Mendelssohn Chorus

"Through the music, I really wanted to explore an emotional landscape when we as a collective society, and not just as individuals, make space for desire and belonging for all people in America." - Baldwin Giang

Next weekend, on Saturday, June 6th, "we are made foreign" will make it's world premiere along with four brand new works, paired with Randall Thompson's beloved Testament of Freedom.

—

In preparation for this concert, we asked our Joyful Abundance Artists a series of questions about their inspirations and experiences that culminated in a brand new composition for ArtPhilly: What Now: 2026.

Check out more of what they had to say, and to purchase tickets, visit the link in our Bio.

—

As part of ArtPhilly: What Now: 2026—a city-wide festival celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of our country—this concert asks vital questions about America's past, present, and future through the voices of a new generation of artists.

—

Joyful Abundance launches what will become a permanent bi-annual program, funded in part by the Alan Harler New Ventures Fund, supporting Philadelphia's emerging composers and poets, creating a lasting legacy that extends far beyond this season. Consider supporting this fund which provides a pathway for MCP to continue undertaking provocative choral programming, including major commissioned works and innovative collaborations.

✨Today we are thrilled to welcome Sarah Bowe as our new Assistant Conductor & Chorus Manager! 🎉

A Philadelphia-based choral specialist with a distinguished career in performance, pedagogy, and administration, Sarah has held faculty positions at Cornell University, Queens College (CUNY), and Central Connecticut State University, and has performed with ensembles including the Tanglewood Festival Chorus of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Some of you may recognize Sarah from another close connection — she manages operations for Melissa Dunphy's Mormolyke Press, whose landmark work "On the Horizon" we were proud to commission and premiere last season. We love when our artistic community grows even closer! 🥰

Please join us in giving Sarah a warm welcome! 🎶