The region's premier adult vocal ensemble, the Bel Canto Chorale, will present their Spring Concert at 2:00 on Sunday, March 29th at First United Methodist Church in downtown Burlington. The 2025-2026 season has featured the various genres that define distinctively American repertoire as we lead up to the celebration of America's 250th birthday. This spring the program will highlight early American hymns, African-American spirituals, traditional American folk songs, and even some patriotic favorites.

Selections will include arrangements by Aaron Copeland, Robert Shaw, William Dawson, and Moses Hogan among many others. The program features well-known classics such as Simple Gifts, Skip to My Lou, Shenandoah, Yankee Doodle, Red River Valley, a beautiful newer arrangement of American the Beautiful, a modern choral rendition of the national anthem, and the audience will get to participate in the finale of Battle Hymn of the Republic. The Bel Canto Chamber Singers will also perform selections by 19th century American composer Stephen Foster.

The Bel Canto Chorale consists of nearly 50 select singers and has been dedicated to the development of the performance skills of our members and the enjoyment and education of our audiences for 58 years. The ensemble regularly performs a variety of high quality a cappella and accompanied works that span five centuries of great choral repertoire.

This concert is featured as part of the Iowa statewide America 250 concert series. The first 100 audience members will receive a free commemorative patriotic keychain. Tickets are available at the door. Adults - $8 / Students of all ages – FREE.