Concert Program
Guest Artist Concert Series
Lyyra – “Rising”
Thursday, October 23, 2025
7:00 p.m.
Recital Hall
“Rising” celebrates the full spectrum of sound and repertoire possible from treble voices. Ranging from early music to jazz and pop, it particularly highlights the group’s first album to be released under Warner Classics.
Program
| Sing Joyfully | William Byrd |
| Medal | Emily King arr. Tehillah Alphonso |
| When The Earth Stands Still | Don MacDonald |
| The Hymn of Acxiom | Vienna Teng arr. Kerry Marsh |
| America | Paul Simon arr. Blake Morgan |
| Bridge Over Troubled Water | Paul Simon arr. Clyde Sechler ed. Lyyra |
| Eleanor Rigby | Lennon-McCartney arr. Blake Morgan |
| Rise Up My Love | Leslie Savoy Burrs |
| Dusk in June | Amy Beach |
| A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square | Manning Shewin arr. Gene Puerling |
| Dolce Cantavi | Caroline Shaw |
| Will the Circle Be Unbroken | trad. Appalacian arr. J. David Moore |
| Someday We’ll All Be Free | Donny Hathaway arr. Isaiah Carter |
| Dark Out of the Night | Peter Eldridge arr. Erik Jacobson |
| You Are the Sunshine of My Life | Stevie Wonder arr. Isaiah Carter |
| What Was I Made For? | Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell arr. Anna Crumley |
| She | Laura Mvula and Steve Brown arr. Michael Brisentine |
| Light of a Clear Blue Morning | Dolly Parton arr. Cecille Elliott |
| Encore | |
Bio
Lyyra – photo by John Glaser
Lyyra is the new all-women vocal ensemble from The VOCES8 Foundation and is based in the USA. Lyyra records exclusively for Warner Classics. Creating world-class musical experiences to inspire audiences, Lyyra seeks to redefine the genre of upper voice music in the choral landscape, highlighting the astonishing capabilities within the full spectrum of women’s singing. The sound of this bright, young group combines velvety richness alongside star-like brilliance. With a broad texture and exhilarating range of sound, the group’s talented members specialize in classical, jazz, pop, and folk music from diverse traditions and backgrounds.
Lyyra tours both at home in the USA and internationally. The group gave its debut performances throughout the USA in 2024, including for the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), and released its debut EP More Love on the VOCES8 Records label. Early 2025 saw the ensemble sign exclusively to Warner Classics and give its European tour debut with concerts and recording in the UK (Kings Place, London), France (La Folle Journée festival, Nantes), and a tour of German cities. Lyyra’s first single for Warner Classics, “The Hymn of Acxiom,” was released in March. In the summer of ‘25, Lyyra will give concerts in the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, as well as continuing its US touring.
Lyyra is passionate about music education and is part of The VOCES8 Foundation’s mission to actively promote “Music Education For All.” Engaging in a broad range of work collaborating with schools, universities, and community organizations, The VOCES8 Foundation reaches up to 40,000 people each year.
Reflective of music, harmony and the night sky, Lyyra takes its name from the constellation that represents Orpheus’ famed lyre. Lyyra is Anna Crumley, MaryRuth Miller, Elizabeth Tait, Aryssa Leigh Burrs, Ingrid Johnson, and Cecille Elliott. Lyyra’s Creative Director is Erik Jacobson.
The US Foundation runs a highly successful Scholar program, where young professionals at the beginning of their singing career learn the skills to be successful in today’s choral landscape, at no cost to the singer. The professional groups also spearhead a robust program with Foundation teaching artists to create meaningful and lasting relationships with communities in one of many educational hub regions around the country.