Seraphic Fire’s recent American Folk program carried audiences through a rich landscape of music that continues to shape America’s cultural identity. In his South Florida Classical Review critique, Lawrence Budmen described the performance as a “cavalcade of Americana,” praising both the depth of the repertoire and the ensemble’s versatility under the direction of Patrick Dupre Quigley.
From early American hymns to modern reflections, the evening revealed the remarkable expressive range of the human voice.
A Musical Tapestry Across Centuries
Budmen highlighted the program’s breadth, beginning with music from the Shaker tradition. Simple Gifts opened the evening with purity and precision, delivered with what he described as “strong attention to varied dynamics and blending of timbres.”
Selections by William Billings, including Chester, followed with “stirring fervor,” grounding the performance in the foundations of American musical history. These works reminded listeners that folk traditions remain central to the American sound.
Modern Voices, Timeless Roots
A defining moment of the evening came with Ingram Marshall’s Hymnodic Delays. Budmen described the work as a “modernist harmonic soundscape,” emphasizing both its complexity and the choir’s command of the score.
He noted that the piece presents “a formidable test of intonation, precision and coordination,” observing that Seraphic Fire’s singers were “fully up to the challenge.” The performance illustrated how contemporary composers continue to draw inspiration from early American musical forms.
Familiar Songs, Fresh Perspective
Budmen also praised the ensemble’s treatment of beloved standards. Shenandoah and Tenting Tonight were described as “refreshing” in their clarity and refinement. Solo moments stood out throughout the evening, including Charles Wesley Evans’ “warm, sonorous baritone” in Home on the Range.
Selections such as Angel Band, Keep on the Sunny Side, and Farther Away brought warmth, energy, and vitality to the program. Budmen underscored the choir’s characteristic “vigor and enthusiasm,” qualities that continue to define Seraphic Fire’s performances.
Continue the Season with Seraphic Fire
American Folk once again affirmed why Seraphic Fire is regarded as one of the country’s leading professional choirs. Performances like this reveal the extraordinary power of live choral music to inspire, move, and connect audiences.
Only two concerts remain this season.
Candlelight in March invites audiences into one of South Florida’s most intimate and immersive musical experiences, performed entirely by candlelight.
Surround Sound in April closes the season with a breathtaking spatial music event, placing singers throughout the performance space for a truly unforgettable finale.
These programs offer entirely different musical worlds, yet both capture the artistry, precision, and emotional depth that define Seraphic Fire.
Tickets are available at seraphicfire.org/tickets or by calling 305.285.9060.
