Choirs come together for Nebraska Sings

Lincoln choirs will unite in song on the Lied stage at 7:30 p.m. March 21 to celebrate the Lied Center for Performing Arts' 25th anniversary and the world premiere of "Let There Be Music," a newly commissioned work by Nebraska composer Kurt Knecht.

Tickets are on sale now at http://liedcenter.org, at the Lied Center box office at 12th and R streets, or by phone at 402-472-4747.

Participating choirs -- spanning youth to adult, classical to contemporary to gospel -- will perform songs from their repertoires. The celebration will culminate with a performance by more than 250 singers directed by Tom Trenney of First-Plymouth Church. Selections include "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and the debut performance of "Let There Be Music." Knecht's work has earned praise from critics all over the world.

"Nebraska Sings is going to be an unforgettable celebration and it's the perfect way to commemorate the Lied Center's 25th year as Nebraska's home for the arts,” said Bill Stephan, executive director of the Lied. "We are honored to have so many of Nebraska's finest choirs unite in song on our stage for this historic night."

Scheduled to perform are the Abendmusik Festival Children's Chorus, Abendmusic Chorus from First-Plymouth Church, Lincoln Boys Cantare Choir, Allon Chapel Mixed Choir and Friends, the Unionaires from Union College, UNL Chamber Choir, Nebraska Organization of Vocal Artists (NOVA), i2Choir and special guests The String Beans.

Writer: Carrie Christensen, Lied Center for Performing Arts