Newburyport Choral Society: World Premier of "I Could See the Sky" by Composer Kile Smith

This concert, which includes works by Haydn and Prokofiev, will feature a World Premiere of "I Could See the Sky" by Newburyport Chamber Music Festival Composer-In-Residence Kile Smith.  The work is inspired by Newburyport, and the lyrics are drawn from writings of two renowned residents who documented life throughout 20th century Newburyport:  John Lagoulis, World War II Veteran, columnist and author; and Jean Foley Doyle, retired NHS teacher and local author and historian. 

This concert is just one event in Season 16 of the Newburyport Chamber Music Festival (NCMF) and is a collaboration of the following organizations and artists:

Newburyport Chamber Music Festival, David Yang, artistic director;
George Case, conductor; Newburyport Choral Society, George Case, music director;
Greater Newburyport Children’s Chorus, Gina McKeown, music director;
the Choir School at St. John’s, Margaret Harper, director;
Yonah Zur and Yuri Namkung, violins; David Yang, viola;
Claire Bryant, cello;
Margaret Harper, organ.

Text for Nos. 1-4  of "I Could See the Sky" is from Life in Newburyport, 1950-1985, collected by high school students of Jean Foley Doyle, edited by Jennifer Karin. Text for No. 5 from Newburyport: As I Lived It! by John Lagoulis. Commissioned by and dedicated to the Newburyport Chamber Music Festival, David Yang, Artistic Director.