Basilica Christmas Concert

Event Description:

The Basilica’s annual celebration of Advent and Christmas music featuring favorites for choir and orchestra. And don’t forget the sing-along! This is the most popular Basilica concert, so come early for the best seats. Preceeding the concert at 5:30 p.m. will be an open house at the Basilica Gift Shop and Museum, with complimentary refreshments.
Wm. Glenn Osborne, organist
William Picher, conductor
Tickets $10

Event Date

12/14/2012

Event Time

7:30 PM

Event Venue

Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe
8300 Vineland Avenue
Orlando, Florida 32821
407-239-6600

Veteran’s Day Salute

Originally called Armistice Day, which marked the end of hostilities during World War I, this day has been known as Veterans Day since 1954. Come honor our Armed Services Veterans and those who are currently serving with inspiring music by the Basilica Choir and Brass Ensemble directed by William Picher.
Wm. Glenn Osborne, organist.

A Veteran’s Day Salute

Event Description:

Originally called Armistice Day, which marked the end of hostilities during World War I, this day has been known as Veterans Day since 1954. Come honor our Armed Services Veterans and those who are currently serving with inspiring music by the Basilica Choir and Brass Ensemble directed by William Picher.
Wm. Glenn Osborne, organist.
Tickets $10

Event Date

11/11/2012

Event Time

3:00 pm

Event Venue

Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe
8300 Vineland Avenue
Orlando, Florida 32821
407-239-6600

Psalm à la Mozart Part 2


I don’t think I could be more happy with how the performance turned out. Sarah Whittemore, the Basilica Choir, and orchestra all did a wonderful job with the psalm! Listen to the live performance below to hear for yourself.

1. Listen now     

Read about how this piece came to be here.

Psalm à la Mozart

For the Mozart Coronation Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe, Dr. William Picher asked if I’d like to collaborate on the musical setting of the psalm to be used at Mass that evening. Since most of the music for Mass is by Mozart, he had found a phrase from a Mozart string quintet to use as the refrain and asked if I’d write music for the verses. Bill has used several of my psalm settings previously, so was looking for a simple tone much like those I’ve sent him previously.
After having a look at the last movement of K. 516 that Bill used for the refrain, I found a portion of the string quintet that lent itself as a nice chord progression for the psalm verses. Knowing that there would at least be strings available, it made sense to me to create an entire orchestration for the composition. A recording of the live performance is now available here.

Regina Caeli

Regina caeli laetare, Alleluia,
Quia quem meruisti portare. Alleluia,
Resurrexit sicut dixit, Alleluia.
Ora pro nobis Deum. Alleluia.

Intended for use during the Easter Season, this is the second Marian antiphon I set for SSAATTBB choir. The traditional chant melody is cast in a modern tonal language. A piano reduction of the SSAATTBB piece provided in the score for rehearsals. The audio below was generated by the Finale music notation program.

1. Listen now     


Four Marian Antiphons for SSAATTBB Choir

There are four seasonal antiphons to the Blessed Virgin Mary used in the Catholic Church. When I was given the opportunity to write a new piece for the choir of the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe, these antiphon texts and chants seemed ideal material to work with. I started with the most well-known Salve Regina. I was so pleased with how it turned out that I decided to write settings for all four of the Marian Antiphons. Check them out on the pages below:

  • Salve Regina
  • Regina Caeli
  • Ave Regina Coelorum
  • Alma Redemptoris Mater
  • Rutter Requiem

    Event Description:

    The Basilica Choir presents Lenten Choral selections and the Requiem by John Rutter
    Dr. William Picher, director
    Wm. Glenn Osborne, organist

    Event Date

    03/16/2012

    Event Time

    From: 07:30 – To: 09:00 pm

    Event Venue

    Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe
    8300 Vineland Avenue
    Orlando, Florida 32821
    407-239-6600

    Mozart Coronation Mass at BNSMQU

    Event Description:

    The Basilica Choir under the direction of Dr. William Picher presents the Coronation Mass of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the context of a liturgical celebration in honor of the Feast of the Installation of Pope Benedict XVI.
    Wm. Glenn Osborne, organist.

    Event Date

    04/24/2012

    Event Time

    From: 7:00 – To: 8:00 pm

    Event Venue

    Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe

    Salve Regina for SSAATTBB Choir

    Written for Bill Picher and the professional choir of the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe in Orlando, FL, this setting of Salve Regina presents the traditional chant melody in a modern tonal language. While intended to be performed a cappella, there is a reduction of the SSAATTBB piece provided in the score for rehearsals. As the most popular and well-known Marian antiphon, this is the first of a set of four Marian antiphons that I composed.

    The Basilica Choir included the piece on its most recent album “A Cappella Magic” which is available here or as a download from iTunes! You can now also hear the piece on Spotify.