support our program

50/50 Raffle: One night only! Buy tickets tonight, from our parent volunteers in the lobby before the concert, and during intermission.

'Skip the Depot': Donate your empty bottles to our program. No drop off required; your recycling gets picked up from your house, with proceeds going to support Bishop Carroll music.

https://app.skipthedepot.com/register?org=bcms

All of these initiatives are organized by the Bishop Carroll Music Society. https://bishopcarroll.cssd.ab.ca/music-society

Bells!: French composer Jean Rebel (1666-1747) was a violin child prodigy who studied with eminent Baroque violinist Jean-Baptiste Lully. He also became a harpsichordist, conductor and composer.  Rebel enjoyed composing descriptive concert pieces like Bells! which depicts the joyous expression of the sound of Cathedral bells. In addition the chime, the half-notes played throughout the orchestra depict the bells with an accented start to the notes.  The middle section is distinctly Baroque in its format and styling.   

Pastorale from The Christmas Concerto: Baroque composer Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713) composed a series of twelve Concerto Grossi, Opus 6.  These pieces were commissioned by Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni and published posthumously.  This Pastorale movement comes from the concerto grosso in G minor, Opus 6, No. 8 known as "Made for the night of Christmas."  It has since become known as simply, Corelli's "Christmas Concerto."  The final Pastorale movement you'll hear tonight, with its elegant melodies and quiet ending, convey the peace of Christmas Eve.

I Am Light!

"I Am Light" is a popular, uplifting song by Grammy-winning R&B/soul singer India.Arie, known for its powerful message of self-worth and inner strength. 

I am Light!

I am not the things my family did

I am not the voices in my head

I am not the pieces of the brokenness inside

I am light, I am light 

I'm not the mistakes that I have made

Or any of the things that caused me pain

I am not the pieces of the dream I left behind

I am light, I am light 

Carol of the Bells

This is the classic arrangement of Carol of the Bells for treble voices (Soprano, Soprano, Alto) of the famous Ukrainian folk melody "Shchedryk" with English Christmas lyrics. This arrangement captures the iconic sound of the original but tailored for female/treble voices, featuring melodic parts shared across all voice parts.

The original is not about bells at all, but rather about a bird (Lastiwka) that comes to sing in the New Year. 

D Scale Round: The foundation for every music student is the mastery of the diatonic major scale. String students initially learn their hand formation on the fingerboard in the key of D major. This evening, you’ll hear this scale performed by the Beginner Strings in a 3-part canon, accompanied by a lyrical piano part that ties the round together.

Jingle Bells: First composed in 1850 by James Pierpont in Medford Massachusetts to commemorate the town’s annual sleigh rides, Jingle Bells was originally entitled, “One Horse Open Sleigh.” It has since become a perennial favourite carol during the Christmas season!  Tonight, the Beginner Strings will perform the carol in a "pizzicato" or plucking style. 

Chorale Fantasia:  This work was composed in the style of a sixteenth century Lutheran chorale. The intent of this piece is to provide students with a G major etude in the form of a complete musical composition. Like the early Lutheran chorales, the basic texture is homophonic and lyrical in nature. Contrasting melodic interest happens mid-way through the piece in the first violin section before a return to the original theme.  This piece demands excellent control of the bow as you're about to hear!

Jazzy Old St. Nick:  This arrangement is a fresh take on a perennial favourite as the strings interact with a swinging piano accompaniment.  Pizzicato adds colour and flare to this delightful, audience-plesaing offering.

I Sing Because I'm Happy

African-American composer Rollo Dilworth adapted this setting from the gospel-style interpretation of the hymn “His Eye Is On the Sparrow,” originally performed and recorded by the Georgia Mass Choir.  

Peace, Peace

This partner song with Silent Night has been set by Fred Bock. The new harmonic line "Peace, Peace, Peace on Earth, and Good Will to All" overlays beautifully in the third verse with Silent Night. 

