Program

Maurice Duruflé: Requiem, Op. 9

John Sheppard: Media Vita

Herbert Howells: Take him, earth, for cherishing

This concert pairs three towering works that bridge five centuries of choral music. The Elora Singers, under the direction of Mark Vuorinen, and organist Jonathan Oldengarm invite you into a journey through sound and time. 

John Sheppard’s Media Vita, an expansive, luminous masterpiece from the 16th century, unfolds like a sacred canvas — its rich textures and long lines invoking stillness and immortality. Herbert Howell’s memorial to John F. Kennedy, Take him, earth, for cherishing offers a poignant juxtaposition to Sheppard’s symphonic soundscape. The first half of the program explores this Renaissance sound world, complemented by early music gems and captivating modern a cappella works that deepen its resonance. 

Then, Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem offers serene beauty rooted in Gregorian chant and shaped by 20th‑century harmonies. An intimate dialogue between choir, soloists, and organ, this timeless setting of the Mass for the Dead captures moments of consolation and transcendence. Together, these works invite deep reflection, filling the space with warmth, beauty, and remembrance.