Witness Music California is Proud to Present

ROB GARDNER’S

LAMB of GOD

His Life Our Hope

A Sacred Work for Choir, Orchestra, Narrators and Soloists

Composed by 

Rob Gardner

Conducted by 

Marianne Woolf

Narrated by 

Beck Garrett and Aaron Wooley

March 2, 2024

 Thousand Oaks, Ca

CONDUCTOR’S NOTE

Marianne Woolf

Conductor, Marianne Woolf

When I first listened to Lamb of God, I had to stop and put all things aside so I could truly take in the powerful music and message. I felt a deep connection with Mary and Martha and with Peter and John and how they all must have felt as their faith was tested and strengthened. I can only imagine how glorious and personal it must have been when Christ appeared to Mary Magdalene and Thomas. The music in this magnificent work is truly inspiring and has strengthened my conviction of who Jesus Christ is and how His life and ministry are a message of love and hope.

The music and text within this musical production have been written on my heart. It amazes me how something that I know so well can lift and inspire me in new ways. That is the beautiful miracle of the music in this powerful work. We can all find solace, peace, love, and understanding as we listen again and again to these melodies and passages. Whether you are with us for the first time or the fifth, I hope this music can speak to your heart as it has to mine.

It has been an incredible experience preparing and creating this beautiful oratorio. My desire is that each of us may come to know Christ and know that “Here is Hope!”

 — Marianne Woolf, WMCA Conductor

PART 1

” I Told You, and Ye Believed Me Not”

THOU HOPE and DELIVERER

THIS IS HE | Accuser, Thomas, John, Peter

PART 2

“Thy Brother Shall Rise Again”

MAKE ME WHOLE  |  Martha, Mary of Bethany

I AM THE RESURRECTION  |  Martha, Mary of Bethany

PART 3

“Nevertheless, Not What I Will,
But What Thou Wilt”

JUDAS’S DENIAL  |  Judas

HOSANNA

THE LAST SUPPER  |  John, Thomas, Peter, Judas

GETHSEMANE

I CANNOT WATCH THEM  |  Peter

TO CALVARY  |  Pilate, False Witness, Peter, Mary, John, Maid, Damsel

HERE IS HOPE  |  Mary

PART 4

“Be Not Faithless, But Believing”

THE RESURRECTION  |  Mary Magdalene

TO THE DISCIPLES  |  Thomas

PART 5

“Feed My Sheep”

FINALE  |  John, Thomas, Peter, Mary Magdalene, Martha, Mary of Bethany, Mary

Christ's Language Translations
Christ's Language Translations
Christ's Language Translations

Christ’s Language

— Rotate to landscape for best viewing of translations —

ARAMAIC

—-  THIS IS HE  —-

Adma Lamatai?
Omar Lan, Omar
Ant Hu?
M’lal hu

—- THE LAST SUPPER —-

Dkhad menkuhn meshlem li

Yavdin le duk rayi


—-  GETHSEMANE  —-

Abba Avi, ehvar manee kasah hanah

Ala lo tsavani, Ant tsavanach
O Abba!

Qum, ktush!

—-  TO CALVARY  —-

Ha! Ha gabra!
Emrah dallahha!
Lo sapeq Leh?
Shkulaihi lehhana
Lebaraba
Sheetah hukashan hu saiber

Makika, kiban
hu saba

Emrah d’shaqel katiteh d’alama!

TRANSLATION

—-  THIS IS HE  —-

How long, Oh Lord?
Tell us
Art Thou He?
He hath spoken it

—-  THE LAST SUPPER  —-

One of you shall betray Me

This do in remembrance of Me


—-  GETHSEMANE  —-

Father, take away from me this cup

But not my will, Thy will,
Oh Father

Rise, fight!

—-  TO CALVARY  —-

Behold, the Man!
The Lamb of God!
Is this not enough?
Away with Him!
Barrabas
He is despised, He hath borne our sufferings

He was rejected, our
pains He carried

The Lamb who beareth the sins of the world!

Christ's Language Translations

PERFORMERS

John Fare
John Fare- CELLO, as the Instrumental Voice of Christ -

John Fare’s beautiful, melodic cello solos weave in and out of Lamb of God, representing the sacred nature and character of Jesus Christ. John’s life in music began with an invitation to join the orchestra in his sixth-grade elementary class in Abilene, TX. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree at Texas Tech, followed by professional positions with the North Carolina Symphony and the Denver Symphony. John has performed for movies, television, commercials, audio recordings, and musical theater. His orchestral concerts included opportunities to play with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Pasadena Symphony. He also performed live with The Eagles, at the Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy Awards and had the opportunity to play in the 1884 Los Angeles Olympic Games. John currently plays principal cellist for Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra and Westlake Village Symphony, along with various services.

