This beloved American anthem began as a poem by Wellesley professor and writer Katharine Lee Bates, inspired during an 1893 trip to Colorado’s Pikes Peak. Her words, first published in 1895, celebrate the vast landscapes and democratic ideals of the United States. Composer Samuel A. Ward, a church organist from New Jersey, had written the stirring melody “Materna” more than a decade earlier. Though Bates and Ward never met, their works were joined posthumously in 1910 to create “America the Beautiful.”
Tonight, you’ll experience this anthem in two contrasting forms: a bold military fanfare arrangement that evokes national ceremony and civic pride, and a deeply personal, soulful 1972 recording by Ray Charles, whose interpretation reframes the song as a plea for justice, brotherhood, and healing. Together, these versions show how a single piece of music can reflect both the promise and the complexity of America—across time, genres, and communities.
Choreography: Keith Lee (2024)
Music by Samuel A. Ward (1882) | Text by Katharine Lee Bates (1895)
Arrangements: Ray Charles (1972 recording) & Military Fanfare (instrumental)
Costumes: Ty Cooper Grace
Dancers: Say Ayers, Simone Ayres, Jeanne Berthy, Yui Kaito, Gabriella Fedewa, Eden Heille, Edgardo Lacaba, Isaac Lee, Daniel Miller, Adelyn Nicholson, Catherine Sperduto, Kathryn Tokar Conley
All rights to the sound recording throughout the world are owned by the Ray Charles Foundation and used under license. All rights reserved.
Katharine Lee Bates (1859-1929) was a poet, professor, and social advocate who wrote the words to America the Beautiful in 1893 after a visit to Pikes Peak. Then a Wellesley College English professor, she was inspired by the natural beauty of the American landscape and the ideals of unity and justice. Her original poem, first published in 1895, became a patriotic anthem that continues to resonate more than a century later.
Samuel A. Ward (1847–1903) was a gifted organist and composer from New Jersey, he originally wrote the tune "Materna" in 1882 for a church hymn. Though he never met Bates, his soaring melody was paired with her poem in 1910, creating the beloved version of "America the Beautiful" known today. Ward passed away in 1903, never hearing how his music would help define a nation’s voice.
Ray Charles (1930–2004) was a legendary American singer, pianist, and composer known for blending gospel, blues, jazz, and R&B into a sound uniquely his own. Blind from an early age, he became one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, with timeless hits like “Georgia on My Mind” and “What’d I Say.” He was also a trailblazer in fighting for artistic control and civil rights, famously refusing to play segregated venues.
His 1972 rendition of “America the Beautiful” showcases his signature style—soulful, heartfelt, and deeply moving—and continues to be one of the most celebrated interpretations of the patriotic hymn.