Music for Royal Occasions
The Grand Rapids Choir of Men & Boys
Dr. Martin Neary - Guest Director
Dr. Kenneth Bos - Organ Diane Penning - Soprano Jonathan Karnes – Trumpet
Scott Bosscher – GRCMB Director of Music
St. Andrew’s Cathedral - Grand Rapids, Michigan Friday, November 5 – 2010 7 P.M. Reflections…Martin Neary
Tonight’s ‘Music for Royal Occasions’ was inspired by some of the great events in British history, ranging from the jubilant excitement of Coronations and Royal Weddings to the outpouring of grief after the death of a much loved Princess. For over 1000 years, since Edgar was crowned in Westminster Abbey in 973, music has played an increasingly important role.
My own life in music, since at the age of eight I became one of the Children of His Majesty’s Chapels Royal, has enabled me to take part first as a chorister and later as Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey in some unforgettable occasions. While I have comparatively little memory of my first services in St. James’s Palace Chapel, I do remember the time it took me to get into the Children’s uniform - of black stockings, red breeches, red frock coat and white ruff. Martin Neary, 1953 Chorister at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II Wearing this unusual outfit, with the design dating from the age of Charles II, helped make me aware of the tradition into which I was entering. But I had no idea what this might involve. Later I was to discover that “my” choir of the Chapel Royal, used to accompany the King to war, as at Agincourt in 1415 when Henry V’s army defeated King Charles of France, or to impress, as in 1520 at the Field of the Cloth of Gold, when Henry VIII made his ill-fated attempt to forge an alliance with François I.
But to get back to this evening’s program, I should admit straightaway that the opening anthem, Let the people praise thee, O God, composed by the Welsh composer, William Mathias’ in 1981 for the Marriage in St. Paul’s Cathedral of the Prince and Princess of Wales, like you along with 750 million others around the world, I merely watched on television! That service also included the exhilarating last two movements from Handel’s oratorio, Samson, and it is a great pleasure to have Diane Penning as the soprano soloist in Let the bright Seraphim.
As a chorister, at the Queen’s Coronation in 1953, I loved singing Samuel Sebastian Wesley’s miniature Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, and, even more, Zadok the priest, where Handel exploited brilliantly the vast spaces of Westminster Abbey in the prelude before the exultant first choir entry. Our next wedding anthem, Laudate Dominum for soprano soloist and choir comes from Mozart’s ‘Vespers solenne de confessore’, and was sung in Westminster Abbey at the Marriage of the Duke and Duchess of York in 1997.
Royal weddings and Coronations are not just musical celebrations however. But if Horace Walpole’s celebrated comment of 1761, after the Coronation of George III: “What is the finest sight in the world? A Coronation, What do people most talk about? A Coronation” was equally true in 1953, it is a sobering thought that the second question would have certainly drawn alternative answers in September, 1997.
It was essential that the musical elements in the funeral service should retain the dignity and tradition of past ceremonies, while also reflecting if possible something personal to Princess Diana. And so the service began with the Burial Sentences, from the Book of Common Prayer, set by William Croft (Organist of Westminster Abbey, 1708 -27) who in homage to his predecessor but one, Henry Purcell, included Purcell’s unsurpassed setting of Thou knowest, Lord the secrets of our hearts, for reasons which every thinking musician will understand. Purcell had composed this for the funeral of his beloved Queen Mary on March 5th 1695, only for it to be sung at his own funeral in November the same year.
The final piece of choral music at Princess Diana’s Funeral, on the other hand, had been set only four years earlier, in 1993. The British composer, John Tavener, had written Song for Athene in memory of a young Greek actress, who had been tragically killed in a car accident. Tavener’s setting reflects Athene’s love of music and of the Orthodox Church, with texts chosen from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, as well as part of the Orthodox Funeral Service. I loved the music, not least because it conveyed so strongly the Christian message of hope even at times of extreme tragedy.
And so our programme appropriately concludes on a triumphant note of Thanksgiving, with Vaughan Williams’ (1953 Coronation) setting of The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune, which was originally scored for all available trumpets, full orchestra, a choir of 400, and a congregation of over 6000! Believe it or not, after nearly 1000 years, this was the first time (after nearly 1000 years) at a Coronation, that the congregation had had a chance to sing anything other than the Veni Creator and the National Anthem. I hope tonight, with the help of our instrumentalists and you, our audience, that we will raise the roof!
