A New World: Demanding Freedom & Justice

featuring “Let America Be America Again”
text by Langston Hughes, composition by Frederick N. West

Seattle Peace Chorus, directed by Frederick N. West, performs with the Miho & Diego Duo. We sing Afro-Colombian songs from the fusion of Indigenous, Spanish, and African traditions, to energize us to resist oppression and injustice. From there, with baritone soloist Yusef Seevers, we turn to the powerful words of Langston Hughes. In contrast to those who call for America to be great for the privileged few, we call for America to be based on the equality of all people:

Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed—
Let it be that great strong land of love
Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme
That any man be crushed by one above.

If you can come on Sunday, please plan to stay for a reception to honor our music director, Frederick West. This completes 25 years that Fred has directed the Seattle Peace Chorus.

The Miho & Diego Duo, with Dr. Miho Takekawa on the marimba and Diego Coy on the quena, will introduce us to Bunde and Cumbia rhythms from Colombia.

Langston Hughes, an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist, known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance, wrote “Let America Be America Again” in 1935.

The poem speaks of the American dream that never existed for the lower-class American and the freedom and equality that every immigrant hoped for but never received. In his poem, Hughes represents not only African Americans, but other economically disadvantaged and minority groups as well.

Our baritone soloist is Yusef Seevers, an actor, dancer, singer, teacher, and entrepreneur.

Thank You to our 2025 Sponsors

Our recent concerts have been supported by:

Membership in Seattle Peace Chorus

Singing together, in concert halls and during marches and demonstrations, has always been a part of how Seattle Peace Chorus promotes messages of peace and justice, but membership in Seattle Peace Chorus has always meant more than singing together. Help us in these times to continue to reach out to change people’s hearts and minds.

Your regular dues as a member of Seattle Peace Chorus entitle you to participate in all our activities without further fees. If you choose not to become a regular member of Seattle Peace Chorus, however, you may pay a modest fee to offset the cost of hiring technicians and musicians to bring virtual experiences to fruition.

If you have not previously joined as a member of Seattle Peace Chorus, to sign up to participate please fill out an audition request form and tell us how you’d like to participate.

Members past and present may sign up by contacting us at info@seattlepeacechorus.org.

We urge everyone to support organizations that promote peace, protect our planet, and fight for the underprivileged. See this list of organizations that we support.

For both singers and listeners, the Seattle Peace Chorus provides a unique choral experience. Our commitment to peace and social justice creates a special bond among members and with our audience.

Our repertoire, reflecting our multi-cultural, multi-national focus, ranges from spirituals and gospel to Mozart and Beethoven, from South African freedom songs to the original works of our director Fred West.

Performances often include an exciting range of instrumentalists from Cuban drummers to chamber orchestras. This rich variety is sustained by our commitment to using a collaborative process for decision making, enabling members to influence repertoire decisions through a committee that any member can join.

In addition to traveling to countries such as the former Soviet Union, Chile, Cuba, and Venezuela, and performing two major concerts a year, we support peace and community activities by singing at rallies, marches, fundraisers for disaster relief, and similar events.

If our unique approach to choral music appeals to you, consider joining us as a singer, volunteer, or financial supporter—or simply come to our concerts and be inspired.

Because of the developing SARS-CoV2 virus and the COVID-19 illness that it causes, we urge everyone to be especially careful to take care of yourself and those whom you love.

Thank you everyone who helps support the Seattle Peace Chorus.