Contained within the borders of North, Central and South America is a rich tradition of storytelling through song. In these songs we tell of love and life through intimate, poignant and sometimes humorous tales. Folk songs are a tradition that can remind us of the beauty that surrounds us, the exoticism of spirit-filled nature; "I'm the girl in the woods, a girl of strange moods - spirits possess me...", the warmth of a mother singing to her child, or of a better path to follow; "T'is a gift to be simple, t'is a gift to be free...". Folk songs touch our past and inspire our future. Borrowing from the deep tradition of song, which rings throughout these Continents, Songs of the Americas highlights rarely heard, and world-premiere performances of works by living composers of the Americas. Songs of the Americas is a blend of classically arranged folk music from Puerto Rico to Brazil, from the Civil War era Appalachian Mountains to 20th century California. (Featuring composers Lou Harrison, Ernesto Cordero, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Frantz Casseus and Morten Lauridsen.)