BLESSING FOREWORD Serve Harmony. Evoke its spirit and free yourself of discord. THE MUSIC OF PAUL MEALOR (b. 1975) Voce’s mission, as articulated by Artistic Director Dedicate yourself to your ensemble, your section Mark Singleton, is to Serve Harmony. We strive and your neighbor. 1 Let All the World in Every Corner Sing [4.25] 0 Beneath Thy Compassion [3.51] to perform each piece as a unified ensemble – Be the embodiment of cooperation. Sam Middlebrook Percussion to get straight to the heart of each composition. Listen, connect and fulfill your duty to the music, q Ave Maris Stella [3.32] This cooperative spirit enables us to render the team and all those who hear you. 2 The Beatitudes [5.56] w Jubilate Deo [3.37] music that expresses, as closely as possible, Such is the substance of greatness - such is the To Seek Where Shadows Are the intent of the composer. foundation of Harmony. e Ave Verum Corpus [4.04] 3 Dreamland [3.48] Paul Mealor’s music, in turn, comes from a place Mark Singleton, 2017 4 Dreaming [2.54] r Let Fall the Windows of Mine Eyes [7.42] 5 of deep humility. It stirs the soul, allowing the In the Bleak Midwinter [5.26] Liz Bologna Soprano, Jack Anthony Pott Tenor Jared Graveley Bass spirit of all who hear it a direct, unconditioned t If Ye Love Me [3.01] experience of peace, love, compassion and 6 Behold a Tender Babe [4.57] Jennifer McCann Soprano, Stephen Scarlato a profound joy. When Paul came to work with Jack Anthony Pott Tenor, Jared Graveley Bass and Floyd Higgins Piano Voce in 2017, we knew that Voce and Paul Mealor were a perfect pairing. Some things are 7 A Spotless Rose, from Now Sleeps [4.52] y All wisdom cometh from the Lord [4.19] just meant to be. the Crimson Petal Jennifer McCann Soprano

The Selwyn Service u Blessing [3.54] We will ever be grateful to Paul for his inspired 8 Magnificat [3.54] compositions and for the love he shared with us Total timings: [72.59] 9 Nunc Dimittis [2.38] during the process of recording this album. Voce Jared Graveley Bass has been truly blessed.

Thomas Cooke, Co-Founder and President VOCE NEW ENGLAND’S CHAMBER CHOIR STEPHEN SCARLATO ORGANIST AND PIANO MARK SINGLETON ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

