Performances and Principal Compositions

After dedicating 10 years of their lives to the creation of a work that owned a piece of their souls, Maestro Wilson Somers with collaboration from his wife Joan, proudly premiered Mass for the Homeless at Wilmington, Delaware’s Grand Opera House on November 30, 1997. The presentation was highly anticipated, tickets sold out a week before the show! Aiding that remarkable feat was that 100% of the proceeds benefitted five Delaware homeless organizations.

At the time, Maestro Somers told interviewer Gary Mullinax that “it became clear to me the one of the most dominant lines in the Judeo-Christian tradition is compassion for the poor.” The desire to address that very needy group in Delaware is what drove Somers to complete the work and audiences to support it in a major way. Wilson also commented to Mullinax, “I feel that when you’re called to write music, you have a responsibility to create something that hopefully can be to the betterment of society.” Indeed, this landmark composition was just that!

The work took the form of the traditional mass, with much of the libretto being based directly on scripture, evolving from the theme of Matthew 25. In order to bring the mass in a meaningful way to contemporary audiences, the words are in English, not Latin and the number of movements was doubled from the traditional form to 12. As with Somers’ other “classical” works, it adroitly combines elements of the traditional form with modern musical moments and transitions.

Mass for the Homeless, set a standard and was a strong precursor to additional works, including Requiem for 9/11, which premiered in 2012. The premiere and the 1999 encore have raised more than $50,000 for five outstanding Delaware nonprofits that aid the homeless: Friendship House, Ministry of Caring, Salvation Army, Sojourner’s Place and Sunday Breakfast Mission. Information about all of those organizations can be found on our Beneficiaries page.

Here is a wonderful review and synopsis that appeared in December 2012 of It’s Grand News, the Opera House newsletter.

On Sunday, November 25, the Grand Opera House played host to a world premier performance of a classical composition in tribute to victims and responders to the 9/11 disaster. Composed by local musician and teacher Wilson Gault Somers, Requiem 9/11 was a powerful and musically eclectic work that synthesized orchestra, chorus, and soloists with spoken text from the three faiths tied to Abraham, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Inspired by the form of the traditional Latin requiem, Somers says that the composition is intended to “reflect through music that shared moment of grief in our lives: embracing our emotions, facing the tragedy, and holding on to hope. Requiem for 9/11 demonstrates an enduring vision of hope for the future, based on the faith of the founders of this great nation.”

This event, which played to a very responsive full house, was produced by a committee of community volunteers chaired by The Honorable and Mrs. E. Norman Veasey, and coordinated by Pete and Susan Booker. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

The Grand co-sponsored the performance as its mission to serve the diverse community of interests and concerns. More than a year in planning (and many additional years in composition), Requiem 9/11 was the second Wilson Gault Somers premier to occur at The Grand. Somers, who is Choral Director at the Tatnall School, premiered Music with a Mission at The Grand in 1997 and reprised the same concert in 1999.

The Grand congratulates Mr. Somers for the creation of a dramatic new addition to the musical repertoire and to the committee for such a successful benefit event!

- Written by Mark Fields

More details about our beneficiary, the Flight 93 memorial, can be found on our Beneficiaries page.

Maestro Somers renewed an old audience favorite when he brought back his “Jazz Christmas” series with a performance on December 4, 2016. An enthusiastic audience of some 350 enjoyed a festive blend of traditional Christmas carols, pop favorites and soaring jazz renditions from various composers including Mr. Somers himself. The music was performed by the Wilson Somers trio featuring Wilson on piano, Peter Paulson on bass and Glenn Ferricone on drums. They were joined by guests saxophonist Ed Kirkpatrick and Wes Morton on vibes with featured vocalist Annie Fitch from New York’s Radio City Music Hall joined by the Tatnall Singers from the Tatnall School and accompanist Mary Kate Newell. Proceeds from the show benefitted Family Promise of Northern New Castle County. More details about Family Promise can be found on our Beneficiaries page.

