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Regional Spotlight: St. Olaf Choir and Abbie Betinis

Regional Spotlight: St, Olaf and Betinas
Composer Abbie Betinis
Minnesota composer Abbie Burt Betinis.
Photo courtesy of the Artist

The new and the traditional always find a home in the programs given by the St Olaf Choir.

Led by Anton Armstrong, the ensemble recently performed works from this - the 21st - century as well as works from the very beginnings of the St Olaf choral tradition.

Twin cities composer Abbie Betinis' "Bar Xizam" - Upward, I Rise - was one of the highlights of the most recent St Olaf Choir winter tour.

The work celebrates "a longing to be with God." Betinis said, "For me the poem called to mind whole crowds of people, across continents, through the centuries, rising up -- whether in the name of religion, social justice, economic relief, personal healing-- all longing for something better."

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Bar xizam (Upward I rise) - Abbie Betinas

Dilexi, quoniam exaudiet Dominus - Robert Caamano

Praise to the Lord - arr: F. Melius Christiansen

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