All Things Together

TBB choir, piano
Choral art song

This song was commissioned by the Hampden–Sydney College Chorus to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of Hampden–Sydney College. The school’s history—much like the surrounding area—is wrought with its own set of highs and lows. Students were asked to reflect on the college's upcoming anniversary by responding to the prompt, “What is your hope for the future of the HSC brotherhood/community?” The resulting text was inspired by the plethora of positive attributes that they wanted to see from their school and the alumni. The song begins and ends with specific references to the College using its mission and mentioning the iconic bell.

To form good men and good citizens,
What is required of you?

Let mercy and truth never leave you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the table of your heart.

Let all your things be done for good.
As iron sharpens iron, so does one to another.
Let all your things be done for good.

Let your light so shine ever brighter.
Let the bell on the Hill keep ringing.
To form good men and good citizens.

‍ ‍– Text inspired by responses from Hampden–Sydney students