In Time of Silver Rain | Grande Prairie Singers

Performed by the Grande Prairie Singers on June 3, 2023. Solo by Dale Barnes.
Rollo Dilworth served as the director of the music education and choral programs at North Park University in Chicago from 1996 to 2009 and is currently at Temple University in Philadelphia. His composing style is influenced by both classical music and folk music, particularly by gospel and spirituals which draw inspiration from African-American literary tradition, including numerous pieces to the poetry of Langston Hughes and Paul Laurence Dunbar.
In his poem “In Time of Summer Rain,” Hughes gives various elements of nature, human qualities. The earth “puts forth” life, flowers “lift” their heads, and leaves “sing” in joy. By using these images Hughes draws word pictures in the mind of his readers. With the coming of spring, all the natural elements come alive with “silver rain.”