World Premiere: From Wilderness: A Meditation on the Pacific Crest Trail

Written for SATB chorus, soloists, cello, and crystal singing bowls, From Wilderness marks the eighteenth commission from Artistic Director Brandon Elliott and his award-winning Choral Arts Initiative, who have premiered over seven works throughout the past decade. The ensemble was set to premiere this work in March of 2020, but due to the nationwide shutdown, turned to the studio to capture it in recorded form after sixteen months apart. Choral Arts Initiative will perform the world premiere of From Wilderness live in concert on Sunday, April 24th at St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, CA.

Spanning landscapes from Mexico to Canada, the Pacific Crest Trail inspired this latest composition by Southern California native Jeffrey Derus. The work is structured in five movements, each reflecting a section of the trail: Southern California, Central California, Northern California, Oregon and Washington. Cellist Kevin Mills accompanies the chorus as they navigate the beauty and serenity of each stop. A sound bath created by crystal singing bowls guides the listener along a meditative path, with each micro-movement designed to align with the healing properties of the seven chakras