Concert To Mark 250th Anniversary Of American Independence In Freehold

FREEHOLD, NJ — Monmouth Civic Chorus is set to present a concert marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence in May.

On Friday, May 1, at 7 p.m., the Chorus will partner with RevolutionNJ to present "We Hold These Truths," at the First Presbyterian Church of Freehold, located at 118 West Main Street.

Intended to honor "the 250th Anniversary of our great democratic experiment," the program will feature a world premiere commissioned for the occasion, alongside shorter works uplifting American words and stories.

Monmouth Civic Chorus commissioned Montclair-based composer Robert S. Cohen to create a new work for the chorus.

The piece, “I Hear America Singing,” sets texts by New Jersey-affiliated poets Walt Whitman, Langston Hughes and Long Branch native Robert Pinsky to music for SATB chorus and a professional chamber orchestra made up of strings, horns and percussion.

The commissioned piece will be presented alongside a range of shorter selections reflecting "the diversity of the American experience," officials said.

The listed composers include Margaret Bonds, Dolly Parton, Moses Hogan and Aaron Copland.

The program also includes work by Monmouth Civic Chorus’s Dr. Ryan James Brandau in his final performance with the chorus after 14 seasons as artistic director.

Tickets are available now for general admission seating. Prices are listed as $42 for adults, $37 for seniors, $15 for students and $31 for groups of 10 or more with the code “GROUP.”

Additional information can be found on the Monmouth Civic Chorus website.