The Anglican Cathedral will once again be the setting for a performance of Grammy Award-winning US saxophonist and composer Paul Winter's contemporary Earth mass, 'Missa Gaia'.

On Sunday, director and organist Ryan Ellis will lead the 60 combined voices of the Bermuda School of Music's Chamber and Treble choirs; soloist Joy Barnum, guitarist Steve Crawford, pianist Oliver Grant, cellist Don Macpherson, electric bassist Ewing Lauder, drummer Shelton Bean, percussionist Calvin Worrell and members of the Bermuda African Dance Company in the performance of this dynamic work.

As befits an Earth mass, the performance will also celebrate St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and ecology, and the public is being invited to bring along their family pet or pets for a special blessing by the Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Patrick White. 'Missa Gaia' was commissioned by the Dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City as a contemporary ecumenical Mass, and is performed annually on the first Sunday in October.

Mr. Ellis and selected singers from the BSM Chamber and Treble Choirs have just returned from participating in this year's performance of the Earth mass in New York, at which Mr. Winter was present, and where the Bermuda singers were warmly welcomed. (See separate story).

Mr. Winter said of 'Missa Gaia': "I envisaged a celebration that was ecumenical and ecological – one that celebrates all life on Earth – and I wanted to feel the Earth power of African and Brazilian percussion as a complement to the serene voices of the choir."

Written in 1981, the music features many seed themes taken from Nature, during which listeners hear the recorded sound of whale song (recorded by Dr. Roger Payne with Bermudian Frank Watlington many years ago), a wolf call, harp seal, and more. Much of the music is inspired by Afro-Cuban, West African rhythm and Brazilian rhythms, and requires a variety of exciting percussion instruments, some played with bare hands, and others on a regular drum kit.

Impressed by Bermuda's beauty and its friendly people, then new-resident Mr. Ellis first presented 'Missa Gaia' at WindReach recreational facility in 2007. The second performance was held last year at the Anglican Cathedral.

"Everyone is excited to be doing it again," Mr. Ellis said.

The performance begins at 5 p.m. Tickets (adults $20, children $10, family tickets $50) are available from C-Travel (292-3033), at the Bermuda School of Music (296-5100), and at the door. Bermuda-based global insurance and reinsurance provider Allied World Assurance Company has given the Bermuda School of Music's Treble Choir $5,000 sponsorship to help with operating costs, and has also provided new shirts.

Allied has also supplied instruments for the students, and funded the Allied World Recital Hall at the School's Berkeley Road, Pembroke facility. Membership in the choir is free, and open to all children between the ages of seven and 13. For further information please telephone Mr. Ellis at 296-5100 ext. 207.