We Need Each Other

Sharing, giving and receiving are at the heart of this rhythmic song, which begins with voices in unison and builds to a call-and-response style finale. Several optional repeats make this a natural processional or recessional, and the score can be easily adapted to incorporate combined choirs, intergeneration choirs, or audience participation.

A note from the composer: Music sometimes evolves of its own accord. An alternate way to perform the ending of We Need Each Other emerged when I was recently conducting this song at a choral festival. The soloists weren’t quite confident about their solos, so I asked them to speak from their hearts, one by one, while the choir sang the repeated ending. One singer said “…Along our country’s border crossings.” Another said: “…In reforming our criminal justice system.” After several such spoken solos, I turned around and held out my hands to the audience, inviting them to speak as well. Audience members were not at all shy about speaking their own thoughts aloud, and somehow they even managed not to speak over one another! It was a very powerful, participatory experience.