Schiller Institute NYC Chorus opened the 2026 American History series marking the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on Sunday, May 17th, with an extraordinary concert on Sunday, May 17th, on the UWS of Manhattan.

The program included historical narratives and stories; American Spirituals and Hymns; the nation's first anthem Chester, written by revolutionary "tunesmith" William Billings; old American river songs; as well as masterworks of Mozart & Beethoven.

CONCERT PROGRAM

YouTube video
This is the unedited livestream video, which has been made public pending an edited version.

Special guests included
     Elvira Green, mezzo-soprano at the NY Met for 19 years, currently president of the Fdn for the Revival of Classical Music, and board member of the Greensboro Opera;
     Dura Jun-Jones & Sewon Lim, pianists;
     Jonathan Kruk, master storyteller;
     Everett Suttle, tenor; and
     Kevin Thompson, bass.

Review:
eirv53n21-20260529_032-schiller_institute_nyc_concert_m.pdf

"The Schiller Institute performance was beyond beautiful! It truly was inspiring and soul lifting! I thoroughly enjoyed listening and watching, and learning and embracing its beauty.  "   Cindy T.