New Music Premiere: “Benedictus” – SATB chorus and organ, Scott Perkins
Sung Morning Prayer takes place in the imposing Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, known affectionately among Bostonians as “Mission Church,” on the titular feast of their church, July 27, the Solemnity of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. In what will be the first of a full day of celebrations at the basilica, this morning liturgy will follow the Office of Lauds, according to the Roman rite, featuring the winners of both the 2014 AGO/ECS Publishing Award in Choral Composition and the 2014 AGO/Marilyn Mason Award in Organ Composition. The Choir of St. Paul’s Church, Cambridge, will provide the music for the liturgy, under the direction of John Robinson, conductor, and Dr. Jonathan Wessler, organ. The choir is based at the only Roman Catholic Boys Choir School in America, while the professional men are drawn from local music colleges including Longy School of Music, New England Conservatory, and Boston Conservatory.