Boston Youth Choirs Premiere Piece Using Phillis Wheatley's Poetry

The 'I Dream A World' Youth Choral Showcase will feature the world premiere of 'Freedom Hymn' by composer B.E. Boykin.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 7:48pm

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An abstract illustration featuring three black silhouettes of young singers against a high-contrast red and white background, conceptually representing the collaborative youth choral performance.A new choral work celebrating the poetry of Phillis Wheatley brings together diverse young voices in Boston.Boston Today

Three local youth choirs - Boston Children's Chorus, Boston City Singers, and the Handel and Haydn Society Youth Choruses Chamber Choir - will come together to perform pieces featuring the work of Langston Hughes and Phillis Wheatley, the first published African-American poet, as part of the 'I Dream A World' Youth Choral Showcase. The event will also include the world premiere of 'Freedom Hymn,' a new composition by Atlanta-based educator and composer B.E. Boykin that sets lyrics drawn from 15 of Wheatley's poems.

Why it matters

The showcase is an opportunity to celebrate the work of pioneering Black poets and composers, while also highlighting the collaborative efforts of Boston's youth choirs as the city prepares to mark America's 250th anniversary. The performance of 'Freedom Hymn' in particular aims to champion Wheatley's legacy and inspire audiences to learn more about her trailblazing achievements.

The details

Each choir will perform individual arrangements of Langston Hughes' poem 'I Dream A World.' The highlight will be the world premiere of 'Freedom Hymn,' a new piece commissioned by Vivo Performing Arts and composed by B.E. Boykin. The lyrics for 'Freedom Hymn' are a cento, or poem made up of lines from 15 of Phillis Wheatley's works. All three choirs will combine to perform the new composition.

  • The 'I Dream A World' Youth Choral Showcase will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
  • The performance of 'Freedom Hymn' will mark the world premiere of the new composition.

The players

B.E. Boykin

An Atlanta-based educator and composer who wrote the new piece 'Freedom Hymn' for the showcase.

Robin Baker

The associate director of community engagement at Vivo Performing Arts and the organizer of the 'I Dream A World' Youth Choral Showcase.

Daniel Valz

A high school senior and member of the Handel and Haydn Society Youth Choruses Chamber Choir who is excited to be part of the premiere of 'Freedom Hymn.'

Boston Children's Chorus

One of the three local youth choirs participating in the showcase.

Boston City Singers

One of the three local youth choirs participating in the showcase.

Handel and Haydn Society Youth Choruses Chamber Choir

One of the three local youth choirs participating in the showcase.

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What they’re saying

“While Phyllis [Wheatley] had this very difficult life and difficult journey, she was able to triumph and still get her work published. I think this is another beautiful way to try to champion that, to champion her, to champion her work and to give people something else to possibly be curious about.”

— B.E. Boykin, Composer

“In the classical-music world, it's not very common to find Black musicians, be it as composers or performers. And so as a Black American, I am extremely excited to be premiering a piece composed by a Black musician. It's such a joy for me.”

— Daniel Valz, High school senior, Handel and Haydn Society Youth Choruses Chamber Choir

What’s next

The 'I Dream A World' Youth Choral Showcase will take place at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at the Roxbury Community College Media Arts Center.

The takeaway

This performance celebrates the work of pioneering Black poets and composers, while also highlighting the collaborative efforts of Boston's youth choirs as the city prepares to mark America's 250th anniversary. The premiere of 'Freedom Hymn' in particular aims to champion Phillis Wheatley's legacy and inspire audiences to learn more about her trailblazing achievements.