The Taylor Festival Choir returns to Circular Congregational Church on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 3 p.m. for its second concert of the 2026-27 season, built entirely around the choir's 2025 album Pathways to Healing. The program doubles as a tribute to Mary Taylor, the ensemble's late associate artistic director, whose vision shaped the project from the start.
The concert draws its repertoire from the Taylor Festival Choir's Pathways to Healing album, which was released in 2025 and explores healing of all kinds — physical, emotional and spiritual, according to Post and Courier. The album was recorded for release under the PARMA/Navona label, and it's currently under consideration for Grammy Awards in three categories, the outlet reports.
Two New Works Written for the Occasion
Sunday's program will include world premieres of two pieces written specifically for the concert: God's Vision by Donal Rafferty, set to a text by Mary Taylor, and Make Me An Instrument of Thy Peace by Rob Taylor. The broader lineup also features composers Brian Galante, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Stephen Paulus, John Rutter, Will Todd and Tomas Luis Victoria, per the same report. Galante serves as Taylor Music Group's composer-in-residence.
Rob Taylor, reflecting on the season, said last season was difficult because of the passing of his wife, Mary Taylor, who served as associate artistic director and who inspired and masterminded this project. He added that the world is in dire need of healing, and that the concert brings healing energy to its audience and performers through great music.
A Mission That Extends Beyond the Concert Hall
The Pathways to Healing initiative isn't confined to the choir loft. According to the Taylor Music Group, the effort harnesses the transformative power of music to foster healing and well-being, and it has already begun bringing choral and instrumental music into medical facilities such as MUSC, Roper St. Francis hospitals and Hollings Cancer Center.
Plans for later phases include producing music videos for selected tracks from the album that would incorporate testimonials from cancer patients and oncologists for use at cancer treatment centers. The group also envisions performing the album's repertoire in a multi-state concert tour and sending smaller ensembles into medical facilities, though those elements remain part of the initiative's planned future work rather than completed efforts.
The initiative has roots going back years. A Taylor Music Group concert and pre-concert panel discussion held Oct. 24 launched the group's 20th anniversary season and served as the springboard for the planned Pathways to Healing initiative, the group has noted. That early event laid groundwork for what has since grown into an ongoing effort within Taylor Music Group's broader programming.
How to Attend
Tickets for the Nov. 15 concert can be purchased at taylormusicgroup.org, and additional information is available by calling 843-819-6961.
