Event

American Voices Part II

The second of a three-part series featuring American composers, this program features American composers who found their inspiration in American writers. The program will be accompanied by a full orchestra. The composers range from Randall Thompson, considered by many to be the best of the 20th century, to still-living artists who are capturing positive critical attention: Cecil Effinger, Michael Conley and Paul Basler. As an extra bonus, audience members are invited to a pre-concert talk starting at 6:45 pm by Michael Conley regarding his composition based on the poetry of Emily Dickinson, and by book author, actress, and expert/lecturer on Dickinson, Barbara Dana.

The program will perform Thompson's Americana, a delightfully entertaining work in which he puts to music the simple writings of everyday Americans that appeared in local newspapers during the 1930's, and that illustrate and often poke fun at what was going on in the country. Composer Cecil Effinger of Colorado was so moved by fellow Coloradan and "Poet of the Rockies," Thomas Hornsby Ferril, that he lovingly set his Four Pastorales poetry collection to music. Hudson Chorale Music Director, Michael Conley, is an accomplished composer in addition to being a conductor and singer. The chorus will perform his tribute to America's own Emily Dickinson in a collection titled This Bequest of Wings, based on a sample of her prolific writing. Composers all have a different take on the one-word lyric and title Alleluia; the program will include the Paul Basler version which is rich in dynamics of tempo and rhythm, featuring conga drums and tambourines in the accompaniment. Don't miss this fabulous red-white-and-blue concert!