The McDonough Choral Society announces its Spring 2026 concert, “An American
Celebration.”  Dr. John Orfe will direct the MCS in a program entirely of American composers
April 27, 2026, 7:00 p.m., at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1212 West Calhoun Street,
Macomb, IL 61455. Western Illinois University Staff Pianist Paul Casiano will accompany.
“This program represents an eclectic offering of beautiful and stirring music from composers
across America’s history, speaking to the varieties of American experience,” Orfe says.  Texts by
such iconic Americans as Abraham Lincoln, Walt Whitman, Phillis Wheatley, and Robert Frost
will appear in settings by Aaron Copland, Howard Hanson, Moses Hogan, and more.  America’s
first published composer, the patriot William Billings, and America’s first full-time songwriter,
the Civil War-era troubadour Stephen Foster, will also appear.  The expressive range of the
pieces is wide, spanning idealism, revolutionary fervor, wry humor, wonder at the natural world,
human passions, endurance amidst tragedy, and the aspiration toward a better future.
The MCS will be joined by the Prairieland Barbershop Chorus in the program’s second
half, co-directed by Joseph Butcher and Ethan Ivey. "The Macomb Prairieland Chorus is
thrilled that the McDonough Choral Society asked us to join them on their spring concert,” said
Joe.  “We're looking forward to sharing our unique four-part harmony with their audience and
continue our tradition of bringing barbershop music to Macomb in a new way.  We believe
collaborations like this are great for both organizations and are looking forward to new ways to
partner in the future."

In addition, Dr. Orfe will perform the piano solo “Union” by Louis Moreau Gottschalk,
America’s first internationally touring virtuoso. Gottschalk wrote “Union” during the Civil War
and performed it at the White House for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. The MCS will then perform
Orfe’s original setting of texts by or attributed to Abraham Lincoln, “Lincoln’s Dream.”
For the finale, Peter Wilhousky’s arrangement of “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” the
audience will be invited to join in singing Julia Ward Howe’s final chorus, “Glory, Glory,
Hallelujah.” “In commemorating the 250 th  anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of
Independence, we intend this program as an affirmation of the ideals of freedom and
democracy,” Orfe summarizes, “even as we as a nation continue to grapple with fulfilling those
ideals.”
Everyone is cordially invited to the fellowship hall for refreshments following the
performance. This is a non-ticketed event with donations accepted.