One hundred years ago, the United States entered World War One. It was the arrival of fresh American troops that enabled the Allies to turn the tide of war and force the Central powers to sue for peace. Nearly five million American veterans served in that cruel war; 116,000 men and women gave their lives; and 320,000 soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and coast guardsmen suffered casualties in service to this nation, during a war that changed the World. The total number of military and civilian casualties in World War I was more than 41 million: there were over 18 million deaths and 23 million wounded, ranking it among the deadliest conflicts in human history.

The "Flanders Remembers Concert: Distortion, a Hymn to Liberty" is commissioned by the Government of Flanders to commemorate the Centennial of World War I. The hymn is composed by Maestro Dirk Brossé, Music Director of the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and Flemish artists Jef Neve en Sioen.

It combines three distinct musical styles (classical, jazz & pop/rock) into one performance, one hymn, one ode to peace. The concert will feature Flemish soprano Hanne Roos and will be performed by the Chamber Orchestra of New York. The performance is being presented by the General Delegation of the Government of Flanders to the USA.