Tour Repertoire

A panoramic sampling of "American Choral Masterpieces: Past, Present & Beyond," the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers will perform selections spanning three centuries of United States history, from William Billings (1746), to folksongs of the 1800s, to 20th century masters such as Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein. Works of contemporary composers William Bolcom, Eric Whitacre and Aaron Jay Kernis complete the programme.

American Choral Masterpieces
The Day is Done - Stephen Paulus
I Cannot Dance, O Lord - Aaron Jay Kernis
Native American Suite - Brent Michael Davids
Sing, My Soul - Ned Rorem
O Praise the Lord of Heaven - William Billings
Water Night - Eric Whitacre
Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine - Eric Whitacre
Alleluia from Mass - Leonard Bernstein
Ave Maria - Nathaniel Dett
The God Who Gave Us Life from Testament of Freedom - Randall Thompson
Battle Hymn of the Republic - arr. Roy Ringwald

American Folksongs & Spirituals
Ching-A-Ring-Chaw - arr. Aaron Copland
Zion’s Walls - arr. Aaron Copland
Simple Gifts - arr. Aaron Copland
Truth - Rollo Dilworth
Deep River - arr. Henry T. Burleigh
Dixie - arr. Norman Luboff
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot - arr. Dale Adelmann
Witness - arr. Jack Halloran
My Soul’s Been Anchored - arr. Moses Hogan
Skip to My Lou - arr. Norman Luboff
O Susanna & Gentle Annie - Stephen Foster

Piano Solo
Knock-out Rag (world premiere) - William Bolcom