We celebrate Independence Day with a famous work by the first great American choral composer, William Billings (1746-1800). This joyful piece was written in 1778, right during the American Revolution. This classic recording was made by Gregg Smith and his Gregg Smith Singers, one of the most important professional American choral ensembles of all times. I was organ accompanist for Gregg Smith for many years, and he became the most important choral conducting mentor I ever had. Voices of Ascension would not exist if it hadn’t been for his inspiration and encouragement. Before he passed away in 2016, Voices of Ascension was privileged to award him The George Perrin Prize for lifetime contribution to professional choral music. It is fitting that we feature one of his recordings of Billings today, for there never has been a greater proponent of American Choral Music than Gregg.

– Dennis Keene

WILLIAM BILLINGS I Am the Rose of Sharon

The Gregg Smith Singers
Gregg Smith, Conductor

from the 1969 Columbia Masterworks recording The Continental Harmony