Civil Words: An American Album
The first commercial recording of Jennifer Higdon's Civil Words — pre-order now and make it happen.
Robin McGinness, baritone · John Henderson, piano
In 1861, Americans went to war with each other, and the letters, speeches, and poems they left behind still read like dispatches from a divided country. Jennifer Higdon set some of those texts in Civil Words, a cycle for baritone and piano that has never received a commercial recording.
This November, pianist John Henderson and I are recording it at Sono Luminus, alongside Samuel Barber's Three Songs, Op. 10 and Charles Ives's Three Songs of the War — three American composers, one unbroken line from the Civil War through World War I, all asking the same question: what does war cost the people who live through it?
Your pre-order funds the recording. Every dollar goes to studio time, engineering, editing, mixing, and mastering. This is an independent, artist-produced album: no label, no institution, just musicians and the people who want this music to exist.
$2,550
raised of our $7,500 goal · 2 backers
34% of the way there. Includes $2,000 in grant funding secured before launch. Updated 2026-09-02.
Campaign runs through December 15, 2026
How it works
- Digital pre-orders ($8–19, name your price) open closer to release; backers at $50 and up can reserve now.
- Higher tiers add signed cards, physical CDs, liner note credits, and more (see below).
- If we pass $8,500, we commission original album artwork; a signed print becomes available at the top tier.
- If we reach $10,000, we host a house concert with dinner for backers at $250+.
Tiers
| Tier | You get | Pre-order |
|---|---|---|
| $8–19 | Digital album pre-order (name your price) Digital pre-orders open closer to release — newsletter subscribers hear first. | |
| $50 | + signed thank-you card | Back this tier → |
| $100 | + signed physical CD (if base goal is met) | Back this tier → |
| $175 | + your name in the liner notes | Back this tier → |
| $250 | + seat at the house concert with dinner (if $10k stretch is met; limited to 15) | Back this tier → |
| $500 | + associate producer credit | Back this tier → |
| $750 | + signed print of the commissioned album art (if $8.5k stretch is met) | Back this tier → |
Tiers of $50 and up go through PayPal now — choose your tier at checkout, where you can also give your shipping address and the name you'd like to appear in the album materials. The $8–19 digital pre-order opens closer to release; newsletter subscribers hear first. Questions, or paying by check? Get in touch.
FAQ
- When does the album come out?
- Recording happens in November 2026; release date to be announced. Backers get it first.
- Is this tax-deductible?
- No — it's a pre-order, not a donation. You're buying the album early (and at the best price it will ever be).
- What if the goal isn't met?
- The recording happens regardless; the campaign determines how much of it I carry personally and whether the stretch rewards exist.
- How long does the campaign run?
- Through December 15, 2026.