The 2007-2008 concert season of the Church of the Holy Apostles will conclude with the classical choral repertoire’s journey from the late Renaissance to the new millennium.  Soaring voices will fill the nave of the landmark building here with music of the influential William Byrd, who composed his massive oeuvre four hundred years ago, a legacy which continues to inspire musicians to this day.  Dr. David J. Hurd, Jr., in celebrating his tenth year anniversary as Music Director of the church, is leading the Choir of Holy Apostles in Byrd’s great “Mass for Five Voices”, while offering his own work “Aaron”, written in 1986.

Byrd maintains his reputation as a foundational figure in English liturgical music.  It is a tradition swept by the antagonisms of Reformation and Roman Orthodoxy, since the days when Elizabeth I inexplicably bestowed her favors on Byrd, who was staunchly Catholic in a militantly-Protestant England.  It is perhaps a testament to the profundity of the man’s music that in an era of intolerance his politically-incorrect religiosity was almost beside the point.

Hurd has been recognized as one of the country’s foremost church musicians, having won accolades internationally as well.  He has won prestigious prizes for his organ-playing, and is lauded for his work in a variety of pursuits, including as a composer.

The concert extends the church’s tradition of hospitality with a reception afterward where the audience can meet and talk with the various members of the Choir of Holy Apostles as well as Dr. Hurd.

The Choir of Holy Apostles is a professional vocal ensemble of 16 members, many of whom have active performing careers in the larger musical circles of New York and beyond, and some of whom are members of the parish.  The choir performs a variety of choral music and provides vocal support for the congregation at Sunday services from September through May as well as performing occasionally in concert.

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