|
|
|
Society for Universal Sacred Music
| |
|
|
|
|
A Message from the President
 The future of sacred music is here. There is, I believe, a growing awareness around the world that the texts composers have set for centuries do not always convey the truth. The Society for Universal Sacred Music was founded with a clear awareness that the messages handed down by the world's religions are not all in accordance with the will of God - who is, and has always been, the center of love and compassion in the universe. For example, we are all responsible for our actions and their consequences; transgressions against other human beings must be forgiven by other human beings. Likewise we are fully responsible for our ethical and spiritual evolution, which God can always help with through our sincere and heartfelt prayers. But because of God's infinite love and compassion, we are given all the chances necessary to learn from the consequences of our actions, through multiple lives on Earth. And let us not forget that we are all children of God, no matter who may be or where we may live in a given lifetime.
The shameful wars from which God has always turned away in horror must stop; human beings must find ways to live as the brothers and sisters they have always been. Music with words that reflect true divinity and the sacredness of life can, and must, convey to all audiences that we are meant to live with tolerance and compassion for one another - together in God, together in the Light, together in Love - and, some day - together in peace.
Roger Davidson
|
Voices for Love and Unity
A Concert for Peace
 With a mission of spreading a message of unity and peace through the beauty and power of music, the Society for Universal Sacred Music and The New York Virtuoso Singers will co-sponsor Voices for Love and Unity-A Concert for Peace on Sunday, April 26, at St. Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church in New York City. Harold Rosenbaum, artistic director for both organizations, will conduct. The Canticum Novum Youth Choir, directed by Edie Rosenbaum, and The Elm City Girls' Choir, directed by Rebecca Rosenbaum, will participate. The concert begins at 3p.m., and a pre-concert talk will take place with composers at 2p.m. The concert will feature contemporary pieces and will be highlighted by Francis Poulenc's Figure humaine. This complex tonal choral masterpiece, composed for a cappella double chorus while Nazi forces occupied Paris during World War II, focuses on the horrors of war and on mankind's inherent ability to survive and cope with a greater awareness of the brotherhood of man. A world-premiere titled, To The Peacemakers, composed by Roger Davidson, President of the Society for Universal Sacred Music, will be performed, as will Voices for Today, written by Benjamin Britten to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the United Nations. Works by Richard McIntyre, the NYVS 2006 Choral Composition Competition First-Prize Winner, and Richard Rice, a NYVS two-time Composition Competition Honorable Mention will also be included. "The mission of the concert-and of the featured composers and their pieces- is to share the message of unity through music, and to foster a belief that individually and collectively society can strive together to work towards world peace," states Harold Rosenbaum. For ticket information, contact Ticket Central at 212-279-4200. Tickets: $20; seniors 65 and over and students: $10. Tickets are available at the door one-hour and 15-minutes before the concert. | |
|
Save the Date!
The 4th Festival of Universal Sacred Music
 This Please plan to join us at the Fourth Festival of Universal Sacred Music next year, when the works of the composers who have been commissioned by the Society will be premiered. These pieces will be selected from a competition of more than 100 entries received from composers the world over. Please visit our website for further updates! Saturday evening, April 24th, 2010 Sunday afternoon and evening, April 25th, 2010. Merkin Concert Hall New York City
2009 Composition Contest
The Society is still accepting submissions from composers around the world for the 2010 Festival until June 30, 2009. Acceptable entries should be 5-20 minutes in length; either a cappella or with up to 10 instruments; or works for solo voice and instrumental ensemble of no more than 10 instruments.
Please visit the Society website for news and updates about the Festival and for complete details on competition submission:
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
We've Moved!
We greeted the New Year with a new office! In late December, we moved from Katonah to our beautiful new location in Mt. Kisco.
Our new facilities provide us with a more functional and brighter space, as well as a better environment for the Society and our staff. Please take note of our new address and contact information shown above! | |
|
|
 2008 Festival DVD
Capture the excitement of the 2008 Festival of Universal Sacred Music now on DVD and available for your listening pleasure. You'll enjoy the music created by a talented group of international composers and experience the festivities and the spirit of the Society as if you were there yourself!
|
Meet Our Staff!
Harold Rosenbaum - Artistic Director
 Harold Rosenbaum is the artistic director for the Society for Universal Sacred Music, and is one of the most accomplished and critically acclaimed choral conductors of our time. He is also the founder of The New York Virtuoso Singers and the all-volunteer choir, The Canticum Novum Singers A tireless proponent and advocate for contemporary composers and American composers in particular, he has created an annual choral composition competition, has commissioned over twenty works, and has conducted more than 250 world premieres (including works by Ravel [in Paris], Schoenberg, Schnittke, Carter, Henze, Berio, Perle, and Harbison). He has also recorded contemporary choral music for SONY Classical, Albany, CRI, Bridge, Koch International, Capstone, and DRG. He is a three-time recipient of the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for Adventuresome Programming of Contemporary Music, and a recipient of Chorus America's American Choral Works Performance Award. Mr. Rosenbaum is a much sought after guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, funding panelist, coach, lecturer, consultant, and educator. He has taught at four universities, including The Juilliard School. Currently, he is Associate Professor at the University at Buffalo/SUNY, where he directs the choirs, heads the graduate program in choral conducting, and teaches other courses. |
Donations & Benefits of Membership
Please Support Our Work
The Society for Universal Sacred Music is an exciting and innovative organization that believes the power of music can help to break down barriers of religious intolerance and prejudice. We support both existing and emerging musicians from around the world who are dedicated to writing music that reflects our fundamental unity, and archive their music to make it available to educational, religious, and fine arts institutions worldwide. We produce festivals and concerts of universal sacred music, and promote the music of our musicians internationally. As you consider supporting our work, please remember that historically music has had the power to bind people together both emotionally and spiritually in good as well as in adverse times. As a common thread that touches all, universal sacred music is a conduit that helps us exist in the society we live in today and its problems, and provides us with a means of creating a world of greater tolerance and unity. By becoming a member of the Society, you are helping to make a difference in our world today, and at the same time will experience and enjoy the many benefits of membership. Please visit our website to learn more about membership opportunities and donor levels! Your donation is invaluable, and will help support the ongoing work of the Society for Universal Sacred Music. If you would like more information about the Society, or would like to receive our new brochure, please email or call at any time. The Society for Universal Sacred Music is a 501(c)3 organization, and as such, all donations are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. Please visit our website to make an online donation by check, credit or debit card, or you may send a donation to: The Society for Universal Sacred Music, 275 E. Main Street, Suite 103, Mt. Kisco, NY 10549, USA. All donations make a difference and are deeply appreciated! |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
