God's Gifts

Zach Bailey (b. 1985) hails from Lititz, Pennsylvania in the heart of PA Dutch country. His composition style evokes the quiet, pastoral farmlands of his hometown, and his works for mixed voices have been performed across the United States and Canada. As a composer, his output ranges from choral and solo voice to chamber groups, concert band, orchestral music, piano solos, and pop songs. He specializes in ceremonial wedding music providing processionals and incidental music to new couples, and he continually seeks commissions. He is an avid performer and sings tenor in the acclaimed acappella/barbershop group, Break From Blue Collar. Beyond music, his interests are varied and he received his Bachelor of Arts in Government Political Affairs from Millersville University. He currently lives in Allentown, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Julia.

The text for God's Gifts was one of a number of poems written by Marguerite M. W. Mease, (1913-1965) while she was living in Lititz, Pennsylvania, during the 1930s and 1940s. These poems were discovered many years later by her daughter, Anna "Doodie" Charles, who gave the text to composer Zach Bailey when they were both singing in the senior choir at Lititz Moravian.

The publication of God's Gifts is sponsored by the choir and congregation of Advent Moravian Church, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in honor of the Rev. and Mrs. Tim and Karen Sapp, in celebration and deep appreciation for their pastoral ministry in the congregation.