Sincerely,
Martin Neary
Music for Royal Occasions
A musical tribute by the Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys to mark the occasion of the Princess Diana Exhibition in Grand Rapids
Introduced and directed by Dr. Martin Neary, who sang as a chorister at the Queen’s Coronation, and when Organist of Westminster Abbey, directed the music at the Queen’s Royal Golden Wedding and Princess Diana’s Funeral in 1997
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Music from the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana (St. Paul’s Cathedral, London – July 29, 1981)
Princess Diana enters St Paul’s Cathedral on her wedding day 1981 Let the People Praise Thee, O God William Mathias Text: Psalm 67 (1934-1992)
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. O let the nations rejoice and be glad: 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. God be merciful unto us and bless us, And shew 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: Glory be to Father, and to the Son, and the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end, Amen. ~ Let the bright seraphim from Samson Georg Frideric Handel (1685-1759) Let the bright Seraphim in burning row, Their loud uplifted Angel-trumpets blow:
Let the Cherubic host, in tuneful choirs, Touch their immortal harps with golden wires.
Diane Penning – Soprano Jonathan Karnes - Trumpet ~ Let Their Celestial Concerts All Unite from Samson Georg Frideric Handel (1685-1759) Let their celestial concerts all unite Ever to sound his praise in endless morn of light. Music from the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II (Westminster Abbey, London – June 2, 1953) Dr. Martin Neary sang as a boy chorister in the choir at this coronation.
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Portrait 1953
Organ solo Toccata (Symphonie No 5) Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937) Martin Neary organ
Thou Wilt Keep Him in Perfect Peace Samuel Sebastian Wesley Text: Isaiah 26:3 (1810-1876)
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee. The darkness is no darkness with thee, but the night is as clear as the day. The darkness and the light to thee are both alike. God is light and in him is no darkness at all. Oh let my soul live and it shall praise thee. For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, for evermore. ~ Zadok the Priest Georg Friderick Handel Text: 1st Kings 1 (1685-1759)
Zadok the Priest, and Nathan the Prophet anointed Solomon King. And all the people rejoic’d, and said: God save the King! Long live the King! May the King live forever, Amen, Allelujah.
Westminster Abbey by Canaletto (1749) Music from the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip (Westminster Abbey, London – November 20, 1997)
Choristers of Westminster Abbey, London
May the Grace of Christ our Saviour Martin Neary Text: John Newton (1725-1807) (b. 1940)
May the grace of Christ our Saviour And the Father’s boundless love With the Holy Spirit’s favor, Rest upon us from above.
Thus may we abide in union With each other and the Lord, And possess, in sweet communion, Joys which earth cannot afford. Music from the Royal Wedding of Duke & Duchess of York (Westminster Abbey, London – July 23, 1986)
Choristers of Westminster Abbey, London
Laudate Dominum Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Text: Psalm 117 (1756-1791)
Laudate Dominum omnes gentes Praise the Lord, all nations: Laudate eum, omnes populi Praise Him, all people. Quoniam confirmata est For He has bestowed Super nos misericordia eius, His mercy upon us, Et veritas Domini manet in aeternum. And the truth of the Lord endures forever. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper. as it was in the beginning, is now, and forever, Et in saecula saeculorum. and for generations of generations.
Amen. Amen.
Diane Penning – Soprano ~ Offertory ~
Voluntary on the Doxology ("Old 100th") Henry Purcell (1659-1695) Jonathan Karnes – Trumpet
~ Intermission ~
Music from the Funeral of Princess Diana (Westminster Abbey, London – September 6, 1997)
Princess Diana Funeral Procession into Westminster Abbey 1997
Burial Sentences “I Am the Resurrection and the Life” William Croft Text: Book of Common Prayer (1678-1727)
I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. (St. John 11:25, 26)
I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God; whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another. (Job 19:25-27)
We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. (1Timothy 6: 7; Job 1: 21)
Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery. He cometh up, and is cut down, like a flower; he fleeth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one stay. (Job 14: 1-3) ~ Thou knowest, Lord, the Secrets of Our Hearts Henry Purcell (1569-1695)
Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts; shut not thy merciful ears unto our prayer; but spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and most merciful Savior, thou most worthy Judge eternal, suffer us not, at our last hour, for any pains of death, to fall from thee. Amen (Book of Common Prayer) ~ Burial Sentences “The Committal” William Croft (1678-1727)
I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, from henceforth blessed are the dead which die in the Lord: even so saith the Spirit; for they rest from their labours. I Vow to Thee My Country (Thaxted) Gustav Holst Text: Sir Cecil Authur Spring-Rice (1859-1918) (1874-1934)
(Sung by Congregation & Choir)
I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above, Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love; The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test, That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best; The love that never falters, the love that pays the price, The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.
