A compelling new orchestral work that brings American history into conversation with powerful contemporary voices.
What would America look like if we heard from the women whose stories have too often gone untold?
Letters to America is a multi-movement work for soprano and orchestra that offers a fresh, emotionally charged perspective on the American narrative. Created by composer Brittany J. Green and soprano Karen Slack, the project explores the country's founding principles and historic documents through the lens of personal letters and texts gathered from women today. The result is a moving musical journey that speaks to our shared history and the power of individual voice.
Drawing on sources ranging from the Declaration of Independence to contemporary legal decisions, Letters to America invites audiences to reflect on how the American story has been written—and who has been asked to carry it forward.
Developed in partnership with the American Composers Orchestra, the work offers performance and engagement opportunities tailored to orchestras and communities across the country.
Touring Availability
Letters to America will premiere at Carnegie Hall in March 2026, will and be available for orchestras nationwide beginning Fall 2026.
Artistic Excellence: Featuring the expressive, critically acclaimed voice of Karen Slack and the inventive, cinematic musical voice of Brittany J. Green, this project brings world-class artistry to the concert stage.
Narrative Power: Letters to America connects the past and present in a uniquely human way—inviting audiences to experience history not just as a record of events, but as a living conversation.
Community Engagement: Presenters have the option to host locally relevant programming such as letter-writing events or community conversations, allowing audiences to explore the themes of the work in meaningful ways.
The instrumentation of the work shall not exceed: 20 strings (6.5.4.3.2); double winds; 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 1 trombone, 1 tuba; timpani+2 percussion; harp, piano/keyboard with solo soprano. Standard instrumental doublings for the winds and brass are acceptable. Additional instruments or production elements such as video, computers, or electronics, may be utilized only with advance written permission from ACO. The piece shall be fifteen to twenty (15-20) minutes in duration.
Praised for her “sizeable voice that captured all of the vacillating emotions” (The New York Times), Karen Slack is "not only one of the nation's most celebrated sopranos, but a leading voice in changing and making spaces in classical music" (Trilloquy). A recipient of the 2022 Sphinx Medal of Excellence, Slack is a sought-after collaborator, curator and artistic advisor known for her fiery charisma and groundbreaking approach to engagement. Her debut album, Beyond the Years: Unpublished Songs of Florence Price on Azica Records, won the 2025 GRAMMY® Award for Best Classical Solo Vocal Album.
Contact Us
We invite you to contact us now about finding a date to bring Letters to America to your series in the 2026/27 season.