Glenn Rudolph never had the pleasure of knowing Vera El-Attrache, but he nevertheless understood certain essential aspects of her personality.

Her faith meant everything to her. She fought a brave, but losing battle against cancer. And during that fight, she thanked God every day for giving her another day.

	Glenn Rudolph, of Cranberry, has written an anthem, "Shehecheyanu," that will be performed by the Westmoreland Choral Society. Click photo for larger image.

Mr. Rudolph, a composer of sacred music, summarized what he knew of Ms. El-Attrache in an original piece titled "Shehecheyanu." The anthem, a sacred vocal composition, will be performed for the first time next Sunday by the Westmoreland Choral Society.

Ms. El-Attrache, who served as general manager of the Greensburg choral group, died in August 2005 at the age of 70.

Mr. Rudolph, 55, of Cranberry, was commissioned by the society to write a tribute piece for her in 2004, when she was ill.

The anthem was based on a Jewish blessing that guided Ms. El-Attrache's life, said Marvin Huls, music director of the society. The prayer, called "Shehecheyanu," simply states: "Blessed are you, Lord our God, king of the universe, who has given us life, and sustained us, and enabled us to reach this day."

"I'd like to think that Vera found great inspiration in this prayer as she delighted in every day she was given following her diagnosis," Mr. Huls said.

"I was thrilled when Glenn produced a beautiful and moving piece of music, one that I think Vera would have loved hearing. When you commission a work, you're never quite sure what you'll receive."

Mr. Rudolph, who grew up playing piano and trumpet and singing tenor, has been writing sacred music for years.

He has worked with numerous ensembles in the Pittsburgh area, including the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Camerata, several churches and a synagogue.

Raised in the United Methodist faith, Mr. Rudolph said, he remembers being moved as a young boy by the hymns that were sung during Christmas services. He had a sense that sacred music could bring out the best in people, regardless of their denomination, and he carries that philosophy through in his compositions.

"I do not write sacred music intending to convert listeners to one faith or another or convince them to become religious," he said.

"Rather, I compose sacred music attempting to use the ability music has to transcend prejudice and hate and speak directly to one's heart, to encourage and inspire people to be more accepting, more tolerant, more understanding, and more forgiving, to be the better person we are capable of being."

A full-time employee of Verizon Communications for 27 years, Mr. Rudolph performs database analysis for the company to support his creative outlet.

"It has allowed me to write the kind of music I wanted to write without having to worry about whether it is particularly marketable or publishable," he said.

Mr. Huls said he was familiar with Mr. Rudolph's work and had conducted several of his original pieces before the choral group decided to commission a work in honor of Ms. El-Attrache.

Based on the quality of those compositions, Mr. Rudolph was asked to write the tribute anthem. Ms. El-Attrache sent a letter to Mr. Rudolph in 2004, suggesting the Shehecheyanu prayer as the basis for his work.

That letter, combined with comments from the society members, guided him to produce what Mr. Huls said is a fitting tribute.

"Glenn has eloquently captured in music the spirit of Vera," Mr. Huls said. "My first comment to him after receiving his manuscript was, 'You've come up with a winner.' "