Celebrate the Season!
Bella Concert Hall, Taylor Centre for Performing Arts, 7:00 PM, Friday, December 10, 2021
Bella Concert Hall, Taylor Centre for Performing Arts, 7:00 PM, Friday, December 10, 2021
O Come, O Come Emmanuel, arr. Brian McAuley
Each year, at the District Advent High School Choral Festival, this setting of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” has been performed. This arrangement of our opening Advent Hymn was created by Mr. Brian McAuley, the incredible teacher who started the music program at Bishop Carroll High School back in the 1970’s. Our Grade 12 students were blessed to work with Mr. McAuley from January until March of 2020, and are excited to be sharing two of his arrangements this evening.
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory o'er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by thine Advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Christmas Gloria, Jay Althouse
This energetic choral fanfare sparkles with brass and percussion accompaniment.
Gloria, Gloria Deo
He is Born, the Son of God, in Bethlehem
For Unto Us a Child Is Born in Bethlehem
And He Shall be Exalted O'er the Earth
Sing Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia to the Babe
He is Born in Bethlehem
Jesus Christ, the Son of God
Alleluia
America Variations (“God Save the Queen”), Arr. Bud Woodruff
The iconic American rendition of “My Country Tis of Thee” gets a Commonwealth makeover! In honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s upcoming Platinum Jubilee next year, we present, “God Save the Queen” variations.
A Solitary Wish, Brian Balmages
The solo cellist represents a homeless individual whose wish for the holidays is simply to be noticed. People pass by, dropping a coin or two, but avoiding eye contact and conversation. As the music progresses, the joy of the holidays is juxtaposed with the individual’s solitude. Eventually, a few people stop by to chat (represented by the string quartet.) Two of them soon head on their way, but the solo violinist stays behind – making the person’s wish come true. This holiday season, donate your time, funds toward a charity of shelter, or just smile and say “Hello.” You may just make someone’s wish come true.
Christmas Song, Torme & Wells, Arr. J. Kazik
Subtitled, “Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire”, this tune was first made popular by the Nat King Cole Trio backed by a string section. It became a massive hit on both the pop and R&B charts and has remained a holiday favourite ever since.
Forever Joyful!, Brian Balmages
After adopting a puppy and witnessing the inspirational change it brought about in his children, composer Brian Balmages decide to compose a piece based on the emotion of joy itself. The music is uplifting and lighthearted, yet also includes moments of intense happiness and euphoria.
Ding! Dong! Merrily on High, arr. Howard Helvey
Ding! Dong! Merrily on High joins the distinctive list of Howard Helvey's superb carol arrangements with 4-hand accompaniment. This piece literally sparkles with joy. By constantly varying harmonization, pianistic texture and part writing, he takes a well-known Christmas carol and helps us hear it as never before. Keep your eyes on Carlos Ceniza and John Morgan as they play this four-hand piano score!
Ding dong merrily on high,
In heav'n the bells are ringing:
Ding dong! verily the sky
Is riv'n with angel singing
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
E'en so here below, below,
Let steeple bells be swungen,
And "Io, io, io!"
By priest and people sungen
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
Pray you, dutifully prime
Your matin chime, ye ringers,
May you beautifully rhyme
Your eve'time song, ye singers
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
D Scale Round, Traditional
The scale is a fundamental technical means for teaching harmony, finger patterns and tonicization. Tonight’s rendition by the Beginner String Ensemble takes the form of a pleasant-sounding 3-part round supported by intricate underlying harmonies in the piano accompaniment.
Jingle Bells, J. Pierpont
First published in 1857 under the title, One Horse Open Sleigh, this beloved Christmas carol was composed in Medford, Massachusetts to celebrate the town’s popular sleigh races in the 19th century.
Chamber Choir: Winter Carol (In The Bleak Midwinter), Text: C.Rossetti Music: S. Porterfield
Featuring violin soloist Robert Mulchrone, this setting by Sydney Porterfield is hauntingly beautiful.
In the bleak midwinter
Frosty wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron
Water like a stone
Snow had fallen
Snow on snow on snow
In the bleak midwinter long ago
Angels and Arc Angels
May have traveled there
Cherubim and Seraphim
Thronged the air
But only his Mother
In her maiden bliss
Worshiped the beloved
With a kiss
What can I give him?
Poor as I am
If I were a shepherd
I would give a lamb
If I were a wise man
I would do my part
But what I can I give him
I give to him my heart
Tis the Season, Traditional, Arr. D. Gazda
The 16th century Welsh tune, “Deck the Halls” is juxtaposed with “Good King Wenceslas” in Doris Gazda’s Christmas arrangement. A legend based on the life of the benevolent St. Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia (907-935 CE), tells that he went through the countryside to give alms to poor peasants on the Feast of St. Stephen (December 26th).
