Composed by Taylor Davis, the piece was commissioned by the Texas Master Chorale for their 40th anniversary and premiered in May, closing out their season
St. Andrew Methodist Church’s Chancel Choir along with a professional orchestra will present The Poetry of Psalms, an original 40-minute work by composer Taylor Davis that weaves together Biblical psalms and secular poetry in a powerful musical conversation. The free concert will take place on Sunday, Sept. 28, 3-4 p.m., in the sanctuary of St. Andrew, at 5801 W. Plano, Parkway.
Commissioned by the Texas Master Chorale (TMC) to celebrate their 40th anniversary, the piece received its world premiere in May with TMC and now comes to St. Andrew with Davis conducting and a professional orchestra drawn from across the DFW metroplex.
“When TMC asked me to commission this work, I came up with this idea because I find many of the psalms quite poetic, and I thought pairing a few of them with some of my favorite poems would be unique,” said Taylor Davis, creative director of traditional worship and music at St. Andrew. “The psalms are poetic at heart, but I did not want to just present 45 minutes of sacred text. I wanted to bring in a modern voice – something secular but still spiritual, something that might enhance the psalms.”
The 40-minute piece consists of a series of musical pairings – each one matching a psalm with a poem.
“Almost in a call and response way, the texts volley back and forth,” said Davis. “For example, the Scottish poem As the Rain Hides the Stars paints a picture of trusting what we cannot see, and it’s complemented by Psalm 8, describing creation with the sun, moon, and stars of night. This is perhaps one of my favorite pairings: the poem sounds like you’re watching fireflies after a summer storm, and the psalm about creation is like a confetti cannon!”
“In another pairing example, Emily Dickinson’s Will There Really Be a Morning? is answered when Psalm 113 declares from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, the Lord’s name is to be praised,” he continued. “Each pairing lasts about four minutes with ten total movements inviting the listener on a journey through doubt, wonder, praise, and gratitude.”
“The psalms can feel sepia-toned—beautiful, but distant,” said Davis. “I wanted to add a little technicolor, and these poems do that. They help us see that sacredness isn’t locked away in old texts. It’s all around us—in everyday language, in the natural world, and in the questions we all carry.”
This concert is part of a broader effort by St. Andrew to offer meaningful, artistically excellent programming for the wider community. From classical music lovers to curious first-time concertgoers, The Poetry of Psalms aims to be both accessible and profound.
“At St. Andrew, we’re committed to creating one-of-a-kind opportunities for people to experience beauty and transcendence through music,” said Davis. “Concerts like this offer exceptional music people can't find outside the Dallas Arts District.”
More than just a concert, The Poetry of Psalms is the centerpiece of St. Andrew’s fall music programming – designed to connect with younger audiences, particularly high school and college music students in the DFW area. It also sets the stage for the Chancel Choir to take the concert to Carnegie Hall for an appearance in June 2026.
“St. Andrew’s Music Ministry offerings go beyond performance – they invite listeners into spiritual depth, communal reflection, and musical experiences that are transforming,” added Davis. “Through creative programming and outreach, we aim to connect people of all ages with the church through art. Join us on Sept. 28 for a transcendent musical experience – where sacred meets secular and tradition meets innovation.”
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St. Andrew Methodist Church, founded in 1986, is located on 21.2 acres in Plano, Texas, and has more than 7,000 members. The church hosts over 2,000 people each weekend for worship services in both a traditional style with the classic pipe organ and a contemporary style with an LED center screen and lighting technology. St. Andrew extends an open invitation for all to be a part of a community ready to embrace faith in Christ that is real, practical, and life changing. Many opportunities are provided to gather on campus and serve locally, regionally, and globally. Through Invite Ministries, St. Andrew’s publishing house, and Beacon of Light, a mental health ministry, St. Andrew offers innovative ways to reach Christians within its congregation and out in the community. The new 300-seat Hasley Chapel provides worship and other gathering opportunities in a scenic and more intimate setting. In 2022 St. Andrew became an independent Methodist Church seeking to live more like Jesus every day and to learn in deeper ways what it means to follow His teachings, live in community, and serve the world. 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75093. Visit www.standrewmethodist.org; call (972)380-8001.
