When: Sunday, July 18, 2021, at 4 p.m.
Where: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 416 SE Grand Avenue, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Who: Admission Free – Everyone Invited
A Celebration of Thanksgiving for Freedom
Presented by The Music Ministry of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Lee’s Summit, Missouri
Choral Concert Followed by a Watermelon, Wine, Lemonade & Cookie Reception
The Music Ministry of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church will celebrate God’s gift of freedom and liberty with a performance of choral music and a festive reception. I Hear America Singing will include selections by our nation’s first composer, William Billings, Early American hymns from the Sacred Harp, and African-American spirituals performed by St. Paul A Cappella, one of the parish choirs of St. Paul’s.
The highlight of the concert will be The Testament of Freedom by Randall Thompson, 1899-1985, on words of Thomas Jefferson. The 18-minute work for a festive chorus of men’s voices is comprised of several pre-1776 writings of the author of the Declaration of Independence, including A Summery View of the Rights of British America (1774), Declaration of the Causes and Necessities of Taking Up Arms (1775), and an 1821 letter to fellow Founding Father John Adams from 1821. The central theme of the work is Jefferson’s words, “The God Who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time.”
The Testament of Freedom will be sung by a special men’s choir comprised of the men of The St. Paul Choir, the Summer Singers of Lee’s Summit, The Summer Singers of Kansas City, and the William Baker Festival Singers, among others. The work will be directed by Dr. William Baker, Music Director of St. Paul’s Church, and accompanied by Michelle Reed of the Summer Singers of Lee’s Summit.
The brief concert will conclude with a rousing performance of the famous Peter Wilhousky setting of Battle Hymn of the Republic performed by the combines choirs and audience.
A reception (outdoors, weather permitting) will be provided by Friends of St. Paul’s Music.
For Information Email: Music@StPaulsLS.org or call 816-524-3651
The public is invited to join in the festive celebration. Admission is free for all.