The Southern Virginia University Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. Benjamin Gaughran, will present their fall concert, “Earth to Heaven,” today, Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Lexington. Admission is free, and no tickets are required.
This performance marks the second concert in the Chamber Singers’ 2025–2026 season, themed “The Light Within.” Through this year’s concerts, the ensemble explores music that reflects the radiance of faith, the beauty of the human spirit, and the search for divine light amid life’s challenges.
“Earth to Heaven” invites audiences on a journey of sound and spirit, tracing the human longing for connection with the sacred. The program spans centuries and styles, featuring works by Rosephayne Powell, Palestrina, Craig Courtney, Mozart, William Dawson, Mack Wilberg, Jocelyn Hagen, Ily Matthew Maniano, Ēriks Ešenvalds, and Rollo Dilworth. Each piece offers aunique reflection on themes of prayer, joy, and transcendence, said Gaughran.
The Chamber Singers are accompanied by collaborative pianist Kamryn Bradshaw-Meyer, an SVU alumna.
“This concert explores how choral music connects heaven and earth through the shared experience of beauty and humanity,” said Gaughran. “We hope audiences will leave inspired and renewed by the music’s message of hope and light.”
The Southern Virginia University Chamber Singers represent the university’s most advanced choral ensemble, performing a wide range of repertoire from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary works.
