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Springfield Township premieres commissioned anthem “Together We Rise” at start-of-year convocation
Summary
Springfield Township School District presented a commissioned choral piece by composer Rollo Dilworth, “Together We Rise,” created with student workshops and premiered Aug. 28 with more than 60 student singers and district staff.
Springfield Township — The Springfield Township School District spotlighted a newly commissioned anthem, Together We Rise, composed for the district by Rollo Dilworth and premiered Aug. 28 by a convocation choir made up of elementary through high school students and staff.
District Superintendent Dr. Yannickone introduced the musical spotlight at the Sept. 16 board meeting and invited choral director Amy Benton and Erdenheim music teacher Tyler Gibson to explain the year‑long commission and rehearsal process. Benton said the composition resulted from a collaborative process that included student and staff surveys and in‑person workshops with Dilworth in February 2025.
“From these workshops, he was able to get a sense of their abilities, vocal ranges, and what kinds of themes were important to them to be included in the work,” Benton said. The choir’s world premiere on Aug. 28 included over 60 student singers from grades 4–12 and more than 20 staff members, Benton said.
Student singers described the experience as formative. “I love how it has given me the chance to sing outside of school with all my friends,” said Isaac Darga, identifying himself as a student singer. Another student who took the microphone described the workshops and premiere as “so much fun” and said the piece taught appreciation for community and musical teamwork.
Superintendent Dr. Yannickone praised Dilworth’s ability to adapt material for singers at different levels while challenging them musically. Board members presented Benton, Gibson and other music teachers with a framed set of lyrics in recognition of their work bringing the convocation choir to life.
The district said the anthem does not replace the school alma mater; administrators described Together We Rise as an additional, recurring convocation tradition. Board members and the superintendent encouraged continued support for arts programming across the district.
The district played a recorded performance of the premiere for meeting attendees and credited Dilworth and the music staff for the year‑long collaboration that produced the work.
