Billingshurst Choral Society

Mack Wilberg

Mack Wilberg is currently one of the pre-eminent composers and arrangers of choral music in the United States. In 1999 he was made Associate Director for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and has been their Director since March 2008.

In March 2006 he was commissioned by the Carnegie Hall Corporation to compose an Introit and Epilogue to Ralph Vaughan Williams' cantata "Dona nobis pacem" which was scheduled as the main work on the programme for the Carnegie Hall National High School Choral Festival.   It was suggested to him that his Introit could form the beginning of a "full" Requiem; consequently during summer 2006 he completed his Requiem which was premiered [by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir] in April 2007.

The Requiem begins with a progression of string chords which characterises the work. Mack Wilberg's atmospheric orchestration, using mostly strings, contrasts with, yet complements and dovetails amazingly with the choir.  The effect is "inspirational" and creates a harmony of meditative, "angelic-like" peace and calm.