The Allentown Symphony Orchestra will present the second of its two New Chamber Music concerts of the season on Tuesday, March 24 at 7 p.m. at Resurrected Life Church on Hamilton Street in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Titled “America 250: Voices and Reflections,” the program is designed to mark the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary by highlighting new works inspired by historic American texts and themes. The performance will feature original compositions by primarily regional composers, written for combinations of violin, cello, piano, and baritone voice.
The historic venue itself carries Revolutionary War significance. The building — formerly Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ — is recognized as the site where the Liberty Bell was hidden from British forces between September 1777 and June 1778.
Nine composers were selected through a call for scores by Composer-in-Residence Clarice Assad and Music Director and Conductor Diane Wittry. Each work, approximately five minutes in length, draws on writings by American authors or historical figures. Texts will be incorporated through projected visuals, spoken narration, or vocal performance by baritone soloist Michael Kelly. The concert will also include a composition by Assad.
Assad described the program as a reflection on both the ideals and contradictions of the American experience, moving through key moments such as the Civil War and World War II while centering voices historically underrepresented in traditional narratives.
Featured composers include Scott Watson, Calvin Kiefer, Tom Maher, Ethan Monberg, Howard Buss, Bettina Gray, Ava Bloomfield, Keith Donahue, and Jorge Vera, the orchestra’s Musician-in-Residence.
Tickets are $10 and available at the door or through the Miller Symphony Hall box office. Students age 21 and under are admitted free.
