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Ut omnes unum sint

Sir James MacMillan



Cappella Caeciliana commissioned Ut omnes unum sint from James MacMillan to mark the choir’s 20th anniversary. The seven minute composition is written for eight-part choir, with solo sections written for the choir's founder members Fathers David Delargy, Eugene O'Hagan and Martin O'Hagan ("The Priests"). It is dedicated to the choir’s musical



Cappella Caeciliana commissioned Ut omnes unum sint from James MacMillan to mark the choir’s 20th anniversary. The seven minute composition is written for eight-part choir, with solo sections written for the choir's founder members Fathers David Delargy, Eugene O'Hagan and Martin O'Hagan ("The Priests"). It is dedicated to the choir’s musical director, Donal McCrisken.

The work was first performed in Edinburgh in November 2015, and the Irish premiere of the composition took place in Belfast in March 2016, both conducted by the composer. The score is available from Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers.

The text (John 17:21-22) is Christ’s exhortation that his followers all be one, and is of special relevance to this cross-community choir based in Belfast:

"Non pro his autem rogo tantum, sed et pro eis qui credituri sunt per verbum eorum in me; ut omnes unum sint, sicut tu Pater in me, et ego in te; ut et ipsi in nobis unum sint; ut mundus credat quia tu me misisti."

"And not only for them do I pray, but also for them who through their word will believe in me; that they may all be one, as you, Father, in me and I in you; that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you have sent me."

Translation: Edward Tambling

This work, conducted by the composer, is the title track of our CD "UNITY - May they all be one".

The video below is of the Irish premiere, conducted by the composer.

This was part of our 20th anniversary concert held in Good Shepherd Church, Belfast, on 12 March 2016.

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