As autumn gives way to the quiet beauty of late fall, Melodia Women’s Choir of NYC invites audiences to experience "November Nights," a concert exploring the beauty of nature, the power of love, spiritual reflection and the passage of time through evocative choral music. The performance takes place Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 7:30 PM at the Church of the Holy Apostles in Manhattan.

Under the artistic direction of Cynthia Powell, and with pianist Janet Sora Chung, the concert brings together contemporary choral works, Romantic-era compositions, traditional melodies and sacred music. Performed by women’s voices, the program moves between shimmering harmonies, intimate lyricism and richly expressive soundscapes.

A Program of Contrasts and Musical Discovery

The evening opens a window onto the natural world with two works that capture the beauty and mystery of the night. Ola Gjeilo’s Northern Lights evokes the ethereal spectacle of the aurora borealis through shimmering, atmospheric harmonies that seem to dance across a vast northern sky. Morten Lauridsen’s Sure on this Shining Night, set to a poem by James Agee, offers a more intimate reflection on life's beauty, expressing gratitude, wonder and solace through warm, flowing harmonies. Together, these works celebrate the natural world as a source of inspiration and renewal.

The program continues with Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Six Choruses for Women’s Voices, revealing a lesser-known dimension of the composer's musical imagination. Written specifically for women's voices, these works combine his characteristic harmonic richness and Romantic expressiveness with moments of delicate lyricism and introspection. They showcase the emotional range and expressive possibilities of the women's chorus.

Several works revisit familiar musical and literary traditions through fresh choral interpretations. Franz Schubert’s An die Musik, arranged by Cynthia Powell, is a heartfelt tribute to music as a source of comfort, inspiration, and enduring beauty. Clara Schumann’s Lorelei, arranged by Brandon Williams, draws listeners into the haunting world of Romantic legend, evoking the mysterious maiden whose enchanting song lures sailors toward danger on the Rhine. The traditional Irish air The Last Rose of Summer, arranged by Earlene Rentz, offers a poignant meditation on beauty, memory and the passage of time, its tender melody expressing both the sweetness of remembrance and the sadness of loss.

Sacred music brings moments of contemplation and spiritual depth. Roxanna Panufnik’s Ubi Caritas, inspired by the ancient Latin text celebrating charity and divine love, explores love as a unifying force that transcends individual differences. O Vos Omnes, arranged by Cynthia Powell, draws upon the poignant text from the Book of Lamentations to express grief, vulnerability and the universal longing for compassion and understanding. Robert Lowry’s At the River, in Aaron Copland’s evocative arrangement, offers a distinctly American expression of faith and hope, reflecting on reunion, peace and the promise of transcendence. Daniel E. Gawthrop’s Sing Me to Heaven, with text by Jane Griner, celebrates the spiritual power of music and its ability to lift the human spirit beyond the boundaries of everyday life.

More than a collection of beautiful choral works, "November Nights" is a musical journey through wonder and longing, sorrow and consolation, solitude and community. From the shimmering mystery of the northern sky to the intimacy of familiar melodies and the contemplation of sacred texts, the program celebrates music's extraordinary ability to illuminate the human experience and connect us through shared emotion.

Join Melodia Women’s Choir of NYC for "November Nights" on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 7:30 PM at the historic Church of the Holy Apostles, 9th Avenue at 28th Street in Manhattan. The concert promises an evening of luminous choral music celebrating nature, love, reflection and the beauty of the human spirit.

For more information and to purchease tickets, visit Eventbrite.

About Melodia Women’s Choir of NYC

Founded in 2003, Melodia Women’s Choir has become a staple of New York City’s choral scene, known for its adventurous programming and captivating performances. The choir’s repertoire spans centuries and genres, with a mission to shine a spotlight on women’s voices--both literally and compositionally--through music that resonates, challenges and uplifts.