...To The Ever-new Dawn is a level 4+ piece for SATB Choir & Piano. It is an excellent work for high school, college, and strong community choirs. The work was commissioned by Dr. Peggy Dettwiler, Director of Choral Activities at Mansfield University, Mansfield, Pa.

The text chosen by Dr. Dettwiler, Look To This Day, is taken from 5th century writings attributed to Kalidasa from the Sanskrit tradition. The text extols, in such a wonderful way, that the most precious commodity we are given is the time we have each day. It describes how in each day are "all the verities and realities of ones existence". Each day "is life, the very life of life" and when "...well lived, makes yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope."  It is a profound text in a wonderful setting with beautiful harmonic colors. These words are so important for students (and adults) to know and audiences to hear.

Text

Look To This Day - From the Sanskrit tradition, attributed to Kalidasa (c. 400 - 500 CE)

Look to this day:
For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course
Lie all the verities and realities of your existence.
The bliss of growth,
The glory of action,
The splendor of achievement
Are but experiences of time.

Look to this day:
For it is life, the very life of life.

For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision;
But today well-lived,
Makes yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Look to this day:
For it is life, the very life of life, this day well lived. Look to this day!