This live recording was performed at Princeton University in celebration of the 100th birthday of scholar, philanthropist and human rights advocate William H. Scheide. The subject of PBS's television special Ode to Joy will air nationally on local PBjS stations. Recognized as one of the world's leading choral ensembles, the WEstminster Symphonic Choir has recorded and performed with major orchestras under virtually every internationally acclaimed conductor of our era. Prepared for this performance by Joe Miller, director of the choral activities at Westminster Choir College, the ensemble is composed of students at Westminster Choir College of Rider University. Mark Laycock made his conducting debut at age 21 with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Since then he has conducted more than 2,000 works with a wide array of orchestras and opera companies in Europe, Asia, Israel and North America. He has appeared on numerous occasions with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Montreal Symphony Orchestra and the English Chamber Orchestra, among others.
