--The Newburgh Chorale Sings of Inclusivity, Identity, and Unity--
Join us for an unforgettable musical journey as The Newburgh Chorale presents its annual Spring Concert, celebrating themes of inclusivity, identity, and unity. The concerts will take place on June 8, 2025, at King of Kings Lutheran Church in New Windsor, NY, and on June 15, at Blooming Grove United Church of Christ in Blooming Grove, NY. Both performances will begin at 4 PM and are about 90 minutes in length, including a brief intermission.
The concert, conducted by Janiece Kohler and accompanied by pianist Ruthanne Schempf, will feature a diverse array of choral selections that are sure to uplift, inspire, and provoke thought. Highlights include "Follow the Drinking Gourd," an American folk song arranged by Greg Gilpin, which contains coded information used by escaping slaves to find freedom via the North Star (Polaris). "Festival Sanctus" by John Leavitt, written for the 1988 International Choral Symposium, combines syncopated rhythms with sizzling piano work, making it a joy to sing. The commercially successful "Nella Fantasia," based on the theme "Gabriel’s Oboe" from the movie The Mission and popularized by Sarah Brightman, will also be included.
One of the sweetest pieces in the concert is "The Seal Lullaby" by Eric Whitacre, featuring the poignant words from Rudyard Kipling’s poem "The White Seal." In this touching piece, a mother seal comforts her young pup, assuring them of their safety as she describes the serene night and the dark sea. The choir, accompanied by percussionists, will have fun with "Sesere Eeye" arranged by Greg Gilpin, sung in the traditional language of the Torres Strait Islands. This song features a simple, catchy melody that builds in harmonic texture with each repetition.
The concert will also include "Songs My Heart Has Taught Me" by Bob Chilcott, a passionate four-movement work exploring themes of inclusivity, identity, and unity. The movements, entitled Unison, Harmony, Rhythm, and Resolution, use musical concepts to help us understand our commonality. This piece will bring singers and audience together in a celebration of all that unites us! Finally, the concert will culminate in a beautiful Lloyd Larson arrangement of "Amazing Grace! How Sweet the Sound," chosen to unite the voices of the chorale and audience in song.
By concert's end, the audience will, in the words of Chilcott’s third movement, Rhythm, be able to "Clap it, Tap it, even Rap it" and definitely "Feel the pulse and set life’s beat!"
Newburgh Chorale performances are open to the public without charge. Tickets are not required. Donations are appreciated.
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