Celebrating America's Future with We Are Your Children Anthem Unveiling

Unveiling a Vision: We Are Your Children Anthem

As America approaches the monumental celebration of its 250th anniversary, a new youth anthem titled We Are Your Children invites the nation to reflect on its past while envisioning the future for the next generation. This anthem, featuring the 91-voice Minnesota Youth Honor Choir, will launch on July 4, coinciding with this significant date, aiming to unite communities and encourage dialogue focused on youth empowerment.

The anthem was recorded on June 1 at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota, where young singers from various backgrounds gathered to create a heartfelt message for children everywhere. Mark Johnson, the Artistic Director of the Minnesota Boychoir, conducted the choir and expressed that this project was about more than just musical precision—it called for honesty and emotional depth in their performance. This individual experience turned into a collective voice of hope: “Watching these 91 young people become the first voices of 'We Are Your Children' was one of the most meaningful musical experiences I’ve been part of.”

The initiative behind the anthem encourages a nationwide movement involving at least 250 choirs from schools, faith-based organizations, and community groups to perform the song during the anniversary year. The remarkable goal reflects an understanding of music’s power to bring people together, as stated by Philip Brunelle, the Grammy-nominated founder of VocalEssence. He highlighted that this anthem provides a unique opportunity for young people to make their voices heard while urging audiences to listen.

Written by Larry Sagen, a retired nonprofit founder, and with musical arrangements by Minnesota composer Jason Hansen, the project supplies valuable resources for choir directors and music educators. These resources include professionally prepared arrangements, rehearsal and accompaniment tracks, conducting notes, and various other performance materials—all available for free through the project’s website, WeAreYourChildren.us.

Reflecting on the impact of the song, one 15-year-old choir member remarked, “The world is a really scary place for kids today. When we recorded this song, it felt like we were singing for kids everywhere—not just ourselves. I hope adults really listen, because we're going to grow up in the world they create.” Such sentiments underscore the need for adults to acknowledge young people's concerns, emphasizing the importance of their involvement in shaping a supportive environment.

In alignment with its mission to uplift youth, the project will donate all net proceeds from streaming, downloads, broadcasts, and other related initiatives to nonprofit organizations advocating for youth music and leadership. The official music video and additional resources, such as downloadable arrangements, will be available on the project’s dedicated website on the anthem's launch date.

As the first 250 years of America serve as a legacy that has been bequeathed to us, the actions we take today will determine the legacy that is handed to our children. The anthem We Are Your Children stands as a hopeful reminder that incorporating youth voices into communal dialogues is imperative for a brighter future. This ambitious project seeks to build bridges within communities, fostering understanding and collaboration. The future is indeed in our hands, and it's time to listen closely to what our children have to say.

To explore more about the anthem, watch the premiere, and access educational materials, visit WeAreYourChildren.us.