We Hold These Truths
Sunday, November 15, 2026 · 4:00 pm
Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University
Free and open to the public
We Hold These Truths commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States with an afternoon of music that reflects the nation’s enduring ideals, evolving identity, and shared aspirations. Bringing together the voices of Ensemble Sonora, Syracuse University Vox Salina, the Spirit of Syracuse Chorus, members of Syracuse University Oratorio Society, and choral singers from Nottingham High School and Liverpool High School, the program explores themes of freedom, belonging, resilience, and hope through a rich tapestry of American choral music, beloved folk traditions, spirituals, and contemporary works. Highlights include the world premieres of “American Dream” by Natalie Draper and a new work by Loren Loiacono, made possible with a commissioning grant from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Works by Moira Smiley, Jake Runestad, Susan LaBarr, and others shine a light on the promise and complexity of the American experience.
Ensembles:
Ensemble Sonora
Syracuse University Vox Salina
Spirit of Syracuse Chorus
Members of Syracuse University Oratorio Society
Choral singers from Nottingham High School
Choral singers from Liverpool High School
In addition to new music by contemporary composers, the program will feature familiar patriotic tunes, such as the National Anthem and a chance to sing “America the Beautiful” with the combined choirs. Z. Randall Stroope’s “Homeland” for choir, organ, brass, and percussion rounds out the finale. We Hold These Truths invites listeners to reflect on the values that have inspired the nation for 250 years while looking with hope toward the future we continue to build together.
PRESENTED BY
Malmgren Concert Series at Hendricks Chapel · Syracuse University Humanities Symposium “Dreams”
ADDITIONAL FUNDING PROVIDED BY
Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement
Participating Ensembles
Vox Salina
Vox Salina, formerly Crouse Chorale, is Syracuse University's premier treble choir. The ensemble's name pairs the Latin word for "voice" with a tribute to Syracuse's historic Salina district. Vox Salina was recently selected through a competitive review process to perform at the 2026 New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Winter Conference in Rochester, New York. NYSSMA is the state's largest annual conference for music educators and school music programs.
Comprised of student musicians representing a wide range of majors and disciplines from Syracuse University and SUNY-ESF, Vox Salina is dedicated to artistic excellence through innovative collaborations and the performance of diverse choral repertoire. Under the direction of Dr. Kyra Stahr, the ensemble proudly represents not only the Setnor School of Music and the College of Visual and Performing Arts, but the entire Syracuse University community.
Syracuse University Oratorio Society
Founded in 1975, the Syracuse University Oratorio Society is a large chorus of Syracuse University students and community members that regularly performs choral-orchestral masterworks with the Syracuse Orchestra.
The Society traces its roots to Cornelia Yarborough, a professor of choral music education at SU, and Christopher Keene, conductor of the then Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, who organized a chorus to sing Handel's Messiah in the 1970s — a partnership that grew into today's group, now directed by Wendy Moy.
The Society performs about four concerts a year, anchored by an annual December Messiah, plus shorter works such as Holst's The Planets, Debussy's Nocturnes, or opera favorites, usually at the Civic Center in Syracuse, with occasional church and campus performances.
Spirit of Syracuse
Founded in 1957, the award-winning Spirit of Syracuse Chorus has been elevating the uniquely American art form of Barbershop singing for over 65 years! Under the direction of Alicia Caron and Sky Harris, the chorus brings together singers each week, from every corner of Central New York, who love creating the electric ringing chords of 4-part a cappella harmony.
The Spirit of Syracuse Chorus is committed to the music education of singers of all ages, creating musical excellence in a warm, caring and supportive environment which encourages the personal growth and development of each member.
The Spirit of Syracuse Chorus is a proud chapter of Sing United, International, a worldwide organization of singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performances. This independent, nonprofit music education association is one of the world's largest singing organizations.
Having recently returned from the Sing United, International Contest in Columbus, OH the chorus is ranked one of the top 15 SUI choruses out of more than 600 choruses worldwide! We welcome singers to join us any Tuesday evening and discover the unique thrill of barbershop harmony. Through our educational program you too can be singing your way to an adventure while creating new friends, new experiences, and new opportunities to grow.