www.signumrecords.com - 3 - Paul Mealor (b. 1975) is a Welsh composer with central passage, Mealor incorporates the settings from the collection are presented on petal. In setting extracts from In Freezing an international fame. He has been Professor words of Psalm 150 – beginning with a solo voice, this disc: the first,Dreamland , was written, for Winter’s Night (Robert Southwell, 1561–1595), of Music at the University of Aberdeen since gradually expanding the melodic line to include Clarissa Dickson-Wright, in memoriam. Rosetti’s Mealor takes up a commission by the Hauser- 2003 and his output spans opera, symphony, tutti soprani, then reprising and elaborating poem describes a woman’s escape from pain, Oberschneider family to celebrate the 150th concerto, and chamber music genres. Mealor with full chorus. This setting leaves its mark a journey from the physicality of the real world anniversary of Summer Fields School. Behold a is a major force in the choral music world with the addition of bells and a mighty organ to a meditative state of peace. Through its tender babe demands careful, rhythmic singing and much of his popular acclaim can be cadenza, signalling a return to the opening interweaving parts, Mealor invokes a gentle as antiphonal phrases between various traced to the performance of his setting of Ubi material in the praise of ‘my God and King’. lyricism which is wistfully underpinned by combinations of voice overlap with a recurrent caritas et amor at the wedding of the HRH harmony seemingly in search of its root. The quaver anacrusis. Even at its loudest and Prince William and Catherine Middleton in Mealor’s setting of The Beatitudes represents attention directed by Rosetti towards ideal love grandest moments, Mealor’s setting never loses 2011. His is a special voice; skilled at a welcome addition to the repertoire. The text, is seen in her poem, Dream Love. This poem its gentleness, presumably as he recalls the communicating across languages, contexts, from St Matthew’s gospel, sums up Jesus’ provides the text for Mealor’s Dreaming which birth of his own great-nephew (to whom the genres, and audiences. Indeed, he became the teaching about what it means to live as a child is written for Russ and Johann Mann. He work is dedicated). The memory of Audrey first composer to top both the classical and of God’s kingdom. Commissioned by St Machar’s creates a wholly different soundworld, employing Halliwell is recalled in Mealor’s setting of Now popular music charts at the same time. In this Cathedral, Aberdeen, and first performed by a rocking quaver movement in alto, tenor, sleeps the crimson petal (the fourth of Four collection, Voce Chamber Choir present a disc the University of Aberdeen Chamber Choir and and bass parts to suggest a cloud-like cushion. Madrigals on Rose Texts). Unmistakably of of Mealor’s choral music – a genre with which St Salvator’s Chapel Choir, the slow-moving Above this, the soprano part paints a delicate Mealor’s oeuvre, a gentle harmonic language, his name has become truly synonymous. harmonies and restrained melodic lines create a and dreamy melody. The third, a setting of the with the judicious incorporation of notes into calm and cerebral atmosphere. This real drama Christmas carol, In the bleak midwinter, was the basic triad, creates a work which is richly The disc opens with a setting of the famous of Mealor’s setting is revealed in the words written for Michael Zaugg and Julie Barron. scored, yet with a lusciousness that never words of George Herbert (1593–1633): Let all Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, at which point The rich, eight-part vocal writing captures overpowers the text. the world in every corner sing. Dedicated to textures and tessiturae suddenly become the warmth of the light of the stable set Tim and Wendy Parsons, and commissioned expansive and we become viscerally aware of against the harshness of the wintry weather The Selwyn Service was composed during by RSCM Canterbury Area Cathedral Festival the glory of Christ’s teaching. outside – a fresh contribution to the Christmas Mealor’s time as a Visiting Fellow at Selwyn to mark 150 years since the first such event in carol repertory. College, Cambridge. In writing with a specific Canterbury Cathedral 1862, this vibrant paean To seek where shadows are is a collection of ensemble and instrument in mind, and for a of praise is characterised by strong, homophonic settings of texts by Christina Rosetti (1830– Our attention is further attracted to the chapel with specific acoustic properties, Mealor’s choral singing set against a sparkling organ 1894) which was commissioned jointly by John Christmas story in Mealor’s settings of Behold musical aesthetic is clearly afforded another accompaniment. Symbolically, and in a reflective Armitage Memorial and Pro Coro Canada. Three a tender babe and Now sleeps the crimson dimension. Inspired by the young, flexible, and

