EDWARD PALMER, M.M., D.M.A. toured with the two leading professional choral groups in America: the Robert Shaw Chorale of New York and the Roger Wagner Chorale of Los Angeles. He has sung leading roles with the Palm Beach Opera and the Pocket Opera in San Francisco. He has conducted his own choral groups in New York, Grand Rapids and South Florida. The Palmer Singers and the Edward Palmer Chorale have performed in concerts, radio and television, and are known for their beautiful singing of the classics, Broadway tunes and spirituals. Palmer founded the Palm Beach Symphonette and conducted series of concerts with guest artists of renown, including Jan Peerce, Gina Bachauer, James Dick, Garrick Ohlssohn, James Kreger and the new violin sensation, Chee-Yun. The PBS presented Family Concerts featuring ballet, Peter and the Wolf, Carnival of the Animals, Tubby the Tuba and more. Palmer earned the Master of Music degree in voice and choral conducting at the University of South Florida and the Doctor of Musical Arts with the American Conservatory of Music. He studied orchestral conducting with Richard Lert and Richard Burgin. SONGS OF THE SPIRIT This collection of songs contains some personal favorites and a number of titles suggested by friends. They are widely varied in style. Hopefully, each will have for the listener that quality we call “spirit.” When the “Spirit” moves the heart to prayer, the spirit will truly rise On Eagle’s Wings to be held in the “Palm of His hand.” The Way, the Truth, and the Life of John 14:6 inspired a poet to identify further attributes of the object of The Call. Deep River has that wonderful call: “Oh, don’t you want to go to that gospel feast, That promised land where all is peace?’ Perhaps, again, will Little David Play On Your Harp? In the Breaking of the Bread are revealed the Amazing Grace that liberated slaver, John Newton, and the peace so beautifully sought in the Prayer of St. Francis. And, should one slip a little away and find the hours Tedious and Tastless, these other words of Newton will surely help restore “His soul-cheering presence.” Gregorian Chant is plainsong or unison singing, at once the simplest in form and the most challenging to sing properly. Here, side by side are the chant, Ave Verum* and the sublime, beloved Panis Angelicus** in a classical setting, in memorial – the Lord’s Supper. The Ninety-first Psalm! What poetry! What security to “ Abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” There the perfect prayer must be The Lord’s Prayer, …humility, confession, supplication and praise. “There is room enough in Paradise to have a home in glory. Jesus, my all, to heav’n is gone, He whom my hopes are fixed upon. His track I see and I’ll pursue the narrow way ‘til Him I view.” “Oh, Glory!” The sanctity, innocence and awe felt When Children Pray, might remind that I can “Tell God All O’ My Troubles – how the road is rocky, and resolve to live so God can use me.” Who has not been comforted and encouraged by the “Shepherd’s Psalm?” Here, hear the shepherd utter spontaneous phrases amid flute-like passages on the piano. Elizabeth said to Mary, “You are favored by God above all other women, and your child is destined for God’s mightiest praise. What an honor this, that the mother of my Lord should visit me…!” The chant version and the Schubert Ave Maria are here side by side. In that child/Lord-to-be, were met “the hopes and fears of all the years.” And the dream, and the blessed hope of glory – to dwell in the New Jerusalem, The Holy City. Col. 1:17, I Tim. 1:1 * The Gregorian Chants were recorded five times in order to achieve the resonant monastery sound. ** The second voice in Panis Angelicus is also E.P.