And there's another country, I've heard of long ago, Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know; We may not count her armies, we may not see her King; Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering; And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase, And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace. ~
I would be true (Air from “County Derry”) arranged Martin Neary (b.1940) I would be true, for there are those who trust me; I would be pure, for there are those who care; I would be strong, for there is much to suffer; I would be brave, for there is much to dare.
I would be friend of all—the foe, the friendless; I would be giving, and forget the gift; I would be humble, for I know my weakness; I would look up, and laugh, and love, and live. Song for Athene John Tavener Text: Hamlet Act V ~ Luke 23 ~ Orthodox Service (b. 1944)
Alleluia. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. Alleluia. Remember me, O Lord, when you come into your kingdom. Alleluia. Give rest, O Lord, to your handmaid, who has fallen asleep. Alleluia. The Choir of Saints have found the well-spring of life and door of Paradise. Alleluia. Life: a shadow and a dream. Alleluia. Weeping at the grave creates the song: Alleluia. Come, enjoy rewards and crowns I have prepared for you.
Music from the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II (Westminster Abbey, London – June 2, 1953)
Coronation Chair 1296 Westminster Abbey The Old Hundreth arranged Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) All people that on earth do dwell, Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice, Him serve with fear, his praise foretell, Come ye before him, and rejoice.
The Lord, ye know, is God indeed, Without our aid he did us make; We are his folk, he doth us feed, And for his sheep he doth us take.
(Choir Alone) O enter then his gates with praise, Approach with joy his courts unto; Praise, laud, and bless his name always, For it is seemly so to do.
For why? The Lord our God is good, His mercy is forever sure; His truth at all times firmly stood, And shall from age to age endure.
(All) To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, The God whom heaven and earth adore, From men and from the angel host Be praise and glory evermore. Amen
Decani Cantoris
Choir of Men & Boys Treble Treble 2010-2011 Troy Andrews* Frank Corona Victor Chemjor Judah Guerra Linus Guerra* Marcus Igo Aaron Hudock Jordan Malone* Ben Lehmann Brenden Mercer Lars Lindgren Tom Ryskamp** Isaac Mangione Ian Staves Joey Schimmelmann Cole Story Ransom Sipols Lucas Story Christian Voetberg Luke VanderKooy*
Treble Probationer Treble Probationer Logan Bosscher Nasir Hardy
Counter Tenors Counter Tenors Daniel Becker Mark Becker John Mark Becker Noah Becker Jesse Fick Keith Fredlund John Hibma
Tenors Tenors Scott Bosscher Joey Hidalgo (Director of Music) Steve Igo Zachary Kruyf Steve Johnson Kyle Los Musical Staff Stephen Mitchell Director of Music: Scott Bosscher Organ Scholar: Dr. Kenneth Bos Basses Basses Rehearsal Accompanists: Dr. Mary Scanlan David Diephouse David Boersma Susan Guerra Assistant Director: Gina Becker Eric Lindgren Doug DeVries Boys Vocal Coach: Marcia Pylman Gordon Stegink Jerry Kruyf Composer-in-Residence: Chad Dykema Dan Voetberg Marco Ruiz Senior Head Chorister: Tom Ryskamp Chuck Witteveen Norm Sneller Head Choristers: Troy Andrews, Linus Guerra, Jordan Malone, Luke VanderKooy * Head Chorister ** Senior Head Chorister Guest Artists
Dr. Martin Neary – Organist & Choir Master It is a great privilege and joy to have Dr. Martin Neary training and directing the Grand Rapids Choir of Men & Boys for a third consecutive year.
British organist and conductor Martin Neary, who was Organist and Master of the Choristers at Winchester Cathedral (1972–87) and Westminster Abbey (1988–98), is especially noted for championing contemporary church music and for his groundbreaking performances of music by Bach and Purcell.
In 1978 Neary directed the first complete performance in England of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion with period instruments, and in 1995, conducted two televised programs marking the tercentenary of the death of Henry Purcell. His CD with the Westminster Abbey Choir and the New London Consort, Music for Queen Mary, was nominated for a Grammy.
Martin Neary is particularly associated with contemporary British composers Jonathan Harvey and John Tavener, with over thirty commissions and premieres. As organist, Martin Neary has also programmed many new works, not least in his recitals at the Royal Festival Hall in London. He is the only second person to have been elected twice as president of the Royal College of Organists.
Martin Neary, who read theology and music at Cambridge University and later studied conducting at Tanglewood under Erich Leinsdorf, and with André Marchal in Paris, has received numerous awards. Among them his appointment as Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order by the Queen, in recognition of his services for choosing and directing the music at the funeral of Princess Diana.
