Our Better Angels
At his first inauguration, with the Country facing Civil War, President Lincoln appealed to all to look to the “better angels of our nature”. His call was for inclinations such as empathy, self- control, and a sense of moral compass. In the 2025-2026 Season, Ember looks at the times of great upheaval in America in which “Our Better Angels” led us to some of our most shining endeavors.
Our Better Angels focuses on periods in American history in which enlightened leadership set the tone and established policies resulting in a brighter future for the American people. The first two performances of Our Better Angels are entitled: The Four Freedoms and the New Frontier.
The Four Freedoms
At the time of his State of the Union Address to the nation in January 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt and the nation were wrestling with involvement in World War II. In the speech, FDR identified what became famously call “The Four Freedoms,” which came to symbolize America’s vision for international peace: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.
Centerpiece compositions are the premiere of Michael Shapiro’s Liberation Cantata and of Sydney Guillaume’s new scoring of his Taste of Freedom.
Friday, March 13, 2026
St. Malachy’s/Actors Chapel, Midtown Manhattan
Sunday, March 15, 2026
St. Peters Episcopal Church, in Morristown, NJ
This is Ember’s debut performance in residence at St. Peter’s!
March 13 & 15, 2026
The New Frontier
This concert will focus on how America used our skills, training and courage to
take the first steps to conquer space.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
First Unitarian Congregational Society, Brooklyn
Sunday, May 17, 2026
St. Peters Episcopal Church, in Morristown, NJ
May 16 & 17, 2026
Book the Ember Ignite chamber ensemble for a concert, an in-school interactive assembly program, entertainment for your office event…
Sing with Ember!
Most auditions are held just before the start of the season in September. Let us know of your interest, and we’ll be in touch with more information.