In April, 2017, Wilson created a delightful, refreshing program to usher in springtime. The title of the show derives from Wilson’s composition “Springtime In Paris”, that appeared in the documentary, "Edward Loper: Prophet of Color". It is a composition for which Somers received an Emmy award. The song appeared on “The Essential Wilson Somers” CD release in 2013. The program was performed by the Wilson Somers trio with Peter Paulsen and Glenn Ferricone, along with guests Ed Kirkpatrick on sax, Wes Morton on vibes and Stan Slotter doubling on trumpet and flute. Vocals were performed by Somers favorite Annie Fitch with support from the Tatnall singers. Maestro Somers can always be counted on to offer diverse music programs, as clearly demonstrated in the “Springtime” lineup. Along with several of Somers’ own compositions, we were treated to Duke Ellington’s “April In Paris” (naturally) and other writers ranging from Harold Arlen to Paul Simon. Net proceeds from this wonderful celebration of the season benefitted the programs of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington. More details about Catholic Charities can be found on our Beneficiaries page.

The 2017 edition of Mr. Somers’ holiday series featured a more ambitious and diverse lineup of musicians. The Wilson Somers Trio was joined by guests Ed Kirkpatrick, alto saxophone, Dave Schiff, tenor saxophone, Stan Slotter, trumpet & flute; Wes Morton, vibes, and cellist Rowena Gutana. Radio City’s Annie Fitch was back, again joined by the Tatnall Singers accompanied by Mary Kate Newell. This awesome lineup delivered a rousing and uplifting show to an audience of about 500 holiday revelers. They were not disappointed with Wilson’s typical broad mix of very traditional carols, exhilarating jazz interpretations and reliable pop standards. A special moment came at the end of the evening with a rousing audience sing-along of “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”. Proceeds from the show benefitted Friendship House, a non-profit, faith-based corporation serving individuals and families that are or are at risk of becoming homeless. More details about Friendship House can be found on our Beneficiaries page.

After a “holiday vacation” in 2018, Maestro Somers was back in 2019 with another outstanding holiday celebration, performed for an audience of nearly 500. The playing was outstanding, as always, but featured a new lineup. Wilson was joined in the trio by bassist Leon Ross Spencer and drummer Bryan Silbermann. We mourned and celebrated the untimely death of our friend and inspiration, Ed Kirkpatrick, but our guest musicians Stan Slotter on trumpet and flute and Wes Morton on vibes were as strong as ever and Wilson’s long-time friends Joe Louden (piano accompanist) and Pete Booker (electric bass guitar) joined in the fun. It wouldn’t be a Jazz Christmas without the song stylings of Annie Fitch, and this year she was joined by the Treble Choir from Tatnall School. The usual amazing menu of music was mastered. We were treated to a special moment when the group performed “Christmastime”, a beautiful holiday remembrance written by Wilson’s son and daughter-in-law, Tyler and Jenny Somers. Net proceeds from the 2019 concert benefitted Lutheran Community Services, which distributes food to the needy through 14 locations across Delaware. More details about Lutheran Community Services can be found on our Beneficiaries page.

“Requiem for 9/11”, the second major work by Delaware composer Wilson Gault Somers, premiered at Wilmington’s Grand Opera House in 2012. As the 20th anniversary of that world-changing event approached, Maestro Somers concluded that the time has come for broader distribution of this healing and life enriching work. With collaborator Joseph Louden, Somers re-orchestrated the piece so that small chamber orchestras in community and school settings could easily perform the work. The new version has since been published by J.W. Pepper and is available at jwpepper.com.

The 20th Anniversary performance was presented on September 12, 2021, at St. Helena’s Roman Catholic Church in Wilmington, Delaware to an enthusiastic audience of 500. The audience was the first to hear the newly created form, and they were as moved and emotionally awakened as those who experienced the full-scale work. It is noteworthy that at the 20th anniversary of that horrific event, we again found ourselves in a moment at which we needed that power of music to heal, create hope and demonstrate the strength of our spirit. “Requiem for 9/11” calls forth a trust in God that peace rather than despair will be the promise of our lifetime.

