Howard Hanson's New Land, New Covenant Gets Its Local Premiere at Hochstein — Free Concert This Sunday

Howard Hanson spent 40 years directing the Eastman School of Music and called Rochester home for much of his life — yet his most substantial choral work, written for America's 200th birthday in 1976, has never been performed in this city. This Sunday, the Finger Lakes Choral Festival changes that. Conductor Eric Townell leads a full mixed chorus, children's chorus, soloists, and orchestra in the local premiere of Hanson's New Land, New Covenant — a bicentennial oratorio the conductor describes as “far less stodgy than a lot of patriotic music written for our 200th anniversary.” It's one of those nights that reminds you why Rochester has always been a music city.

Date: Sunday, July 26, 2026 Time: 4:00 PM Location: Hochstein Performance Hall, 50 N. Plymouth Avenue, Rochester, NY Cost: Free (donations for Action for a Better Community welcome)

Just show up Sunday at 4 PM — no tickets required. If the music moves you, consider bringing a non-perishable food item, new clothing, or new personal care product to benefit Action for a Better Community.