RTMP-CBPS 015_Sunny Strums (Myers)_perusal

Castle of our Skins | Boston Public Schools Collection

Sunny Strums SCORE

For Ukulele Ensemble and Vocals Composed By

Andre myers

About The Creators COMPOSER ANDRE MYERS Called “an insightful and skillful new voice” (Times Union), and “ingenious. . . powerful” (icareifyoulisten.com), the music of Andre Myers mixes narrative drama, poetry, and meditations on color to create work that aspires to moments of honesty, poignancy, and depth. Andre’s music has been commissioned and performed by the Albany Symphony Orchestra, the Michigan Philharmonic, Orchestra Santa Monica, and presented across the United States and Europe. A committed musical educator, Andre Myers is on the music faculty of the University of Redlands in Redlands, California. Learn more at andremyers.com.

CASTLE OF OUR SKINS Castle of our Skins is a Black arts institution dedicated to fostering cultural curiosity and celebrating Black artistry through music. In classrooms, concert halls, and beyond, Castle of our Skins invites Black heritage and culture exploration, spotlighting both unsung and celebrated figures of past and present. Learn more about Castle of our Skins' educational and performing work by visiting www.Castleskins.org.

BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS The Boston Public Schools (BPS), the birth place of public education in the United States, serves nearly 50,000 pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students in 122 schools. BPS is committed to transforming the lives of all children through exemplary teaching in a worldclass system of innovative, welcoming schools. We partner with the community, families, and students to develop in every learner the knowledge, skill, and character to excel in college, career, and life.

RISING TIDE MUSIC & ARTS Rising Tide Music & Arts is a nonprofit organization that creates career-building opportunities for Black, Brown, Indigenous and Asian music makers and creatives. Their vision is an arts ecosystem that mirrors our country’s diverse cultural landscape. As a rising tide raises all ships, they work to raise awareness of BBIA voices in music education and throughout the creative economy. Learn more by visiting www.risingtidearts.org.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER SHARON UDOH Sharon Udoh is a Nigerian-American pianist, composer, arranger, vocalist, and graphic designer based in Chicago. Her work combines vocals that seemingly erupt from the center of the earth with a stage presence that somehow feels both dangerous and kind. Their collaborators have included clipping, Tune-Yards, Los Angeles Gay Men's Chorus, Ben Lamar Gay, and Angel Bat Dawid. His performances have been described as a warm bowl of soup, a tornado, a jalapeño pepper, a Jackson Pollock painting, a bulldozer, and magnetic. Find out more at counterfeitmadison.com.

Program Notes Sunny Strums: Take Care of the Earth is a ukulele ensemble piece that showcases bright, whimsical strumming patterns, highlighting the playful potential of both the instrument and the group. Dynamic swells in volume and pitch mirror the natural ebb and flow of the tides.

Sunny Strums: Take Care of the Earth lyrics by Andre Myers Verse 1 I see leaves falling from the trees and I wonder what that has to do with me.

I see water falling from the sky I see lightning and I hear the thunder cry.

I see everything, I see everything and I wonder what it means or what it’s worth until a sprout pops up through the hard concrete and reminds me to take care of the earth.

Verse 2 Winter wind blows in from the east and I wonder what that has to do with me. and the sun sets onto the west then I go to bed and try to get some rest.

I dream everything, I dream everything but I wonder what it means or what it’s worth until a sprout pops up through the hard concrete and reminds me to take care of the earth.

Refrain Take care of the earth Pick up litter from the streets and from the sky.

Take care of the earth Tell the people why it matters that you try, try, try I feel everything, I feel everything I feel happy, I feel sad, and then I wonder what it’s worth until a sprout pops up through the hard concrete and reminds me to take care of the earth.

copyright © 2024 by Andre Myers. All Rights Reserved.

Sunny Strums: Take Care of the Earth Words & Music

by Andre Myers

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Copyright © 2024 by Andre Myers. Lotic Music (ASCAP). All Rights Reserved.

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