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

Crystal Moon, by Larry Clark

Crystal Moon was commissioned by the Kansas Music Educators Association North-Central District Middle Level Honor Band and was premiered by the honor band in February of 2003.

Designed as a showpiece for the advancing young band, Crystal Moon was written to help performers work on playing light staccato passages, while at the same time it allows them to showcase their lyrical expression and musicality.

Pirates of the Caribbean, by Klaus Badelt, arranged by Ted Rickets

From Walt Disney Pictures’ “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”, comes this arrangement of soundtrack highlights that are filled with excitement and drama! The themes from the original soundtrack have been wonderfully adapted for concert band, and included titles from the movie are: The Medallion Calls; The Black Pearl; The Pirates Cave; One Last Shot; and He’s a Pirate.

Amor de mi Alma: Z. Randall Stroope

"Amor de mi Alma" is a captivating choral composition by Z. Randall Stroope that beautifully combines evocative text and expressive harmonies. Stroope, an accomplished American composer and conductor, created this work in 2001 as a part of his choral cycle titled "Madrigali."

The title, "Amor de mi Alma," translates to "Love of My Soul" in English. The composition is set to a Spanish text, creating a sense of warmth and passion that is inherent in the language. Stroope skillfully captures the essence of the text through his use of rich choral textures and emotional melodic lines.

The piece begins with a serene and contemplative melody sung by the sopranos, providing a gentle introduction to the central theme of love. As the piece unfolds, the choral voices gradually intertwine, building a lush harmonic tapestry that is both expressive and heartfelt. Stroope demonstrates his mastery of choral writing by employing various vocal techniques, including sustained notes, intricate counterpoint, and dynamic contrasts, which add depth and intensity to the music.

Danse Peretuo, by Jason K. Nitsch

This new work by composer Jason K. Nitsch draws inspiration from several Latin folksongs and rhythms, and has been put together to create a very exciting and groove-infused work that is sure to leave you tapping your toes! The piece heavily features the percussion section, and an acrobatic clarinet solo is prominently displayed in several sections of the piece.

How to Train Your Dragon, by John Powell, arranged by Sean O’Loughlin

The music for this hit movie features magnificent adventure themes, along with hints of Celtic influences. This arrangement gives our Symphonic Band students the opportunity to perform some of their all-time favorite melodies from a movie that many of them grew up with. Included titles from the movie are: This Is Berk; and Coming Back Around.

City Called Heaven: Traditional, arranged by Josephine Poelinitz

Josephine Poelinitz's arrangement of the spiritual "City Called Heaven" is a powerful and soul-stirring rendition of a beloved traditional hymn. Poelinitz, an acclaimed African-American composer and arranger, infuses this piece with her unique musical voice, seamlessly blending elements of gospel, jazz, and classical styles.

"City Called Heaven" speaks of the longing for a better place, a heavenly city where all pain and sorrow will cease. Poelinitz's arrangement captures the essence of this yearning through its moving harmonies, passionate vocal lines, and rhythmic vitality. The piece unfolds with a gentle and introspective opening, gradually building in intensity and emotion as the choir engages in call-and-response sections, creating a sense of communal spirit and shared hope.

The Storm is Passing Over: Charles Tindley, arranged Barbara W. Baker

"The Storm Is Passing Over" is a deeply moving gospel hymn written by Charles Tindley, a highly influential African-American hymnodist and minister of the early 20th century. Barbara Baker, a talented composer and arranger, skillfully adapts Tindley's powerful hymn into a captivating choral arrangement.

The piece carries a profound message of hope, resilience, and triumph over adversity, resonating with the human spirit's ability to endure and overcome life's storms.

It Take a Village: Joan Szymko

"It Takes a Village" is a poignant and empowering choral composition by Joan Szymko, an esteemed American composer known for her works exploring themes of social justice and unity. Inspired by the African proverb "It takes a village to raise a child," Szymko's composition embodies the idea that a community's collective effort is required to nurture and support the growth of every individual. 

Through its expressive lyrics and compelling melodies, the composition embodies the values of compassion, support, and shared responsibility. Szymko's uplifting harmonies and rhythmic vitality inspire a sense of hope and remind us of the profound impact that a caring community can have on the growth and well-being of individuals. 

Selections from “Kiki’s Delivery Service”, by Joe Hisaishi, arranged by Kazuhiro Morita

Kiki’s Delivery Service is a 1989 animated film in which the story follows Kiki (Takayama), a young witch who moves to a new town and uses her flying abilities to make a living. This arrangement highlights several of the significant scenes in the film, and the included titles are: A Town with an Ocean View; Starting the Job; Heartbroken Kiki; A Gust; and Departure. The students in the Wind Ensemble researched and chose this piece for us to perform, and it has provided a wonderful opportunity for them to stretch and develop their own musical technique and expressive ability.

Go Light Your World, Chris Rice

"Go Light Your World" is a deeply inspiring and heartfelt song composed by Chris Rice, a renowned American singer-songwriter. Originally released in 1995, the song has resonated with audiences around the world with its timeless message of love, compassion, and the power of a single act of kindness to illuminate the darkness. 

This piece has been sung as the closing song at many, many masses and school celebrations at Bishop Carroll High School. Our unofficial school anthem this piece continues to inspire students and staff to share the Light of God with others.

Fantasia in F by Tracey Rush:

A fantasia is a musical composition that is free in form, with roots in improvisation.  This lush, lyrical piece has a series of five melodies and counter-melodies that you will hear passed throughout the orchestra.

