(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Ember Choral Arts presents "On the Heart of Being, Amidst Machines" on Sunday, May 19th, 2024 at The Unitarian Universalist Congregation (67 Church Street) in Montclair. The concert will also be live-streamed. This promises to be a moving exploration of love in the modern world, featuring a dynamic mix of stylistically eclectic choral music. Showtime is 5:00pm.

"At Ember Choral Arts, we believe in delving into the very essence of the human experience, especially in an age increasingly dominated by technology," says Ember's Artistic Director, Deborah Simpkin King. "With 'On the Heart of Being, Amidst Machines,' we aim to examine the complexities of love, a quintessentially human emotion, amidst the backdrop of our technologically-driven society."

A highlight of the concert is the premiere of Montclair resident composer, Robert S. Cohen’s setting of Ronald W. Cadmus’s text, “I Am a Face.” Tenor Billy Shaw, supported by full Ember forces in bringing forth the powerful message of the importance of being, and feeling seen.

Tickets for "On the Heart of Being, Amidst Machines" are available for purchase online. This concert will also be performed on Friday, May 17th at 7:30pm at The Actors’ Chapel, 239 West 49th Street, New York, NY. Don't miss this unforgettable evening of music that celebrates the enduring power and complexity of love in our modern world.

A particular focus of this concert is the proactive work of Ember Choral Arts on behalf of new choral music.  Three commissioned premieres appear in the early portion of the concert.  “Kama,” by Ember's Composer-in-Residence, Robert Paterson, features the composer accompanying Ember singers on an Ember-brand hand pan.  The new pieces written by the two Ember Ablaze Composer Lab winners, each of whom worked with Dr. Paterson during the composition process, will also receive their premieres in this concert.

Through the Composer Lab, Ember seeks to both showcase and nurture young talent, and expand the impact of Ember’s long-standing commitment to new choral music most notably renowned through PROJECT : ENCORE, Ember’s initiative (founded in 2009) aimed at ensuring the legacy of excellent post-premiere choral compositions.

"Through Ember’s stylistically eclectic mix – everything from world premieres to exciting ensemble arrangements of some favorites by Billy Joel, Rihanna, Paul McCartney, and others – the theme of this concert  is one of adoration, yearning, loss, even loathing," explains Artistic Director Deborah Simpkin King. "This is the part of human thought, life, and feeling that cannot fit into data sets. And Ember Artists share it through song!"

Ember Choral Arts is a non-profit choral ensemble based in the tri-state area, dedicated to the performance of high-quality choral music. Led by founding artistic director Dr. Deborah Simpkin King, Ember Choral Arts has earned acclaim for its commitment to artistic excellence and innovative programming. Through initiatives like the Ember Ablaze Composer Lab Competition, the ensemble continues to champion emerging composers and push the boundaries of the choral art form.