About the Concert

WomenSing is thrilled to announce an exciting large-scale commission by renowned composer, Shawn Kirchner. Inspired by the album Folkjul, a Christmas suite influenced by Swedish folk traditions, WomenSing's artistic director, Ofer dal Lal, invited Mr. Kirchner to dream up a concert-length American "folk Yule". The work features a combination of Mr. Kirchner's instrumental improvisations and carol settings from American song and spiritual traditions. Lending the project its title, "The Light of Hope Returning", the writing of author Susan Cooper will be featured in several new song settings by Kirchner, along with a number of his original songs.

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Brand new carol settings from American song and spiritual traditions. Intended as an antidote to hopelessness in troubled times, these carols and songs are woven into a dramatic arc that tells of the return of light after darkness. Hear these carols like never before, in WomenSing’s landmark commission by renowned composer, Shawn Kirchner!

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Shawn Kirchner's choral works are performed throughout the world.  In 2012, he was appointed Swan Family Composer-in-Residence of the Los Angeles Master Chorale. We are proud to commission a full-concert from a composer of Kirchner's stature. It is a significant contribution to the choral world, and an honor to birth a new composition, set to inspire hope for better times, and trust that they are coming.