My Ave Verum Corpus for choir and string orchestra was commissioned by Wheaton College to inaugurate its new Armerding Center for Music and the Arts, named for Hudson Armerding who served as the fifth president of Wheaton College from 1965 to 1982 and his wife, Miriam, who received a music degree from Wheaton. 

I wish to express my appreciation especially to Dr. Michael Wilder, Dean of the Wheaton Conservatory of Music, Arts, and Communication, for bringing this commission about and to Wheaton College President Ryken, Vice-President Farney and Professors Payne, Blackstone, Hopper and Trotter of the Conservatory, as well as donors to this special project. 

The newly composed antiphon should be performed as one would a traditional Gregorian chant. The set of finger cymbals should be played by a member of the bass section who will hold one in each hand and strike the two together on the edge. Use only high-quality cymbals, not the tinny, cheap ones found on the internet used mainly by belly dancers. I recommend those manufactured by Toca or Zildjian. 

The piano reduction of the orchestral score is for rehearsal only. This work may only be performed by choir and string orchestra, never with choir and piano. In contrast to many of my works that end quietly, this setting of the Ave Verum Corpus concludes with a joyful and exuberant Alleluia in keeping with this highly celebratory occasion. 

Morten Lauridsen San Juan Island, WA Summer, 2020