Catalonian Song, Spanish Folk Song, Arr. B. Lipton
This traditional Catalonian Spanish folk song, also titled, El noi de la mere (the mother’s child), is a popular Christmas carol, especially favoured by classical guitarists. To mimic the plucking of the guitar strings, this arrangement for strings utilizes the pizzicato plucking technique throughout.
Jazzy Old Saint Nick, Traditional Carol, Arr. D. Wagner
This delightful arrangement features a light swing piano accompaniment behind alternating staccato arco and colourful pizzicato sections in the strings.
Daemon Irrepit Callidus, György Orbán
Romanian composer, György Orbán, editor of the Editio Musica Budapest, theory and composition professor at the Liszt Academy of Music, has composed nine masses, several motets, and part songs. Orbán is perhaps most famous for this work, "Daemon Irrepit Callidus." This short, furious work uses minor seconds, augmented chords and chromaticism to represent artifice and evil. The text is taken from the anonymous medieval Goliardic text "Anonymi Hungari affectus in Jesum super omnia amabilem." The latin text speaks of the trickery of the Devil (Daemon) who uses dark and evil forces to trick us, but is always overshadowed and overpowered by the heart of Jesus.
Fantasia on Greensleeves, R. Vaughan Williams, Arr. R. Greaves
Originally scored for two solo flutes and string orchestra, this ABA work bookends the centre section’s “Lovely Joan” folk tune with the well known “Greensleeves” tune in this beautifully scored fantasia for harp and strings.
Serenade for Strings I. Allegro piacevole, E. Elgar
British composer Edward Elgar wrote his stunning three movement work, Serenade for Strings, in March 1892. The wistful first movement you’ll hear tonight is marked, a “pleasing” Allegro, and Elgar’s background as a violinist allowed him to write effective and idiomatic music for strings, well-loved by string players around the world.
Fugue in G Minor, J.S. Bach, arr. F. Grant
J. S. Bach’s “Little” Fugue in G Minor was originally written between 1703 and 1707 as an organ work. There are four voices in this fugue with the main four-and-a-half bar theme beginning in the first violins in this clever arrangement by Francis Grant.
The Sleigh (Á la Russe), R. Kountz, Arr. J. Kazik
This short sparkling work by American composer Richard Kountz evokes the rush of a sleigh ride through a Russian forest. Originally composed for choir, tonight’s rendition is masterfully arranged for strings by James Kazik.
Bishop Carroll Percussion Ensemble: The Red Baron Drummer, Julie Giroux
Chamber Choir: Trois Chansons de Noel, Brian McAuley
Brian was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and began his career as an elementary classroom teacher. Early in his career, however, he decided that music was the path that he wanted to follow. Over the next forty years, he completed a B.A. (Major in Music) and a Master’s Degree in Music Education and taught elementary classroom music as well as both middle school and high school choral and instrumental music. In his retirement, he maintained contact with school though his substituting for music teachers at all grade levels and through his composing and arranging of band and choral music for junior and senior high school ensembles.
Mr. McAuley taught music at Bishop Carroll from 1977 - 1997, returning in 2010-2011, and again in 2020, to teach the choirs.
Song 1: Il est ne, le devin Enfant (He is born, the Divine Christ Child)
This traditional French Christmas carol was first published in 1862. The text of the carol recalls the long wait for the prophets and invites the singers to join a lively shepherd band at the manger. (Thus the reference to oboes and bagpipes.)
He is born the Divine Christ Child
Oboes play; set bagpipes sounding
He is born the Divine Christ Child
Let all sing and rejoice this day.
Song 2: Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabella (Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella)
This carol originated from the Provence region of France in the 16th century and was translated into English in the 18th century. In the text of the carol visitors to the stable are asked to keep their voices down so that the newborn child can enjoy his dreams.
Bring a torch, Jeannette, Isabella!
Bring a torch to the cradle run!
It is Jesus, good folk of the village
Christ is born and Mary’s calling;
Ah! ah! beautiful is the mother!
Ah! ah! beautiful is her Son!
Song 3: Noel Nouvelet (Sing We Now of Christmas)
The tune of this popular French carol dates from the late 15th century. In France this is a carol that would traditionally be sung around the crèche (A set of figures representing the nativity) or in a procession to the church at Christmas.
Sing we now of Christmas, Noel sing we here!
Hear our grateful praises to the babe so dear.
Sing we Noel, the king is born, Noel!
Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel
A Winter’s Carol, Mark Williams
Mark Williams has crafted a beautifully sophisticated setting of O Come, O Come Emmanuel which preserves the understated elegance of the original melody while at the same time embellishing it with rich, tasteful harmonies and effective counterpoint.
Ballad of the Winter Trees, Amy Bernon
This lyrical piece by American composer Amy Bernon evokes the scenery and chill of the winter season. Inevitably, spring will follow winter, and this piece beautifully reminds the listeners of that promise in both its text and its increasing harmonic warmth.
