Each spring, the Temple Square Chorale accompanied by the Orchestra at Temple Square presents a concert featuring a major choral work. This year is no different. The program will feature Gloria by French composer Francis Poulenc; it is one of his most celebrated works. Scheduled Friday and Saturday, April 19-20 in the Tabernacle on Temple Square at 7:30 p.m., the concert will be under the direction of Ryan Murphy, conductor of the Temple Square Chorale and associate music director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Joining the Chorale will be soprano soloist Elizabeth Pike Murdock, a graduate of the Brigham Young University School of Music and a noted concert musician.

Poulenc’s Gloria, written near the end of his career and premiered on January 21, 1961 in Boston, is a setting ofGloria in excelsis Deo familiar from its use in mass liturgy and other prominent compositions. The Koussevitzky Foundation commissioned the work in honor of Sergei Koussevitzky, music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, for a quarter of a century. In the past, the Chorale has performed such works as St. Matthew Passionby Bach, Requiem by Mozart and Saul by Handel. The second half of the program will include a variety of sacred anthems including two new compositions by Ryan Murphy and others by John Rutter and Edgar Bainton.

The Chorale, in its 14th year, is the training ensemble for the Choir and this year has 120 singers—those completing the audition process for the Choir, those who joined the Choir last year, and a group of seasoned Choir members. All are volunteers.

Tickets for the traditionally sold-out event will be available March 19, 2011, online at lds.org/events, by calling 801-570-008 or visiting the Conference Center Ticket Office.