Eric Whitacre conducts Sidney Choir in new setting of College grace

Eric Whitacre has composed a beautiful new setting of the College grace, Oculi omnium.

On a memorable evening Eric, whose new collection Light & Gold has been at the top of the classical music charts in the USA and UK, conducted the choir in the first performance of the work. The choir also performed his work Sleep, a video of which can be found on the Choir's YouTube page.

At Evensong on Friday 19th November, Eric will conduct the combined forces of Sidney Sussex and Gonville and Caius Chapel Choirs in his piece Lux aurumque. The service, which also includes by Lauridsen, Jackson, Stanford and Part, begins at 6.45pm in Sidney Chapel.

The words of the College grace: Oculi omnium ad te spectant, Domine; tu das eis escam eorum in tempore opportuno. Aperis tu manum tuam, et imples omne animal benedictione tua. Sanctifica nos, quaesumus, per verbum et orationem; Istisque tuis donis, quae de tua bonitate sumus percepturi, benedicito. Per Jesum Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Translation: The eyes of all look toward thee, O Lord; though givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand and fillest every living thing with thy blessing. Sanctify us, we beseech thee, through word and prayer; and give thy blessing to these thy gifts, which of they bounty we are about to receive, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This is an archived news story, first posted in 2010.