Podcast Summary: All Of It – Lincoln Center and Brooklyn Public Library's 'Anthem to Us'

Episode Date: January 23, 2024
Host: Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Guests:

• Shanta Thake, Chief Artistic Officer at Lincoln Center
• Jakob Orchos, Vice President of Arts and Culture at Brooklyn Public Library

Main Theme

This episode centers on the collaborative initiative “Anthem to Us,” a partnership between Lincoln Center and Brooklyn Public Library. The project invites New Yorkers to create and submit original anthems, reflecting on community, democracy, and the evolving meaning of what it means to be American—just ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary in 2026 and during a pivotal election year. The conversation highlights the cultural significance of anthems, the community-building aspect of music, and the open, inclusive process for submissions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Genesis of 'Anthem to Us'

• Idea and Timing:
  • The project arose as a way to mark the upcoming 250th anniversary of the U.S. and to engage the public in redefining and celebrating democratic values through music.
  • “We always think it's an opportunity to celebrate… what it means to be a participant and to really activate our community around this idea that their voice matters.”
    — Shanta Thake (02:33)
• Significance for Libraries:
  • The Brooklyn Public Library views itself as a “wide open platform” and aims to give everyone a voice, especially during these “unprecedented hard times.”
  • “We really wanted to provide an opportunity to the people throughout the city… to add their voice to this amazing list of anthems.”
    — Jakob Orchos (02:56)

What Makes an Anthem?

• Commonalities:
  • Anthems like “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” “This Land Is Your Land,” and “America the Beautiful” are unified by their shared sense of community, uplifting spirit, and inclusivity.
  • “These are songs where we all learn the words, we sing together. They speak to our belief in a larger community and being a part of something, not being apart from something.”
    — Shanta Thake (03:59)
• Invitation for Modern Interpretations:
  • The initiative is open to completely new works, reinterpretations, and any form participants feel drawn to.
  • “Anthem is a very poignant genre and it's a loaded genre… We are not replacing the anthem. We are actually taking a cue from the beauty of all the anthems.”
    — Jakob Orchos (04:37)

Open Call & Workshop Details

• Submission Details:
  • Open to all—submissions due by February 6, 2024, at anthemtous.org
  • The application is simple; a brief sample of writing and thoughts is all that's required (05:55).
  • Over 100 participants will be chosen for workshops.
• Workshops:
  • Selected participants will work with professional composers (Damien Sneed, Martha Redbone & Aaron Whitby, Jaime Lozano) and musicologists to craft their anthems.
  • “It's really meant to be very easy to really add your thoughts. What are you thinking about right now? A sample of writing.”
    — Shanta Thake (05:55)

Performance & Community Engagement

• Live Performances:
  • Final compositions will be performed live at Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park during the Summer for the City Festival, and at Brooklyn Public Library on July 4th weekend (08:56).
  • This public celebration intends to showcase and amplify the diverse voices that make up the city.

Workshops as Civic Renewal

• Goal:
  • Workshops aim to help participants re-express their relationships to America, past and present—honest about challenges, but hopeful for beauty and unity.
  • “We want to renew this relationship… It was hard, it will be hard, but it was beautiful and it will be beautiful.”
    — Jakob Orchos (08:11)

Notable Musical Moments

• Whitney Houston’s “America the Beautiful” (01:18)
• Damien Sneed’s “God Bless America” (06:49)
  • “Damien Sneed. Now, somebody might hear that and think I'm now intimidated… but that's where the workshops come in.” – Alison Stewart (07:58)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Meaning of an Anthem:
  • “They speak to our belief in a larger community and being a part of something, not being apart from something.”
    — Shanta Thake (03:59)
• On Open Participation:
  • “We guarantee freedom and we really want to listen to people what they have to say.”
    — Jakob Orchos (04:37)
• On Facing Hard Times Together:
  • “Let's face it, we are living in a very hard time, really unprecedented hard times. So what people want to say about this, how they look into the eyes of the beast, how they they embrace our reality…”
    — Jakob Orchos (04:37)
• Reflections on Past Song Projects:
  • “It was one of the highlights of last year for me… the idea of everyday New Yorkers and individuals taking ownership of these songs that really do belong to all of us.”
    — Shanta Thake (09:59)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:31 – Show opens, theme set by Alison Stewart
• 01:15 – Introduction to the concept of an anthem, Whitney Houston clip
• 02:12 – Guests introduced
• 02:33 – Origin and significance of Anthem to Us
• 03:59 – What makes a song an anthem
• 05:55 – Submission process and workshops described
• 06:49 – Damien Sneed’s “God Bless America”
• 08:11 – Jakob Orchos on the workshops as civic renewal
• 08:56 – Details on live performances, event logistics
• 09:59 – Shanta Thake on judging community song projects
• 10:43 – Closing and encouragement to participate

Overall Tone

The conversation is open, encouraging, and civic-minded, reflecting both hope and realism about the complexities of national identity. The guests’ language is thoughtful and inclusive, consistently highlighting music’s role in uniting communities and fostering belonging.

For Listeners

This episode is for anyone interested in community arts, civic engagement, or exploring what American identity means today, particularly through the lens of collective song. “Anthem to Us” invites all New Yorkers—regardless of background or musical experience—to participate in re-imagining the American anthem for today’s world.

For more details or to submit your anthem idea, visit anthemtous.org.