Close to 200 people gathered May 27 at the Bahai House of Worship for the North American Continent -- and that was just the choir. An additional 1,000 people were there to hear the first-ever choral festival at the Wilmette temple just outside of Chicago.

Van Gilmer, director of music
at the Baha'i House of Worship

"This is the largest group I've ever directed," said Van Gilmer, director of the Baha'i House of Worship choir, whose members participated in the festival. "With so many singers, I was able to do a wide range of music, including pieces written for more than four-part harmony."

Festival participants, who came from throughout the country and Canada, also were excited about performing music on a grand scale. Many were members of Baha'i choirs and jumped at the chance to sing a Russian Orthodox choral piece in eight-part harmony. They also were thrilled to be working with Mr. Gilmer, a noted singer, composer and conductor who won for Best Gospel Song in the 2006 Independent Music Awards.

Fortunately for Mr. Gilmer, the singers - Baha'is and a sprinkling of those who practice other religions - weren't daunted at gathering just two days before the concert to learn eight pieces.

Rehearsing in a nearby hotel, the singers seated themselves by part and glued their eyes on Mr. Gilmer and his graceful hands. Standing next to him was a large easel on which he had written, "The director is always right." No one argued.

Van Gilmer leads the choir in the House of Worship auditorium And no one panicked when Mr. Gilmer told the group there would be no sheet music: Rather, they would be learning the songs by rote, to accommodate those who didn't read music. But more importantly, he told them, "It allows everyone to concentrate on internalizing the music and its meaning."

The strategy paid off: Embellishing the House of Worship's 12:30 p.m. devotions, Mr. Gilmer's grand a cappella choir filled the auditorium with pure, sweet notes and elegant harmonies. As the standing-room-only crowd spilled out of the building into the gloriously sunny day, someone had the great idea of continuing the concert outside on the steps.

That allowed the singers to quickly line up and reprise three songs, one a rousing gospel number composed by Mr. Gilmer. The choir clapped and swayed (not permitted inside the House of Worship), and spectators soon did the same. It was a magical moment.

Mr. Gilmer said he wants to make this an annual event, sweet music to all those in attendance.