Highlights on the classical music calendar are the Allentown Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Mozart’s “Requiem” and an “America250” concert by the Camerata Singers.

The Allentown Symphony Orchestra presents “Mozart’s Requiem,” 7:30 p.m. April 25 and 2 p.m. April 26, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown.

“As we continue to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, I wanted to pay tribute to the new founding of the Allentown Symphony Chorus in 2014 by repeating the first piece we performed together,” says Diane Wittry, ASO Music Director and Conductor.

“Around the Mozart Requiem, I’ve built a program that focuses on mental health and healing through music,” says Wittry, adding, “This concert is all about music genius, emotions and how music helps deal with emotions.”

The concert opens with “Mental Health Suite,” a new work by Autumn Maria Reed. Comprising two movements, the first deals with depression and the second with frenetic energy of anxiety.

Says Reed, “The composition is personal, but the emotions are collective. Most of us are carrying some form of mental illness. I spent my early adulthood struggling, but I have found light and I hope that others struggling will find their light.”

The next work, “Anchored,” is a three-movement world premiere cello concerto by composer Joe Jaxson for guest cello soloist Jalayne Mitchell.

Says Wittry, “This is the second piece we’ve commissioned from the young composer Joe Jaxson. He worked closely with our cello soloist and sought to honor her personal story.”

Says Jaxson, “The story is about survival, dreams and persistence.”

After intermission, the ASO Chorus directed by Eduardo Azzati joins the orchestra and guest soloists Amanda Russo Stante, Emilie Kealani, Ethan Burck and Eric Tofte in W.A. Mozart’s “Requiem in D Minor, K. 626.”

Says Azzati, “When the chorus first performed the Requiem in 2014 there were 35 singers and today, we’ve grown to 65 vocalists including 15 who performed in 2014.

“I truly believe that this sacred choral work could be a comfort for people who are mourning the departed.”

“‘The Requiem’ is a mass for the remembrance of the dead focusing on eternal rest,” Wittry says, adding “Mozart was very ill while he was writing the piece and knew he had little time left. Because of this, there is a very deep, transcendent emotional spirit that comes through the music.

“It is a moving and impactful piece that makes one appreciate life and contemplate the death that we all will eventually face. Music has the power to heal and helps us to transcend from the daily issues in each of our lives.

“I think the combination of pieces on this April concert will draw attention to the emotional struggles we all face and give us hope and inspiration for the future,” Wittry says.

“Mozart’s Requiem,” Allentown Symphony Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. April 25; 2 p.m. April 26, Miller Symphony Hall, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown. Free tickets for those 21 and under. Tickets: at the box office; 610-432-6715; https://millersymphonyhall.org

The Camerata Singers presents “America Sings,” 3 p.m. May 2, Christ Lutheran Church, Allentown.

“With only two primary concerts each year, this year’s fall concert is our traditional ‘Messiah’ so now is the time to celebrate ‘America250,’” says Eduardo Azzati, Music Director of the Camerata Singers.

“For this concert, I chose only American composers to celebrate American creativity rather than merely address music styles and genres,” says Azzati, adding, “The works comprise four female composers and four living composers.”

The concert opens with Pamela Decker’s “Tango-Toccata on a theme by Melchior Vulpius,” performed by Dr. Nicholas Halbert, Director of Music and Organist, Cathedral Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem. The Singers perform Randall Thompson’s seven-movement choral suite “Frostiana” (1959), a commemorative work to celebrate the bicentennial of Amherst, Mass. The texts are derived from poetry by Robert Frost, who at the inaugural performance was so pleased that he stood up at its conclusion and shouted, “Sing that again!”

The concert’s second half has works by Elaine Hagenberg, Kyle Pederson, Aaron Copland, Rosephanye Powell and Florence Price.

Violinist Jorge Vera and cellist Franklin Niño accompany Pederson’s “Can We Sing the Darkness to Light?,” which invites the listener to imagine a world without weapons, where the human experience is defined through compassion and grace.

Aaron Copland’s “I Bought Me a Cat” closes the concert.

The Camerata’s separately ticketed “Cocktail Fundraiser” in the church’s Fellowship Hall is after the concert. Tickets must be bought in advance by April 23.

“America Sings,” Camerata Singers, 3 p.m. May 2, Christ Lutheran Church, 1245 Hamilton St., Allentown; Tickets: at the door; PSO office, 1524 W. Linden St., Allentown; 610-434-7811; https://www.pacameratasingers.org/

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