Since his appointment as Composer in Residence in 2020, the music of Dr. Sean Sweeden had delighted Festival Singers audiences throughout the nation in concerts, recordings, broadcasts and tours. The William Baker Festival Singers is proud to devote an entire weekend of concerts celebrating the music of Sean Sweeden.

The William Baker Festival Singers, a 50-voice semi-professional chorale, celebrates the Music of Sean Sweeden, who is their fourth Composer-in-Residence. Sean has held this title for the Choral Foundation for 6 years and during that time has composed numerous new works for the Festival Singers and other Choral Foundation ensembles. The concert tour will feature 14 selections, including five being performed publicly for the very first time.

This varied program will include SUNWARD, a setting of the beloved poem “High Flight” by John Gillespie McGee, Jr., ALWAY SOMETHING SINGS composed on a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson, a new gospel selection, WE ARE HELD, and even settings of popular selections OVER THE RAINBOW, and PURE IMAGINATION. The program also includes settings of beloved sacred texts, including IN THE BEGINNING, MY SHEPHERD, and THERE IS NO ROSE.

Dr. Sweeden, a professional percussionist as well as singer and composer, utilizes exciting rhythmic elements in his music. 40+ percussion instruments will be a part of the concert; including, marimba, hand chimes, tuned water glasses + clay pots, wind chimes, triangles, and much more!