Ars Musica Chorale presents "American Voices"

Spring Arrives Early with Ars Musica Chorale's “American Voices” 

April showers bring May flowers, but why wait until then? Ars Musica Chorale offers an early glimpse of spring with its flower-themed concert of American music at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Saturday, March 15, at 8pm. “American Voices” features works by some of this country's most appealing and dynamic composers, including William Billings, Eric Whitacre, and Vince Peterson, Choirmaster and Organist at St. Paul's, whose Litanies will be premiered by the Chorale, now in its 48th season.

Complementing the premiere of Mr. Peterson's Litanies, the concert also celebrates the 30th birthday of Vincent Persichetti's cantata, Flower Songs. These works, with texts by Walt Whitman and E.E. Cummings, respectively, capture the spirit of America in the voices of two of its favorite literary poets. Additionally, no American choral concert would be complete without the work of Leonard Bernstein, whose moving finale to Candide, “Make Our Garden Grow,” closes the program. 

Be sure to join Vince Peterson and Music Director, Dusty Francis, for a free preconcert discussion at 7 pm about the creation of Litanies. Concert tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door; children 12 years and younger are free. Visit ArsMusica.org or call (551) 226-9305 to order.

Ars Musica Chorale, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Funding for Ars Musica's regular concert season has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Department of State, through grant funds administered by the Bergen County Department of Parks, Division of Cultural and Historical Affairs.