St. John’s Episcopal Church presents Shaker Harmony: Celebrating 250 Years of the Shakers in America. Sunday, May 19, 3:00pm. Admission $30 suggested donation, available to purchase online in advance, or at the door. This concert is being presented in support of Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, and The Choir School at St. John's. Visit our event page to learn more.

In partnership with renowned choral composer and interpreter of Shaker Music Dr. Kevin Siegfried, the St. John’s choral music program is proud to present Shaker Harmony: Celebrating 250 Years of the Shakers in America. This program will bring the audience into the rich and ever-vibrant aural world of Shaker Music in its many forms. 

With over 10,000 songs in existence, Shaker music is the largest body of spiritual folk music in American history. The widely known song “Simple Gifts,” popularized by Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring, represents only the tip of the iceberg of a tradition that encompasses thousands of songs, hymns, anthems, and dance tunes. Whether lively and joyful, or moving and deeply felt, Shaker songs boast irresistible melodies and feature texts that speak to universal themes of love, simplicity, and community. Shaker music communicates with a unique directness that reaches beyond time and place. Siegfried’s choral arrangements vividly bring the music to life for modern ears, while maintaining the integrity of the original Shaker melodies. The year 2024 marks the 250th anniversary of the Shakers’ arrival in America, providing a wonderful opportunity to reflect on their enduring legacy. 

Featuring our Parish Choir, Chamber Choir, and the students of our Choir School program, this concert seeks to bring audience members on a journey, following in the footsteps of the Shakers as we perform selections from their extensive musical catalog to highlight universal themes of Humility, Love, Simplicity, Kindness, Liberty, and more.

Concertgoers will delight in the diversity of emotion and storytelling, allowing the music to wash over, and at times course through them as they join in the singing.