Octavo Singers are proud to present our Fall 2023 concert, “Down to the River: Celebrating American Choral Heritage.” We are excited to perform this program for many reasons. It will feature a dynamic array of literature from the earliest American choral music in the 18th century New England fuguing tunes of William Billings, to camp-meeting songs of the 19th century later arranged by prolific American composers Aaron Copland and Virgil Tompson, to the absolute gem, Fern Hill, by contemporary American composer John Corigliano. Scattered throughout the program will also be classic American hymns and folk tunes.

​We will be accompanied by our fabulous chamber orchestra and pianist Trevor Kahlbaugh, and joined by the wonderful Tess McCarthy, mezzo-soprano. This concert will be a rather historically minded program, presented at the beautiful First Reformed Church in the heart of the Schenectady Stockade. With so much rich and reverent music steeped in American history, we aim to present something for everyone, and expect it will be one not to miss.