Requiem to Radiance concert by Festival Singers and Renaissance Singers

Festival Singers of Wellington, directed by Ingrid Schoenfeld, join forces with Renaissance Singers from Palmerston North, directed by Christine Archer-Lockwood, for an afternoon of uplifting and memorable choral music in Requiem to Radiance.

This special concert will be presented at 3.00pm on Sunday 17 May 2026 at St James' Anglican Church, Lower Hutt, with acclaimed organist Jonathan Berkahn accompanying.

The programme brings together music of depth, beauty, and celebration. At its heart is Requiem by American composer Michael John Trotta, a work that honours the long choral tradition of the Requiem while speaking in a fresh and expressive musical language. Trotta’s writing is known for its warmth, clarity, and strong feel for the human voice, and this work moves from moments of gravity and reflection towards peace and light.

Also featured is Gloria by John Rutter, one of the most popular large-scale choral works of the modern era. Written as a concert piece, it combines grandeur, rhythmic energy, lyrical beauty, and a joyful sense of occasion. Its brilliant outer movements frame a more prayerful central section, creating a vivid and satisfying musical journey.

Completing the programme are Agnus Dei and Gloria Deo! by New Zealand composer Stephen Lange. These works add a local voice to the concert, combining memorable melody, dramatic flair, and a spirit of celebration.

Together, these pieces create a programme that travels from solemnity to joy, from prayer to praise, and from remembrance to radiant hope. Whether you are a regular choral concertgoer or simply enjoy live music in a beautiful setting, Requiem to Radiance promises a rich and rewarding afternoon.

[The choirs also perform this concert at 3:00pm on Saturday 23 May 2026 at St Peter's Anglican Church, Palmerston North. Bookings: https://events.humanitix.com/requiem-to-radiance]