Summer Fest of Sacred Music To Feature Works by American Composers 7/4 In NYC

In recognition of Independence Day weekend, the free Summer Festival of Sacred Music at St. Bartholomew's continues with music by great American composers on Sunday, July 4 at 11 am.

St. Bartholomew's Choir will sing works of Leonard Bernstein, Searle Wright, Thomas A. Dorsey and Nancy Cooper. Works will include Bernstein's Chichester Psalms (with organ, percussion and harp), Searle Wright's Communion Service in D, Arnold Sevier's arrangement of Thomas A. Dorsey's beloved gospel hymn Precious Lord and the New York premiere of Blues Benediction, recently composed by Nancy Cooper from the University of Montana. William K. Trafka will conduct the choir. Paolo Bordignon will be the organist.

The Summer Festival of Sacred Music takes place each Sunday morning at 11 am at St. Bartholomew's Church during the summer months. At a time when most churches reduce their musical offerings, St. Bartholomew's Church provides outstanding sacred music sung by St. Bartholomew's Choir and Boy and Girl Choristers, two of New York City's most renowned choirs. Works include an array of mass settings from the 15th century to the present, embracing a diversity of cultures from around the world. The music is sung as part of the 11 am service, the liturgical context for which it was composed. All Summer Festival events are free and open to the public.

The Summer Festival of Sacred Music takes place at St. Bartholomew's Church at the corner of Park Avenue and 51st Street. Subway: 6 to 51st Street. For more information, call (212) 378-0222 or visit www.stbarts.org/sacredmusic.asp for the complete schedule.