CELEBRATE EARTH DAY with Hymn for the Earth by Matthew Sklar (music) & William Schermerhorn (lyrics)

Hymn for the Earth was created as a heartfelt tribute to our planet, with music by Matthew Sklar (Wedding Singer, Elf, Prom) and lyrics by William Schermerhorn (Macy’s Parade, Yes, Virginia The Musical). The piece was commissioned, at the suggestion of Judith Clurman, who, as an editor of a choral series for Hal Leonard, felt a deep need for a work that honors the beauty, fragility, and unity of the Earth. Her vision helped bring this inspiring composition to life.

Judith also recorded Hymn for the Earth for her Listen to the World album (Troy1994) with her Essential Voices USA, further sharing its message of hope and stewardship with audiences around the world. The sheet music is available through Hal Leonard (1853024) and can be performed either as an a cappella arrangement for mixed chorus or with string accompaniment, offering flexibility for a wide range of ensembles.

This Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, let this moving piece remind us of our shared responsibility to care for the planet and of the power of music to bring people together in celebration of the world we call home.

Matthew Sklar is a Tony, Emmy, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle–nominated composer behind Broadway hits The Prom, Elf the Musical, and The Wedding Singer. His work has earned multiple Tony nominations and awards, with songs performed by artists like Julie Andrews, Ariana DeBose, and Josh Groban. He began his career at 18 as a keyboardist and conductor for Les Misérables. William Schermerhorn is a two-time Emmy Award-winning creative leader working across songwriting, playwriting, and directing. He spent three decades shaping major live events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Fourth of July Fireworks, alongside theater and historical productions. His work has premiered at Carnegie Hall, and he now contributes to America’s 250th anniversary initiatives. Judith Clurman is an Emmy- and Grammy-nominated musician, conductor, and Musical Director of Essential Voices USA. She has been the Director of Choral Activities at Juilliard, worked with Columbia and the NEA, Harvard, and Cambridge, and has collaborated with leading orchestras and composers. Her work includes commissioning over seventy composers and developing recordings and anthologies of classical music.