- 4 - - 5 - highly-skilled voices of the Chapel Choir, the century) presents Mary as a merciful and loving Let fall the windows of mine eyes is a sequence rhythmic snaps to great effect. A chorale-like Magnificat incorporates particularly memorable Mother and is often used as a prayer for the safe of three texts by William Shakespeare (1564– passage, richly-scored for eight voices forms a vocal writing around the text ‘and hath exalted passage for travellers. Mealor’s customary lilt, 1616). Drawing on extracts from Hamlet, middle section, before a return to the textures the humble and meek’ which is full of energy derived from his immersion in the music of the Richard III, and King John, Mealor constructs a of the opening – wordless accompaniment and vitality. Out of the bass solo which opens Celtic nations, infuses this setting with charm. sequence in response to a commission by the underscoring a free, folk-like melody. the Nunc dimittis grows a full choral texture. Voices of Shakespeare Festival in Brecon. Notable is the attention lavished on the Gloria Receiving its first performance in the Carnegie Mealor’s instinctive melodicism, and his careful This collection of Mealor’s choral music Patri which concludes the Selwyn Service, Hall in New York, Mealor’s setting of Jubilate crafting of textures, pervades these settings. concludes with a Blessing, written in 2013 which confirms final arrival in the key of A Deo was commissioned by Distinguished Wordless passages, set against text; solo for the installation of HRH The Duchess of flat major and which leaves the brooding key of Concerts International New York. The words of passages, set against multiple vocal divisions; all Cornwall GCVO as Chancellor of the University f minor (which opened the Magnificat) far behind. Psalm 100 are combined with original text by attentively handled to deliver a new, imaginative of Aberdeen. Perhaps here we catch a glimpse Grahame Davies (b. 1964). Performed here in reading of Shakespeare’s old, famous words. of Mealor at his most comfortable – melodic Commissioned for the enthronement of the the version for chorus and organ, it is the writing that is expressive, rising and falling Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man, Beneath thy setting of Davies’ words which make for a In a setting for upper voices and organ, Mealor with the demands of the text, and set in a compassion uses a translated text of the striking addition to a popular text; provoking emphasises the simplicity underlying If ye supportive harmonic context. Added interest is ancient Greek prayer, Sub tuum praesidium. reflection amidst the boisterous setting of love me – a text from the gospel according to provided in the tension between compound and The syllabic setting captures something of the the psalmist David. Ave verum corpus is a St John. It was commissioned by St Marylebone simple note groupings, but mostly Blessing is timeless nature of the text, as it ebbs and flows Eucharistic hymn dating from the 14th century, Parish Church, London, to commemorate a about releasing the listener safely into the world gently through its phrases. A repeat of the first possibly attributable to Pope Innocent VI. parishioner, Miss Joie Macauley, and other – ‘until we meet again’, ‘let the music measure stanza is effortlessly decorated by a wordless It is a meditation on the belief in Jesus’ important church anniversaries, in 2017. out our days’. soprano descant and, soon after, a codetta gently presence in the sacrament of the Eucharist. A simple, chordal accompaniment frees the returns the listener to silent, prayerful state. Mealor’s setting carefully captures the agony vocal line to trace delicate patterns through the Notes by Richard Longman Choral music afficionados are likely to be of Jesus’ suffering – we hear, for example, familiar text. All wisdom cometh from the Lord, struck by the minim metre, tied notes, and jarring chromatic additions in the phrase ‘vere with text from the book of Ecclesiasticus, was ethereal aesthetic in Mealor’s setting of Ave passum immolatum’. As with much of Mealor’s commissioned by the University of St Andrews maris stella – music which seems almost music, great demands are made on the singers, in celebration of its 600th anniversary. The unimaginable without the legacy of Herbert whose skills lie in making the most difficult influence of the Celtic melody is at the heart Howells (1892–1983). The simplicity of the moments sound perfectly simple. of this work, and the opening soprano solo text (possibly dating from as early at the 8th employs characteristic intervallic leaps and

