Concert Choir Program Notes

“Song for the Mira”- Allister MacGillivray, arr. by Stuart Calvert

“Song for the Mira” is a Canadian folk song that invokes a sense of nostalgia. It is in reference to the Mira River located in Nova Scotia. This area has strong Gaelic influences, and these influences can certainly be heard in the song. It depicts pleasant images of relaxation as well as warm neighborly memories.

Allister MacGillivray (b. 1948)

Allister MacGillivray is a singer-songwriter from the Cape Breton region of Nova Scotia. His most famous work is “Song for the Mira” written for his town’s namesake. He has ceased singing in order to pursue a career in writing and moviemaking.

“Fa Una Canzona”- Orazio Vecchi, arr. by Russell Robinson

“Write a song with no black notes If you ever wanted my favor

Write it so that it will bring me to sleep Make it end sweetly, sweetly.

Don’t put any harshness into it Because my ears are not used to that

Write it so that it will bring me to sleep Make it end sweetly, sweetly.

Don’t write numbers, or counterpoint This is my main design

Write it so that it will bring me to sleep Make it end sweetly, sweetly.”

“Fa Una Canzona” is an Italian madrigal and like most madrigals, depicts romantic ideals. In this song, a person is asking another to write him a song that is so sweet and beautiful it will win over his heart.

Orazio Vecchi (1550-1605)

Orazio Vecchi was an Italian composer who lived during the Renaissance. He was an accomplished composer of madrigals as well as a chapel organist. For the majority of his life, he was heavily involved as a priest in the Catholic church. “Soon-Ah Will Be Done”- William L. Dawson

“Soon-Ah Will Be Done” is an African-American spiritual that has a hopeful message. This singer has an outlook to the future where he will no longer be troubled by this world and can be reunited with Jesus and his family in heaven. These songs offered hope to those who were slaves in America.

William L. Dawson (1899-1990

William L. Dawson was an accomplished trombonist, director, and composer. He began composing at an early age and often worked with instrumental and other chamber music. His most famous works are his arrangements of traditional African- American spirituals.