Diane Penning – Soprano
Equally at home in classical repertoire and pops, Diane has performed with orchestras around the country.
Diane’s work in oratorio includes Bach’s B minor Mass and Christmas Oratorio; Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony; Faure’s Requiem; Handel’s Messiah; Haydn’s Creation, Harmonie Messe, and Lord Nelson Mass; Mozart’s Requiem; Orff’s Carmina Burana; Poulenc’s Gloria; Rutter’s Magnificat under the baton of Sir David Willcocks; and Vaughan Williams’s Dona Nobis Pacem, with such organizations as the Apollo Chorus in Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, the Kalamazoo Bach Festival, and the Calvin College Oratorio Society. Her opera roles include Adele in Die Fledermaus, Frasquita in Carmen, Musetta in La Boheme, and Papagena in The Magic Flute.
She holds degrees in music and voice from the University of Michigan (BM) and Western Michigan University (MM in voice performance.)
Diane’s professional recordings include Phantom Phantasy, with the Grand Rapids Symphony; Christmas Festival, with the Czek National Orchestra; Everything Under the Sun, with pianist Rich Ridenour; Simply Gershwin, with pianist Paul Bisaccia; and Sacred Space, with Composer/Performer Nicholas Palmer.
Jonathan Karnes – Trumpet Jonathan Karnes is a Midwest native who has been living and performing in the Grand Rapids area for the past ten years. He performs regularly with the Calvin Community Symphony, the Hark Up Horns, the St. Andrew’s Cathedral Brass, and has performed in numerous area churches for weddings and worship services. In the past he has studied with Greg Good and Charley Lea. Besides freelance trumpet playing in the Grand Rapids area, Jonathan is also pursuing a PhD in molecular biology at the Van Andel Institute.
Savannah Ramsey & Daniel Christensen – Trumpet Patterson McKinney – Timpani Savannah, Daniel & Patterson are all music majors at GRCC where the choir makes its home. Savannah and Daniel are students of Lynn Asper. Patterson studies percussion with Brandon Grinwis. The choir is so blessed to be surrounded by dedicated young musicians like these three students you will hear tonight. What great role models to inspire our boys to continue to pursue music as a life’s avocation…and GRCC, what a great place to begin a degree in music.
GRCMB Guest Director March 28 – April 1, 2011
The Grand Rapids Choir of Men & Boys is thrilled to announce a week of training and performances by the choir under the leadership of Andrew Nethsingha, Director of Music at St John’s College, Cambridge. Andrew has performed in the UK, North America, South Africa, China, and many European countries. His concerts in recent months have been in Germany, Hungary and Holland.
Andrew’s early musical training was as a chorister in Exeter Cathedral, where his father was Organist for over quarter of a century. He later studied at the Royal College of Music, where he won seven prizes, and at St John’s College, Cambridge. He has held Organ Scholarships under Dr Christopher Robinson and Dr George Guest. He worked at Wells, Truro and Gloucester Cathedrals before taking up his present post in September 2007. Other recent positions have been as Artistic Director of the Gloucester Three Choirs Festival, and Musical Director of Gloucester Choral Society. He has served as President of the Cathedral Organists’ Association.
Andrew has worked regularly with some of the UK’s leading orchestras. Performances with the Philharmonia have included Britten War Requiem, Mahler Symphony no. 8 and Elgar The Kingdom, as well as a programme of Vaughan Williams and Finzi broadcast on BBC Radio 3. His most recent performances with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra have included Gershwin An American in Paris and Elgar Sea Pictures. He has also worked with the City of Birmingham Symphony and BBC Concert Orchestras and conducted a performance of Handel’s Messiah in Beijing.
Scott Bosscher, GRCMB’s Director of Music, had the privilege to sing and study under the guidance of Andrew Nethsingha during his years as a choral scholar at Wells Cathedral.
