Lessons Carols and Reflections of Christmas (2023)

To view the concert, click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQdOIM9noek

Umeri-Christmas-Concert-Program-2023_FINALDownload

Beautiful, Truthful, and Good – music of Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gerald Finzi, as well as American composers Jake Runestad and Stephen Paulus

To view the concert, click on this link: https://youtu.be/WHcDbVkrsGc

Umeri-Fall-Concert-Program-2023Download

The Sacred Veil – music by Eric Whitacre, with texts by Charles Anthony Silvestri and Julie Silvestri

To view the concert, click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV5nqlqmU5U

Umeri ProgramJune 2023 Proof 4Download

Lessons Carols and Reflections of Christmas (2022)

To view the concert, click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC2ayl-pvoA

Christmas-Concert-Program-2022-1Download

October 2022 Of Time and the Seasons

This performance is 40 minutes long and includes music by Eriks Esenvalds, Benjamin Britten, Thomas Morley, and other distinguished composers, including William P. Dougherty, Drake University Professor Emeritus of Theory and Composition.  Umeri commissioned Dr. Dougherty to set the Wendell Berry poem Within the Circles of Our Lives, so this concert features the premiere of that marvelously crafted work.  To view the concert, click on this link: https://youtu.be/KNW7adGxp5E

Of-Time-and-Seasons-Program-FINAL-6-compressedDownload

Considering Matthew Shepard by Craig Hella Johnston-June 2022 

Umeri was pleased to present the Iowa premiere of this deeply moving work, which uses a broad range of musical styles (blues, jazz, gospel, country, chant, folk, Broadway, pop, and twenty-first century compositional techniques such as minimalism) to tell a story of wholeness emerging from suffering and brokenness, and a place of unity in diversity.  This powerful fusion oratorio celebrates the human potential to move beyond hatred and loss toward compassion and deep understanding.  https://youtu.be/RQ02RHcEjlA
Considering-Matthew-Shepard-Program-5.5-8.5-in-2Download

Lessons Carols and Reflections of Christmas (2021)

Modeled on the more than one hundred-year tradition of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King’s College, Cambridge, but made new by the inclusion of commissioned reflections, Umeri will present this holiday favorite featuring choral music, included the premiere of a commissioned piece, carols sung by the audience and choir, readings, and reflections written by Charles Anthony Silvestri, Tim Fitzgerald, and Robyn Bles.  To view the concert, click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYJfMvCHa2U

Lessons-Carols-and-Reflections-of-Christmas-Program-3Download

Fall 2021 – Music of Compassion and Consolation

Umeri collaborated with members of the Des Moines Symphony in a performance of the Duruflé Requiem, as well as pieces by young American composers. To view the concert, click on this link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY2cYjqgaYQ
Umeri-Compassion-and-Consolation-Program-_Final-4Download

Spring 2021

Umeri recorded a spring concert, Hope Springs, as a streamed performance featuring music celebrating and reflecting on our present season of life. The concert, recorded at St. Ambrose Cathedral on May 6th, 2021, showcases pieces by Jake Runestad, Giselle Wyers, W. A. Mozart, Imant Ramish, Benjamin Britten, and Jeff Douma, and is available on the Umeri YouTube page. Below is the program for Hope Springs for your reading pleasure.
Umeri-Hope-Springs-Concert-ProgramDownload

The Lessons, Reflections, and Carols, of Christmas (2020)

Umeri presented The Lessons, Reflections, and Carols of Christmas as a streamed performance in December of 2020.  The concert, recorded at St. Ambrose Cathedral and featuring readings, choral music, and reflections on Christmas in the context of this eventful year, as well as beloved carols, is available on the Umeri YouTube page.
Umeri-ProgramDownload