Valencio Jackson, a Catholic University doctoral student in composition from the Virgin Islands, will premier his composition, titled “Hush,” based on the text of Isaac Watts’s “Cradle Hymn,” during the Annual Christmas Concert for Charity on Friday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m.
Jackson is a doctoral student in composition from St. Croix. Although his composition was largely written before Hurricane Maria unleashed extensive damage on his family’s home, he still feels the composition ties in well with this year’s chosen charity — Catholic Charities USA Hurricane Relief.
The concert, which is cosponsored by The Catholic University of America and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, is held annually in the Basilica’s Great Upper Church. All are welcome. Admission is free, but there is a free-will offering taken up for charity.
The concert will include performances by the Choir of the Basilica of the National Shrine, as well as the Catholic University Chamber Choir, the University Singers, and the CUA Symphony Orchestra conducted by Timothy McDonnell, director of choral activities and the Institute of Sacred Music, and Allan Laino, director of the University Singers.
Free parking is available at the Basilica Harewood Road parking lot. For more information on the concert, visit music.catholic.edu or nationalshrine.com.
MEDIA: For more information or to schedule an interview with composer Valencio Jackson, contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at communications@cua.edu or 202-319-5600.