WITH UNITED VOICES

The Camerata Singers, Chamber Singers and soprano Lisa Edwards-Burrs of Virginia’s Longwood University will present a free concert at Saint John’s Episcopal Church in Beltsville, MD on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.

by Patrick D. McCoy

Longwood University Associate Professor of Voice-soprano Lisa Edwards-Burrs will also perform on the program.

This special concert themed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” explores the themes surrounding Jamestown 1619: the 400th anniversary of the first African slaves brought into the Virginia colony; the first elected assembly meeting (in the choir loft of the church); and the first strike by Polish craftsmen wanting the same voting rights as the British colonists.  From music written around this time to contemporary choral music with texts that explore these themes, the concert invites us to consider many perspectives and our common journey as human beings. We conclude with the iconic Lift Every Voice and Sing, a powerful song of hope and perseverance.

Conducted by Dr. Pamela McDermott, these groups are the premiere, auditioned choral ensembles of Longwood University in Farmville, VA. They are comprised of approximately 30 undergraduate students from across the University.   “It is our hope that the experiences and connections they make through choir equip and motivate them to become musical leaders in their life-communities beyond college.” said Dermott about the program.

Camerata and Chamber Singers will be joined by accompanist by Kristen Topham and guest soloist, a favorite among Richmond and Washington, D.C.  audiences, soprano Lisa Edwards-Burrs both professors at Longwood University.

This concert is free and the public is cordially invited to attend.

The Longwood University The Camerata Singers and Chamber Singers in Concert-Saturday, November 2, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. 

Saint John’s Episcopal Church, 11040 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD

Learn more about music at Longwood University at www.longwood.edu/music. For more information, contact Dr. Pamela McDermott, mcdermottpd@longwood.edu.

A native of Petersburg, VA, Patrick holds a BM in Vocal Performance from Virginia State University and a MM in Church Music from Shenandoah Conservatory.  Formerly the Performing Arts Columnist for Washington Life Magazine, he currently is a freelance writer, publishing articles for several noted publications, including The Washington Post, Early Music America Classical Music Voice North America, The Afro-American Newspaper, CBS Washington and Examiner.com.  He is a member of the Music Critics Association of North America, National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc., The American Choral Directors’ Association, a member of the Shenandoah University Alumni Board of Directors and a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.  He serves as Organist/Choirmaster at Saint John’s Episcopal Church, Zion Parish in Beltsville, MD. Visit http://patrickdmccoy.com