- 6 - - 7 - TEXTS 2 The Beatitudes To Seek Where Shadows Are 5 No. III: In the Bleak Midwinter 3 1 Let All the World in Every Corner Sing Blessed are the poor in spirit: No. I: Dreamland In the bleak midwinter frosty wind made moan, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Where sunless rivers weep Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; Let all the world in every corner sing, Blessed are they that mourn: Their waves into the deep, Snow had fallen, snow on snow, ‘My God and King!’ for they shall be comforted. She sleeps a charmed sleep: In the bleak midwinter long ago. The heavens are not too high, Blessed are the meek: Awake her not. His praise may thither fly: for they shall inherit the earth. Led by a single star, Angels and archangels may have gathered there, The earth is not too low, Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst She came from very far Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air – His praises there may grow. after righteousness: for they shall be filled. To seek where shadows are. But only His mother in her maiden bliss Let all the world in every corner sing, Blessed are the merciful: Rest, rest forevermore upon a mossy shore; Worshipped the Beloved with a kiss. ‘My God and King!’ for they shall obtain mercy. Rest, rest at the heart’s core What can I give Him, poor as I am? Blessed are the pure in heart: Till time shall cease. If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb; O praise God in His holiness; for they shall see God. 4 If I were a wise man I would do my part; In the firmament of His power. Blessed are the peacemakers: No. II: Dreaming Yet what I can, I give Him, give my heart. Praise Him in His noble acts; for they shall be called the children of God. Young Love lies dreaming, dreaming, O praise His holy name. But who shall tell the dream? Blessed are they which are persecuted Texts by Christina Rossetti (1830- 1894) O praise God in His holiness, for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom A perfect sunlight on rustling forest tips; Upon the lute and harp. Or perfect moonlight upon a rippling stream; of heaven. 6 Behold a Tender Babe Praise Him in the cymbals and dances, Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, In Maytime of the year, among the lilies, O praise His holy name. and persecute you, Lap’ed in the tender light: Behold a tender babe, in freezing winter night, White lambs come grazing, In homely manger trembling lies: Let all the world in every corner sing, And say all manner of evil against you falsely, White doves come building there: Alas! A piteous sight! ‘My God and King!’ for my sake. Or perfect silence, or songs of cherished lips. This stable, a Prince’s court, The church with psalms must shout, Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: And round about him the May bushes are white. this crib His chair of state; No door can keep them out; for great is your reward in heaven: Away to poppied death; cool shadows deepen The beasts are parcel of His pomp, Above all, the heart must bear the longest part. For so persecuted they the prophets Across the sleeping face: the wooden dish his plate. Joy! Let all the world in every corner sing, which were before you. Amen. So fails the summer with warm delicious breath; With joy approach, O Christian wight, ‘My God and King!’ Amen. Traditional Biblical text So what has autumn to give us in its place? with joy, do homage to thy King; Traditional Biblical text, incorporating Psalm 150 A Song of Cherished lips.

- 8 - - 9 - With joy we highly praise his humble pomp, The Selwyn Service 9 No. II: Nunc Dimittis 0 Beneath Thy Compassion which he from heaven doth bring. Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, Beneath thy compassion we take refuge, 8 No. I: Magnificat according to thy word. O Mother of God. Text taken from “In Freezing Winter Night’ My soul doth magnify the Lord, For my eyes have seen thy salvation, Our prayers, do not despise in necessities, by Robert Southwell (1561-1595) and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. which thou hast prepared before the face of but from danger deliver us, For he hath regarded the lowliness all people; Only pure, only blessed one. 7 A Spotless Rose of his handmaiden. To be a light to lighten the Gentiles; For behold, from henceforth and to be the Glory of thy people Israel. Original text from the Greek Prayer, 250 AD A Spotless Rose is growing, all generations shall call me blessed. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, Sprung from a tender root, For he that is mighty hath magnified me, and to the Holy Ghost; Of ancient seers’ foreshowing, and holy is his Name. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: Of Jesse promised fruit. And his mercy is on them that fear him world without end. Amen. Its fairest bud unfolds to light throughout all generations. Traditional Biblical texts Amid the cold, cold winter, He hath showed strength with his arm, And the dark midnight. He hath scattered the proud in the imagination q Ave Maris Stella The Rose which I am singing, of their hearts. Whereof Isaiah said, He hath put down the mighty from their seat, Ave maris stella Hail, O Star of the ocean, Is from its sweet root springing and hath exalted the humble and meek. Dei Mater alma, God’s own Mother blest, In Mary, purest Maid; He hath filled the hungry with good things, atque semper Virgo, ever sinless Virgin, Through God’s great love and might and the rich he hath sent empty away. felix caeli porta. gate of heavenly rest. The Blessed Babe she bare us He remembering his mercy hath holpen Solve vincula reis, Break the sinners’ fetters, Amid the cold, cold winter his servant Israel, profer lumen caecis make our blindness day, And the dark midnight. As he promised to our forefathers, mala nostra pelle, Chase all evils from us, Abraham and his seed, forever. bona cuncta posce. for all blessings pray. Anonymous text Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, Vitam praesta puram, Keep our life all spotless, and to the Holy Ghost; iter para tutum, make our way secure As it was in the beginning, is now, ut videntes Jesum till we find in Jesus, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. semper collaetemur. Amen. joy for evermore. Amen. Biblical hymn text

