Our natural world is full of wonders; the gentle flow of streams, the quiet strength of fields, the whisper of leaves, the shimmer of stars… each speaking to the human spirit in profound and unexpected ways. This program celebrates those wonders in a rich tapestry of American choral music, woven from the enduring voices of Aaron Copland and Samuel Barber, the radiant harmonies of Eric Whitacre and René Clausen, and the fresh perspectives of emerging artists.

An American Landscape offers serene reflection, tender emotion, and stirring exuberance, inviting us to pause, breathe, and connect with beauty that uplifts and surrounds. At the heart of this journey are two poetic voices of extraordinary resonance. Wendell Berry’s The Peace of Wild Things enfolds us in solace and freedom, a quiet embrace of nature’s grace. Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass lifts us in jubilant celebration of life, humanity, and the universal song that unites us all.

Together, these texts and their musical settings shape a voyage of peace, joy, and introspection—a reminder that in the harmony of nature, the song of the heart, and the power of human expression, we discover connection, hope, and the enduring beauty of the world around us.