Through Friends of Cathedral Music, the cathedral commissions new choral works written for the cathedral choir on an annual basis. The program also includes a weekend residency for the composer at the cathedral. In 2007, new works were commissioned from two composers, Judith Bingham and David Arcus. The 2008 commission is to New York-based composer Anthony Piccolo and the 2009 commission to Tarik O’Regan.

Piccolo has written choral works for Canterbury Cathedral, Bath Abbey, St. Bartholomew’s Church in New York, Trinity Church in Boston, and the University of Hartford among other institutions. His works are performed throughout the world and include orchestral works (Carnegie Hall), choral and instrumental works.

Piccolo will speak on composing church music during the hour prior to the 11:15 a.m. service at which his composition will premiere.