Vibrant Sounds of Latin Islands and Cultures

This recital will feature new works by Margaret Griebling-Haigh and Johanny Navarro. Each piece will be an aural color palette of features of the composers’ hometown.

Trocadillos
II. Silvacanción (9:00)
III. Burlesco (6:49)

Margaret Griebling-Haigh (b. 1960)

Arboles y sombras

Johanny Navarro (b. 1992)

Oboe Soloist for John Rutter’s Requiem

From Samuel Barber's luminous art songs that capture the soul of American poetry, to Aaron Copland's expansive harmonies and melodies that echo vast landscapes, this program traces the evolution of American classical music across generations. Harry Burleigh, the father of the art song spiritual, preserves and uplifts the African American musical heritage, juxtaposed by Joan Tower's bold contemporary voice which brings us into the present moment, while Florence Price's groundbreaking compositions honor the African American musical traditions that form the bedrock of our cultural identity.

This program will feature musicians Horizon Chamber Collective Artists in a reflection on the voices that have created our American musical landscape - composers who found their inspiration in everything from Shaker hymns to urban rhythms, from prairie winds to spiritual traditions. Each piece resonates with the stories of who we are and where we come from.

This concert creates a dialogue between literary and musical voices, allowing audiences to experience how both art forms capture the Delta's unique character - its struggles and triumphs, its deep roots and soaring aspirations. Through carefully curated pairings of poetry and music, Voices of the Delta reveals the common threads that connect all artistic expression from this culturally rich region.

The evening unfolds as a journey through different moods and themes - from contemplative reflections on place and identity to celebratory expressions of community and resilience. Each poem and musical work illuminates different facets of the Delta experience, creating a multi-dimensional portrait of a region that has and continues to profoundly shape American culture.