Blessed Sacrament hosts ‘Giving Voice to Peace’ concert
A choir of 130 voices will perform Sunday at Blessed Sacrament Church for the seventh “Giving Voice to Peace” concert.
“Giving Voice to Peace VII: Sing Democracy 250,” presented by the Stambaugh Chorus and Orchestra, will be led by Hae-Jong Lee, director of choral activities at Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music.
Joining the Stambaugh Chorus will be the YSU Dana Chorale, Thiel College Choir, Franklin High School Madrigals and the Hickory High School Chamber Singers. Together with the Stambaugh Chorus Orchestra, these ensembles will explore the responsibilities of citizenship through the transformative power of choral music.
According to Lee, “This concert is more than a performance; it is a musical call to action. By bringing together high school, collegiate and community singers, we are modeling the very democracy we are celebrating — diverse voices working in harmony toward a common goal of peace and understanding.”
The program will feature two commissions written specifically for the American Semiquincentennial — “US” by Michael Bussewitz-Quarm, which is based on Richard Haass’ “The Bill of Obligations,” which outlines 10 habits for a healthy democracy; and “Redeem the Dream” by Brandon Boyd, which uses Langston Hughes’ poetry to reflect on the American journey toward equality.
Other selections will include “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
The concert starts at 4 p.m. Sunday at Blessed Sacrament, 3020 Reeves Road NE, Warren. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.




