America Sings: Tarboro Choral Society to Celebrate 250 Years of American Music

Music, history and community will come together in Tarboro this May as the Tarboro Choral Society presents America Sings: A Musical Tapestry, a three-day festival celebrating the 250th birthday of America through the rich traditions of American music.

Taking place May 15–17, the free festival offers a wide-ranging experience that blends performance, education and community participation, all while honoring the musical voices that have helped shape the nation.

The celebration begins Friday evening with an Old Fashioned Hymn Sing at Tarboro Brewing Company, a nod to the tavern traditions and communal songs woven into America’s earliest history. Designed as a sing-along for friends and neighbors, the event invites the community to take part in the music, not simply listen to it.

Saturday’s programming expands into both scholarship and performance. A master class led by acclaimed guest conductor Dr. David Rayl will bring together choral students, church musicians and conductors for an interactive exploration of the art of conducting.

That evening, the festival turns to contemporary composition with Modern Voices, a concert presented by the North Carolina Choral Artists in historic Calvary Episcopal Church. Featuring works by living American composers—including a world premiere by North Carolina composer Michael Glasgow—the concert highlights the evolving story of American choral music. A pre-concert conversation with composers and artistic leaders will offer audiences a deeper look into the creative process behind the music.

The festival concludes Sunday at Edgecombe Community College with a performance by the Tarboro Choral Society featuring guest musicians and string ensemble. From Aaron Copland and Duke Ellington to Broadway, folk traditions and gospel influences, the program promises a musical journey through the sounds that have helped define America.

What makes this festival especially compelling is its broad invitation—to seasoned music lovers, students, families and anyone curious to experience something unique in the region. It is at once a cultural event, a community gathering and a celebration of shared heritage.

For the Tarboro Choral Society, whose mission centers on both artistic excellence and enriching Eastern North Carolina through performance, America Sings feels particularly fitting.

As communities across the nation begin marking America’s 250th anniversary, Tarboro is doing so through harmony—one voice, one song and one shared experience at a time.