darkest when the night is furthest worn.
Look up, and out, beyond, surrounding clouds,
And do not in thine own gross darkness grope,
Rise up, and casting off thy hind’ring shrouds,
Cling thou to this, and ever inspiring hope:
Tho’ thick the battle and tho’ fierce the fight,
There is [a] power [in] making for the right.
—James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938)

VocalEssence Chorus and Ensemble Singers
G. Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor
Recorded at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis on March 17, 2024