Anthony Kearns To Be Featured at Nat'l Memorial Day Choral Fest 5/30

Tenor Anthony Kearns will be the featured performer at the National Memorial Day Choral Festival at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on Sun., May 30 at 2 p.m., it was announced today.

The festival is sponsored by Music Celebrations International in conjunction with the Americans Veterans Center. "Music Celebrations is proud to have Anthony Kearns as part of our Memorial Day Choral Festival. His stunning Irish tenor voice adds tremendously to our tribute to men and women who have fought to protect the freedoms of the United States and allies around the world," said concert producer Daniel Schwartz.

Mr. Kearns recently completed his Spring Tour with the popular singing group, The Irish Tenors, of which he is the only remaining original founding member. Acknowledged as Ireland's Finest (Living) Tenor, Kearns is a respected ambassador of Ireland to the world and has presented the music of his homeland, as part of his extensive repertoire, across the globe.

"The festival pays homage in music and song to those who have sacrificed for freedom," said Kearns. "It's an honor to be a part of this musical tribute to the heroes in uniform who have defended liberty in America and around the world. I'm also excited to be performing for the first time at the Kennedy Center, which is a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy."

Mr. Kearns hails from the same county in Ireland as President Kennedy, whose ancestral home is in Dunganstown, County Wexford. Kearns sang at the unveiling ceremony of a bronze, life-size statue of President Kennedy in New Ross, County Wexford, in 2007. Next year will mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Presidency of John F. Kennedy, who left a lasting legacy for the world, Kearns noted.

Kearns will sing with piano accompaniment as a part of his featured performance, leading up to the grand finale with a chamber orchestra and seven choirs. Together they will sing en masse as a 183-voice choir under the direction of conductor Scott Buchanan.

The choirs are: Indiana State University Concert Choir (IN); MelodyMakers (IN); Memorial Drive United Methodist Church Chancel Choir (TX); South Hills Chorale (PA); Swanhurst Chorus (RI); Brooks High School Madrigal Choir (WV); and Flint Hill Concert Choir (VA).

Mr. Kearns' latest projects include a PBS Special called "Halleluiah Broadway" (to air in August), singing as Romeo in Opera Naples [FL]'s production of Romeo & Juliet: Then and Now, and a recent interview and performance on Fox News' Huckabee on April 20. In June, he will star as "Don Jose" in Carmen in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland.

Tickets may be purchased online at http://kennedy-center.org/calendar/?fuseaction=showEvent&event=RKXAZ