Horizon Ensemble: American Portraits

“I, too, sing America.”

The Horizon Ensemble celebrates the 250th birthday of our colorful nation in American Portraits! Join us for some energizing American music this Sunday, October 18 at 3 PM in the Church of the Covenant at 67 Newbury St. 

Our concert begins with Five Folksongs in Counterpoint, a lushly scored string quartet by the trailblazing Florence Price. Next, in the world premiere of The Promise Unfinished, through combining Western orchestral sounds with Indian classical instruments, local Boston composer Shannon Jacob asks: what does it mean to be American? The soulful Poem in October by John Corigliano sets poetry of youth and memory by Dylan Thomas, featuring tenor Leo Balkovetz. We finish with Aaron Copland’s raucous ballet Rodeo, full of pioneering dances and smiles. Yeehaw!

In the American spirit, you, the audience, will get to vote on how our music director Julian Gau pronounces "Rodeo". Is it "ROH-dee-oh"? Or is it "roh-DAY-oh"? You tell us! During intermission, we'll take your vote, and Julian will speak using the winning pronunciation. Hooray for the democratic process!

This is a pay-what-you-can concert, with suggested donation of $25. We will collect donations in person at the concert, or you can find us on Venmo at @HorizonEnsemble. Posters, stickers, and other merchandise will be available for purchase!

This concert is wheelchair-accessible. No bright or flashing lights are allowed at this event. If you can't make it in person, there will be a YouTube livestream: https://youtube.com/live/iqia77HMPbw

See you soon!

Program:
Florence Price: Five Folksongs in Counterpoint for string quartet (1951)
Shannon Jacob: The Promise Unfinished (2026) - world premiere!
John Corigliano: Poem in October (1970) - with tenor Leo Balkovetz
Aaron Copland: Rodeo (1939)