These music samples are in MP3 format. They are fairly large (1.6 to 3MB in size), so please note they will take a little time to download if you have a slower speed connection.

If you like these samples, please consider attending a concert. Hearing these singers in person is a wonderful experience.

Quem vidistis, pastores?, Richard Dering (from A Choral Christmas 1998)

Though not as well known as some of his contemporaries, Richard Dering (c. 1580-1630) was a master of the Renaissance motet, as this luminous work demonstrates. The title text means "Shepherds, what did you see?" The music is anchored by lush six-part harmonies with several rhythmic changes, ending in a series of brilliant, up-tempo "alleluias".

Benedicamus Domino, Peter Warlock (from Best of 2000-2001)

This brief but decidedly up-tempo piece, sung in Latin, rings with praise to the newborn baby Jesus, the first verse beginning with women only, the second with men only. This piece is marked by strong dynamic contrasts throughout, ending with a rousiingly assertive ending, "immortalis."

Peace I Leave With You, Knut Nystedt (from Best of 2000-2001)

This contemporary piece begins in the exotic key of C-sharp minor, but quickly modulates into a haunting kaleidoscope of rich harmonies with sudden key changes. It finally resolves into E-flat major with the reassuring text "neither let them be afraid". The blurry harmonic dissonances made this a challenging piece for Musicorum singers.

O Sing Joyfully, Adrian Batten (1591-1637) (from Haydn, Bach and Easter with Lyra Concert 1999)

Adrien Batten (1591-1637) is not as well known as some of his Renaissance-era contemporaries, but this piece itself deserves some of the praise it directs to "God our strength." The full choir launches in from the beginning, in the bright key of A major. The text sings of praising God with merry harp, lute and trumpet, and throughout, the music's rich harmonies are no less uplifting.

Procedenti Puero, attributed to Phillip the Chancellor (d. 1236) (from A Choral Christmas 1999)

Harmonically spare but rhythmically rich, this piece features percussionist Rick Orpen, a faculty member in the music department at Gustavus Adolphus College, and one of the many outstanding area musicians who contribute their talents to Musicorum's performance repertoire. The piece features a call and response format between a male soloist and the full choir singing in unison, always backed by the percussionist's solid rhythm. Soloists are: (verses 1 and 3) Roger Sheffer and (verses 2 and 4) Fred Slocum.