Marcus Klotz
Marcus Klotz- PETER -

Marcus Klotz is a tenor, music educator, and conductor. He has recently served as faculty at Pepperdine University, teaching and conducting the Concert Choir. Formerly, Klotz served as a faculty member of the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSU Long Beach where he directed the university’s treble chorus Bel Canto and served as the assistant conductor of the Bob Cole Chamber Choir. Klotz has trained with many teachers including; Vladimir Chernov, Timothy Mussard, Louise Lofquist and Henry Price. He sings with LA Master Chorale and LA Philharmonic under the direction of Grant Gershon and Gustavo Dudamel. He has performed with other organizations including Palm Springs Opera Guild, Opera Buffs, and Pasadena Opera Guild. Klotz holds a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from CSU Long Beach and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music Education and Vocal Performance from Pepperdine University. He serves as the choir director at Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village and as a Professor of Voice at Moorpark College. He also owns and operates a private music lesson company with his wife Christy called Westlake Music Academy.

Michelle Pina
Michelle Pina - MARY MAGDALENE -

Michelle Pina is a soprano based in Los Angeles, California. Past operatic roles include the title role of Massenet’s Cendrillon, Blanche de la Force in Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites, Pamina in Die Zauberflöte and Donna Anna in Don Giovanni. Michelle is also a regular of the concert stage and has performed as a soloist in works such as Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, Handel’s Messiah, Finzi’s In Terra Pax, Howard Goodall’s Requiem, Duruflé’s Requiem, and Poulenc’s Gloria. In addition to performing, Michelle is an advocate for accessible music education and works with businesses across the US to provide financial and industry resources for young musicians. Most recently, Michelle co-founded The Conejo Valley Choral Society and serves as President of the Board.

Paul Snyder
Paul Snyder- JOHN -

A native of Thousand Oaks, Paul Snyder, grew up loving music and participating in various performing groups in junior high and high school. He studied Piano Performance on scholarship at Brigham Young University where he was a member of Concert Choir and performed in several musical theater productions, including West Side Story and Guys and Dolls. He also spent 2 summers doing professional musical theater at Sundance Theater, performing in Carousel and Guys and Dolls. He is reprising his role as John in Lamb of God which he has performed each of the past three years. Paul graduated from UC Berkeley’s School of Optometry and has practiced optometry in Thousand Oaks for the last 20 years. Besides being an eye doctor, he loves being Dad to his 4 children and being married to his wife Romy.

Romy Snyder
Romy Snyder- MARY, MOTHER of JESUS -

Romy Snyder, soprano, is honored to sing the part of Mary, Mother of Jesus this year and to share her love for Jesus Christ through this beautiful work. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in German and a minor in computer science, but also studied music, dance and theater. She was a member of the BYU Young Ambassadors performing group for two years where she toured throughout Scandinavia, Germany, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the Southern United States. She continues to sing in vocal ensembles and church choirs. She and her husband, Paul, have four amazing children who also share their love of music.

Jonathan Matthews
Jonathan Matthews- THOMAS -

Jonathan Matthews has played in roles such as; Rinuccio/La Rainette, Gianni Schicchi/L’enfant et les sortileges, Don José in Vox Visceralis’ Carmen, Ewart Dunlop in The Music Man, Tsar Berendey in The Snow Maiden, and Chance in Gunfight at the Not-so-ok Saloon. He has sung many concerts including Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Mozart’s Requiem, and Verdi’s Requiem. He has also sung in musical previews, commercials, and other works in the recording studio. Jonathan has narrated eighteen audiobooks, and has been a voice over actor in commercials, cartoons, and video games. He is a film and television actor, appearing in various commercials, movies, and television shows. A native of Salt Lake City, he currently lives in Thousand Oaks with his wife and three sons.

