Will returns to Taiwan to premiere his new oratorio The Promise, at the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) on 15 December 2025 at 19:30

The oratorio, commissioned for the Soochow University Alumni Chorus, is based around the theme of Advent and is a follow on work from Will Todd’s Mass in Blue (2003) and Passion Music (2018), once again creating a powerful blend of jazz, blues and the English choral tradition. The words are a collection of advent texts including original words by the composer, who will be performing at the premiere in Taiwan. It is a 38-minute work for soprano, SATB, Saxophone, Keyboard, Bass, Drums and Piano.

There is a promise of a time to come

And at that time the lost will be found

And all our sorrow will be turned to joy

And at that time wars will cease

Our fragile earth will be reborn and restored to peace.

Programme

1. O Magnum Mysterium
2. Songs of Love
I. I Love You
II. A Kiss
III. I Sing Because
3. Tongue-Breaking Poems
4. Farewell
5. The Promise
II. Look from afar
II. Four Thousand Winters
III. Creator of the Stars
IV. The Angel Gabriel
V. Magnificat
VI. Oriens
VII. A Rose Has Sprung Up
VIII. A Great Light
IX. The Promise
X. On Them Has A Light Shined

Performance and production team  
Performing Team｜Soochow Alumni Choir
Guest Pianist｜Will Todd
Artistic Director and Conductor | Zheng Yishen
Piano Collaboration｜Chen Taoyi
Solo Soprano｜Lin Ciyin
Percussionist｜Wu Peiyi
Double Bass｜Xie Zonghan
Saxophone｜Lin Yiming

Following the premiere on the 15th December at the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, The Promise will also be performed at the National Concert Hall, Taipei on 17 January 2026.