As part of its tribute, the ACDA will present the work in concert during its February convention in Los Angeles.

Honored for the second time in five years with an invitation to sing at the convention--which this year will attract up to 10,000 conductors and associates--CSUN's Northridge Singers will feature the "Kyrie" on their concert program.

Set for Feb. 4 at both the Cathedral of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles and at Immanuel Presbyterian Church on Wilshire Boulevard, the Northridge Singers' program will be sung again the following day at Immanuel. All performances will be open to the public.

Sato's own baritone voice will help interpret the four and a half minute piece. A media composition major, he became a member of the acclaimed choral group two years ago. "The piece requires at least eight voices, and the Northridge Singers are 50 voices strong," he said. "This will give it more power and warmth."

Music Department chair Diane Roscetti said Sato's award "graphically demonstrates what is possible when talent, discipline and enterprise combine to achieve the highest level of possibility."

Northridge Singers director Paul Smith said Sato's composition "uses close harmonies and creates an abundance of tonal effects."

It was Smith and the Northridge Singers, in fact, who inspired Sato to write choral music. "The choral world is new for me," he said.

Sato's reward came the first time he heard his "Kyrie" in full voice. "Before that, it was like everything was just notes, all in my head," he recalled. "When it went from paper to voice, it was like a part of my heart came alive."

Los Angeles music lovers will get a taste of the depth and richness of the Northridge Singers--which earned the group the title "Choir of the World" at a prestigious international competition in Wales last year--when they appear alongside singer Diane Reeves, pianist Billy Childs and Los Angeles Philharmonic at the "Jazz Mass" at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 29.

For more information on the Northridge Singers' performances at the ACDA convention or at other venues, call the Music Department Choral Office at (818) 677-3171.