DCINY will present a performance of Sing Democracy 250 (SD250) in New York, NY on May 24, 2026, at the Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall at 7:00PM.

This event marks the third in a series of four Signature Concerts nationwide, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence through new music, community voices, and a spirit of unity. The world premiere performance was held in Philadelphia at Marian Anderson Hall in fall 2025, Midwest premier will occur in Minneapolis on April 12th, and a final performance will be held in Washington, D.C. on June 13. Performers in NYC will include the Together In Hope Choir, Mizzou University Singers, Stuyvesant High School Oratorio Choir, and the Main Line Symphony Orchestra, all led by conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III.

Through newly commissioned choral works including Redeem the Dream and US, Sing Democracy 250 invites reflection on the founding ideals of the nation and the Declaration of Independence: exploring where those hopes have been fulfilled, where they have fallen short, and presenting the ten habits of good citizenship.

"As the third stop in our national four-city tour, New York City represents a vital chapter in this celebration,” said co-founders Gary Aamodt and Celia Ellingson. “Our mission is to create a shared musical dialogue that affirms the values that define us as Americans – sovereignty of the people, equality, and our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. By gathering in this iconic space, we hope to inspire a renewed commitment to our democracy, the habits of good citizenship, and our responsibilities to each other and our country.”

"This concert was born out of a deep desire to bring people together to honor the 250th anniversary of our country,” said conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III. “We are living in a time when division too often defines our public life. Music has a unique power to gather us in the same space, to help us listen to one another, and to remind us of our shared humanity. When we sing together, we practice the very act of community.”