Shalese Murphy
Shalese Murphy - MARTHA -

Shalese Murphy has sung her whole life! From a family of musicians, there was always music around. She received her first formal training at Regional Center for the Arts in Connecticut for three years learning musical theater mix/belt technique and building a character through voice. At BYU-Idaho Shalese studied choral education and classical voice performance, and learned quickly that she loves to sing everything! She’s a teacher at Westlake Music Academy and Los Robles Children’s Choir. She’s an active performer, most recently performing in the Pirates of Penzance with the Utah Opera, as a soloist in the BYU-Idaho Collegiate Singers performing group, and she’s delighted to play Martha in this production of Lamb of God.

Caiden Babbitt
Caiden Babbitt - JUDAS -

Caiden has performed in choirs and musical theater in the Thousand Oaks area. Caiden was a member of Westlake High School’s top audition choir called “A Class Act,” under the direction of Mr. Allen Rose. Caiden has played roles such as Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, Stromboli in Geppetto and Sons, Rooster Hannigan in Annie, and Gaston in Beauty and the Beast. Currently, Caiden is employed as an electrical assistant at Gold Coast Electric. During Caiden’s service as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he found himself listening to Rob Gardner’s Lamb of God often; the role of Judas is a not-so-surprising role for Caiden considering he has played many villainous characters throughout his life. Caiden is thankful to be a part of this Easter oratorio.

Michael Babbitt
Michael Babbitt- PONTIUS PILATE -

Michael Babbitt, tenor/baritone, is a Los Angeles-based song writer, producer, vocalist, and sound designer. From the age of 8, he knew what he wanted to do. It was then that he first recognized music’s cognitive and spiritual power and envisioned a day where he would create it. Michael was awarded “Best Album of 2001” for his debut solo album “Power Undiminished” under the artist’s name Monolithic at The American Synthpop Awards in Hollywood. From there, the floodgates were opened to write countless songs for television, movie trailers, and video games. In addition to working with Grammy-nominated artists Kaskade and BT, Michael has created top-rated sounds for the multi-award-winning software synthesizer Omnisphere. His sounds can be heard in today’s hit recordings and film scores.

Lynette Green
Lynette Green- DAMSEL -

Lynette Green felt so inspired by last year’s Lamb of God production that she is thrilled to be singing with the cast again this year. She started playing piano at the age of 8 and discovered a love of singing in high school. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Arts degree from California State University, Northridge. She taught piano and voice for 20 years, including at Vibe Performing Arts Studio, Carden Heights Academy, and in her private studio. She has been a soloist with the Village Voices Chorale and appeared in productions of Gianni Schicchi and Who Shot the Sheriff?. She also sang in the Ventura Master Chorale. She spends her free time triathlon training, reading, and creating healthy cookies for her children.

Natalie Penfield
Natalie Penfield - MAID -

Natalie is a multi-faceted musician as a singer, conductor, pianist and organist. She performed with the Women’s Choir at Brigham Young University during which time she also studied conducting and voice. She has enjoyed singing in productions such as Bye Bye Birdie, Les Miserables, Lion King, From Cumorah’s Hill, and The Little Mermaid. Recently she conducted a choir as they sang Steve Burch’s Moorpark Suite in tandem with the Moorpark Symphony. She currently is the conductor of the Thousand Oaks Stake Choir of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She has accompanied on the piano countless singers and instrumentalists, including an online Mother’s Day concert with string members of the Westlake Village Symphony. Studying the organ under Joseph Peeples and Dave Ellsworth has been a passion of hers. She currently graces her church congregation each Sunday at the organ. She spends much of her time homeschooling her four children and enjoys a variety of outdoor sports.

Eric Law
Eric Law - FALSE WITNESS -

Eric was born in Durango, Colorado and was raised, with his 10 younger siblings, inside the Beltway in Washington, DC. He moved to Thousand Oaks in 1989 and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from California Lutheran University and his Juris Doctorate from The Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law. Eric was a member of the Los Robles Master Chorale and the Southern California Latter-day Saint Choir. He has performed in; Li’l, South Pacific, and The Forgotten Carols. Eric has sung in numerous barbershop quartets and countless solos, duets, and other small choral arrangements. He lives in Camarillo with his wife, Shae, and enjoys spending time with her, studying the scriptures, and writing. He loves being with each of his three children and four grandchildren.

