A nationally known lecturer, Gass holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from Harvard and has received classical training in music at the New England Conservatory and Tanglewood. As director of the 30-person performing group On Wings of Song, he has produced a number of recordings under his Extended Chant series that feature uplifting, updated versions of sacred choral traditions from around the world. Though many of these works are based on authentic spiritual texts and melodies, Gass's primary goal seems to be oriented toward making the music as comforting and as accessible as possible to modern audiences. However, listeners who enjoy Middle Eastern chanting, American Indian music, and medieval plain-chant singing in their purest, most traditional forms will likely find Gass's interpretations a little too sweet and Westernized. ~ Linda Kohanov