Nottingham High School
The Nottingham High School Choir in Syracuse, New York, led by director Austin Aserian, is an award-winning high school vocal program. The choir performs standard choral repertoire, participates in regional collaborative events, and consistently achieves top ratings at major New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) evaluations.
Liverpool High School
The Liverpool High School Advanced Treble Chorus began its journey in September of 2025 as the fourth choral ensemble at Liverpool High School. An auditioned treble voice ensemble with students in grades 9-12, the ensemble is quickly making its mark in Liverpool and beyond. Under the direction of Joel Touranjoe and Sky Harris, the chorus has been invited to perform as a part of choral festivals at Ithaca College and Onondaga Community College, as well as being featured at various LHS events, including LHS Culture Night and the LHS Black History Month Celebration.
Last spring, the chorus traveled to New York City for the WorldStrides Heritage Music Festival where they received a Gold rating for their performance, won the Festival’s Treble Chorus category, received an Adjudicator Award for Choral Ensembles, the Choral Program Sweepstakes Award, and the Festival Sweepstakes Award.
The Liverpool High School Vocal Music Program strives for the highest levels of excellence in learning, music-making, camaraderie, student-empowerment, leadership development, and positive cultural change. Together, we work to grow and develop through exposure to the best in a wide variety of vocal music, independent practice, guided rehearsal, individualized vocal and musical instruction, and a wide variety of faculty and student designed performance opportunities. We work to create a brave space where singers amplify silenced voices and use music as a catalyst for greater understanding.
Featured Composers
Loren Loiacono
The music of Loren Loiacono has been described as “plush...elusive” (New York Times), “vivid and colorful” (Albany Times Union), “dreamy, lilting” (Pioneer Press), and “quirky and fun” (Bad Entertainment- Twin Cities). An emerging orchestral voice, Loiacono has received commissions and performances from the Detroit Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Sacramento Philharmonic, Lexington Philharmonic, Brooklyn String Orchestra and the American Composers Orchestra. She frequently collaborates with the Albany Symphony, partnering with them to create new concerti for Sandbox Percussion (2022) and pianist Vicky Chow (2018), and served as their Mellon Composer-Educator-in-Residence from 2017-2018. In 2026, the Albany Symphony premiered Feathers from the Old Manse, a symphonic song cycle based on the personal letters of Nathaniel and Sophia Hawthorne, with John Brancy and Kara Dugan as soloists. Other recent commissions include works for the Imani Winds, the Merz Trio, and piano duo HereNowHear. Recent residencies include tenures at Millay Center for the Arts, Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts, and Avaloch Farm Music Institute. She has also been a fellow at Tanglewood Music Center and the Aspen Festival. Loiacono served as Executive Director of the MATA Festival from 2019-2021, and is a co-founder of Kettle Corn New Music. She currently serves on the faculty of Syracuse University’s Setnor School of Music.
Natalie Draper
Praised for her "individual and strong voice" (Colin Clarke, Fanfare Magazine), composer Natalie Draper explores character and evocative sound-worlds in her music. Her interest in musical expression ranges from the deeply emotional to the meticulously precise, and she is most satisfied when musical patterns convey an intensely human experience. She has written music for a variety of ensembles and performers, including organist Anne Laver, The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, Albany Symphony's Dogs of Desire, Beth Willer and Peabody Institute's NEXT Ensemble, and Akropolis Reed Quintet. Draper’s debut portrait album of organ and organ+ music, performed by Anne Laver, was released on June 26, 2026 by Acis Productions. Draper's music also can be found on albums by percussionist Mark DeMull, pianist Mirna Lekić, Akropolis Reed Quintet, soprano Danielle Buonaiuto, and Symphony Number One. She has been featured in articles in Vox Humana, I Care If You Listen, and Van Magazine. Draper has held residencies and fellowships at the Ucross Foundation, the Tanglewood Music Center, the I-Park Foundation, Yaddo, and St. David's Episcopal Church in Baltimore, MD. Recent musical projects have been financially supported by Syracuse University, Cindy May and The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, the Ruth and Clarence Mader Memorial Scholarship Fund, several chapters of the American Guild of Organists (AGO), the New York Council on the Arts (NYSCA), and CNYArts, among others. Draper works as an associate professor in the music theory and composition department at the Setnor School of Music at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York.