- 10 - - 11 - w Jubilate Deo r Let Fall the Windows of Mine Eyes y All wisdom cometh from the Lord

Jubilate Deo, O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands: No. I: Ophelia’s Lament All wisdom cometh from the Lord, Serve the Lord with gladness, He is dead and gone, lady, he is dead and gone; and is with him forever. and come before his presence with a song. At his head a grass-green turf, at his heels a stone. Who can number the sand of the sea, And if our songs are better than ourselves, and the drops of rain, and the days of eternity? and if our words are wiser than our ways, No. II: My Watchful Soul Who can find out the height of heaven, and the Still let our souls go singing to the dark, To thee I do commend my watchful soul, breadth of the earth, and the deep, and wisdom? still let the music measure out our days. Ere I let fall the windows of mine eyes. Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the Jubilate Deo, O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands: Sleeping and waking, O defend me still! understanding of prudence from everlasting. For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting; The word of God most high is the fountain of wisdom; And his truth endureth No. III: ...to weep... And her ways are everlasting commandments. from generation to generation. I honored him, I loved him, and will weep My date of life out for his sweet life’s loss. Biblical text Ecclesiasticus 1:1-5 Text from Psalm 100 and Grahame Davies (b.1964) Texts by William Shakespeare (1564-1616) u Blessing from Hamlet Act IV Scene 5, Richard III Act V Scene 3 & King John Act IV Scene 3 e Ave Verum Corpus May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back. t If Ye Love Me Ave verum corpus, Hail, true body, May the sun shine warm upon your face, Natum de Maria virgine; Born of the virgin Mary; may the rains fall soft upon your fields. If ye love me, keep my commandments. Vere passum immolatum Who has truly suffered, slaughtered And until we meet again, And I shall pray the Father, In crucis pro homine. On the Cross for humanity. may God hold you in the palm of His hand. and he shall give you another comforter, Cuius latus perforatum Whose side was pierced, That he may abide with you forever; Unda fluxit et sanguine. Pouring out water and blood. Gaelic Blessing text even the Spirit of the truth. Esto nobis praegustatum Be a foretaste for us

In mortis examine. Amen. During our ordeal of death. Amen. Biblical text John 14:15-17

