The Blessing of Belonging - Paul Mealor - Harmonium Choral Society

Dreamers - June 2025
Under the direction of Dr. Anne J. Matlack
Harmonium Choral Society
Morristown United Methodist Church, Morristown, NJ
John Girvin, piano; Chris Mantell, soprano saxophone

Paul Mealor is a Welsh composer first made famous by the premiere of his motet, Ubi Caritas, at the royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton by the choirs of Westminster Abbey. In 2023, his work "Coronation Kyrie" was sung by Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel at the coronation of Charles III -- the first time that the Welsh language was sung at a coronation. Mealor studied music at the University of York and in Copenhagen at the Royal Danish Academy of Music. He taught composition at the University of Aberdeen from 2003 to 2024, and is now professor emeritus. The Blessing of Belonging was commissioned in 2022 to celebrate the 40th birthday of the Welsh choir Cantorion Rhos. The text by Welsh poet Graham Davies explores the important Welsh themes of exile and homesickness (hiraeth). https://www.paulmealor.com/

Full program notes available on our website: http://www.harmonium.org/repertoire/
Video/audio production: http://www.showfocused.llc/

Follow us on socials!
http://www.harmonium.org
Facebook:   / harmoniumchoral  
Instagram:   / harmoniumchoral  
Apple Music:   / harmonium-choral-society  
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0xGCh...
Amazon: https://amazon.com/music/player/artis...
iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/artist/harmoni...