​​

As an antidote to the challenging, and sometimes dark, times in which we live, Voices from the Heart will Shine their Light! Voices will celebrate "light" in many forms with their concert on June 6th at South Church in Portsmouth. 

 

"By shining the light and using the lens of light from many styles and cultures, Voices will lift your spirit and make your heart sing!" exclaims Voices Director, Joanne Connolly.

 

"We are so very excited to shine the light starting out with a drumming dance from West Africa. Voices members will be playing the dun dun and dancing to encourage the light for  crops to grow from traditional music of Guinea. Liz Fowler, West African dancer and teacher will lead the group accompanied by Namory Kaita of Guinea. The light will be celebrated with the singing of African American Gospel music to music based on the wisdom of Hildegarde von Bingen,  from a South Africa song about marching in the light to a beautiful song of the light of peace, Amanda Gorman's poem of light will be sung, songs of resistance and protest, celebration and elucidation!"  

 

"Along with having guest artists Liz Fowler and Namory Kaita with our West African music, we will ramp up the beat with Kent Allyn on piano, Jonathan Booth on bass, and Robbie Kneeland on drums. Agnes Charlesworth will be on board to accompany our beautiful beautiful piece, 'O Virtus', set on the text by 12th century Hildegard von Bingen."

 

"I am very excited to share this music," says Connolly, "The Hildegard piece will be our most magical! Two sections of the piece are improvisatory for the singers. The music builds to a great height as each singer takes the musical line in her own time as the piece builds to a beautiful and amazing circling crescendo, and then returns one by one to a single note. The piece starts with "O Virtus", translated here "O energy of wisdom", knowing that the wisdom is here for us, and calling out for it. Exciting !!"

 

Tickets will be on sale Wednesday, May 6th! Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on line at https://portsmouthnhtickets.com/profile/voices-heart.                               

 

Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door on concert day. Doors open to the public a half hour before concert time.  

 

Don't miss Voices from the Heart singing "Shine Your Light!" on June 6th at 4:00 and 7:30 p.m. at South Church, 292 State Street in Portsmouth!