Against the sky, etched in ink,
The trees are standing still in the quiet morning cold.
Ev'ry branch has a simple grace,
A winter story to be told.
Wind and snow, frost and chill, they linger.
River moves underneath an icy shell.
Bravely, birds do their best to sing,
For they all know deep winter well.
Sun will rise, warming and courageous,
Kindling light through the ever longer days,
Buds will thrive, little gems that hold the golden haze.
For now, the trees, patient and majestic,
Wear their mantles of snow white down.
Curving, reaching into the air,
They cradle winter's sky blue crown.
I keep watch from a lofty window,
Waiting here for the earth to blossom forth.
Southern winds, roaring through the clouds,
They tame the power of the north.
Sun will rise, warming and courageous,
Kindling light through the ever longer days,
Buds will thrive, little gems that hold the golden haze,
The golden gaze of spring,
Rising out of winter!
Child of the Poor/What Child Is This, Scott Soper
This setting of the traditional Christmas carol What Child is This includes a new song that complements the original melody and expands on the song’s message. According to the composer: “This piece develops images of Christ’s birth and presence amid the poor and forgotten, both two millennia ago and today. Jesus is revealed to us not in glory and majesty but “in the eyes of a child.” Strong social justice themes and images from Isaiah bring this song to completion.”
Helpless and hungry, lowly afraid
Wrapped in the chill of mid-winter
Comes now among us
Born into poverty's embrace, new life for the world
Who is this who lives with the lowly
Sharing their sorrows, knowing their hunger?
This is Christ, revealed to the world
In the eyes of a child, a child of the poor
What child is this who laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
The Babe, the Son of Mary
Who is the stranger, here in our midst,
Looking for shelter among us?
Who is the outcast? Who do we see among the poor?
The Children of God?
Who is this who lives with the lowly
Sharing their sorrows, knowing their hunger?
This is Christ, revealed to the world
In the eyes of a child, a child of the poor.
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh
Come peasant, King to own Him
The King of kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone Him
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
The Babe, the Son of Mary
Themes from Fantasia, arr. R. Curnow
Disney's monumental film combining animation and classical music has thrilled generations. Honoring the dreams and visions of Walt Disney, James Curnow has crafted an exceptional medley featuring the great music that has been brought to millions by this fantastic film. Includes: Toccata And Fugue In D Minor; Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy; Arabian Dance; Russian Dance (Trepak); The Sorcerer's Apprentice; Dance Of The Hours and Night on Bald Mountain.
Affirmation, R. Standridge
About Affirmation from the composer…
This one is for all the outcasts, the geeks, the marginalized, the wallflowers, and the people who are “different.”
Every once in a while, I believe you get to “say something” with a piece of music. When I was in High School, I was definitely NOT one of the popular crowd. My tastes in music, art, and movies were too weird. I was awkward. I was not a very attractive guy. Generally, I was that “gay, artsy kid.” If I could go back in time, I would give that younger me a hug and say “you are FINE the way you are. You are AMAZING.”
This new work, AFFIRMATION is an anthem for all the kids who ever felt like they didn’t belong.
It would have been easy to write something soft, lyrical, and saccharine, but I wanted to take a different approach…I wanted it to be a celebration.
This is the single happiest thing I have ever written in my career.
So this one goes out to the band geeks, the nerdy kids, the art kids, the drama kids, the punk rockers, the LGBTQA+ kids, the kids of color, and the all the people (kids and adults) who have ever been made to feel “less than” because of who they are.
You are beautiful.
You are JUST FINE the way you are.
And you are WORTH celebrating.
We all have more in common than we have different…our common humanity.
Peace, Love, and Music.
Sleigh Ride, Leroy Anderson
"Sleigh Ride" is a light orchestra standard whose music was composed by Leroy Anderson. The composer had formed the original idea for the piece during a heat wave in July 1946, and he finished the work in February 1948. The original recordings were instrumental versions. The lyrics, about riding in a sleigh and other fun wintertime activities, were written by Mitchell Parish in 1950. The orchestral version was first recorded in 1949 by Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra. A selection of the artists who have recorded it include Herb Alpert, The Andrews Sisters, The Carpenters, Bing Crosby, The Boston Pops Orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald, the amazing Debbie Gibson, The Muppets, and Andy Williams.
Bishop Carroll Massed Ensemble: A Jubilant Christmas, arr. J. Eilers & P. Jennings
Join our band and choir students in song, as we end our concert in jubilant Christmas celebration!
Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o'er the plains.
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar.
FIeld and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
Oh, Star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bring.
Westward leading, still proceesing,
Guide us to Thy perfect light.
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King.
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies,
With th'angelic host proclaim,
Chris is born in Bethlehem!
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.