Sacred-music nonprofit founded by John Nelson responsible for world premiere here

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"A Festival of Psalms," a program of choral music to be presented Saturday at Second Presybterian Church, will include the premiere of James Lee III's  "Psalm 111," a commission from Soli Deo Gloria, a 20-year-old nonprofit organization co-founded by John Nelson, fifth music director of the the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (1976-1987).

Michelle Louer
Soli Deo Gloria's mission is to foster the creation and performance of classical sacred music. Performance of the new work, for chorus and orchestra, will be conducted by Michelle L. Louer,  director of music and fine arts at the church, 7700 N. Meridian St. The free 7 p.m. concert will be preceded at 6:15 by Lee's discussion of the work in the church's Milner Chapel.

"Psalm 111" is one of 15 new works to be generated by Soli Deo Gloria's Psalms Project, which is supported by a grant from Lilly Endowment. Performing forces at the premiere will be the Sanctuary Choir, Beecher Singers and Festival Orchestra.

Also on the program is an older psalm setting by Lee from his "Four Sacred Motets." The concert will also include Hubert Parry's "I Was Glad," Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 5 in D, Grace Xu Schott's "Shoshannim," Herbert Howells' "Psalm 42" and "Psalm 34" and Ralph Vaughan Williams' arrangement of "Old 100th."



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