Ricciotti Concertino No. 1 in G Major:  The quick and lively second movement of this composition features a lively interplay between the sections of the orchestra.  Notice the Baroque bow holds of the students and the light, precise running sixteenth notes throughtout.  Whereby most string orchestra pieces feature Violin 1 & Violin 2 sections, this movement features four distinct violin parts.  The compositional origins of this work are disputed:  originally ascribed to Giovanni Pergolesi, then Carlo Ricciotti, musicologists now believe the set of concerti to which this movement belongs were written in anonymity by Count van Wassenaer, a Dutch nobleman, diplomat and Baroque composer in 1740.  

The Sleigh: The classic winter and holiday choral work transforms wonderfully into a terrific showcase for string orchestra. The festive, ethnic dance style is filled with energy and enthusiasm for both players and audiences. Listen for the brief foray into a major key mid-piece before a rousing finish to end our concert's first half!

O Sapientia

The Great Antiphons, or O Antiphons, are sung or chanted before the Magnificat at Vespers in the week before Christmas. Referring to the Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah, this set of Antiphons have been referred to in texts that date as far back as 500 AD, inferring their use in the earliest days of the Christian Church. There is a belief that the Benedictine monks very purposely ordered the antiphons. If one starts with the last title and takes the first letter of each one - Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, Sapientia - the Latin words “Ero Cras” are formed, which translates to “Tomorrow, I will come.” O Sapientia is the Antiphon sung on December 17. 

Tadeja Vulc, a young female composer from Slovenia, uses a wide variety of compositional techniques to evoke the breath of wisdom including non-traditional notation and aleatoric sections.

Text: Traditional Latin/English Translation

O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodiisti, 

O Wisdom, Who didst come out of the mouth of the Most High,

attingens a fine usque ad finem,

reaching from end to end and

fortiter suaviterque disponens omnia:

ordering all things mightily and sweetly:

veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.

come and teach us the way of prudence.

I Wonder as I Wander

Traditional text and tune combine with newly written words as well as a new musical refrain on the name "Emmanuel", providing a modern twist on a beloved carol. Thank you to Luca Todea for playing Violin with us this evening. 

Jumalo 

Jumalo is a Latvian folksong, which I have arranged and complimented with various original melodies. The word “jumalo” itself is not translatable, because in Latvian folk songs it has the function of a refrain. However, this refrain is used in specific categories of folk songs that talk about prosperity, wealth, and fertility. The story of this song is about a wealthy father’s son who takes the treasures of Riga to his home in Kurzeme, which is in the western part of the country and has been a prosperous region for a long time. The most important treasure he has bought from Riga is a horse, which has several meanings in Latvian mythology, one of them being good luck. 

I arranged this folk song melody because it has power and strength. It reminds me of another striking arrangement of this work in the popular music genre. I wanted to create something similar in the contemporary a cappella genre, adding it to the modern Latvian folk music repertoire for choirs. -Laura Jeksabone (arranger) 

LATVIAN TEXT

Zirgs pie zirga, rats pie rata jumalo, jumalo  

Viss uz Rīgu aizripoja jumalo, jumalo  

Tie atvede Kurzemē jumalo, jumalo   

Visus Rīgas dārgumiņus, jumalo, jumalo  

Kur tu ņēmi tēva dēls jumalo, jumalo  

Tik raženu kumeliņu jumalo, jumalo   

Rīgā pirku naudu devu jumalo, jumalo  

Ar tiem zelta iemauktiem jumalo, jumalo 

Pavadiņas galiņā rīta zvaigzne ritināj   

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Horse to Horse, Wheel to Wheel jumalo, jumalo

It all rolled to Riga jumalo, jumalo 

They brought to Kurzeme jumalo, jumalo 

All of Riga’s treasures jumalo, jumalo 

Where did you get it, father’s son? jumalo, jumalo 

A colt this big jumalo, jumalo 

In Riga I bought and gave money jumalo, jumalo 

For those golden bridles jumalo, jumalo 

At the end of the leash, the morning star rolled

Zodiac

Larry Clark's "Zodiac" for concert band explores the mystical nature of the zodiac using cyclical musical ideas. A haunting flute intro over open fifths, an aggressive main theme in an allegro section, a varied second theme with Latin percussion, and a tension-building development before a major key resolution reflect the zodiac's cyclical feel through musical structure. The piece aims to capture the zodiac's mystery, connecting musical cycles (like the Circle of Fifths) to the astrological concept, offering a dynamic experience for young bands.  

