YPC Brings Transmusica Program to Symphony Space Tonight

A program representing cultures from around the world will be performed at Symphony Space tonight, June 23, at 7 p.m., in "Resounding Hope Through Music," a concert featuring three extraordinary youth choirs: the YMCA Jerusalem Youth Chorus from Israel in its New York debut and from the U.S., the Chicago Children's Chorus and the Young People's Chorus of New York City, which is presenting this concert as part of its "Transmusica" concert series. The series was created in 2012 to build bridges to other world cultures through the magic of music.

The program opens with the Young People's Chorus of New York City conducted by Artistic Director/Founder Francisco J. Núñez singing two a cappella pieces - Mendelssohn's Jagdlied from Germany and Tres Cantos Nativos dos Indios Kraó from Brazil - as well as a medley from Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story and Paul Simon's Bridge Over Troubled Water.

The Chicago Children's Chorus conducted by CCC President and Artistic Director Josephine Lee will sing We Are by CCC alumnus and composer-in-residence W. Mitchell Owens III; Eric Whitacre's Fly to Paradise; Azienzenina by Bongani Magatyana; Arirang, a Korean folk song; Big|Brave by Sara Bareilles and Jack Antonoff; and Let's Dance by Lonnie Hunter.

Micah Hendler, the founder and choir director of the YMCA Jerusalem Youth Chorus will conduct the choristers in several works that include an original song set to The Prayer of St. Francis; Keep Your Hand on the Plow, a traditional African-American spiritual; Rolling in the Wadi by Adele in the style of Umm Kulthoum; Hine Mah Tov, in a contemporary setting of the traditional Hebrew text; and Home by Drew Pearson and Greg Holden.

Following their individual sets, the three choruses, all models of their founding missions of inclusion, will come together in a moving and inspirational finale, revealing one voice, which goes beyond religious or political differences directly to the human heart.

At 6:30 p.m., prior to the 7 p.m. concert the three conductors will engage in a discussion of understanding among contrasting communities.

General admission is $20, and tickets for seniors and children are $10. Premium tickets at $150, which help support YPC, are $130 tax-deductible. All tickets are available now at the Symphony Space box office, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, by calling 212-864-5400, or online at www.symphonyspace.org/event/8855/Music/transmusica.