A More Perfect Union

Celebrating 250 Years of Struggle, Hope, and the Ongoing Work of Democracy

April 18-19, 2026

On the verge of the 250th anniversary of American Independence, Grace Chorale performed a stirring program exploring the unfinished symphony of American democracy: its contradictions and courage, its fragility and hope.

A More Perfect Union illuminated the dreams of our country, honored those who fought for our civil rights, and contemplated the uncertainties facing our nation. Vaughan Williams’ powerful antiwar cantata Dona Nobis Pacem anchored a compelling program that spanned from Margaret Bonds to contemporary voices such as Shawn Kirchner, Mari Esabel Valverde, Gwyneth Walker, and others. Together, these works confronted where we've fallen short and celebrate the stories — some resounding, some quietly persistent — of individuals and communities who have challenged injustice and imagined a better future.

Grace Chorale of Brooklyn’s spring program affirmed that democracy is not a static achievement, but a living project — one sustained through the ongoing, intentional work of its citizens. Rather than merely observing where we've been or accepting where we are, A More Perfect Union invited us to envision our path forward to pursue peace, abundance, and the enduring promise of the American dream.

Program:
America The Beautiful, Shawn Kirchner
Quiet Revolutionary (Mvt. 1), Rosephanye Powell
O Vos Omnes, Pablo Casals
Credo (selections), Margaret Bonds
When Thunder Comes, Mari Esabel Valverde
I Dream a World, André Thomas
The Tree of Peace, Gwyneth Walker
Dona Nobis Pacem, Ralph Vaughan Williams