The ancient art of men's choral singing began early in the history of western music. From its roots in Jewish liturgical chant and the monastic chants of the early Christian church, through groups of troubadours in Medieval France and the male singing societies of nineteenth-century England and Germany, the male chorus has a rich and varied history, influenced by many of the world's most important cultures and religions. In modern times, male chorus traditions are carried on by collegiate and community choruses in dozens of countries around the world. With this program, the Washington Men's Camerata begins a series of recordings of some of the timeless gems of our repertoire, with the hope that this lasting testament to the power of men's voices raised in song will serve to inspire future generations of singers.