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America250PA Choral Series featuring Sing Democracy 250-All America Program

In a call for civic engagement through song, The Bach Choir of Pittsburgh, in collaboration with singers from choirs throughout the Pittsburgh region, will perform two newly commissioned works, “Redeem the Dream” and “US,” to mark America’s 250th anniversary.

“Redeem the Dream”, composed by Dr. Brandon A. Boyd, is based on Langston Hughes’ poem Let America Be America Again. The poem reflects on the gap between the ideals of American democracy as articulated in the Declaration of Independence and
the reality experienced by many people over our history, yet ends with hope that America can live up to its promises of freedom, equality, and opportunity for all.

“US”, composed by Michael Bussewitz-Quarm, was inspired by Richard Haass’ book The Bill of Obligations, a bold call for Americans to adopt the habits of good citizenship. This piece presents each of 10 obligations of good citizens, and concludes with an inspiring call to citizenship, encouraging all citizens to adopt these obligations as an action plan for renewing American democracy.

Sing Democracy 250 is a project of Players Philanthropy Fund, a Texas nonprofit corporation recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (Federal Tax ID: 27-6601178, ppf.org/pp). Contributions to Sing Democracy 250 qualify as tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

For more information about Sing Democracy 250 and the All America Program, visit: www.singdemocracy250.org/all-america-program

Thomas W. Douglas, the BCP’s Artistic Director, and Jon Erik Schreiber, the BCP’s Associate Conductor, will conduct this performance. Thomas, who recently retired as Director of Opera Studies and Choral Activities at Carnegie Mellon University, has led the BCP for 22 years of  innovative, creative, and dramatically provocative productions. The BCP’s 2026-2027 Season, “Breath In/Breath Out (The Full Cycle of Life),” will be his grand finale season.

Jon Erik has spent three decades directing high school, church and community choirs.  In addition to serving the BCP as Associate Conductor, Jon Erik works for Pittsburgh Public Schools teaching music and directing vocal ensembles at Carrick and Allderdice High Schools. We are grateful to Jon Erik for managing the behind-the-scenes logistics to bring this performance to the O’Reilly.

This is a rental event presented by an independent organization separate from the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. The views and opinions expressed in the performance do not necessarily reflect those of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. The Trust is committed to its core values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, including freedom of expression. By purchasing a ticket, you are authorizing the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust to share your information with the show’s producer. Prices, shows, artists, dates, and times are subject to change.