ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Songs rooted in African tradition, Latin and pop music and ancient Hebrew text rose into the rafters of First Presbyterian Church on Saturday.
They were carried by a chorus of voices spanning generations, talent levels and life experiences.
The Lehigh Valley Chorale presented its first sold-out winter concert, "A Crowded Table."
The concert marked a milestone for the nearly 75-member nonprofit ensemble, now in its ninth season and preparing to celebrate its 10th anniversary in May.
“This group was founded on the idea that all of us create sacred, connected spaces.”Lehigh Valley Chorale Artistic Director Nick Sienkiewicz
It was formed in 2016 under Ed Milisits, a longtime Easton Area High School teacher, who retired from the school district in 2009.
He died at age 68 in January 2022.
His motto, "everyone can sing," paved the way for the choir's early success.
Back then, it consisted of about 40 people, some of whom once were Milisits' pupils.
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Nick Sienkiewicz — who addressed the audience between selections on Saturday — the chorale is a non-audition ensemble rooted Millsits' belief that “everyone can sing, and everyone can and should sing.”
“We see so many new faces and so many familiar ones tonight,” Sienkiewicz said.
“This group was founded on the idea that all of us create sacred, connected spaces.”
Vulnerability of love
That idea shaped Saturday's "Crowded Table" theme (the chorale also performed at the church on Friday evening), inspired by the 2019 song of the same name by The Highwomen.
The program explored themes of chosen family, welcoming the stranger, and gathering in shared humanity.
The opening selections included Jeffrey Van’s "Tread Softly," a reflective meditation on the birth of Jesus that reframes holiness as something created by collective care, Sienkiewicz said.
It was followed by a lively, folk-inflected arrangement of "Joy to the World" featuring fiddle and accordion.
The program continued with "The Word Was God," a choral work structured around the seven days of creation, and "Betelehemu," based on a Nigerian Christmas song.
One of the concert’s romantic touches was its rendition of Spencer Michael Free's "Your Hand in Mine," which captured the quiet vulnerability of love’s first moments, gradually building toward expression of connection.
'What it means to invite all'
In addition to the full chorale, the audience also heard from the Lehigh Valley Chorale Chamber Choir, the ensemble’s auditioned subgroup.
Its selections included "O vos omnes," drawn from Linda Meyer’s "Know the Past," which reflects the grief and displacement of immigrant communities, paired with "I Have Never Loved Someone the Way I Love You" by SheNova — a depiction of holding a newborn child for the first time.
The chamber performance spotlighted the ensemble’s commitment to nurturing musicians, Sienkiewicz said.
The haunting operatic voice of soloist Rachel Mcintosh, the inaugural Maks Johnson Musical Fellow, was featured during the chamber choir set.
According to Sienkiewicz, the fellowship provides paid musical opportunities, mentorship and training tracks in conducting, education or vocal performance, honoring the legacy of ensemble member Maksym John “Bubba” Johnson, who passed away in 2024.
The chorale's interim assistant conductor, Liz Olson, who also addressed the audience, praised the chorale not only for its music but for its generosity beyond the stage.
“This group truly represents what it means to invite all — creating the crowded table that we all yearn to join,” Olson said, citing the ensemble’s community outreach.
'Empathy is an active choice'
That outreach was evident Saturday through a food drive benefiting New Bethany Ministries, continuing the chorale’s tradition of pairing performances with service.
More recently, after learning that some residents would temporarily lose SNAP benefits amid the federal government shutdown, the ensemble raised $3,000 for Second Harvest Food Bank to help support neighbors facing food insecurity.
The concert's remaining songs were "Winter Song," originally by Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles, and arranged by Mac Huff.
Accompanied by collaborative pianist Kim Polone, Parkland High School cellist Madelynn Wascura and violinist Giovanni Poloni, the piece offered a quiet message of hope and connection during the holiday season.
They finished with "Ave Maria" and the Hebrew folk song "Hine Ma Tov" before breaking into a spirited cover of Celine Dion's "Don't Save it All for Christmas Day."
Sienkiewicz said Dion's piece reflects the season’s generosity while urging listeners to carry that spirit beyond the holidays.
“It’s difficult to be a good person 24 hours a day,” he said.
“Empathy is an active choice. Compassion is an active choice. Love is an active choice.”
'Believe we can conquer the world'
For the chorale's cover of "Crowded Table," which came last, singers formed a circle around the pews as Sienkiewicz conducted in the middle of the church aisle.
" One of the special parts about this group is that we have so many individuals of different backgrounds and experiences and talent levels and skill sets, Sienkiewicz said.
"Singing itself is one of the most vulnerable things a person can do."Lehigh Valley Chorale Artistic Director Nick Sienkiewicz
"This is a non-audition choir, which makes it a really special place for connecting with your community. Singing itself is one of the most vulnerable things a person can do.
"Often when we believe that we can sing, we believe we can conquer the world."
At Saturday's concert, the Lehigh Valley Chorale announced its fundraising for its 10-for-10 campaign.
The money raised will go to supporting the nonprofit's 10th anniversary events, including its May concert at Miller Symphony Hall and the chorale’s first-ever collaboration with the Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra, and its first commissioned work, written by composer and conductor Dominic DiOrio in honor of Milisits.
Other proceeds from the campaign will help support singers and advance the chorale’s mission that “everybody can sing,” including covering food, parking reimbursements and fee waivers.
To join the Lehigh Valley Chorale or to donate, visit its website.