Tock

Tock, by JaRod Hall, is an enchanting young band piece that beautifully blends rhythmic vitality with melodic beauty at mid-tempo. The work opens with a delicate clarinet solo, gracefully echoed by the alto saxophone, setting a lyrical and emotive tone. The percussion section plays a pivotal role, with bells adding shimmering, ethereal textures that dance above the ensemble. Meanwhile, the timpani and hi-hat provide a steady, pulse-keeping foundation, ensuring a cohesive and dynamic flow throughout the piece. This mid-tempo composition is perfect for showcasing the expressive potential and emerging lyricism of young musicians, offering both performers and audiences an unforgettable musical experience. 

I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas is a Christmas novelty song written by John Rox and performed by Gayla Peevey (10 years old at the time) in 1953. The song peaked at number 24 on Billboard Magazine's pop chart in December 1953.

A popular legend holds that this 1953 hit had been recorded as a fundraiser to bring the city zoo a hippo; but in a 2007 radio interview with Detroit-based WNIC radio station, Peevey clarified that the song was not originally recorded as a fundraiser. Instead, a local promoter picked up on the popularity of the song and Peevey's local roots, and launched a campaign to present her with an actual hippopotamus on Christmas.

The campaign succeeded, and she was presented with an actual hippopotamus, which she donated to the city zoo. The hippopotamus lived for nearly 50 years.

- Program Notes from Wikipedia

Halcyon Hearts

Halcyon Hearts by Katahj Copley (2021) is a wind band piece dedicated to the unifying power of love, exploring themes of passion, peace ("halcyon days"), and overcoming negativity through music, using warm colors, major sevenths, and energetic, uplifting sections inspired by human connection, making it a hopeful ode to finding passion and choosing love despite challenges. The piece aims to represent love's ability to unite and bring happiness, focusing on finding joy in passion and life 

Imaginarium

Inside every person, there is a place where creativity dwells. Gears turn, dreams flow, and ideas spark into life. This idea-factory or “Imaginarium” is the place that every creative person goes to, again and again, to find their muse, flesh out ideas, and to exert change on the world around them. This piece is dedicated to all of the dreamers who see more in the world than is actually there, who see possibilities where others see only dead ends, and who believe in creation rather than destruction. This one’s for you.

Imaginarium, by Randall D. Standridge, is comprised of four sections: “Sparks” where ideas begin to germinate, “The Cloud Factory,” which represents the day dreamy zone where one imagines endless possibilities, “Here, There be Monsters…” is that moment of panic or nightmare that all creative people feel when self-doubt sets in and the task seems to monumental to overcome, and a brief recapitulation to “Sparks” before “Eurkea!” the idea is fully realized!

Asphalt Cocktail

John Mackey's Asphalt Cocktail (2009) is a loud, driving, wind ensemble opener capturing the gritty, aggressive chaos of a scary NYC taxi ride. 

The composer best describes this work in his own words: Asphalt Cocktail is a five-minute opener designed to shout from the opening measure, “We’re here.” With biting trombones, blaring trumpets, and percussion dominated by cross-rhythms and back beats, it aims to capture the grit and aggression that I associate with the time I lived in New York City. Picture the scariest NYC taxi ride you can imagine with the cab skidding around turns as trucks bear down from all sides. Serve on the rocks.” 

