Light the World (2017) for SATB Choir by Ingrid Stölzel | Composer

Live performance: Te Deum Chamber Choir, Matthew Christopher Shepard, conductor, November 11, 2017.

A Prayer for Blessing

May the Mother in us comfort us
And the Father in us protect us;
May the Daughter in us bring us Hope
And the Son within us increase our Joy.

May the Dancer in us move us
And the Poet inspire our Song.
May the Explorer embolden us
And the Artist honor the Beauty that holds us.

May we all be Creators and Priests and Nurses and Heroes,
And may our Song lift beyond these walls
To light the world.

Robert Bode, Kansas City, February, 2017

Program Note: “Light the World” was commissioned by Te Deum, Matthew Christopher Shepard, conductor, for the 10th Anniversary Season in Kansas City, Missouri. Robert Bode wrote this beautiful poem for the occasion, which made composing this blessing to commemorate Te Deum’s anniversary an even greater honor for me.