Celebrating Democracy and the upcoming election, Voices of America presents the music of composers and poets from across the American experience.

The concert will feature soprano Andrea Edith Moore singing Copland's iconic songs on Emily Dickson's poetry. She will also perform the orchestral World Premiere of Peter Askim's To Make A Prairie, also set to Dickinson's poetry, and Lee Hoiby's Lady of the Harbor,  with Emma Lazarus' text from the Statue of Liberty ("Give me your poor...")

The orchestra will also present the North Carolina premieres of Julia Perry's Prelude and Ye, Who Seek The Truth. Ms. Perry, a Black composer whose works had largely been forgotten, would have celebrated her 100th Anniversary this year.

Continuing the orchestra's nine-year project of presenting a World Premiere on every concert, the orchestra will perform the World Premiere of Ahmed Al Abaca's Beacons. The music will explore the richness of Black American Music. Envisioned as a tone poem that weaves in and out of the lush, spiritual, intricate and complicated spirit of the Black American musical tradition, Beacons will draw from the great Black American composers whom they consider to be beacons of light for contemporary Black composers — keeping them inspired, alive, and focused. Al Abaca will compose a piece that is reflective of their own musical voice, while also paying homage to those who came before them.

The concert will also feature NC State Professor of Political Science Stephen Greene speaking on the upcoming election and North Carolina's unique place in the national conversation.

Join us in the lobby from 3pm for representatives from Voting Arts Lab and NC State's Pack the Polls for more information on how to make YOUR American voice count!

This performance is presented by the Department of Performing Arts and Technology in conjunction with the Raleigh Civic Association.