Joyful Abundance
June 6, 2026 * 4pm
Rodeph Shalom
615 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
Join Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia for an extraordinary afternoon of world premieres as we present Joyful Abundance, featuring five original choral works created by emerging Philadelphia composers and poets. This groundbreaking concert pairs these exciting new compositions with Randall Thompson's beloved Testament of Freedom, creating a powerful dialogue between past and future.
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 represents more than a concert—it's our answer to What Now? Through mentorship with established Philadelphia composers and poets these emerging voices have crafted works that illuminate shared human experiences while celebrating our city's varied creative landscape.
Remembering Alan Harler
It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Alan Harler, Mendelssohn Chorus's beloved Conductor Laureate and former Artistic Director. For over three decades, Maestro Harler transformed our organization into a leading voice in contemporary choral music, commissioning and premiering 58 new works while inspiring countless singers and audiences with his visionary artistry.
Alan's unwavering commitment to adventurous programming and his passion for nurturing emerging composers left an indelible mark on the choral world. His legacy lives on through the Alan Harler New Ventures Fund, which will continue to support the bold, innovative programming that defined his extraordinary tenure with us.
We invite you to watch the live stream of his Celebration of Life held on April 12, 2026.
Vigil for Love
Watch the U.S. Premiere of Dominick DiOrio's "Vigil for Love" with words by Kyle Connor.
What People Are Saying About
Vigil for Love
This was our first MCP concert. We were very impressed with the performance and we will certainly come again!! Bravo!!!
The overall programming was a delightful pairing of Dominick's/Kyle's Vigil for Love and the Chorus' entertaining staging & voices for Dido and Aenaes.
I got chills giving in to the music of Vigil for Love.
2025-2026 Season
Our Boundless Humanity
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For our 152nd season, Artistic Director Dominick DiOrio leads us in celebrating the connections that bind us together through music that explores both our most intimate moments and our most exuberant expressions of community. The creation of new art—both poetry and music—serves as the hallmark of this groundbreaking season, featuring over a dozen new works thoughtfully paired with classic pieces from across choral history.
As we continue to mourn the loss of our beloved former artistic director Alan Harler, we can think of no better way to honor his legacy than with a season brimming with new commissions—a cause for which he held such deep passion.
Together, these works showcase the creative artistry that so beautifully reflects our boundless humanity. In an ever-uncertain world, it is our deep connections to one another that sustain us, and through music, we find both solace and celebration in our shared human experience.
Mendelssohn Chorus of PHiladelphia
Supporters
Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia is grateful to the following grantmakers for their support of our 2025-2026 Season.