Jamie Matthews
Jamie Matthews - MARY of BETHANY -

Jamie Matthews is first and foremost a mother of 4 boys and has always loved to sing. Music sparked her desire to serve a mission for her church in Louisiana shortly after Katrina. Singing also connected Jamie to her husband Jon. She first sang in the Lamb of God in 2016. Shortly after that performance, they lost their first son. This music brought so much peace! I’d like to dedicate this performance to our angel son, George. With Jesus’ resurrection we have the promise of a future reunion with our loved ones who have passed on. “I am the Resurrection, and the Life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live”. Jesus is our Deliverer, our Redeemer, our Savior, our All. All miracles come, eventually, through Him. Happy Easter!

Anthony Moresi
Anthony Moresi - ACCUSER -

Anthony Moresi has appeared in many operas including Madama Butterfly, Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado, il Trovatore, Carmen, and La Traviata and as a chorus member in Speed Dating Tonight. He has also appeared in Pirates of Penzance, Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta in Little Tokyo, Rossini’s La Cenerentola, Don Giovanni and Gunfight at The-Not-So-OK Saloon. At CSUN he sang the roles: Mr. Page The Merry Wives of Windsor, Le Fauteuil L’enfant et les sortilèges, il notaio Gianni Schicchi and Dottor Bartolo Le Nozze di Figaro while earning a Bachelors of Music degree. He has regular appearances with Ventura County Gilbert & Sullivan Repertoire Co. as: Dr Daly in The Sorcerer, Lord Mount Ararat in Iolanthe, the Notary in The Grand Duke, Sir Roderic in Ruddigore, Mr. Goldbury in Utopia Limited, Samuel/Police Sergeant in Pirates of Penzance, Florian Princess in Ida, Antonio/Giuseppe in Gondoliers and Marmaduke in Sorcerer. He regularly sings with the San Fernando Master Chorale, City of Angels Community Choir, and Areté Vocal Ensemble at Cal Lutheran University. He thanks his family for their support while pursuing his dreams and caring for the dogs and cats while he’s in rehearsals, traveling, and preparing for shows.

Marianne Woolf
Marianne WoolfCONDUCTOR

Marianne Woolf brings this beautiful performance of Lamb of God to life with her innate ability to pull choir, orchestra, soloists and narrators together into a cohesive ensemble. She is a graduate of Brigham Young University-Idaho’s Choral Education program. She spent four years teaching junior high choir and orchestra, as well as directing school musicals such as Guys and Dolls, Bye Bye Birdie, Sound of Music, Me and My Girl, Oklahoma and Seussical the Musical. After being swept off her feet by the love of her life, she retired from her school teaching career to become a mother of seven. Besides training for half marathons and homeschooling her children, Marianne continues to teach voice, piano, and cello lessons in her private studio.

Aaron Woolley
Aaron WoolleyNARRATOR

Aaron Woolley is sharing his talents with us as a narrator for the sixth consecutive year. Aaron has lived in the Conejo Valley since 1988 and has performed in a variety of musicals and singing groups. He has performed on stage for a variety of community functions in the Conejo Valley and is a frequent invitee to serve as Master of Ceremonies for local events. He has also used his voiceover talent for professional business advertisements. Aaron is a business manager for the entertainment community and is a tax accountant and the owner of Trust Management of Thousand Oaks. He is the father of five children and is married to Maren.

Becky Garrett
Becky GarrettNARRATOR

Becky Garrett is a southern California native. She attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah on a vocal and dance scholarship. Shortly after graduating, Becky began work as a professional recording artist and songwriter. Becky’s greatest love is her handsome husband Tyler! She and Tyler have six children – three boys and three girls. This is where Tyler and Becky’s greatest joys are found. It is a wonderful – and noisy – life! Through all of life’s challenges, they are ever grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the joy and peace the Savior brings to the world.

ORCHESTRA

VIOIN I

Cari Celaya *
Debbie Brogberg
Lydia Steadman
Jacob Lassen
Jennifer Deirmendjian
Ava Watanabe

VIOIN II

Courtni Neff **
Maissoun Qatan
Mary Ann Marx
Noya Achiasaf
Erin Tracy
Xiao-dong Sun
Anna Tellez

VIOLA

Jorge Moraga**
Adri Ebrahim
Lauren Combs

CELLO

John Fare**
Becky Heninger
Valerie Wong
Zohar Achiasaf
Rebecca Denninghoff
Kristina Bartlett