The performance of Requiem was followed by the Premiere of Maestro Somers’ latest composition, “Love Can Change the World”, which was inspired by Bishop Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. Additional text was provided by Joan Walworth Somers.

Maestro Somers was proud that the 20th Anniversary performance benefitted Delaware Gold Star Families. The term Gold Star has been used since World War I as a symbol for immediate family members whose loved ones have given their life in war. A portion of the proceeds from this performance will be dedicated to Delaware Gold Star Families for the completion of the Gold Star Memorial at Delaware River & Bay Authority’s Veterans Memorial Park. The funds will be used to add a walkway, benches, lighting, and landscaping to complete the creation of this moving space, located on Cherry Lane, just east of the intersection with Route 9 South, adjacent to the Delaware Memorial Bridge Plaza.

For most of 2022, Americans watched the brutal unjustified invasion of Ukraine by Putin’s Russia with horror, anger and our unending desire to help our fellow citizens in the defense of freedom and democracy against the tyranny of a fascist dictator.

Maestro Somers watched as the humanitarian disaster in Ukraine worsened. He knew that it was time once again to do what does so well: shine a light on the horror and provide a measure of healing through great music!

Wilson Gault Somers has composed a broad library of music that at once is a powerful expression of our grief, our sorrow and our faith in the ultimate power of right over wrong… of love finding a way!

Maestro Somers and Music With A Mission “A Concert For Ukraine” on Sunday, October 23, filling St.Helena’s Roman Catholic Church in north Wilmington, Delaware with beautiful music that lifted our spirits and focused our thoughts on love and peace…the ultimate victory!

A portion of the proceeds was donated to The Center for Disaster Philanthropy Ukrainian Humanitarian Crisis Recovery Fund, which provides funding to meet the ongoing and ever-expanding humanitarian challenges from the conflict in Ukraine.

The concert featured selections from the newly reimagined ensemble edition of Maestro Somers’ highly acclaimed “Mass for the Homeless”, and a new composition, “I Lift Up My Eyes to the Hills” (Psalm 121) –dedicated to Holocaust survivor Ann Jaffee who suffered in much the same way as so many Ukrainians are today. The music was performed by chamber ensemble, soloists and our “Concert for Ukraine” Choir, an outstanding group composed of the combined choirs of St. Helena’s Church, Padua Academy, Salesianum School and Ursuline Academy.

It was truly an afternoon of outstanding music that made a difference for our world!

After a long 3-year hiatus, Emmy Award-winning jazz composer and pianist Maestro Wilson Somers led his jazz quartet and guests in an all-new celebration of “A Jazz Christmas” on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022 at The Tatnall School’s Laird Performing Arts Center.

The concert was dedicated to Bethany Jayne Somers and featured traditional and contemporary treatments of holiday favorites by the Wilson Somers quartet, featuring Somers and Joe Louden on piano, Leon Spencer on bass, Jonathan Whitney on percussion, and Stan Slotter on flute, trumpet, and flugelhorn. Special moments filled the hall on the premiere of two exciting new Somers compositions, “Bethany’s Blue Dragonfly”, a beautiful and calming tribute, and “Sleighride Jump”, a new twist on a classic seasonal theme. The concert also featured the now classic creation of Somers and Louden, “Love Can Change The World” featuring the delightfully fresh voice of Johanna Schlect backed by the Jazz Christmas Choir. Additional highlights included the stirring “Christo Redentor” and the powerful performance of “Sweet Baby Jesus” from Mezzo Soprano Charlotte Paulsen.

A portion of the proceeds from the concert benefitted Wilmington’s Ministry of Caring, a pacesetting non-profit serving the poor, feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and supporting the recently unemployed.

It was indeed a festive and uplifting evening with the triumphant return of a must-see seasonal tradition.