"Songs of Ourselves" -- American choral music sung by City Voices

City Voices, the acclaimed chamber chorus directed by William Chin, explores the astoundingly rich tradition of American choral singing in a program that spans the old and the new, the heavenly and the worldly. The program presents a kaleidoscopic portrait of America through its rich legacy of choral music, from colonial era works to African American spirituals to reinterpreted classics by contemporary stars. “America’s choral tradition comes from so many different sources,” says Chin. “This program blends languages, faiths, and forms of cultural expression – like America itself.” The concert showcases dynamic resettings of texts that the audience will likely know well. For “America the Beautiful,” Shawn Kirchner sets the classic lyric against bold new harmonies, offering a fresh experience of one of the nation’s most meaningful and beloved texts. Kirchner also includes newly written stanzas that acknowledge the country’s darkest periods, while expressing hope for the future. Bobby McFerrin’s meditative setting of “The 23rd Psalm” reshapes the prayer in honor of his mother. And Edwin London bends J.S. Bach’s “Come, Sweet Death” into a listening experience that conjures the great beyond. The line-up also features musical portraits of the American landscape, captured at a specific moment in time. ​​Henry Clay Work’s “Crossing the Grand Sierras” evokes the transcontinental railroad in the mid-1800s. “The Circus Band” by Charles Ives recreates a parade through town. Instead of showcasing the composer’s more typical dissonant mode, the work is jovial and jubilant. “He’s drawing from his childhood,” says Chin, “and capturing a particular period of American history.” Audiences will also hear a variety of pieces from the African American spiritual canon, including Moses Hogan’s setting of “I’m Gonna Sing ‘Til the Spirit” and Ysaye Barnwell’s “Spiritual Quodlibet.” Contemporary composer Adrian Dunn riffs on the form with the stunning “Bells,” a powerful reimagining of the traditional “Rockin' Jerusalem,” in tribute to Tamir Rice. Other featured works include selections from Morten Lauridsen’s “Les Chansons des Roses” and Rosephanye Powell’s “The Word Was God,” as well as the familiar favorites “Shenandoah” arranged by James Erb and the pop song “Sunny” written by Bobby Hebb and arranged by Kirby Shaw. From a cappella shape-note singing to accompanied classical performance, the concert will blend the virtuosic and the accessible for an exciting listening experience. Chicago pianist Bobby Nguyen will join City Voices for these performances.

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