| Numinous The Music of Joseph C. Phillips Jr. |
We Hold These TRuths To Be Self-Evident (2026)
We Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident (2026)
28 minutes
We Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident by Joseph C Phillips Jr is a four-movement composition commissioned by Carnegie Hall and the American Composers Orchestra. The Carnegie Hall concert features the first two movements, along with a film by Malik Isasis, commissioned and partly funded by a 2025 NYSCA grant, to accompany the premiere performance. The composition is part of a series of orchestral, choral, and chamber works which, while tied to various subjects in my ongoing eight-opera 1619 opera cycle about the history of the US, also represents distinct, independent addendums and companions to the operas. We Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident highlights ideas of freedom for Black Americans within the country’s systemic inequalities and inequities—an expansion of the theme of the second opera in the cycle, Till Paths Be Wrought Through Wilds.
The premiere of the first two movements was on March 11, 2026 at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall. The first movement, "The Great Silence," is published by Boosey and Hawkes, in the youth orchestra version, as well as the first two movements "The Great Silence" and "Stealing Away," as part of the professional orchestra four-movement composition.
- Full Orchestra (Piccolo, Flute/Alto Flute, Oboe, English Horn, Bb Clarinet, Bb Bass Clarinet/Eb Alto Saxophone*, Bassoon 1-2, Horn 1-2, C Trumpet 1-2, Trombone 1-2, Tuba, Timpani, Percussion 1 (Snare Drum, Triangle, Bass Drum), Percussion 2 (Crash Cymbals, Tam-tam, Bass Drum, Large Woodblock, Large Ride cymbal), Vibraphone, Marimba, Piano, Harp, Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Bass)
- Youth Orchestra, the first movement "The Great Silence" (Flute, Oboe, Bb Clarinet, Bassoon, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Tuba, Vibraphone, Harp (could substitute Piano), Violins, Violas, Cellos, Basses)
28 minutes
We Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident by Joseph C Phillips Jr is a four-movement composition commissioned by Carnegie Hall and the American Composers Orchestra. The Carnegie Hall concert features the first two movements, along with a film by Malik Isasis, commissioned and partly funded by a 2025 NYSCA grant, to accompany the premiere performance. The composition is part of a series of orchestral, choral, and chamber works which, while tied to various subjects in my ongoing eight-opera 1619 opera cycle about the history of the US, also represents distinct, independent addendums and companions to the operas. We Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident highlights ideas of freedom for Black Americans within the country’s systemic inequalities and inequities—an expansion of the theme of the second opera in the cycle, Till Paths Be Wrought Through Wilds.
The premiere of the first two movements was on March 11, 2026 at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall. The first movement, "The Great Silence," is published by Boosey and Hawkes, in the youth orchestra version, as well as the first two movements "The Great Silence" and "Stealing Away," as part of the professional orchestra four-movement composition.
Header 📸: Declaration of Independence
Thanks and credit to all the original photos on this website to: David Andrako, Concrete Temple Theatre, Marcy Begian, Mark Elzey, Ed Lefkowicz, Donald Martinez, Kimberly McCollum, Geoff Ogle, Joseph C. Phillips Jr., Daniel Wolf-courtesy of Roulette, Andrew Robertson, Viscena Photography, Jennifer Kang, Carolyn Wolf, Mark Elzey, Karen Wise, Numinosito. The Numinous Changing Same album design artwork by DM Stith. The Numinous The Grey Land album design and artwork by Brock Lefferts. Contact for photo credit and information on specific images.