Experience a visceral expression of our collective humanity in this music and spoken-word collaboration. While music can often help communicate emotion that is beyond the power of words, the use of language truly highlights our shared human experience. Local poets and wordsmiths share their reflections on music that was written to highlight our universal connection. Featuring a mix of local, modern, and classic composers, the talents of our impressive wind and brass sections will be on special display, creating a colorific experience of lesser-heard wind-forward works.

Cultural Kaleidoscope

The Old Church

PCE’s seasonal tradition ringing in the New Year, Amazing Grace, returns with a stirring program of music for chamber orchestra and vocal soloists. Celebrating the universal expression of the human spirit through music, PCE’s annual Amazing Grace prompts a living BIPOC composer to curate a concert of music they connect with deeply, as well as sharing their own work. In January, Native American composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate takes PCE on a journey of fire and light in a program featuring selections from his moving cantata Standing Bear and Lowak Shoppala’ (Fire and Light), a work expressing Tate’s Chickasaw heritage through music, among others. The concert also includes Samuel Barber’s dreamlike Knoxville: Summer of 1915 performed by Mvskoke soprano, Kirsten C. Kunkle.

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Amazing Grace: Fire and Light

Kennedy Center

Boasting three alumni from Rice’s Shepherd School of Music, Dover Quartet returns for its sixth CMH performance. Named one of the greatest string quartets of the last 100 years (BBC Music Magazine), the two-time Grammy-nominated quartet is one of the world’s most in-demand chamber ensembles. Emmy-winning Native American composer Jerod Tate has written a new piece for Dover, co-commissioned by CMH, that complements Dvořák’s beloved “American” String Quartet. Tate is admired for “his ability to effectively infuse classical music with American Indian nationalism” (The Washington Post), making this a concert not to be missed!

Dover Quartet

Alice Pratt Brown Hall

Kicking off 2026 and the “Festival of American Voices,” this concert presents a vivid survey of American classical music, highlighting voices from different cultural backgrounds. From the rhythmic energy of Chokfi’ by Chickasaw composer Jerod Tate to Florence Price’s evocative Mississippi River Suite, which weaves together spirituals into symphonic form, the program reflects the richness of American heritage. Aaron Copland’s Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo, with its iconic “Hoe-Down,” captures the spirit of the American West, while a new work by composer Peter B. Kay adds a fresh local perspective. Together, these pieces create a musical patchwork celebrating the diversity and depth of American artistry.

Jerod Tate

Events

Upcoming events

Jan 24, 2026

Voices of a Nation · Spartanburg Philharmonic

Past events

Apr 25, 2025

Cultural Kaleidoscope · Portland Chamber Orchestra

Jan 13, 2025

Amazing Grace: Fire and Light · PostClassical Ensemble

About

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