Commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we focus on artists’ musical open letters to America, which reflect narratives around the summer homes of turn-of-the-century Black folk; dreams; unspoken emotions; rituals of celebration; and the connection between the historic and current patriotism of Black American women.

‍
Karen Slack, soprano

Amanda Goookin, cello

Cynthia Yeh, percussion

Carolyn Kuan, conductor

‍

Hello, America: Letters to Us, from Us

JOSEPH PHILIPS, We hold these truths (ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)

BRITTANY GREEN, Letters to America (ACO Co-commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)

KITE, Wičhínčala Šakówin (ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)

SHELLEY WASHINGTON, Haymaker (ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)

JESSIE MONTGOMERY, Procession (arrangement)