World Premiere: We long to wait

The Music of Our Time Festival concludes with the premiere of a newly commissioned work by composer Flannery Cunningham, recipient of support through the Wilma Machover Fund. Her piece, We long to wake, for mezzo-soprano and chamber ensemble, draws on poetry by Carl Sandburg and the traditions of Sacred Harp singing to explore themes of mortality, human experience, and the urgency of living with awareness and intention.

“In We long to wake, I was drawn to the idea of contrasting human worlds and the ways music can bring them into conversation,” said Flannery Cunningham. “The piece ultimately asks us to reflect on how we live—to remain awake to what matters most and to the shared human experiences that connect us.”

In addition to the commissioned work,  the concert will include contemporary works performed by HBMS faculty and students. The winner of the 2026 Wilma Machover Prize will also be announced.

The concert is free of charge and open to the public.