Solaris Vocal Ensemble, the Burlington-based, auditioned chamber choir, presents a benefit concert in Manchester, Vermont at the historic First Congregational Church on June 16, 2019 at 4:00PM. The concert, entitled Serenade to Summer, featuring music about the joys of life and singing, is being sponsored by FCC's Chancel Choir.

Artistic Director Dr. Dawn Willis and the Solaris Ensemble will introduce themselves to the Manchester area audience with the purpose of energizing donations to the church's Organ Restoration Fund. FCC's exceptional organ, in need of preservation, was gifted to the church in 1959, and with 1588 pipes is one of the largest pipe organs left in the state of Vermont.

Solaris will be joined by the Chancel Choir for portions of the concert and will also perform on their own. Selections by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Giuseppe Verdi, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, and Morten Lauridsen are among the works to be presented by Solaris Ensemble. Manchester saxophonist Glen Hueckel will accompany Solaris for the Anders Paulsson arrangement of the American spiritual Deep River.

Admission to the concert is free (general seating), with audience members encouraged to make a donation to the Organ Restoration Fund. More details about the concert are available at: www.SolarisEnsemble.org Solaris, considered by many to be the finest ensemble of its type in Vermont, is a mixed-voice choir of 24 to 30 members whose activities include live performances, benefit concerts for community not-for-profit organizations, recording, and touring. Its mission is to bring light to great choral works that span the ages, through compelling performances imbued with passion and musical artistry.