The Grand Rapids Choir of Men & Boys would like to give Special Thanks Chichester Club $10 - $49 (Continued) st to our donors who have helped us get our 21 Season off to a strong start! Floyd Farmer J. William & Beverly Morrison Brian Steenbergen Won’t you join with them in supporting the Choir as our year begins to unfold! Charles & Judith Filice Theodore Moss Jr. Daniel & Ethel Sundman
(Donations June 1, 2010 through October 25, 2010) Richard Charles Ford Juley Novak Wendy & Randall Treacher Nella Groff James Ransford Thomas & Mary Beth Valli Ronald & Gracie Henning Cecil Granville Sharpe Jr. Dr. Carol Van Randwyk Westminster Abbey Club $5,000 and above Leona Klooster Howard Slenk Jack & Jane Van Zytveld Thomas U. Tuttle Grayce Kooistra Jerome Slenk Stephen Wagner Joyce & Michael Krushinsky Marilyn Slenk John & Norma Wessels Oxford Club $1,000 - $4,999 Janet Lynn Langtry Christina Slenk-Berry John & Dorothy Wiest Dorothy Marshall William Spaid Katherine Wlodarczyk Mark & Gina Becker James & Barb Hoogeboom Duane & Maureen Mayhew Mary Stanley David & Sandra Wright-Auge Lawrence & Virginia Cain Gerald & Susan Kruyf Jeanne Mckowen Goldman Sachs
I will sing in the house of the Lord forever! Cambridge Club $600 - $999
David Diephouse
London Club $250 - $599
Edith Blodgett Jay Hidalgo & Associates SoundOff Signal George & Sibilla Boerigter C. Scott & Susan Kooistra Carl Strodtman Jonathan Bradford & Grace Post Kim S. Mitchell Myra Zwiep
Winchester Club $100 - $249
Maxine Battjes Dr. Lawrence Manglitz Charles Strikwerda Richard & Phyllis Crandell Charles Olegar Jonathan Tuuk John & June Hamersma Ted & Ethel Pasma Kurt & Beverly Van Genderen John & Anne Holmlund Norman & Beth Pearce Robert & Barbara Vander Wal Steve & Jacquie Johnson John & Constance Ryskamp Norma York-Bremer Norman Larsen
Wells Club $50 - $99
John & Claire Bryson Raymond & Lillian Fuller Ruth Post Jack & Mary Butterick Linda Galien Verlyn Schultz Donald & Linda Chaffee Linus & Judah Guerra Donald & Jean Scott Clement & Janet Corona N. K. Muenchausen Gordon & Barbara Stegink Emily Fisk John & Becky Paalman Beverly Williams Lyle & Mary Forcia Charles & Jean Parks John Worst & Ruth Tucker
Chichester Club $10 - $49
Deborah & Paul Asmara Bowden & Elaine Brown John & Jane Damon Gwen Becker Randall & Anne Christenson Peter DeJong Lester & Evelyn Beimers Judith Claytor Dirk & Tina DeWitt Chichester Club $10 - $49 (Continued)
Floyd Farmer J. William & Beverly Morrison Brian Steenbergen Charles & Judith Filice Theodore Moss Jr. Daniel & Ethel Sundman Richard Charles Ford Juley Novak Wendy & Randall Treacher Nella Groff James Ransford Thomas & Mary Beth Valli Ronald & Gracie Henning Cecil Granville Sharpe Jr. Dr. Carol Van Randwyk Leona Klooster Howard Slenk Jack & Jane Van Zytveld Grayce Kooistra Jerome Slenk Stephen Wagner Joyce & Michael Krushinsky Marilyn Slenk John & Norma Wessels Janet Lynn Langtry Christina Slenk-Berry John & Dorothy Wiest Dorothy Marshall William Spaid Katherine Wlodarczyk Duane & Maureen Mayhew Mary Stanley David & Sandra Wright-Auge Jeanne Mckowen
I will sing in the house of the Lord forever!
The Grand Rapids Choir of Men & Boys salutes the heavenly sounds of St. Andrew’s Cathedral Concert Series
CATHEDRAL CONCERTS PATRONS DONORS ($50) Cathy Hoekstra • Harry and Sheila Knopke • Tom and Nancy Poltrock
SPONSORS ($100) Michael and Christine Avery • Jarek Kozal • Nicholas Palmer • Gary and Linda Williams
ANGELS ($250) Barbara Rudnik-Wilson
SAINTS ($500+) Diocese of Grand Rapids • Saint Andrew Cathedral Parish • James and Kathy Jauw Karin Smith • Dr. Steve and Donna Stoddard • Lawrence and Sandra Williams
CATHEDRAL CONCERTS SUPPORTERS West Michigan Piano • Central Interconnect, Inc. • Meyer Music
Introducing the third Collectible Chorister in a series of limited edition figurines by the renowned Grand Rapids artist, Carol Roeda. Carol captures the joy of childhood and of the season in each hand-painted steel figure. These Cheery Choristers will bring joy to any home.
Collectible Choristers are available after the service and on our website www.grcmb.org for $50, plus shipping and handling. The tree, dog and stands are also available.
Thank you for your support.
The Grand Rapids Choir of Men & Boys wishes to thank Carol Roeda for the gift of her wonderful artistry in creating her hand-painted stand-up steel choristers. Carol Roeda Studio • Breton Village Mall • 1882 Breton Road • (616) 285-0924 • www.carolroedastudio.com