Choral Series: Choral Union Saturday, March 14, 2014 at 8pm Lagerquist Concert Hall, Mary Baker Russell Music Center

Pacific Lutheran University School of Arts and Communication / Department of Music present

Choral Union Richard Nance, Conductor

Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 8 pm Mary Baker Russell Music Center, Lagerquist Concert Hall

Welcome to Lagerquist Concert Hall. Please disable the audible signal on all watches, pagers and cellular phones for the duration of the concert. Use of cameras, recording equipment and all electronic devices is not permitted in the concert hall.

Voices and Pipes Music for Chorus, Organ, Percussion and Brass

Program

Magnificat ...... Fredrik Sixten (b. 1962)

Fredrik Sixten was born in Skövde, Sweden and was educated at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm where he studied composition with Sven-David Sandström. He worked for many years as organist at prominent churches, including Västerås Cathedral, Vänersborg Church, Härnösands Cathedral, and Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. Sixten’s music is filled with jazz influences, the harmonic influence of French composers of the twentieth century, and elements of Swedish folk music. His was composed for the cathedral of Härnösand in 2009. Of this piece, the composer writes “The brilliance of choir, brass and organ— my setting is an attempt to show different aspects of St. Mary’s song of praise: the majestic, joyful and playful outer movements embracing the middle movement that bears marks of darkness and foreboding.

I. Magnificat anima mea

My soul magnifies the Lord. And my spirit has rejoiced in God my savior. For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he who is mighty has done great things to me; and Holy is his name.

II. Et misericordia eius

And his mercy is on them who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud, even the arrogant of heart. He has deposed the mighty from their seats, and exalted the humble. The hungry he has filled with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy. As it was spoken to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed forever.

III. Patri et filio

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Dorcester Canticles ...... Tarik O’Regan (b. 1978)

Dorcester Canticles was commissioned by the Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir and received its premiere in St. Mary’s Church, Dorchester May 22, 2004. The two movements are on Psalm texts (98 and 67 respectively) and can either be performed separately or as one continuous composition (as it will be performed this evening). The music is filled with textural variety, brilliant use of dissonance and numerous meter changes that flow with the accent of the text. The first canticle begins with a feeling mystery and awe that builds in exuberance. The second canticle begins prayerfully, a tenor solo interspersed with choral voices in a very meditative, lulling mood. A forte entrance by the organ breaks the calm, the choir stating, “God shall bless us and the ends of all the world shall fear him.” Motifs from the first movement return, and the piece ends with a rapid-fire “Gloria Patri.” Tarik O’Regan is one of Britain’s leading young composers of choral music, with over 100 works in print. His music has won prestigious awards and has received two Grammy nominations.

I. Cantate Domino (O sing unto the Lord a new song)

O sing unto the Lord a new song: for he hath done marvelous things. With his own right hand, and with his holy arm: hath he gotten himself the victory. The Lord declared his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and truth toward the house of Israel: and all the ends of the world have seen the salvation of our God. Show yourselves joyful unto the Lord, all ye lands: sing, rejoice, and give thanks. Praise the Lord upon the harp: sing to the harp with a psalm of thanksgiving. With trumpets also and shawms: O show yourselves joyful before the Lord the King. Let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is: the round world, and they that dwell therein. Let the floods clap their hands, and let the hills be joyful together before the Lord: for he cometh to judge the earth. With righteousness shall he judge the world: and the people with equity. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

II. Deus misereatur (God be merciful unto us) Brandon Wilhelm, tenor

God be merciful unto us, and bless us: and show us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us. That thy way may be known upon earth: thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God: yea, let all the people praise thee. O let the nations rejoice and be glad: for thou shalt judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Let the people praise thee, O God: yea, let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth bring forth her increase: and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing. God shall bless us: and all the ends of the world shall fear him. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

Intermission

Trinity Te Deum ...... Ēriks Ešenvalds (b. 1977)

Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds has become one of the world’s most popular choral composers. His compositions cover a wide variety of styles—indeed Ešenvalds considers himself a bit of a compositional chameleon, composing music that meets the demands and character of the particular ensemble he is writing for, while still giving the work elements of his unique style. Such is the case with this Trinity Te Deum, which was composed for the installation of the new Master at Trinity College, Cambridge when the composer was in residence there from 2011 – 2012. The style of this celebratory work is decidedly British—echoing perhaps the works of . But it also contains some of Ešenvalds’ characteristic harmonic flavor, with the use of mild dissonance and soaring melodies. He chooses to truncate the Te Deum text, and includes harp in the accompaniment, which plays a primary role in the folk-like second section of the piece, in contrast with the brilliant fanfares of the bookend sections.