Simple Gifts, Traditional Shaker Melody, Arr. Michael Hopkins

The great American composer Aaron Copland popularized this Shaker hymn melody when he included it in his Appalachian Spring ballet that premiered in 1944.  Michael Flatley’s dance musical entitled Lord of the Dance opened in 1996, featuring the tune in a lively Irish fiddling style.  This arrangement of Simple Gifts for string orchestra was inspired by many diverse settings of the original tune, and blends traditional fiddling techniques with contemporary harmonies throughout. (Taken from program notes to the Director.)

Abandoned Funhouse by Brian Balmages

This selection takes the listener on an eerie tour that can best be described as an unsettling experience with a touch of curiosity and anxiousness. Although written for beginning strings, it has a film score-like orchestration.  The piano and celesta parts are integral voices in the composition and contribute significantly to the overall ethos of the composition. 

Digital Dash by Deborah Baker Monday

Digital Dash is a fast and fun finger excursion using the notes of the D major scale (with an F natural thrown in for good measure) and is based on the 12-bar blues harmony with mostly stepwise melodic opportunities for each section.  The piece features the “pizzicato” technique in which students pluck their strings, rather than bow them.

Humble Heart by Larry Clark

This piece started out as a work for a solo string instrument and piano until the composer decided to arrange it for full string orchestra.  The genesis of the work and its title come from the composer’s desire to write a piece that demonstrated through music how humbled he is by the success that he has been fortunate to achieve as a composer.  A diverse composition in ABA form, it begins with a very lush melody and harmonization.  The B section is faster and animated, with a staccato harmonic accompaniment in the upper strings that complements the cello and bass section soli.  After a modulation to a new key, the piece climaxes before ending with a soft-spoken coda.

Miniature Mambo by Doug Spata

Mambo is a genre of Cuban dance music popularized in the 1930s, featuring syncopation and an upbeat tempo. Miniature Mambo puts the Latino dance to the test and features both pizzicato and the mixing up of low and high 2nd fingers in the violins and violas, thus introducing chromaticism.  Melodic snippets are passed back and forth among the sections in this fun, toe-tapping tune!

Adagietto from Symphony No. 5 by G. Mahler

Mahler wrote this work - a declaration of love to his future wife Alma - while at a summer home in an Austrian villa in 1901. It is said to be “a love note disguised as a musical manuscript.” The Adagietto is the fourth movement (of five) from Mahler’s 5th symphony.  The work conveys the heartache that Mahler feels, a combination of emotional pain mixed with bliss.  Although serene and seemingly unadorned, the movement captivates listeners with its poignant beauty and lush harmonies.

IV. Finale from Serenade for Strings, Op. 48 by P. I. Tchaikovsky

Tchaikovsky’s landmark Serenade for Strings was composed in the summer of 1880 when the composer was in Ukraine. In the Finale, the fourth and final movement, Tchaikovsky uses folk idioms (the intro is based on a Volga boat-hauling song.)  The ensuing Allegro con spirito starts with a folk motif that is given a thorough workout before yielding to a soaring lyrical melody and countermelody.   The movement concludes with a reprise of the opening statement from the first movement and accelerates to a close with rousing chords throughout the ensemble.

Après un Rêve: Gabriel Fauré

Cello Soloist, Tessa Nyseltvold

The inspiration for this song came from Tuscan folk poetry and it is the first in a three-song series that was published in 1878. Originally written for solo voice and piano – in both French and Italian -  the cello version was popularized by Pablo Casals’ rendition in 1910, thus becoming a “song without words”.  The original text of this lyrical, introspective work is as follows:

After a dream

English Translation © Richard Stokes

In sleep made sweet by a vision of you

I dreamed of happiness, fervent illusion,

Your eyes were softer, your voice pure and ringing,

You shone like a sky that was lit by the dawn;

You called me and I departed the earth

To flee with you toward the light,

The heavens parted their clouds for us,

We glimpsed unknown splendours, celestial fires.

Alas, alas, sad awakening from dreams!

I summon you, O night, give me back your delusions;

Return, return in radiance,

Return, O mysterious night!

Translations by Richard Stokes, from A French Song Companion (Oxford, 2000)

A Thousand Dreams: Vince Gassi

WORLD PREMIERE

This piece is the first work ever commissioned by Bishop Carroll High School. Written in honour of our 50th Anniversary as a school, this project has been two years in the making.

Renowned Canadian Toronto-based Composer, Vince Gassi, engaged with our students in online sessions and collaborated with the teaching staff to create a work that reflects the special nature of self-directed, and the impact that teachers have on the lives of their students. This work honours all music directors, and students, past, present, and future, who have been shaped by Bishop Carroll High School. 

The piece opens with a majestic brass fanfare, before transitioning to a beautiful lyrical line introduced by the strings. The fanfare and lyrical line play together, before giving way to the choir, who introduce the text:

"In a world that never sleeps, One dream can change a life.

In a world of different views, Be anything you choose.

Teachers change a thousand lives, a thousand more to come. 

Every one can live a dream, live a dream.

In a world of a thousand dreams, I can see tomorrow, 

A thousand dreams tomorrow."

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 is currently the director of 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 regarded conductor, performer, adjudicator, and educator. Having conducted and adjudicated ensembles around the world, Andrea’s highlights include conducting on the Great Wall of China, adjudicating in Jakarta, Indonesia, and leading a massed ensemble of 1,000+ performers at the Royal Nova Scotia Military Tattoo. Director of Choirs at Bishop Carroll High School in Calgary, Alberta, since 2010, her ensembles have received national and international recognition. 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. 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.

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).