THE KING'S SINGERS, de Jong Concert Hall, Brigham Young University, Oct. 28-29

The King's Singers celebrated their 40th anniversary last year. Members have come and gone during these four decades — the group currently consists of countertenors David Hurley and Timothy Wayne-Wright (the newest member, who joined last February); tenor Paul Phoenix; baritones Philip Lawson and Christopher Gabbitas; and bass Stephen Connolly (who with his 22 years with the group is its oldest member). But one thing has remained constant: the distinctive sound that distinguishes them from all other vocal groups and which has made the King's Singers the most popular ensemble ever.

The sound that the six singers create is wonderfully rich and sonorous and well blended.

Also, their articulation is impeccable, their musicality unsurpassed and their expressiveness remarkable. Their sound is unique, even for an a cappella ensemble, and so is their artistry.

The King's Singers have a vast repertoire of works, and they gave a sampling of it while they stopped by Brigham Young University this week for two concerts, part of their current three-week United States tour.

They performed two different programs at BYU. Wednesday's concert, which also featured the BYU Singers on three pieces, was a mix of serious and popular works.

Thursday's program, which also included the BYU Philharmonic and conductor Kory Katseanes, had mostly popular things on it, along with a few folk songs.

But no matter what they sing, the King's Singers do it their own way, and do it better than anyone else.

Wednesday's concert opened with a selection of American folk songs that included a wonderfully poignant arrangement (by former member Bob Chilcott) of "The Gift to Be Simple," with which they also started Thursday's concert.

Also in this opening set was the tender "Black Is the Color" and the delightfully funny "I Bought Me a Cat."

Wednesday's concert also featured a number of commissions, beginning with Patricia Van Ness' evocative "My Heart Is a Holy Place."

For their 40th anniversary last year, the ensemble commissioned Chilcott and Eric Whitacre to each write a work for them, both of which were on Wednesday's program with the BYU Singers.

Chilcott's "High Flight" is a compellingly dramatic setting of the words that the sextet and choir sang with dynamic vitality.

Whitacre's "The Stolen Child," on the other hand, is an atmospheric work that is emotionally charged and which the two ensembles performed with mesmerizing power.