In the first week of June each year all of the students of Lester B Pearson School for the Arts gather to present what we call, "Choral Celebration". These concert have been going on for as long as Pearson has been an arts school. They are a highlight of the school year, and truly show the musical progression of the students as they move from grade 4 to grade 8. We hope that you enjoy the music that we have prepared for you!

You can go to the playlist or choose individual songs below.

• Choral Celebration 2006 playlist

CD Cover

Pearson Singers

The Pearson Singers will begin our concert. They have just recently returned from a tour to Boston, where they had the opportunity to work with Dr. James Marvin, head of choral activities for Harvard University. Dr. Marvin was very impressed with the choir, saying that the Pearson Singers had probably the best open vowel sound he had ever heard for a group of this age range. They performed a number pieces for him, three of which we would like to present for you now.

The first is a vibrant spiritual entitled Ride the Chariot. This spiritual speaks of the slaves wish for freedom. This freedom was obtained either by riding the underground rail to the north or through the ultimate freedom - death.

Their second piece is a setting of poetry by the great 18^th century Scottish poet, Robbie Burns. Burns wrote the Banks of Doon to a pre-existing Scottish tune and first published it in 1792. The version you will hear tonight is a choral arrangement of this tune by Donna Gartman Schultz which features solo violin accompanying the choir. For this piece we will be joined by violinist Eric Richert.

Person Singer’s last song, Hallelujah! was originally written by the Canadian poet, and singer-songwriter, Leonard Cohen, who is considered to be one of the most distinguished and influential songwriters of the twentieth century.

Hallelujah is a Hebrew word which means "Glory to the Lord", although the song explains that many kinds of Hallelujahs do exist . In the words of Leonard Cohen: "All the perfect and broken Hallelujahs have an equal value ." It's, as I say, a desire to affirm my faith in life, not in some formal religious way but with enthusiasm, with emotion.

Grade 4's

The grade 4 classes of Mrs.Case and Mr. DaSilva are very pleased to be a part of their first Choral Celebration. Their first song this evening is called I Will Sing My Song, written by Mary Donnelly and George Strid. This song speaks of the power of music, and gives an inspiring message : “I will lift my voice in a song of praise and my heart will soar on a eagle’s wings”.

Their second selection is an arrangement of a traditional Spiritual called Let It Shine! The text of this song encourages us to believe in new possibilities, and to have the courage to make a real difference in our lifetime. We do not have the same things to offer to the world, but we all do have one special thing to offer. Let that be the light that shines in your life!

Grade 5's

The grade 5 classes of Mrs. Bird and Mrs. Bailey will now join forces to share their selections. In My World, written by Ruth Schram, there is a beautiful message of brotherhood and hope for a better world. The text is written as a dream - a dream by children for a world that is free of wars and poverty, but full of love, laughter and joy.

Their second song tells the comical story of 2 cuckoo clocks that are best friends. When the one clock is bought by the Fruggenheim family and separated from its counterpart, it becomes too lonely to sing. Be sure to listen for the happy ending as the 2 clocks are reunited! Plaese enjoy the Cuckoo Clock Duet, written by Andy Beck.

Grade 6's

Next we will hear from the grade 6 classes of Mr. Wasse, Mrs. Brock and Mr. Walters. Gloria Deo is a song of praise that uses traditional Latin text with lots of syncopation and rhythmic vitality. Their second selection is Dance, Dance, Dance. This lively original is set in the style of a Hungarian csardas, with sparkling dance-like rhythms and a whirling, twirling text that evokes the gypsy-style violin that it describes.

Grade 7's

Ms. Ainslie’s and Mrs. Depace’s grade 7's have prepared two selections for us tonight. The first is a beautiful, following piece called Ubi Caritas (Oo-bee Car-ee-toss) by Audry Snyder. This piece is sung in latin. The translation is: “Where there is charity and love, God is there. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Likewise, therefor, when we come together, let us be united as one. And from a sincere heart let us love one another.”

The grade 7's second piece speaks of beginning a journey. It is not a journey to a place, but rather a journey to becoming the best person you are able to be. Every path, every step, every road leads to our destiny. Please enjoy Douglas W. Wagner’s Every Path We Take.

Grade 8's

Mr Cairns and Mr. Malik’s grade 8's first selection is one movement from a larger work - Antonio Vivialdi’s Gloria. They are performing the final movement, “Cum Sancto Spiritu”. This vibrant polyphonic piece was written for the Ospedale della Pieta, (ahs-pee-dale del-la pee-eh-ta) the Venetian girls’ orphanage where Vivaldi taught music from 1703. The girls were given a thorough training in choral singing, and the more gifted ones were also given instrumental tuition and extra voice coaching. We are pleased to have some very talented instrumental music of our own joining us for this piece. Accompanying the grade 8's will be a string quartet comprised of grade 8 student Jasmine Long on cello, grade 7 students Weiwei Li on 1^st violin and Eric Richert on viola, and grade 5 student Kate Richert on 2^nd violin.

The second piece the grade 8's will perform is a setting of the hymn tune “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”. It starts out with solo voices which grow into a soprano and Alto round. A second round is heard which adds the lower voices in the choir. Finally, the piece breaks into a double chorus featuring the original hymn tune accompanied by a South African freedom song entitle “Thula Sizwe”. This freedom song is sung in Zulu. The translation is: “Nation, do not cry. Jehovah will protect us. We will attain freedom. Jehovah will protect us.” The soloist for this piece are: Laura Connor, MaKenzie Ross and Imogen Wasse. Instrumentalist are Arnold Jung on Sax, Eric Richert on Violin, and Anton DeLost on conga drums. Please enjoy Paul Caldwell and Sean Ivory’s Hope for Resolution.

Twelve

Twelve prepared two pieces for this evening. The first is Io son la primavera by William Hawley. This piece was written for the choral group Chanticleer. (Shawn-teh-clear) Chanticleer is a thirteen voice profession vocal ensemble that performs all over the world. Io son la primavera is a ten-part contemporary madrigal sung in latin. Most of the singers in Twelve are singing their own solo part for this piece. The translation is: “I am Spring, who gladly, lovely woman, returns to you with my beautiful, embellished mantle to dress the countryside in greenery and flowers, and to arouse in your hearts new love.”

Twelve’s second piece is from the extremely popular musical, Rent. They will be performing a medley of number from this musical including, “Will I’, “Seasons of Love”, and “Fanale B”.

Whole School

Our final selection this evening will feature all the grades in a medley from the Lion King, arranged by Mark Brymer. The Lion King, which is Disney’s 32^nd animated feature, tells the very important and inspiring message that life’s greatest adventure is finding our own place in the circle of life. Joining us for this medley are: Tom Millar on bass drum, Anton DeLost on congas, Warren Priyadamkol on drums and at the piano, Myron Jin-Li. Ladies and gentlemen, we now present the combined voices of Lester B. Person School for the Arts.