“We are proud to present our 30th season this year with the theme, ‘Singing with Friends,’” says Pete Deshler, Director of the Jerusalem Singers.

There are three opportunities to hear the Jerusalem Singers’ “30th Anniversary Concert: Singing with Friends”: 7 p.m. July 20, St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Fogelsville; 7 p.m. July 27, United Fellowship Lutheran Church, Easton, and 7:30 p.m. July 29, Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church, Salisbury Township.

The concert will open with Deshler’s composition, “Lord, Make Us Instruments,” based on a text by Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226).

Next is Italian composer and organist Giuseppe Ottavio Pitoni’s (1657-1743) “Cantata Domino,” a motet premised upon Psalm 149:1-2, encouraging people to express joy and gratitude through song and celebration.

The concert continues with Deshler’s “Pax e concordia” (“Peace from harmony”). The genesis of this work began with Deshler’s song, “The Peace Canon,” based on the Hebrew text “Shalom chaverim” (‘Peace, friends’) paired with “Dona Nobis Pacem” (“Grant us peace”).

Says Deshler, “At the time, it occurred to me that including a Muslim text with a Hebrew and Christian text would create a powerful message.

“A missionary provided the text ‘Salaam aleykum’ (‘Peace upon you’) and it struck me that all three of these religions had widely-used phrases that mention peace.

“Here is common ground that millions of people share through their religion that could be a foundation for understanding. So, I created an entirely new piece of music using these three texts,” Deshler says.

The program continues with a traditional German folk song “Music Alone Shall Live.” Next is Bob Chilcott’s “We Are,” based on Maya Angelou’s 1990 poem “The Human Family,” reflecting on humanity’s fundamental similarities and superficial differences.

Harry Belafonte’s “Turn the World Around” is based upon Guinea folklore which addresses the interconnectedness of the natural world and shared human experience.

The concert concludes with Houston Bright’s spiritual “I Hear a Voice A-Prayin’” and Bradley Ellingboe’s traditional African-American spiritual “Glory, Glory, Hallelujah,” emphasizing courage, hope and thanksgiving.

Deshler is a Lehigh Valley-based composer, music educator, conductor, performer and founder of the Jerusalem Singers. He has written commissioned works, often combining folk and Renaissance melodies with contemporary compositional practices. Deshler received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Music Education from West Chester University.

The Jerusalem Singers recorded a CD of original music by Pete Deshler, Matthew Hill and John Shilanskas to celebrate its 10th season in 2005.

The ensemble recorded a second CD, “O Come Ye Servants of the Lord,” to celebrate its 15th anniversary, of works by Deshler, Shilanskas, Thomas Tallis, Christopher Tye and others.

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the group released a third CD of recordings made during the previous 20 years.

Jerusalem Singers, “30th Anniversary Concert: Singing with Friends,” 7 p.m. July 20, St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1028 Church St., Fogelsville; 7 p.m. July 27, United Fellowship Lutheran Church, 2115 Washington Boulevard, Easton; 7:30 p.m. July 29, Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church, 3441 Devonshire Road, Salisbury Township. Information: 610-657-2823; https://jerusalemsingers.com/

“Classical View” is a column about classical music concerts, conductors and performers. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com