BASS

Sean Matthes**
Eli Leukenga

HARP

Elaine Litster

FLUTE

Rhondda Dayton**
Mary Predmore

OBOE

Cherie Moraga

CLARINET

Sandee Langlois **
Don Nardone
Dan Geeting

BASSOON

Betsy Robinson

FRENCH HORN

Jennifer Bliman **
Michael Stanley
Phyllis Rautenberg
Roger Ballenger

TROMBONE

Tony Bown **
Brennan Bown
Patrick Rose

TUBA

David Predmore

PERCUSSION

Joe Martone**
Travis Galvez
Marie Luce
Grace Luce
Max Allen

* Concertmaster ** Section Principal

ORCHESTRA

VIOIN I

Cari Celaya *
Debbie Brogberg
Lydia Steadman
Jacob Lassen
Jennifer Deirmendjian
Ava Watanabe

VIOIN II

Courtni Neff **
Maissoun Qatan
Mary Ann Marx
Noya Achiasaf
Erin Tracy
Xiao-dong Sun
Anna Tellez

VIOLA

Jorge Moraga**
Adri Ebrahim
Lauren Combs

CELLO

John Fare**
Becky Heninger
Valerie Wong
Zohar Achiasaf
Rebecca Denninghoff
Kristina Bartlett

BASS

Sean Matthes**
Eli Leukenga

HARP

Elaine Litster

FLUTE

Rhondda Dayton**
Mary Predmore

OBOE

Cherie Moraga

CLARINET

Sandee Langlois **
Don Nardone
Dan Geeting

BASSOON

Betsy Robinson

FRENCH HORN

Jennifer Bliman **
Michael Stanley
Phyllis Rautenberg
Roger Ballenger

TROMBONE

Tony Bown **
Brennan Bown
Patrick Rose

TUBA

David Predmore

PERCUSSION

Joe Martone**
Travis Galvez
Marie Luce
Grace Luce
Max Allen

* Concertmaster
** Section principal

CHOIR

Jared Ashworth
Amanda Ball
Tyler Ball
Beth Barrus
Stephanie Barrus
Kirstie Bellman
Pat Bellman
John Bennett
Kurt Blickenstaff
Marisa Brown
Charlotte Burrows
Nathan Burrows
Chris Buxton
Caleb Cole
Hannah Cole
Albert Cornel
Courtney Cunningham
Konrad De Ruyter
Scott De Ruyter
Charlotte Endecott
Else Endecott
Kristi Fletcher
Charla Fowler
Lynette Green
Carolina Henao

Cassidy Hitchcock
Allyson Howard
Bonnie Howard
David Howard
Becca Hubble
Jennie Hubble
Travis Hubble
Janice Jaffe
Selena Johnson
Andrea Jones
Isaac Kent
Kirsten Kent
Billie Lang
JoDee Lang
Eric Law
Emily Lewis
Gabby Marz
Barry Mathews
Louise Mathews
Jamie Matthews
Patrick McCombs
Angie Meik
John Moffat
Sara Muir
Shalese Murphy

Julie Olsen
Natalie Pace
Shawna Parry
Margaret Penfield
Natalie Penfield
Michelle Pina
Mari Porter
Stacey Prince
Marlys Pulos
Cynthia Rasmussen
Liz Simmons
Kirsten Stoneley
Adam Tan
Hyrum Tan
Liep Tan
Marie Tarbet
Lindie Turley
Tod Turley
Ditte Wager
Christine Williamson
Evan Winn
Curtis Woolf
Heidi Woolf
Rob Woolf

CHOIR

Jared Ashworth
Amanda Ball
Tyler Ball
Beth Barrus
Stephanie Barrus
Kirstie Bellman
Pat Bellman
John Bennett
Kurt Blickenstaff
Marisa Brown
Charlotte Burrows
Nathan Burrows
Chris Buxton
Caleb Cole
Hannah Cole
Albert Cornel
Courtney Cunningham
Konrad De Ruyter
Scott De Ruyter
Charlotte Endecott
Else Endecott
Kristi Fletcher
Charla Fowler
Lynette Green
Carolina Henao

Cassidy Hitchcock
Allyson Howard
Bonnie Howard
David Howard
Becca Hubble
Jennie Hubble
Travis Hubble
Janice Jaffe
Selena Johnson
Andrea Jones
Isaac Kent
Kirsten Kent
Billie Lang
JoDee Lang
Eric Law
Emily Lewis
Gabby Marz
Barry Mathews
Louise Mathews
Jamie Matthews
Patrick McCombs
Angie Meik
John Moffat
Sara Muir
Shalese Murphy

