“Consecrate the Place and Day” — Lloyd Pfautsch
This vibrant choral work is both a celebration and an invocation. With energetic rhythms and bright harmonic colors, the music calls listeners to set apart the present moment as something sacred. Pfautsch, a respected American composer and educator, was known for writing music that feels immediate and purposeful, and this piece embodies that spirit. The text invites performers and audience alike to pause, gather, and recognize the power of shared experience. Opening a concert with this work creates a sense of anticipation — as if the space itself is being prepared for something meaningful to unfold.
“Flight Song” — Kim André Arnesen
Inspired by a poem about the wonder and freedom of flight, this lyrical and emotionally expansive piece captures the human longing to rise beyond limitations. Arnesen’s writing blends rich, cinematic harmonies with soaring melodic lines that seem to lift the choir upward. The music moves between moments of introspection and sweeping grandeur, mirroring the journey from grounded stillness to exhilarating motion. Audiences often find themselves drawn into the piece’s atmosphere of hope, courage, and transcendence — a musical reminder of the beauty found in striving toward something greater.
“I Am the Rose of Sharon” — William Billings
Written by one of America’s earliest choral composers, this piece offers a glimpse into the sound world of early American sacred music. Billings’ style is direct, expressive, and full of character, reflecting both the spiritual devotion and communal energy of 18th-century singing traditions. The text, drawn from biblical imagery, celebrates beauty and divine presence through simple yet powerful musical gestures. Its open harmonies and strong melodic lines remind listeners that choral music in early America was as much about shared participation as polished performance — a living expression of faith and community.
“All That Hath Life and Breath, Praise Ye the Lord!” — René Clausen
A joyful outpouring of praise, this piece bursts with rhythmic vitality and expressive contrast. Clausen, long associated with the renowned Concordia Choir, is celebrated for writing music that balances technical brilliance with emotional warmth. The work alternates between exuberant proclamation and moments of reverent reflection, building toward a thrilling conclusion. Its message is universal: all living things are invited into a shared act of gratitude. The music’s sweeping phrases and luminous harmonies create an atmosphere of celebration that feels both grand and deeply human.
“Afternoon on a Hill” — Eric William Barnum
Set to a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, this piece captures the quiet joy of a peaceful moment in nature. Barnum’s music paints the scene with delicate textures and gentle, flowing lines that evoke sunlight, open air, and simple contentment. Rather than dramatic intensity, the work offers a sense of wonder in stillness — an appreciation for the beauty found in being fully present. Its transparent harmonies and graceful pacing invite listeners to pause, breathe, and share in the calm reflection of a serene afternoon.
“Music Down in My Soul” — Moses Hogan
This spirited arrangement of a traditional spiritual radiates energy and joy from the very first measure. Hogan, one of the most influential arrangers of spirituals, was known for transforming familiar melodies into thrilling concert works that retain their expressive depth and cultural roots. Driving rhythms, dynamic contrasts, and vibrant harmonies convey the irresistible power of music as a source of strength and inspiration. The piece celebrates music not just as sound, but as something deeply felt — a force that uplifts, unites, and moves the human spirit.