A List
11/1/04

CONCERT OF PSALMS OFFERED BY UNIVERSITY CHORUS

CANTON – A concert of Psalms will be performed by the University Chorus on Saturday, 
November 13 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, November 14, at 2 p.m. in Gunnison Memorial Chapel at 
St. Lawrence University. The performances are open to the public, free of charge.
	Arguably the most popular vocal texts in all of Western music, the Psalms have 
inspired composers throughout history and have been essential to the life of worship 
in the Judeo-Christian tradition since the time of Moses. The singing of psalms has 
taken many forms and has been used in a myriad of settings for a myriad of purposes. 
In this concert, the University Chorus will explore the wonderful variety of musical 
expressions of praise which the Psalms inspired, from the grandiose and formal to the 
common and simple, using a variety of accompaniments including organ, percussion, 
strings and oboe.
	Since the earliest days the chanting of Psalms has been an important part of 
public worship. Two forms will be presented: from the Catholic tradition, Gregorian 
chant and the Victorian, Anglican chant on chords.
	Beginning in the 16th and 17th centuries psalters, collections of complete 
settings of the Psalms, either in single-line or in parts, were published for more 
private devotions. The chorus will sing selections from psalters from Germany and 
New England. Also from the New World is the setting of Psalm 148, "O praise the Lord 
of heaven," by colonial American composer William Billings. 
	As part of its on-going celebration of 20th-century American composer Charles 
Ives, the chorus will sing his setting of the 67th Psalm, "God be merciful unto us." 
Another contemporary work is the haunting setting of Psalm 130, "Out of the depths," 
by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt.
	Other formal settings include Beatus Vir by Monteverdi; John Rutter' s "The 
Lord is my shepherd"; Psalm 13 by Brahms; and a setting of Psalm 90, "Lord, Thou hast 
been our refuge" by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Joining the University Chorus on the 
latter piece will be the St. Lawrence University Early Music Singers, who will also 
sing another setting of Psalm 130 by the great Renaissance composer Josquin des Prez.
	The University Chorus, Canton's community chorus, is sponsored by the 
St. Lawrence University music department. Membership in the chorus is drawn from the 
local community as well as faculty, staff and students of St. Lawrence. The University 
Chorus is directed by Barry Torres; Barbara Phillips-Farley is accompanist.

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