for mixed voices (SATB div) & piano or cello
Text: English (Alice Newton-Rex)
Duration: c3'30''
Difficulty: 3/5
Use: Wedding, civil ceremony (secular text), love theme

Of all the souls was written for and performed at the wedding of its composer and lyricist (Ed and Alice Newton-Rex) in 2016. The profound and vow-like text encapsulates the essence of a fulfilled search and a shared journey ahead and is presented vividly through a largely homophonic texture with the composer’s characteristic close and exquisite harmonic language. Whether for sacred or secular marriage ceremonies, receptions, or concerts themed around love and unity, Of all the souls is certain to stir deep emotions within singers and captivate the hearts of listeners.

Text
Of all the souls that stand create,
I have elected one.
I march before eternity,
Declare my prelude done.

In woven hands we fire a jewel
To hold immune to time,
While us the fickle years transform,
This yet remains sublime.

To that bright chain through ages strung,
Forged long by church and choir,
We fix our vows, to love and cherish,
Honour and inspire.

Alice Newton-Rex

NB In a secular setting, the word ‘church’ in the final verse may be replaced by ‘bell’

Ed Newton-Rex
Ed’s musical education began when he was a chorister in the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, where he later returned as a choral scholar. He has written for a number of groups, including The King’s Singers, VOCES8, and The Thirteen, and for performances including the BBC Radio 3 broadcast from the Edington Festival. He has also worked extensively in music technology: he founded an AI music composition company that was acquired by ByteDance, and since then has worked on music technology at TikTok and Snapchat, as well as co-founding the AI Song Contest. He lives in California and is a mentor at Abbey Road Studios in London.