Event is Live
Carnegie Hall Presents
American Composers Orchestra
Hello, America: Letters to Us, from Us
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
7:30 PM
Zankel Hall
The American Composers Orchestra (ACO) is one of today’s most prolific and passionately committed presenters of new American music. As part of Carnegie Hall’s United in Sound: America at 250 festival, ACO and soloists perform five incisive premieres by distinctive and distinguished composers Joseph C. Phillips Jr., Suzanne Kite, Shelley Washington, Jessie Montgomery, and Brittany J. Green. As described by the ensemble, these open letters to America “reflect narratives around the summer homes of turn-of-the-century Black folk, dreams, unspoken emotions, rituals of celebration, and the connection between the historic and current patriotism of Black American women.”
Part of: United in Sound America at 250
Performers
American Composers Orchestra
Carolyn Kuan, Conductor
Karen Slack, Soprano
Amanda Gookin, Cello
Cynthia Yeh, Percussion
Cosmologyscape Ensemble
- Marilu Donovan, Harp
- Nava Dunkelman, Percussion
- JJJJJerome Ellis, Saxophone
- Kite, Violin
Program
SHELLEY WASHINGTON Haymaker for Cello and Orchestra (World Premiere)
JOSEPH C. PHILLIPS JR. We Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident (World Premiere, co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall)
BRITTANY J. GREEN Letters to America for Soprano and Orchestra (World Premiere)
KITE Cosmologyscape: 7th Ave and 57th Street (World Premiere)
JESSIE MONTGOMERY Procession for Percussion and Orchestra (NY Premiere)
Event Duration
The printed program will last approximately two hours, including one 20-minute intermission.
Lead support for United in Sound: America at 250 is provided by Hope and Robert F. Smith and Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Major Corporate Sponsor: Bank of America
Additional support provided by the Hearst Foundations.