The Music of Elizabeth Alexander

The Chalice of Our Hearts

A canonic anthem inviting us to tend the flame that abides in open hearts and minds

Music: Elizabeth Alexander

Words: Elizabeth Alexander

A canonic anthem honoring the growth that comes from venturing beyond familiar horizons. The canon itself is easy to teach to audiences or congregations, inviting us all to tend the flame kindled by open hearts and minds.

The Chalice of Our Hearts is the final movement of Kindling: Small Reflections on a Limitless Faith.

Note: This song may be performed with chamber ensemble (flute, horn, violin, cello, piano, string quartet) or with piano alone. In both cases choristers simply use the Choral Score. For chamber ensemble performances of this song, the conductor conducts from the conductor’s score of the complete work (SEA-123-10). Instrumental Parts are available through Seafarer Press.

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Composer Notes

Composer Notes

This simple canon calls us to stretch beyond our own experience, tending the flame that burns in our own hearts.

Text

The Chalice of Our Hearts

Our search for kindling takes us far beyond our selves –
There we gather truth and mystery.
We return with joy to tend the chalice of our hearts.

Elizabeth Alexander
© 2015 by Elizabeth Alexander

Performers

Performers

SATB, flute, horn, string quartet
Premiere: First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston / Jason Oby (Houston, TX)
Choir of Arlington Street Church / Mark Buckles (Boston, MA)
Choir of Mount Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church / Mark Tuning (Walnut Creek, CA)
Choir of Unitarian Universalist Church of Atlanta / Donald Milton III (Atlanta, GA)
St Luke Presbyterian Church / David Lohman (St. Louis Park, MN)

SATB, piano
First Unitarian Univeralist Church of Rochester / Joe Mish (Rochester, MN)