Biblical hymn text

- 12 - - 13 - VOCE to harmony has caught the attention of some Listen, connect and fulfill your duty to the NEW ENGLAND’S CHAMBER CHOIR of the world’s greatest living choral composers, music, the team and all those who hear you. including National Medal of Arts Recipient Such is the substance of greatness – such is Morten Lauridsen, Eric Whitacre, Ola Gjeilo, the foundation of harmony.” Ēriks Ešenvalds, Thomas LaVoy and Paul Mealor. After working with Voce, these composers offered Voce’s music is built on this creed, which begins high praise for Voce and its Artistic Director, every Voce rehearsal and resonates throughout Mark Singleton: every performance. The result is a uniquely welcoming experience for singers and audience Paul Mealor described Voce as “one of the finest members alike. Through harmony, our differences choirs on the planet” with “a warmth of tone can be used to make music more beautiful and and beauty that is unique.” inclusive than anything we can do on our own. Soprano Alto Tenor Bass Jennifer Lamson * Pamela Frigo Johnson * Jack Anthony Pott * Tom Cooke * Ēriks Ešenvalds described Artistic Director Mark Singleton Liz Bologna Sarah Armstrong Adam Atkins Dylan Armstrong Mark Singleton as “a very sensitive and smart Jennifer Ferrand-Kelly Sarah Chasse Andrew Brochu Robert Borden conductor – he finds hidden beauties in the Stephen Mark Singleton is a renowned conductor, Jennifer McCann Gretchen Collins Ehren Brown Jonathan Clune scores that most conductors would never composer, writer and guest speaker. His unique Megan Sherry Jessica Gray Floyd Higgins Jared Graveley know existed.” career path has taken him all over the world Ali Singleton Dana Kephart Josh Hummel Brian Jones including China, Africa, South America and Alyssa Venora Anna Koogler Alex O’Neil Herb Menzel Morten Lauridsen praised Singleton’s work as Europe, working with choirs and orchestras of Margaret Tyler David Pettyjohn Andrey Stolyarov “exemplifying choral performance at its finest.” all ages and styles. His energetic and magnetic * Principal leadership has made him one of the most Voce’s sound is a direct result of Mark Singleton’s sought-after conductors in New England. Founded in 2006 by Mark Singleton, Artistic and collaborates with middle school, high school uncompromising commitment to the service Director and Tom Cooke, President, Voce has and collegiate ensembles to further develop the of harmony. Singleton challenges each singer Mark is frequently asked to be a guest speaker grown to be the premier choral ensemble next generation of choral artists. in the ensemble to “serve harmony, evoke its at concerts, universities, and faith communities. throughout New England. With an initial concept spirit and free yourself of discord. Dedicate He currently serves on the faculty of the Hartt of giving and education, Voce continues to As Voce enters its second decade of performance, yourself to your ensemble, your section and School of Music Community Division as Director bring new works to a wide range of audiences, its music is better than ever. Voce’s commitment your neighbor. Be the embodiment of cooperation. of Primi Voci from the Connecticut Children’s

- 14 - - 15 - Chorus. Mark has also served on the faculty Paul Mealor of the University of Connecticut and Central Connecticut State University as well as in One of the world’s most performed living public schools. While at UConn, he conducted composers of choral music, Paul Mealor has the Concert Choir, Collegium Musicum and been described as, ‘the most important composer the Women’s Chorus. to have emerged in Welsh choral music since William Mathias’ (New York Times, 2001) and He has prepared choruses and served as guest his music is, ‘marked by something outside conductor for many orchestras including the of himself that is beautifully spatial and National Symphony of China, Hartford Symphony evocative of landscape… it illuminates both our Orchestra, New Haven Symphony Orchestra, past and our future’ (The Guardian, 2011). Liberty Symphony Orchestra, Arcadiana Symphony Orchestra, Yale Symphony Orchestra and the Born in St Asaph, North Wales in 1975, Mealor Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra. Currently, studied composition privately as a boy with Mark serves as the Artistic Director of Voce and William Mathias, at the University of York (BA Director of Music at Immanuel Congregational Hons, 1997, PhD, 2002) and in Copenhagen Church,and served as Chorus Director for the Eastern with Hans Abrahamsen and Per Nørgård. Connecticut Symphony Orchestra for 18 years. He was catapulted to international stardom in April 2011 when 2.5 billion people (the Mark holds an undergraduate degree in cello Mark made his New York City debut with Voce largest audience in broadcasting history) Mealor has composed three symphonies, an performance and church music from William and Paul Mealor, performing at the Cathedral heard his Motet, Ubi caritas performed by the opera, concerti for piano and euphonium, Jewell College and a Master of Music degree of St. John the Divine in May 2017. Mark also choirs of Westminster Abbey and Her Majesty’s cantatas and stage works, film scores and radio in choral conducting from the University prepared the Connecticut Children’s Chorus Chapel Royal, conducted by James O’Donnell broadcast music alongside major choral and of Connecticut. He has pursued additional to perform at the Berkshire Choral Festival at the Royal Wedding Ceremony of His Royal vocal cycles and much work for choir and conducting studies at the Robert Shaw Festival, International in July 2017. In March 2019, he Highness Prince William and Catherine solo voice all to commission and he is in the Dennis Keene Choral Festival and the was appointed as the Conductor-in-Residence Middleton (now TRH The Duke & Duchess of much demand as a conductor, adjudicator and Conductor’s Institute of South Carolina. His at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, working Cambridge) at Westminster Abbey. It since commentator on choral music. principal conducting teachers include Peter alongside Paul Mealor. topped the Classical singles charts in the USA, Bagley, Charles Bruffy, and Phillip C. Posey. UK, Australia, France and New Zealand.

