Event is Live
Carnegie Hall Presents

American Composers Orchestra

Hello, America: Letters to Us, from Us
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 7:30 PM Zankel Hall
Carolyn Kuan by Charlie Schuck, Amanda Gookin by Julia Comita, Cynthia Yeh by Todd Rosenberg, Karen Slack by Kia Caldwell
The American Composers Orchestra (ACO) is one of today’s most prolific and passionately committed presenters of new American music. As part of Carnegie Hall’s United in Sound: America at 250 festival, ACO and soloists perform five incisive premieres by distinctive and distinguished composers Joseph C. Phillips Jr., Suzanne Kite, Shelley Washington, Jessie Montgomery, and Brittany J. Green. As described by the ensemble, these open letters to America “reflect narratives around the summer homes of turn-of-the-century Black folk, dreams, unspoken emotions, rituals of celebration, and the connection between the historic and current patriotism of Black American women.”

Part of: Fast Forward I and United in Sound: America at 250

Performers

American Composers Orchestra
Carolyn Kuan, Conductor
Amanda Gookin, Cello
Cynthia Yeh, Percussion
Karen Slack, Soprano

Program

JOSEPH C. PHILLIPS JR. We Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident (World Premiere, co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall)

KITE Wičhínčala Šakówin (World Premiere)

SHELLEY WASHINGTON Haymaker for Cello and Orchestra (World Premiere)

JESSIE MONTGOMERY Procession for Percussion and Orchestra (NY Premiere)

BRITTANY J. GREEN Letters to America for Soprano and Orchestra (World Premiere)

Support for United in Sound: America at 250 is provided by the Hearst Foundations.

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