| 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.
Co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall and the American Composers Orchestra, Joseph C Phillips Jr’s We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident was made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. The work was developed through the American Composers Orchestra’s EarShot CoLABoratory program, with lead funding from TD Charitable Foundation. The first two movements premiered at Carnegie Hall by the American Composers Orchestra on March 11, 2026.
The first movement, "The Great Silence," is published by Boosey and Hawkes, in the youth orchestra version, as well as 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.
Co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall and the American Composers Orchestra, Joseph C Phillips Jr’s We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident was made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. The work was developed through the American Composers Orchestra’s EarShot CoLABoratory program, with lead funding from TD Charitable Foundation. The first two movements premiered at Carnegie Hall by the American Composers Orchestra on March 11, 2026.
The first movement, "The Great Silence," is published by Boosey and Hawkes, in the youth orchestra version, as well as the professional orchestra four-movement composition.
Review of premiere of movements 1 & 2 by American Composers Orchestra at Carnegie Hall on March 11, 2026
“We Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident by Joseph C. Phillips Jr. offered a glimpse into 1619, an upcoming eight-opera cycle. Moving and deeply relevant, this 15-minute work centered on several short acts played by the orchestra without singers. A screen overhead showed images in a video by Malik Isasis that ranged from early etchings of the dance gatherings of enslaved African-Americans to family photos of segregated lake resorts. Both disenfranchisement and the power of communal joyfulness framed this spectacular visual and musical experience.”
— Daniele Sahr, Seen and Heard International,
"American Composers Orchestra and guest soloists display depth and range in timely message"
“We Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident by Joseph C. Phillips Jr. offered a glimpse into 1619, an upcoming eight-opera cycle. Moving and deeply relevant, this 15-minute work centered on several short acts played by the orchestra without singers. A screen overhead showed images in a video by Malik Isasis that ranged from early etchings of the dance gatherings of enslaved African-Americans to family photos of segregated lake resorts. Both disenfranchisement and the power of communal joyfulness framed this spectacular visual and musical experience.”
— Daniele Sahr, Seen and Heard International,
"American Composers Orchestra and guest soloists display depth and range in timely message"
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.