Ode to Joy: Beethoven and Bernstein

Saturday, May 9th

3:00PM

At Heritage Fellowship Church

May 9: Beethoven's 9th and Bernstein's Chichester Psalms May 9: Beethoven's 9th and Bernstein's Chichester Psalms May 9: Beethoven's 9th and Bernstein's Chichester Psalms
May 9: Beethoven's 9th and Bernstein's Chichester Psalms
from $40.00

Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms (1965) sets Hebrew psalm texts in a luminous, rhythmic score that blends the composer’s Broadway-infused energy with heartfelt spirituality. Written at the height of his career, the work reflects Bernstein’s unique ability to move seamlessly between popular and classical idioms, bringing vitality, accessibility, and profound expression to sacred texts. Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 (1824), one of the most iconic achievements in Western music, culminates in the “Ode to Joy,” a choral finale that proclaims universal brotherhood. Heard together, these works affirm music’s enduring power to voice humanity’s deepest longings for unity, joy, and peace.

There are two seating options available for this performance. Premium seats offer the best view in the center section within the first 15 rows.

Where: Heritage Fellowship Church 2501 Fox Mill Rd, Reston, VA 20191

When: Saturday, May 9th 3:00PM


This program lasts approximately two hours with intermission.

Conductor Derek Maseloff leads the Great Falls Philharmonic and Voce Chamber Singers in two extraordinary choral masterworks: Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms and Beethovens Symphony No. 9 : Ode to Joy.

Voce Chamber Singers

David Mann, Artistic Director

Founded in 1989, Voce Chamber Singers is an auditioned community choir based in Vienna, VA. “Voce” (vo-chay) is devoted to promoting, sustaining, and evolving the choral art form in our community through inspired performances. 

Voce has served the Northern Virginia community for over three decades under former artistic directors Richard Giarusso, Ken Nafziger, and founder Carol Hunter. In the past five years with artistic director David Mann, Voce was nominated by The Choralis Foundation for “Best DEI Programming,” named as a finalist for the 2023 American Prize in Choral Performance, and hosted its first-ever youth choral festival.

Throughout its history, Voce has regularly commissioned new works, beginning in 1991 with the internationally acclaimed work, “Sing Me to Heaven” by Daniel Gawthrop. More recent commissions have included composers Emily Mason, Roland Carter, and Karen Thomas. 


  • Artistic Director

    David Mann is the artistic director of Voce Chamber Singers in Vienna, VA and director of music for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington. His passions include building community through inspired performances and exploring works by historically marginalized composers.

    David is a DMA candidate at the University of Maryland with Dr. Jason Max Ferndinand. He has prepared choirs for performances with the National Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, and served as the conductor of the University Chorale. Prior to UMD, he earned an MM from Michigan State University and won the 2018 American Prize for Choral Conducting.

    David began his career as choral director in Prince William County and continues to be a resource to secondary educators as a clinician through events with Festivals of Music, ACDA, and NAfME. He currently resides in McLean, VA with his wife Anna and their daughter Alice.

David Mann, Artistic Director

“Voce Chamber Singers is honored to be joining forces with the outstanding Great Falls Philharmonic musicians to present these joyful and thrilling masterworks.”

Meet Our Beethoven Soloists