Julie Olsen
Natalie Pace
Shawna Parry
Margaret Penfield
Natalie Penfield
Michelle Pina
Mari Porter
Stacey Prince
Marlys Pulos
Cynthia Rasmussen
Liz Simmons
Kirsten Stoneley
Adam Tan
Hyrum Tan
Liep Tan
Marie Tarbet
Lindie Turley
Tod Turley
Ditte Wager
Christine Williamson
Evan Winn
Curtis Woolf
Heidi Woolf
Rob Woolf

GETHSEMANE by Carl Heinrich Bloch (1834-1890)

Acknowledgments

We want to acknowledge and express our gratitude to the many individuals and organizations that helped bring this production to life.  First, to all the musicians and performers – more than 130 in total – thank you for sharing your time, talents, and gifts with us.  Whether you are joining us for the first time this year or the fifth, we greatly appreciate the sacrifices you make to be part of this effort.  We would also like to thank the Thousand Oaks Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for accommodating our rehearsal schedules and needs.

We would like to thank some of the key individuals who make this performance possible: our amazing conductor, Marianne Woolf; our orchestra Co-presidents, Cari Celaya and Sandee Langlois; our organization President Lindie Turley, our choir Presidents Jo Dee Lang and Liz Simmons. Special thanks to Tod Turley for his work in fundraising and being the assistant to the President. We would also like to thank Tony Bown for accompanying us during rehearsals and is our financial director; Michael Babbitt and Bob Adams for lending their expertise with sound. Thank you to Ryan Halverson for our photography. And many thanks to Corinne Holden and Rachel Wright for our website and graphic design and our Venue Manager, Kerry Anderson. Another thanks to our Ushers: James Green, Susan Green, Rachel Oronoz, Aurora Massey, Olivia Madera, Seth Heathcote, Glenn Hodge, Emerson Stout and Jorge Alonso.

–Witness Music California Board of Directors

At Witness Music California, we are passionate about organizing live performances of sacred musical works that testify of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and His role as Savior and Redeemer of all the world. The works we perform spiritually strengthen the performers as well as those attending. This is our fifth annual performance of Lamb of God in Southern California and we believe this music should be as central to Easter as The Messiah is to Christmas. Our vision is that the performance of Rob Gardner’s Lamb of God remains an Easter season tradition in the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas.

To bring this vision to life, we need your support. To join us in this worthy effort, please consider making a tax deductible financial donation by visiting our Website at www.WitnessMusicCalifornia.org.

About the Work

Lamb of God is a musical portrayal of the final days of the life of Jesus Christ, from the foreshadowing raising of Lazarus, to the devastating arrest and crucifixion of Jesus, and finally to His glorious resurrection. Composed and written by Rob Gardner, the story is told through the ever-relatable perspective of those who loved and walked with Him: Peter, John, Thomas, Mary and Martha of Bethany, Mary Magdalene and His Mother Mary. “Lamb of God” offers a new and unique take on the Passion story in that it’s told entirely through music. The music serves to heighten the innate emotion of the narrative and carry a very personal meaning to everyone who experiences it.

In the summer of 2010, just weeks after completing the score, Rob Gardner headed to London to record the work with the world-renowned London Symphony Orchestra. He then returned to Arizona to record the soloists and glorious Spire Chorus in the weeks leading up to the performance premiere at Gammage Auditorium in Tempe, AZ in September 2010. The Gospels of the New Testament were the sole source material in the composition of “Lamb of God”. Because of this, the work is performed every year, all around the world, by thousands of musicians and singers across dozens of faiths. It is performed in concert halls, Catholic Cathedrals, Protestant Sanctuaries, Evangelical Churches, Latter-day Saint Chapels and on University campuses. Most of these performances are multi-denominational, involving members of as many as 60 different faiths in one performing group alone. In fact, the artistry of the music and storytelling is such that even many non-believers are moved to participate in or attend a performance.

Each year, an estimated 4,000+ performers across the world participate in locally-produced performances of “Lamb of God” in places as far-reaching as The Netherlands, Romania and Buenos Aires. These performances played for a total audience of well over 50,000 people from dozens of faiths. Almost all of these performers, both professional and amateur, volunteer an enormous amount of time and talent to share this message because they believe it would transform and bring a measure of hope and light into many lives, including their own. Such is the power of the music and message of “Lamb of God”.

Source: www.RobGardnerMusic.com/lamb