North and South American 20th century and contemporary choral works, including a world premiere by John Myers

The program is based on the idea of music as a bridge between some of America’s important cultures: African American, Latin American, Appalachian/Indigenous, and South Asian. The repertoire includes the world premiere of a composition commissioned by Crescendo: composer John Myers wrote a four-movement-work “In Search of the Bridge” for chorus, soloists and instrumental ensemble. Based on the poetry of four living female poets, it is a collage and blend of some of the specific styles and art forms that distinguish these cultures. It includes traditional elements of Western classical music, Cuban salsa, Andean themes, South Asian classical music and dance, and rap-like rhythmic elements. This collaboration between the composer, Bard College at Simon's Rock, and Crescendo, intends to bridge ethnical, political, generational, and religious division, and transcend the arbitrary boundaries that separate us from each other.

On the program are also choral arrangements and compositions by the notable African American composer Nathaniel R. Dett, a pioneer, innovator, and trailblazer in American music at the beginning of the 20th century; Florence Price, the first female composer of African descent to have a symphonic work performed by a major national symphony orchestra; Ysaÿe Barnwell, a composer, arranger, author, actress, and former member of the Black women’s a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock; Gustavo Cerati, an Argentine musician, singer-songwriter and record producer, who gained international recognition for being the leader, vocalist, composer and guitarist of the rock band Soda Stereo; and works by other composers and arrangers from North and South America.

Crescendo Chorus and soloists Nadia Aguilar, soprano, Igor Ferreira, tenor, and Jermaine Woodard Jr., baritone, with an instrumental ensemble: flute, quena, tarka (Native American flute), toyo (Andean pan flute), clarinet, charango, guitar, viola, piano, organ, conducted by Crescendo’s Founding Artistic Director Christine Gevert.

This concert will also be presented the previous Friday, April 28 at 7:30pm at Trinity Church, Lakeville, CT.