Wilmington Voices to mark America’s 250th with free community concerts
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington-based vocal ensemble is preparing to mark a milestone in American history through music.
Wilmington Voices will present its spring concert program, “This Land, These Voices,” with performances scheduled for May 8 and May 10. The concerts aim to reflect on 250 years of U.S. history through a mix of musical styles and narration.
The group, made up of local and nationally performing singers, is a professional vocal ensemble that focuses on community engagement through music. Organizers say both performances are free and open to the public.
Board member Steve Lowry said the program was designed to explore the nation’s past while encouraging a sense of connection among audiences.
“The music speaks to where we’ve been, what our challenges have been, and leading toward a unified song that will inspire a unity for the people that are here listening,” Lowry said.
The concert will feature a range of selections, including traditional folk songs, spirituals, patriotic pieces and contemporary works. Lowry said the repertoire was developed over several months to reflect key moments and themes in American history.
Wilmington Voices President Michelle Woodbury said accessibility is central to the group’s mission.
“When you remove financial barriers, it allows more people to attend a concert like this,” Woodbury said. “It’s really important for us for a wide variety of people to be able to experience that.”
The program is structured as a scripted performance, combining music with narration to highlight different perspectives and experiences throughout U.S. history.
The first performance will take place Friday, May 8, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. The second will be held Sunday, May 10, at 3 p.m. at the Cameron Art Museum. While both concerts are free, organizers ask attendees planning to attend the museum performance to register in advance.
Organizers say they hope audiences leave with a deeper understanding of the country’s history and a sense of connection through music.
