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“Voices of Freedom: American Music for Juneteenth”
Voices of Freedom: American Music for Juneteenth
Robert Sims, baritone
The St. Augustine Music Festival opens its 2026 main festival season with
Voices of Freedom: American Music for Juneteenth, a powerful celebration of American music, history, and cultural memory.
This special concert features the SAMF Chamber Orchestra, conducted by
Jorge Peña, with acclaimed baritone Robert Sims. The program honors Juneteenth through music that reflects resilience, freedom, remembrance, and hope.
This concert is generously sponsored by the St. Johns Cultural Council, whose support helps bring meaningful cultural experiences and world-class performances to the St. Augustine community.
The evening includes works by Quinn Mason, Lena Johnson McLin,
Jessie Montgomery, George Walker, and Aaron Copland,
bringing together spirituals, American songs, and orchestral works that speak to the depth and richness of the American musical tradition.
Program
- Quinn Mason: Princesa de la Luna for Harp and String Orchestra
-
Lena Johnson McLin: I’m a Soldier Spiritual Suite
- Glory Glory Hallelujah
- I’m a Soldier
- Don’t Ya Let Nobody Turn You ’Round
- Jessie Montgomery: Strum
- George Walker: Lyric for Strings
-
Aaron Copland: Old American Songs
- The Boatman’s Dance
- Simple Gifts
- At The River
- Ching-a-Ring Chaw
- I Bought Me A Cat
About the Concert
Through spirituals, folk-inspired songs, and works by American composers, this Juneteenth celebration invites audiences to reflect on the continuing story of freedom in America. With Robert Sims’ powerful voice and the artistry of the SAMF Chamber Orchestra, the concert offers an evening of music that is both deeply moving and historically meaningful.