The source of the text for We Welcome Summer is unusual: a book of prayers written by an Australian newspaper cartoonist whose work is syndicated in a number of publications. It may be read on several levels and in several contexts. The Australian sun with its harshness and brilliance is the subject of a number of major artistic works including the famous ballet Sun Music by Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe . Many Australian painters have commented on the characteristic “ light ” of the Australian landscape, a light expressed in many twentieth century paintings. We Welcome Summer is a choral paean to the rich, hot, burning vibrant beauty of summer and the ligh t of the sun. It may also be viewed as an Epiphany anthem, welcoming light to the world. Significantly, Epiphany occurs at the height of the southern hemisphere summer. The conductor should use 2 beats per bar in conducting the 5/8 sections but the melodies are intended to be fluid and not tied to regular 3+2 accents.