Source Song Festival announces its 12th Festival Season with a week of recitals, masterclasses and lectures, all open to the public. The 2025 season is focused on “Singing Down the Barriers,” highlighting African American spirituals in the concert setting.

From August 3-8, 2025, Westminster Hall in downtown Minneapolis’ Westminster Presbyterian Church is host to this celebration of art song. Created as early as the 18th century, art song’s traditional repertoire is expanded when Source highlights today’s emerging composers, who enhance and develop the meaning of this evocative musical genre.

Sixteen vocalists and collaborative pianists from across the United States comprise the eight MNDuo performer pairs that will study the musical works of song and perform in collaboration with local Minnesota composers. Meanwhile, eight composers refine their own emerging works with the guidance of the renowned Libby Larsen.

These impressive musicians and composers hail from esteemed institutions including Juilliard, Peabody, Rice, Eastman, University of Minnesota and Brigham Young University, among others. Their rehearsal and study will culminate in a public recital during the Festival.

Season 12 will also welcome nationally renowned guest musicians, composers, and clinicians to present daytime educational lectures and masterclasses for the MNSong and MNDuo participants. MNScholar features a daily 10 a.m. lecture dedicated to song repertoire, scholarship and non-profit research. Over 16 masterclasses and lectures spotlighting guest artists and festival directors are open to the public; all daytime events remain free. Detailed information about schedules, parking and tickets (including an all-inclusive festival pass) for evening concerts can be found at www.sourcesongfestival.org.