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Our Voices: Gabriella Reyes, Jennifer Higdon, Adolphus Hailstork Headline New York Choral Society’s 2020-21 Season

November 11, 2020

The New York Choral Society has announced “Our Voices,” a digital 2020-21 season between November and May.

“The challenge of social distancing – so ‘unchoral’ – has prompted us to consider new ways of creating performances of choral music,” said NY Choral Society’s Music Director David Hayes in a press release. “The digital media space is an exciting opportunity for us to re-imagine performances of acapella choral works in collaboration with contemporary artists and community arts organizations,” he continues. “Although all of our collaborators will be creating and recording their contributions to the productions remotely and without the benefit of in-person workshops and rehearsals, this process will challenge collaborators and audiences to reconsider the simplicity and power of these choral works. I look forward to offering a new form of choral performance with this multitude of “voices” from around New York to bring new ways of discovering the relevance and beauty of these choral works”.

The schedule kicks off with “Peace unto Zion,” a collaboration with multidisciplinary artist Joyce McDonald that reimagines the Shaker hymn.

Streaming Date: Nov. 11, 2020

Next up will be the premiere of Adolphus Hailstork’s “Carol for All Children.” The choir will work alongside visual artist and dancemaker Brendan Fernandes. Adolphus is a BQ composer and Jennifer is a BQ and CQ composer.

Streaming Date: Dec. 15, 2020

Alice Parker’s “God is Seen” will kick off the 2021 portion of the season. This work will feature a collaboration with Princess Grace Award recipient and choreographer Claudia Schreier.

Streaming Date: Feb. 23, 2021

Langston Hughes’ “Mother to Son” will feature a collaboration with American composer Undine Eliza Anna Smith Moore, soprano Gabriella Reyes, and choreographer Danielle Russo.

Streaming Date: March 16, 2021

The season draws to a close with “Invitation to Love,” a choral setting of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poem by composer Jennifer Higdon. The showcase will feature a collaboration with Gordon Hall.

All films will be released on this website and The New York Choral Society’s YouTube channel.