Vox Philia has announced an upcoming concert titled “Earth and All Stars,” showcasing two contemporary extended choral works: Alex Berko’s “Sacred Place” and Cecilia McDowall’s “Music of the Stars.” This concert will take place on Sunday, October 5, 2025, 4:00 pm at Atonement Lutheran Church in Wyomissing, PA, marking the regional premieres of both captivating compositions.
“Sacred Place” by Alex Berko is conceived in the format of a liturgical service, inviting audiences to reflect on our shared environment. The work interweaves texts from renowned naturalists with traditional Jewish prayer, creating a profound tribute to our “sacred place,” the earth. Berko describes the piece as “an ecological service that connects the old with the new, the sacred with the secular, and the individual with their community.”
Complementing this evocative performance, Cecilia McDowall’s “Music of the Stars” explores the uplifting power of music in challenging times. Featuring diverse texts from a Ukrainian folk song, the works of Kenyan poet Brian Odongo, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, and American writer James Weldon Johnson, this piece resonates with listeners on a deeply emotional level.
The concert will also include additional repertoire from renowned composers Alfred Fedak, Tom Trenney, Ēriks Ešenvalds, and Frank James Staneck, ensuring a rich and varied experience of choral music that celebrates both the earth and the cosmos.
In addition to the musical performances, we are thrilled to showcase artwork from students at Montessori Country Day School, with pieces centered around the theme of “earth and stars.” This collaboration highlights the importance of arts education and the ways in which young voices contribute to the cultural dialogue surrounding our shared environment.
Tickets are available at: tickettailor.com/events/voxphilia/1852433. For more information about Vox Philia and the “Earth and All Stars” concert, please visit facebook.com/VoxPhilia/
