Every new day begins in darkness. As the sun rises, the first light reveals a different world than the one we put to bed the night before. Every lifetime is full of so many new mornings and new beginnings. As we emerge from the darkness of pandemic and unrest to face a new day, Lara Downes curates a hopeful, joyful program of works by Black American composers whose music resounds as a celebration of heritage, a cry for freedom, a call to action, and a promise to the next generation. “Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us, Facing the rising sun of our new day begun.” —Lift Every Voice and Sing