Art begets art. This an idea that is subconsciously understood by all artists. Whether working in tandem, or serving as inspiration, art and its many forms are the pinnacle of human expression. Sing to the World, SAI Composer’s Bureau member and Friend of the Arts Dan Lockair’s collection of secular choral works, is a demonstration of this universal truth.

Each piece is either inspired by or directly lifts its texts from poems by notable poets, all centred around the theme of music. The work of Phyllis Wheatley, the first Black woman to publish a book of poetry, makes an appearance in what is my personal favorite on the album, ‘An Hymn to the Morning’, the third movement of the title work. Through the Phoenix Consort, especially soloists Beth Yeates, Emma Kerrigan, Matthew Holloway Strong, and Alexander Lee, the piece uses the stanzas of her poetry as verses to the African-American spiritual ‘My Lord What a Morning’. From Walt Whitman to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Robert Frost, to William Butler Yeats, Locklair’s signature compositional style adds a whole new layer to classic poetry, such as the whistling in ‘Tapestries’.

Locklair and the Phoenix Consort expertly capture the emotion embedded in the poetry. “…fallen star”, the second movement of The Lilacs Bloomed, is one such example. Inspired by Walt Whitman’s Memories of President Lincoln, itself a mournful response to the assassination of the titular politician, this movement is a heart-crushing obituary reflected in the accented piano notes and singing made to sound like crying. However, both composer and ensemble are also unafraid to have fun. Chamber music can be seen as ostentatious and snobbish by some. But humorous in nature and delivery, the bouncing ‘Epitaph” is meant to be performed at the end of the thoughtful changing perceptions. And I won’t like, my inner twelve year old chuckled at the name of ‘The Musical Ass’, a fun retelling of a fable about a donkey who finds a flute, and brags and sniffing into it and accidentally playing a note.

Diverse, flexible and accessible, Dan Locklair’s collection of musical poetry is a perfect introduction to secular choral works for those interested in dipping their toes in the genre.