Manhattan, NY & Montclair, NJ- Ember Choral Arts, under the direction of Founding Artistic Director Dr. Deborah Simpkin King, will present two performances of the concert entitled “8 Billion + 1.” Performances will be held on March 24th at 7:30 pm in midtown Manhattan, at St. Malachy’s - The Actors’ Chapel and on March 25th at 8:00 pm in Montclair, New Jersey at Immaculate Conception Church. This choral performance will feature the 32-member choral ensemble in a program centered around the sustainability of the Earth’s resources as the global population surpasses eight billion people. This thought-provoking concert is broken into three sections: the impact on the Earth and how we interact with it, the importance of education (especially for young women around the world), and the significance of innovation in addressing population-related challenges. 

In addition to well-known pieces such as “ We Are The World,” by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, there are two world premiere compositions:  “Lúdí Yán,” by composer James W. Knox, professor of music at Oregon Community College; and a trilogy of pieces entitled Water Songs by award-winning composer David Avshalomov. 

“Lúdí Yán” is translated as ‘reed flute cave,’ referencing ‘The Palace of Natural Arts,’ located in the northwest of Guilin City, China, 3 miles away from the center of the city. Composer Knox says: “Caves are an excellent repository preserving information that would otherwise be lost to surface erosion and degradation.” The piece features traditional Chinese instrumentation including the Erhu (a type of Chinese violin), the Tanggu drums, and other percussion instruments symbolizing bringing good fortune and strength and representing divine will. The message creates a vivid image of a “quest” for new pathways to a brighter and healthier future.

When asked about the upcoming concert, Dr. Deborah Simpkin King said: “There is a lot to celebrate in the unprecedented growth in population to 8 billion (as of November 15, 2022) - such as the increase in human lifespan due to improvements in health and medicine. Yet, the demographics of population growth reveal some concerning statistics; and of even greater concern is the fact that the Earth, as we currently live on her, can support a population of only 5 billion! There are no easy solutions; yet, but these numbers are far more than inconvenient or uncomfortable. They represent a very real human emergency. Today! If Art can do anything somewhat universally, it is to compel our hearts. That is what we seek to do in the stunning music included in 8 Billion +1.”

Ember Choral Arts is an internationally recognized choral ensemble that performs worldwide. Fundamental to Ember’s core values is the belief that music has a unique power to affect the human heart and soul, inviting each of us to become fully aware, mindful individuals. It is part of Ember’s mission to extend the role of art beyond that of its own intrinsic value, leveraging it to bring visibility and expansive thinking to issues of human significance. Ember is fresh off the successful performances of VOICES of the Holocaust, which was performed at the incredible Central Synagogue and broadcast around the world to over eight million people on Jewish Broadcasting Service and Jewish Life Television, with a forthcoming album now in production engineered by Grammy Award Winning Producer Adam Abeshouse. 

For tickets and more information about “8 Billion + 1,” visit EmberArts.org.