AVE MARIA A choral composition by Bob Ingalls for Mixed Choir and String Orchestra with 3 antiphonal soprano soloists Music publisher: Slagni Publishing

The Ave Maria for Mixed Choir and String Orchestra in it's original form for Mixed Choir and Chamber Orchestra was written for the 2015 Rielo International Sacred Music Composition Competition in Madrid, Spain. The original version utilized the special 'Rielo' version of the Ave Maria prayer that culminates in the Trinitarian prayer.   It was rewritten by the composer in April of 2015 for String Orchestra utilizing the standard version of the Ave Maria to fulfill the submission requirements of the Sacrarium Competition.   In July of 2015 the 'Rielo' version also placed as one of the four finalists in that competition; but was subsequently disqualified since it had been performed and recorded as part of winning the Sacrarium competition which violated the rules of the 'Rielo' competition.   To quote the Sacrarium 2015 press release, "A standing ovation greeted the conclusion of the performance of Mr. Ingalls' Ave Maria.   In an interview following the concert he was asked why he thinks people responded so emotionally to his music?   'People come to a sacred music concert looking for an opportunity to forget the reality of living between tears and smiles; suffering and joy; and embrace something beautiful.   I believe the chanted opening of the men in the choir, the antiphonal soloists’ voices rising from different positions in the church, the earthy drive of the strings in the middle sections and the gorgeous cascading voices at the end allowed the audience to make that connection.   Music is visceral. You feel it in your heart.   With such a wonderful choir, orchestra and conductor to work with you can’t go wrong.' "   On December 12 & 13, 2015 the composition received it's Canadian Premiere with the Calgary Symphony Orchestra and the Cum Vino Cantus choir as part of the Traditional Christmas Concert Series under the baton of CSO Associate Conductor Adam Johnson. To quote Adam, "Bob Ingalls' Ave Maria had a major impact on our audience, and I was asked more than once after the performances to program it again next season. It is a beautiful and powerful work that also received praise from both the orchestral musicians and choir at its Canadian premier. Personally I find the piece to be exceptionally evocative and very effective, and I wholeheartedly believe it deserves a high place in the repertoire for choir and orchestra."