Program Notes & Text Translations
Think on Me
Mary Queen of Scots (1542-1587) wrote both the words and music for Think On Me. The lyrics express the sentiment, “Think on me” both during good times and through adversity.
Cock-a-doodle-doo!
Cock-a-doodle-doo! is an English Folk Song that tells the tale of “my dame and my master,” losing their shoe and fiddling stick and the dilemma that it causes, but thankfully, they find it in the end.
Der Tanz
Youth talk and dream so much,
Of dancing, doing the Galop, carousing,
Once they reach their desired goal,
Then one hears them sigh and complain.
Soon the throat hurts, and soon the chest hurts,
All heavenly desires disappear,
“If only my health would return this once!”
Thus entreats the hopeful glance toward heaven!
You can almost feel the music dance off the page in this work by Schubert. The 6/8 time helps us lilt together – while the drive of the piano keeps propelling us forward.
Be the Change
With a multicultural flair, this energetic and rhythmic work conveys a singular force for change. Combining texts from Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Matthew 5:15 with original lyrics, the piece also incorporates This Little Light of Mine. The Treble Choir had the privilege to work on this piece with the composer, Laura Farnell, this past April at the Middle Choir Choir Festival in Columbus, Ohio.
Basi mwanga wako uangaze Let your light shine
Four White Horses
Four White Horses is an arrangement of a popular Caribbean folk song, often set for young choirs. It’s known for its upbeat tempo, contrasting dynamics, and a distinct calypso rhythmic feel.
Time, like money or borders between one country and another, is one of those funny human-made concepts that dictate our lives but are fundamentally meaningless if we didn’t all agree to go along with it. And yet, we experience aging, the changing of seasons, and growth undeniably.
Loafer
This Hungarian folk song ironically complains about a “lazy loafer”. Ironically, the Concert Choir has to work pretty hard for this all too brief work. They even have a moment when all three sections of the choir are singing in three different keys at the same time!
Old Joe Clark
Old Joe Clark is an American Folk Song/Mountain Ballad arranged by Mary Goetze. It is a well known fiddle tune that is said to reflect the traditions and cultures of Appalachia and the Southern United States. It will be accompanied by Shirley Platte on autoharp.
Remember
A beautiful setting of the famous Christina Rosetti poem.
Ask Me to Sing
Ask Me to Sing is a composed piece expressing the magic, joy and simple goodness that comes when you….”ask me to sing.”
Peace Begins Here
This newly commissioned work is something that the Concert Choir had the opportunity to see from its beginning to completion, working with Hannah Porter Denecke to create the text and Daniel Schwandt as he created the music. Special thanks to Paula Neale Rice for making this commission possible!
The Times They Are A-Changin’
Bob Dylan’s The Times They are A-Changin’ is strikingly in its universal and timeless appeal for the human race to be patient, kind, present, and compassionate because what is won’t last.
Siyahamba
This South African freedom song about marching in the light of God features lovely three-part harmony.
Seoithín Seó
Seoithín Seó is a traditional Irish lullaby/dandling song collected in County Waterford, Ireland in the late 1930’s. There are two versions of this song, one that captures the vibrant, rhythmic energy of Irish dance music; and a slow rendition that is characterized by its ornamented melody and rhythmic freedom. Both versions are captured in this arrangement by Rosaleen Molloy.
Most of the text is comprised of vocable or non-sense sounds, present in many Irish lullabies or dandling songs. ‘S tu’ mo leahbh translates to “you are my child”.
Psalm 23
This work is from a set of three Psalms that is originally scored to be accompanied with a string quintet. Earlier this Spring, the Concert Choir had the opportunity to perform all three Psalms as part of the Violins and Hope project – this unique exhibit featured string instruments that had been recovered from concentration camps following the Holocaust. This moving setting of a familiar text is one of the Concert Choir’s favorite pieces of the year.
Wangolo
Wangolo originated in Haiti and is sung in Haitian Creole. Revered as a great king, Ngolo Kiluanje (Wangolo) was a beloved ruler in Angola, Africa, before the time of colonialism. Enslaved Angolans were brought to the island of Haiti where they passed this song from generation to generation. The translation is “Wangolo, there you go. When will you come to me? Things are changing.”
Shenandoah
Shenandoah is an American Folk Song arranged by Brad Printz. It tells of the legend of an 18th century trader traveling on the Mississippi River near the mouth of the Missouri River who fell in love with the daughter of a Native American Chief.
I’m a Train
Made famous by the King’s Singers, this silly song lets our Chamber Singers show off their ability to sing in a very different style!
Nox
Nox is the third movement (of five) from Illuminare and explores the darkness, fears, gloom, and terrors of the night prior to the peace, resolution, light, and comfort of the concluding movement.
Translation: Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Night and darkness and fog, confused world and turmoil. Dark gloom tears the earth, beats and stabs the sun.
Thank You for the Music
Thank You for the Music by ABBA is a song that expresses gratitude for the joy and impact music brings to people’s lives. It’s a reflection on how music nourishes both artists and fans, celebrating the universal language of song. The lyrics acknowledge the importance of music in daily life and question what life would be like without it.
Homeland
“Homeland, the country that I love, hold out your arms to me. I strive for you, and give you the best I hope to be.” This soaring melody, Jupiter from “The Planets,” is presented with all the emotion and majesty that it deserves.