COME CELEBRATE! Please join us on June 21st at 3PM for a Juneteenth Celebration Concert. Delaware Valley Opera Company (DVOC) is presenting a concert highlighting the music of William Grant Still and the poetry of Langston Hughes, two exemplary African American Artists from the 20th Century. We will also be hosting a World Premiere of a new song cycle by our Composer in Residence Misha Dutka with poetry from Langston Hughes - songs created for this celebration event.
We have curated a truly inspirational and uplifting program that EVERYONE can enjoy. In addition to our featured artists, we will present songs by Ricky Ian Gordon, Lesile Adams and others. There will also be a special video segment that you will not want to miss. So please come celebrate and learn with us! Discover something new.
Singers: Chaka Allen, Jessica Lowe, Laurice Kennel, Savannah Whittenberg, and Shaun McGrath
Pianist: Margarita Shatilova
When: June 21, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM
Where: The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown
35 W. Chelten Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19144
Admission: Free ($20 donation appreciated)
Runtime: 1hr and 30 minutes
This event is also a fundraising concert to support our 2025-2026 season.
We have curated a truly inspirational and uplifting program that EVERYONE can enjoy. In addition to our featured artists, we will present songs by Ricky Ian Gordon, Lesile Adams and others. There will also be a special video segment that you will not want to miss. So please come celebrate and learn with us! Discover something new.
Singers: Chaka Allen, Jessica Lowe, Laurice Kennel, Savannah Whittenberg, and Shaun McGrath
Pianist: Margarita Shatilova
When: June 21, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM
Where: The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown
35 W. Chelten Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19144
Admission: Free ($20 donation appreciated)
Runtime: 1hr and 30 minutes
This event is also a fundraising concert to support our 2025-2026 season.
Honoring Freedom:
The Meaning of Juneteenth
Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19th, commemorates a pivotal moment in American history—the end of slavery in the United States. On this day in 1865, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that all enslaved people were free. This marked the final enforcement of emancipation in one of the last Confederate strongholds, symbolizing a delayed but definitive end to slavery.
Though freedom had been legally granted in 1863, its implementation depended on Union military victories and the spread of information. For the more than 250,000 enslaved people in Texas, Juneteenth was a long-awaited moment of liberation. It became a day of jubilation and reflection, and over time, evolved into a celebration of African American resilience, culture, and progress.
Juneteenth is more than a historical milestone—it's a reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality. It calls us to honor the courage and contributions of Black Americans throughout history and to continue the work of building a more inclusive and equitable society.
In 2021, Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday, a long overdue acknowledgment of its national importance. Communities across the country observe the day with parades, educational events, family gatherings, and cultural performances. It’s a time for remembrance, celebration, and action.
As we reflect on the significance of Juneteenth, we are reminded that freedom is not just a moment in history—it’s a continuing commitment. Understanding and honoring this day is a step toward recognizing the full truth of our past and shaping a more just future for all.
Though freedom had been legally granted in 1863, its implementation depended on Union military victories and the spread of information. For the more than 250,000 enslaved people in Texas, Juneteenth was a long-awaited moment of liberation. It became a day of jubilation and reflection, and over time, evolved into a celebration of African American resilience, culture, and progress.
Juneteenth is more than a historical milestone—it's a reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality. It calls us to honor the courage and contributions of Black Americans throughout history and to continue the work of building a more inclusive and equitable society.
In 2021, Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday, a long overdue acknowledgment of its national importance. Communities across the country observe the day with parades, educational events, family gatherings, and cultural performances. It’s a time for remembrance, celebration, and action.
As we reflect on the significance of Juneteenth, we are reminded that freedom is not just a moment in history—it’s a continuing commitment. Understanding and honoring this day is a step toward recognizing the full truth of our past and shaping a more just future for all.