We praise thee, O God: we acknowledge thee to be the Lord. All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting. To thee all Angels cry aloud: the Heavens, and all the Powers therein. To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry, Holy, Holy, Holy: Lord God of Sabaoth; Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of thy glory. The glorious company of the Apostles praise thee. The goodly fellowship of the Prophets praise thee. The noble army of Martyrs praise thee. The holy Church throughout the world doth acknowledge thee; The Father of an infinite Majesty; Thine honourable, true and only Son; Also the Holy Ghost, the Comforter. Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ, Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, thou didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb, When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers. Thou sittest at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father. We believe that thou shalt come to be our Judge. We therefore pray thee, help thy servants, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood. Make them to be numbered with thy Saints in glory everlasting. Holy, Holy, Holy.

Be Thou My Vision ...... John Rutter (b. 1945)

2015 marks the 70th birthday of British composer John Rutter, whose music has found great popularity in the US since the composition of his famous Gloria in 1974 for The Voices of Mel Olson in Omaha, Nebraska. Rutter’s music is marked by his use of infectious melody and lush, sentimental harmonic treatment. Many of his pieces are beautiful in their simplicity, such as this setting of the Irish tune “Slane,” as well as any number of his church anthems or Christmas carol settings. They are charming, expressive, and ultimately sing-able. Buried in Rutter’s catalogue are slightly more technical pieces, such as his setting of Shakespeare’s text, Draw On, Sweet Night, Hymn to the Creator of Light, or the motet Musica Dei Donum. Rutter’s output of larger works includes his , a cantata Magnificat, and his Mass of the Children. But the Gloria remains his most beloved work and continues to stand the test of time. The setting divides the text from the Ordinary of the Mass into three movements, the first and last being very celebratory and jubilant, with a more introspective mood portrayed in the center movement.

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart, Be thou my soul’s shelter, be thou my strong tower: Be all else but naught to me, save that thou art; O raise thou me heavenward, great Power of my power. Be thou my best thought in the day and the night, Both waking and sleeping, thy presence my light. Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise: Be thou mine inheritance now and always; Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word. Be thou and thou only the first in my heart: Be thou ever with me, and I with thee Lord. O Sov’reign of heaven, my treasure thou art. Be thou my great Father, and I thy true son. Be thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one. High King of heaven, thou heaven’s bright Sun, O grant me the joys after vict’ry is won; Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight; Great Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Be thou my whole armour, be thou my true might; Still be thou my vision, O Ruler of all.

Gloria ...... John Rutter (b. 1945)

I. Gloria in excelsis Deo Thou who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Glory to God in the highest. Thou who takest away the sins of the world, receive our And on earth peace to all those of good will. prayer. We praise thee. We bless thee. We worship thee. We Thou who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have glorify thee. mercy upon us. We give thanks to thee according to thy great glory. . III. Quoniam tu solus sanctus II. Domine Deus Stephanie Bivins, soprano ! Jennifer Gorham, soprano For Thou alone art holy, ! Erin Calata, alto Thow alone art the Lord. Thou alone art the most high, Jesus Christ. Lord God, Heavenly King, God the Father almighty. With the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father. Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son. Amen. Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father.

Pacific Lutheran University Choral Union Richard Nance, Conductor ! Sarah Silvia, rehearsal accompanist

Soprano Alto Tenor Bass Stephanie Bivins Megan Beresford Neil Asay Alan Aplin Sue Byrd Allison Bill Tom Cameron David Bales Suna Chung Erin Calata John Carlsen Chris Berntsen Debbie Dion Clara Eickhoff Charlie Crawford Alonso Brizuela Caryl D. Dowd Jennifer Ethier Eddie McCoven Wayne Chan Jennifer Gorham Nicole Fife John Ockwell Nathan Gorham Debbie Hushagen Mallory Flemister Rich Ockwell Vic Hansen Anna Kwon Karen Fulmer Stephen Payne Michael Hendrix Patti Nance Jamie Lindberg Marty Peterson Jim Hushagen Nancy Nole Cindy Luebke Nicholas Pharris Christian Jaeger Angela Owen Jackie McPherson Roland Robinson Todd Kelley Lori Roy Shirley Nelson Randy Saager Brian Keiper Carrie Scott Faith Ockwell Bassione Van Soest Gary Krause Heather Simmons Becky Purser Brandon Wilhelm Keith Krause Diann Spicer Allison Saager Josh Luebke Helen Stalsberg Anne Urlie Doyle Nelson Marie Wutzke Amy Wertz Phil Nesvig Jennifer Woodard Norm Seidel Larry Wiseman

Instrumentalists

Trumpets Harp Zach Lyman Catherine Case Ed Castro Raymond DeLeon Organ John Wells Paul Tegels

Trombones Percussion Keith Winkle Jeff Lund Rebecca Musselwhite Shayla Chaykin Jennifer Hinkle

Tuba Paul Evans

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