A large choir performs inside a church, directed by a conductor in a bright blue jacket standing at the center. Behind the choir, a large pipe organ and a stained-glass window depicting a religious figure create a dramatic backdrop lit in purple and blue tones. In front of the choir, musicians play guitar, violin, cello, double bass, and percussion instruments.
Via Nova Chorale 2026–27 season cover featuring the word “Voices” above a colorful abstract line illustration of singers. Text reads “Via Nova Chorale Presents,” “Steven Phillips, Artistic Director,” and “The 2026–27 Season.”

concert 1

VOICES: OF THE PEOPLE
America's 250th Year

Friday, November 6, 7 p.m.
At First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak St., Sarasota.

 A Via Nova celebration of our American passion for freedom, opportunity, and expression. Choral and instrumental music by Benjamin Britten, Anton Dvorak, and a host of American composers past and present, performed by choir and string orchestra. At 250, we are still stirred by our founding vision, now more than ever!

concert 2

VOICES: OF FORGOTTEN WORLDS
A Celtic Christmas

Friday, December 11, 7 p.m. | Saturday, December 12, 4 p.m. In collaboration with The Lubben Brothers Band & First Presbyterian Church

A Christmas tradition continues, with 60-voice choir and soloists, the Lubben Brothers Band, the Porter Kavanagh Irish Dance Academy, bagpiper Kevin Wiegand, dancer James Jordan, and so much more! Our castle is your castle as we imagine the season with magic of the Celtic nations.

concert 3

VOICES: IF ART COULD SING
The Ringling in Music

Friday, February 19, 7 p.m.
In collaboration with John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art

Inspired by the amazing collection of the John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art, this concert will move you, uplift you, and challenge you like no other. Experience pairings of projected art with live music from classical times to the exhilarating present. This concert dives deeply into the human experience and leaves us more hopeful than ever.

concert 4

VOICES: OF THE VOICELESS
One Human Family

Friday, April 16, 7 p.m.
With Dan Landrum, hammer dulcimer virtuoso

Via Nova Chorale amplifies the voices of those peoples who have been silenced by oppression or genocide in our human family. While there are some challenging moments, this concert is a riveting and immersive experience in human creativity and resilience! Music is drawn from many cultures, including Armenian, Bosnian, Rwandan, Cambodian, Jewish, Arabic, Asian, Native American, and African American.

concert 5

VOICES: OF THE ELEMENTS
Earth-Fire-Water-Sky

Friday, May 21, 7 p.m.
With The Simon Lasky Group, with vocalist Allison Nash

Via Nova Chorale and The Simon Lasky Group bring an unforgettable sonic experience that opens us to the mystery of life and the power of the elements. The music is multi-stylistic, epic, and surprising – stunning a cappella works, touches of India, Asia, South America, jazz moments, and even some Elton John and Burt Bacharach. Fall in love with planet earth all over again!

the 2025-2026 Season

Concert art and information for Jazz Mass on Friday May 1, 2026 with dark blue background and photos of Steven Phillips, soloist Maicy Powell and group shot of via nova chorale, including via nova logo

Jazz Mass for a New Humanity

Back by popular demand, “Jazz Mass for a New Humanity,” a groundbreaking work by Via Nova’s artistic director, Steven Phillips, sets the traditional texts of the mass in conversation with sacred writings from many traditions, along with poetry by Maya Angelou, Wendell Berry, and others. Performed with a first-rate jazz ensemble and acclaimed vocalist Maicy Powell, this stirring program entertains, uplifts, and inspires.

Co-producers: Virginia Lee Harrod & Charlie Ann Syprett

Friday, May 1, 7 p.m.
At First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak St., Sarasota.

PAST EVENTS

Future Present Past: Living This Moment in Time​

This evocative program explores the nature of time and our relationship to it, offering an eclectic, immersive journey with music by G. F. Handel, Ola Gjeilo, Jerome Kern, Bob Dylan, and many more. It is a moving call to honor the past, embrace the present, and imagine a hopeful, compassionate future. The evening also includes a moment of gratitude for Choral Artists of Sarasota and its retiring artistic director, Dr. Joseph Holt.

Friday, November 7, 7 p.m.
At First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak St., Sarasota.

ancient stone sundial, sandy beach, gentle waves, soft golden sunlight, misty ambiance, ethereal ocean, dreamy and blurred focus, vibrant horizon with sunrise colors, distant silhouette of islands, scattered clouds in morning sky, 3:4 aspect ratio, tranquil and mystical atmosphere, panoramic view, wider angle
Promotional flyer for “A Celtic Christmas” presented by First Presbyterian Church, Via Nova Chorale, and The Lubben Brothers. The design features a child walking through a lush green forest on the left, with smaller inset photos on the right showing a large choir performing, a group of Irish dancers, a bagpiper, and The Lubben Brothers playing instruments on stage. Text reads: “A Celtic Christmas. First Presbyterian Church • Via Nova Chorale • The Lubben Brothers. Friday, Dec 12 – 7:00 PM. Saturday, Dec 13 – 4:00 PM. Come and hear the sounds of the six Celtic nations, featuring a 70-voice choir, piper Kevin Wiegand, and acclaimed folk band The Lubben Brothers. Tickets and information at FirstPresSarasota.org & ViaNovaChorale.org & (941) 955-8119. Concerts held at First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak Street, Sarasota FL.”

A Celtic Christmas

Now in its 10th year, this beloved event, presented jointly with First Presbyterian Church Choir & The Lubben Brothers Band, celebrates the season with the sounds of the Celtic nations. The concert features a 70-voice choir, piper Kevin Wiegand, and the acclaimed folk band, The Lubben Brothers.

Friday, December 12, 7 p.m.
Saturday, December 13, 4 p.m.
At First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak St., Sarasota.

Elevate! The Music of Joy

A celebration of joy as a force for change, with music by F. J. Haydn, Morten Lauridsen, John Legend, and more. When events in the world seem disheartening, this uplifting concert takes an inspiring stand—joy is the way forward!

Friday, March 6, 7 p.m.
At First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak St., Sarasota.

diverse group of people with their hands raised in a yellow glow
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