American folk music tells the story of who we are. Long before concert halls and recordings, these songs carried history, faith, work, protest, love, and loss from one generation to the next. This February, Seraphic Fire returns to that tradition with American Folk, a concert that brings timeless songs to life through the power of the human voice.
Performed a cappella and led by Artistic Director Patrick Dupre Quigley, this program traces the roots of American music and shows why folk traditions continue to shape how we listen, sing, and connect today.
The Roots of American Sound
American folk music sits at the foundation of nearly every genre that followed. Spirituals, hymns, ballads, work songs, and frontier tunes shaped jazz, rhythm and blues, rock, pop, and classical music in the United States. These songs were passed down by communities, not composers, and evolved through retelling. Each version added meaning, memory, and voice.
From This Land Is Your Land to My Darlin’ Clementine, folk songs reflect shared experience. They speak plainly, but their emotional reach is deep. They tell stories of hardship and hope, migration and belonging, injustice and resilience. That storytelling is why folk music continues to resonate across generations.
Why Patrick Dupre Quigley Programs American Folk
American folk music has always been central to Seraphic Fire’s artistic identity. Patrick Dupre Quigley has arranged and performed this repertoire for years, drawn to its honesty and musical depth. He often describes American folk music as the equivalent of Gregorian chant in European tradition; it is the source from which American musical language grew.
A centerpiece of this program is Hymnodic Delays by Ingram Marshall, one of Seraphic Fire’s most requested works. Built from early American folk hymns, the piece layers and stretches familiar melodies into a shimmering soundscape. Every singer carries an independent line, creating a living, breathing meditation on faith and memory. It is a work that bridges centuries, blending anonymous folk tradition with modern composition.
Why This Music Resonates in Naples and South Florida
Audiences in Naples and across South Florida connect deeply with American folk music because it feels personal. These songs belong to everyone. They recall childhood, family, place, and shared values. Performed by Seraphic Fire’s professional vocal ensemble, the music gains clarity and richness while retaining its direct emotional pull.
In a region shaped by movement, culture, and community, folk music offers a sense of grounding. It reminds listeners that music can be both refined and accessible, sophisticated and heartfelt. This concert invites audiences to hear familiar melodies anew and discover how deeply they still speak to modern life.
Experience American Folk Live
Seraphic Fire’s American Folk concert offers a 75-minute journey through America’s musical roots, performed entirely a cappella by one of the nation’s leading professional choirs. The program includes Simple Gifts, This Land Is Your Land, and Ingram Marshall’s Hymnodic Delays, alongside other beloved folk-inspired works.
Performances:
- Thursday, February 19 at 7:00 PM | Moorings Presbyterian Church, Naples
- Friday, February 20 at 8:00 PM | Church of the Little Flower, Coral Gables
- Saturday, February 21 at 7:30 PM | All Saints Episcopal, Ft. Lauderdale
- Sunday, February 22 at 4:00 PM | Miami Beach Community Church, Miami Beach
A Pre Concert Conversation will be presented by Dr. Nola Richardson one hour before the concert.
This concert series is made possible in part by a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, which supports the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and honors the enduring importance of American folk music.
Tickets are available at seraphicfire.org/tickets or by calling 305.285.9060. Audiences across South Florida are invited to experience this powerful celebration of American music live.
