[South Canaan, PA] - The Saint Tikhon Choir is pleased to announce the world premiere concert series of Benedict Sheehan’s modern masterwork Vespers, which will culminate at 4:00pm on November 13, 2022, at the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem. Two-time GRAMMY®-nominated conductor and composer Benedict Sheehan will lead the choir in this unique and powerful musical exploration that has been called, “luminous and uplifting” (Choir & Organ) and a work of “unique musical genius” (Fanfare Magazine).

Inspired by Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil, Sheehan’s unique musical and linguistic expression expands the genre. He adorns full-length Psalms and hymns with a deep understanding of beauty, faith, and humanity. 

The professional choristers of the Saint Tikhon Choir will be joined for this performance by specially selected students from the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, along with their director David Macbeth, who is also organist and music director at First Presbyterian in Bethlehem.

The performance will feature solos by some of the country’s leading vocal artists, including celebrated American basso profundo Glenn Miller, who will perform “The Song of Simeon”, composed by Sheehan especially for him. The movement boasts some of the lowest notes ever written for a soloist.