Announcing a New Partnership with the New York Philharmonic

In September the New York Philharmonic will begin celebrating its 175^th anniversary season. As the oldest symphony orchestra in the United States, the celebration’s focus will be in its home, New York City, and the vibrant music culture that belongs only to our City. There are many plans in place, but the one ChoralFest USA 2017 will be involved with is The New World Initiative (NWI).

The NWI is a community outreach project that evolves from a major event in the Philharmonic’s history, the 1893 world premiere of Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, From the New World, the Philharmonic’s first world premiere of a work written in New York that would become immediately and enduringly popular.

The complete work represents a yearning for new beginnings while also looking back to where we came from, which is captured in the beautiful Largo theme, commonly known as “Goin’ Home.” The NWI aims to give all New Yorkers the opportunity to hear and creatively engage with Dvořák’s New World Symphony, understand it’s significance, and appreciate its role within New York’s cultural history.

After all of the ChoralFest USA participating choirs have individually performed throughout the day on June 3, 2017, they will gather onstage to perform the William Arms Fisher’s choral arrangement of “Goin’ Home.under the direction of ChoralFest USA's Artistic Director Harold Rosenbaum. The evening will conclude with the choirs plus the audience singing Randall Thompson's most popular composition, "Alleluia."

ChoralFest USA was created to delight and inspire audiences with performances of choral works written by American composers since the time of Aaron Copland, the dean of American composers. Our first event in 2015 was a huge success.
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In 2016 we expanded repertoire options to include non-American composers as well, both past and present. Our 2016 event was also a huge success. Choirs from across the country may apply. We look forward to our next marathon concert on Saturday, June 3, 2017 from 3-10PM, If your choir is interested in performing, please download, fill in and return the application.

What a joy it was to hear so many wonderful voices raised in song - Choral Fest was a beautiful event! Thank you, Harold Rosenbaum.
Regina, Regina Ryan Publishing Enterprises, Inc.
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When the founder of an event comes to conduct some of his own choirs, the audience experiences the breadth of musical tradition along the timeline. Working alongside other choirs opens the experience to the many types and methods of choral music. — Dora Kolin
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Attending the Choralfest at Symphonyspace last Saturday was a unique experience. Never in my career have I attended such an intense choral event in such a friendly and informal setting.— Reuben Pace Composer and producer Siggiewi, Malta, Europe
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It was incredibly inspiring to experience the artistry that dedicated people can create when they raise their voices together. The ads promised “a celebration of the diversity of choral music” – and the event certainly lived up to expectations! — Cheers, Elsa
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For choral conductors, singers, and devoted audience members, Choralfest offers a unique opportunity to hear the entire spectrum of choral music presented by student, community, and professional choirs on one stage, on one day. We were thrilled to add our voices to this important celebration of the diversity in American choral singing.” — Alice Cavanaugh, Suffolk Singers of Suffolk County Community College, Long Island N.Y.
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It was a great challenge and honor to participate in Choralfest USA with other choirs. Thanks to Director Harold to invite and give an opportunity to our Promise Children's Choir.Thank you! — Sung Jin Jun ___________________________________________________________________

"A wonderful opportunity to meet and greet conductors, singers, and composers from all over the city!" — Dr. Evelyn Troester DeGraf
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Participating in ChoralFest USA was an awe inspiring experience for Lavender Light.The level of musical excellence on display that afternoon was a pleasure to behold. Getting to perform on the stage at Symphony Space was a special treat. Many thanks to Harold and Edie, for making this wonderful event possible year after year.— Yours in Song, Maria-Elena Grant Chorus Manager, Lavender Light Gospel Choir

We would like to express our deep appreciation to ECS Publishing for donating
500 scores of Randall Thompson's "Alleluia" to ChoralFest USA.