Europa (Movement 1 from 'Moons of Jupiter')

Brooke Pierson (2022) - This piece is designed to elicit a feeling of ice and subtle motion (such as the possibility of water underneath the surface). The work contains an homage to Holst's The Planet with the opening solo on horn in Europa reminiscent of that from Venus. The suspension and resolution occurring after between the two loud sections is also a passage coming from the end of Mars which builds up suspense for the final motif.  While there is no specific programmatic story, the opening as an icy chill of percussion moving towards a more energetic color can give one a sense of traveling to and passing the moon on a satellite of craft. 

Joy to the World with Go Tell it on the Mountain

Joy to the World" and "Go Tell It on the Mountain" are classic gospel-infused Christmas songs, with "Go Tell It" being an African-American spiritual adapted by John W. Work celebrating the shepherds' announcement of Jesus' birth (Luke 2), while "Joy to the World," by Isaac Watts, joyfully proclaims Christ's arrival and reign, merging the nativity with His second coming. Both songs serve as powerful gospel tools, encouraging believers to share the good news of salvation from the "mountains" (everywhere) as the angels did. 

Alto soloist: Grade 12 Student, Maria Culcea

Drummer: Grade 12 Student, Tomas Daly-Witzke

Conductor: Grade 12 Student, Garrett Banfield

Christmas Sing-a-long, arr. B. Cerulli

Caroling with Carroll! Join our music students in song, as we end our concert with this setting of four Christmas carols.

Joy to the World!

Joy to the world! The Lord is come

Let earth receive her King!

Let every heart prepare Him room

And heaven and nature sing

And heaven and nature sing

And heaven, and heaven and nature sing

O Come, All Ye Faithful

O Come All Ye Faithful

Joyful and triumphant

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem

Come and behold Him

Born the King of Angels

O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him

Christ the Lord

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

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 angelic host proclaim:

“Christ is born in Bethlehem”

Hark! The herald angels sing

“Glory to the newborn King!”

Silent Night

Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon Virgin Mother and Child

Holy Infant so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly peace!

BAND DIRECTOR: Jeff Waterbury

Jeff Waterbury has taught music in the Calgary Catholic School District since 2011, and during that time he has taught all levels of music from kindergarten through grade 12. He received his Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education degrees from the University of Calgary and has been active in the Calgary music scene as a teacher, conductor, performer, and clinician for over 20 years.

Throughout his teaching career, Jeff has served as the music director at Dr. Gordon Higgins School, St. Ambrose School, Our Lady of Grace School, St. Martin de Porres High School, St. Boniface Parish, the Calgary Stampede Showband, and the Calgary Stetson Show Band. During his time as a music educator, he has helped to lead bands on tours to Asia, South America, Europe, the United States, and across Canada.

Jeff is a regular performer with the Alberta Winds wind ensemble, and he is on the executive board for CADME, the Calgary association for the development of music education.

CHOIR DIRECTOR: Andrea Ciona

Andrea Ciona is a highly distinguished conductor and educator. Artistic Director of the Award Winning Spiritus Chamber Choir, Andrea is a leader in Calgary's Choral Music Community. Director of Choirs at Bishop Carroll High School in Calgary, Alberta, since 2010, her Bishop Carroll Choral Ensembles are regularly recognized for their outstanding artistry and skill, having won national and international awards. Additionally, Andrea is the founding director of the Rocky Mountain Symphony Chorus, and regularly performs with the Symphony. Currently on faculty at Mount Royal University Conservatory of Music, Andrea leads the Advanced Performance Program in Choral Conducting, mentoring Calgary's up and coming Choral Conductors. She serves on Choral Canada's Podium Artistic Advisory Committee, and is a member of both Choral Canada and Choir Alberta. Previously Andrea has served on faculty at Red Deer College School of Music and worked with Alberta Education on the Provincial Arts Education Curriculum Redesign. In her free time, Andrea loves traveling and exploring the world with her husband and two children. This year is particularly special for her, as her oldest is a Grade10 student at Bishop Carroll, singing in choir and playing in band!

Andrea holds degrees from the University of British Columbia (B. Mus, Performance & M. Mus, Choral Conducting) and the University of Calgary (B. Ed, Secondary Music).