- 16 - - 17 - Dr Mealor has received many awards and to music in Wales (2013). He was appointed honours for his music including two Brit Awards, a Free Burgess of The City of Aberdeen in 2012 Honorary Fellowships from Bangor University by The Lord Provost of Aberdeen and is (2013) and Glyndwr University (2012), the President and Patron of many organisations. In honorary degree of Doctor of Music (DMus) January 2018, HM Queen Elizabeth II appointed from the University of Birmingham (2019) for him an Officer of the Venerable Order of St Production of this recording was made possible by the generosity of Voce’s Board of Directors, his ‘outstanding contribution to choral music’ John (OStJ) and in May 2019 he was appointed supporters and patrons. Voce thanks the clergy and congregations of St. Patrick-St. Anthony and the Glanville Jones Award, from the Welsh to the Order of the Samurai (OSS). Church and Immanuel Congregational Church for allowing Voce to record this album in two of Music Guild for his outstanding contribution the most beautiful sanctuaries in New England.

Recorded in St. Patrick - St. Anthony Church, Hartford, CT, USA from 4th to 6th May 2018, and in Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford, CT, USA on 7th May 2018.

Producers – Mark Singleton, Paul Mealor and David Pettyjohn Recording Engineer & Editor – Scott Metcalfe Project Coordinator – Ali Singleton

Cover Image – © iStock Session photos – © Stephen Lurie Design and Artwork – Woven Design www.wovendesign.co.uk

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- 18 - - 19 - ALSO AVAILABLE on signumclassics

Paul Mealor • Benjamin Britten … the flowers have their angels Rodolfus Choir, Ralph Allwood SIGCD366

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“Elgarians and others tempted by the works assembled in this new collection can be assured that it is on a par with the best of them” International Record Review

Available through most record stores and at www.signumrecords.com For more information call +44 (0) 20 8997 4000

- 20 - CTP Template: CD_INL1 COLOURS Compact Disc Back Inlay CYAN Customer SignumClassics MAGENTA YELLOW Catalogue No.SIGCD613 BLACK Job Title: Blessing SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD613

BLESSING

THE MUSIC OF PAUL MEALOR (b. 1975) BLESSING: THE MUSIC OF PAUL MEALOR VOCE / SINGLETON

1 Let All the World in Every Corner Sing [4.25] 2 The Beatitudes [5.56] 3 - 5 To Seek Where Shadows Are [12.08] 6 Behold a Tender Babe [4.57] 7 A Spotless Rose, from Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal [4.52] 8 - 9 The Selwyn Service [6.32] 0 Beneath Thy Compassion [3.51] q Ave Maris Stella [3.32] w Jubilate Deo [3.37] e Ave Verum Corpus [4.04] r Let Fall the Windows of Mine Eyes [7.42] t If Ye Love Me [3.01] y All wisdom cometh from the Lord [4.19] u Blessing [3.54]

Total timings: [72.59]

VOCE NEW ENGLAND’S CHAMBER CHOIR VOCE / SINGLETON / BLESSING: THE MUSIC OF PAUL MEALOR VOCE STEPHEN SCARLATO ORGANIST AND PIANO MARK SINGLETON ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

LC15723 Signum Records Ltd, Suite 14, 21 Wadsworth Road, Perivale, Middlesex UB6 7LQ, United Kingdom. P 2020 Signum Records DDD SIGCD613 SIGCD613 © 2020 Signum Records www.signumrecords.com 24 bit digital recording 6 35212 06132 9 SIGNUM CLASSICS