What has your support produced recently?

Isn't it a joy to be involved with a project that has remained alive and creative over the centuries and has actually bloomed in hard times? Some of the masterpieces of sacred music have occurred in times of fiscal crisis and war.

What has your investment in SDG produced recently? A new oratorio, Et iterum venturus est (And He shall come again), was premiered in Paris at the church of La Trinité to a packed house. This piece by composer Peter Bannister celebrating the theme of Christ's first and second coming was enthusiastically received with a standing ovation.

I am the Alpha and Omega, says the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. – Bannister’s Et iterum venturus est

The first installment in SDG’s Psalms Project, a six-minute choral work titled Preserve Me, O God, written by Daniel Kellogg, received its premiere at Wheaton College on November 20th. Through the Psalms Project, SDG will commission several of the world’s great composers to create works of four to eight minutes in length based on the Psalms, suitable for fine church choirs. The honoree of Kellogg’s piece chose Psalm 16 while on oxygen and waiting for a lung transplant. He celebrated this Psalm after a successful operation and is now able to enjoy free breath. Additional Psalm settings will be commissioned as funds become available.

Preserve me, O God for in you I take refuge… You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures ever more. (ESV) – Kellogg’s Preserve Me, O God

Conductor Delta David Gier led a Project Uplift in Romania, a country with a troubled past and a struggling future. The words of Haydn’s The Creation breathed joy and hope to the audience and performers.

By thee, with bliss, O bounteous Lord, / The Heaven and Earth are filled. This world, so great, so wonderful, / Thy mighty hand has framed. – Haydn’s The Creation

Composer Jacob Bancks’ Mass for All Saints was performed for the first time at St. John Berchmans Church in Chicago. The enthusiastic response of the audience confirmed the creative skill of the composer and the accessible style of his music. An SDG-commissioned piano concerto by Bancks titled Lumen de Lumine (Light from Light) was premiered by the South Dakota Symphony in 2008, conducted by Delta David Gier. The piece was sponsored and first performed by pianist William Phemister and depicts the Easter Vigil Mass in musical drama.

The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of malice shall not touch them: in the sight of the unwise they seemed to die, but they are in peace, alleluia. – Bancks’ Mass for All Saints

Daniel Kellogg's oratorio on the Old Testament story of the Fiery F... was given three performances by the San Diego Symphony in April 2008, with Jajha Ling conducting. The Fiery Furnace can now be heard online in its entirety, free of charge, at InstantEncore.com

Behold He is the Lord our God, who keeps Israel. Alleluia! The Lord is my light, my salvation; whom shall I fear? – Kellogg’s The Fiery Furnace

Conductor John Nelson returned to the land of his birth, Costa Rica, and conducted J. S. Bach’s Mass in B Minor in another Project Uplift presentation. This was the first performance of this work in Central America. The words and music of the B Minor Mass have inspired audiences for centuries.
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Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Grant us peace. – Bach’s Mass in B Minor

Your funds have been well spent for sacred music, with cries for creativity from today’s most gifted composers and with concerts around the world. Your investment will grow in value as thousands more are blessed by the music over the years. We boldly ask for your support this year. Corners of our world have not heard great works of music that point to the Almighty. Contemporary composers of note must create works that speak in the language of this generation.

Thanks for your help investing in projects that are international, timeless and honor God.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Richard G. Gieser
Chairman

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