To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence as part of Carnegie Hall's United in Sound festival, we invite written and musical open letters to America, which reflect narratives around the summer homes of turn-of-the-century Black folk, Lakota Dream Kit symbology, unspoken emotions, rituals of celebration, and the writings of historic and current Black American women.
American Composers Orchestra
Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall | New York City, NY
To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence as part of Carnegie Hall's United in Sound festival, we invite written and musical open letters to America, which reflect narratives around the summer homes of turn-of-the-century Black folk, Lakota Dream Kit symbology, unspoken emotions, rituals of celebration, and the writings of historic and current Black American women.
Karen Slack, soprano
Amanda Gookin, cello
Cynthia Yeh, percussion
Carolyn Kuan, conductor
Cosmologyscape Ensemble
Marilu Donovan, Harp
Nava Dunkelman, Percussion
JJJJJerome Ellis, Saxophone
Kite, Violin
Hello, America: Letters to Us, from Us
SHELLEY WASHINGTON, Haymaker (World Premiere, ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)
JOSEPH C. PHILLIPS JR., We Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident (World Premiere, ACO Co-commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)
BRITTANY J. GREEN, Letters to America (World Premiere, ACO Co-commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)
KITE and ALISHA B WORMSLEY, Cosmologyscape: 7th Ave and 57th Street (World Premiere; ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)
JESSIE MONTGOMERY, Procession for solo percussionist and Orchestra (NY Premiere)
We Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident by Joseph C. Phillips, Jr. was co-commissioned by American Composers Orchestra and Carnegie Hall.
We Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident by Joseph C. Phillips, Jr., Letters to America by Brittany J. Green, Cosmologyscape by Kite, and Haymaker by Shelley Washington were developed through the American Composers Orchestra’s EarShot CoLABoratory program, with lead funding from TD Charitable Foundation.
The commission of We Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Cosmologyscape: 7th Ave and 57th Street is commissioned by the Thomas family in honor of Dave Thomas's 70th birthday. Cosmologyscape.com is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Letters to America was co-commissioned by American Composers Orchestra with the support of Elizabeth & Justus Schlichting, Nina Wells, Durham Symphony Orchestra with support from The Clinton Family Fund and the City of Durham, and New Jersey Symphony.
The commission of Haymaker is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Additional support for Haymaker was provided by the Jerome Foundation.
Procession (arrangement for chamber orchestra and Cynthia Yeh), by Jessie Montgomery was commissioned by the American Composers Orchestra with the support of Elizabeth and Justus Schlichting.
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, Councilmember Julie Menin, and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.
American Composers Orchestra is supported by New Music USA’s Organization Fund in 2025-26.
