Regent is delighted to present our second recording with the adult choir of Saint Peter's Church, Saint Louis, Missouri the first under the leadership of their new Director of Music, David Sinden.

At this time of silenced church choirs across the world it is poignant to offer a collection of hymns celebrating the breadth of the American Hymn Tradition.

Arriving on the shores of America, the early European settlers came with their hymns: metrical psalms from England and Holland, and chorales from Germany.

These hymns were to be the staple of American congregations for the next two centuries, but as hymnody here developed, a rich new tradition grew up the sounds of spirituals, the shape note repertory, and gospel music were amongst the styles that became woven together in an immensely vibrant and diverse body of music of, and for, the peoples of the Christian church.

This recording features examples of all of these musical styles, together with modern hymns and hymn anthems.With the exception of Amazing grace virtually all of these hymn tunes will be unfamiliar to UK listeners.

Saint Peter's Church, Saint Louis, is a major centre for church music in the Episcopal tradition and supports an ambitious and experienced adult choir, and a children's choir. This is their second recording for Regent.