Acclaimed British choral director leads performance in Lansing

WKAR Public Media

Published May 20, 2010 at 3:13 PM EDT

By Jody Knol, WKAR

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-903120.mp3

Lansing, MI – Princess Diana's funeral in 1997 at Westminster Abbey drew an estimated 3 million mourners in London as well as countless others viewing it on worldwide television. The man responsible for choosing the music for that service was Dr. Martin Neary.

He's in Michigan this weekend to lead the Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys in performances around the state, including Lansing.

90.5 Classical Music Host Jody Knol talked with him this week. Neary says he chose John Tavener's "Song for Athene" for the funeral because of its religious message and contemporary music feel. Once chosen, he had to decide where to place the piece in the service.

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