Solstice a winter concert friday, december 6, 2019 gettysburg college chapel College Choir • Concert Choir • Audeamus • Camerata presented by the sunderman conservatory of music Solstice a winter choral concert — — — — A u d e a m u s — — — — Vuelie Christophe Beck and Frode Fjellheim, arr. Austin Nikirk ‘20 conducted by Austin Nikirk ‘20 Vuelie is inspired by the vocal tradition of the Sámi people of Scandinavia and Russia. Melodic phrases, called “Yoik,” are repeated while surrounding harmonies or countermelodies interlock and merge with each other and the Yoik. The syllables used in a Yoik have no meaning, and are merely present to facilitate the melody. Beginning with the whole group in unison on the melody, Vuelie expands into a celebratory yet pensive exploration of transitions, and we hope it will set the tone for a concert honoring the concept of solstice. -AN Solstice Carole Kim Baryluk (b. 1959) A fire is burning, the long night draws near. All who need comfort are welcome by here. We’ll dance ‘neath the stars and toast the past year for the spirit of solstice is still living here. We’ll count all our blessings while the Mother lays down with snow as her blanket covering the ground. Thanks to the Mother for the life that she brings. She’ll waken to warm us again in the spring. The poor and the hungry, the sick and the lost; these are our children, no matter the cost. Come by the fire, the harvest to share, for the spirit of solstice is still living here. Let the Life I’ve Lived Gwyneth Walker (b. 1947) conducted by Austin Nikirk ‘20 Let the life I’ve lived speak for me. When I come to the end of the road, And I lay down my heavy load, let the life I’ve lived speak for me. Let the friends I’ve made speak for me. When I come to the end of the road, And I lay down my heavy load, let the friends I’ve made speak for me. Lay down your burden, and rest with the setting sun. All the beauty of your life will shine when the day is done. Let the love I’ve shared speak for me. Let the love that I’ve tried to share, And all this life of joy and care speak for me. Let the life I’ve lived speak for me. The Snow Edward Elgar (1857-1934) Ari Isaacman-Beck and Marana Tso ‘21, violin; Timothy Foster, piano O snow, which sinks so light, brown earth is hid from sight. O soul, be thou as white as snow; O snow, which falls so slow, Dear earth quite warm below; O heart, so keep thy glow beneath the snow. O snow, in thy soft grave sad flow’rs the winter brave; O heart, so sooth and save, as does the snow. The snow must melt, must go, fast, fast as water flow. Not thus, my soul, O sow thy gifts to fade like snow. O snow, thou’rt white no more, thy sparkling too, is o’er; O soul, be as before, was bright the snow. Then as the snow all pure, O heart be, but endure; through all the years full sure, not as the snow. Voice on the Wind Sarah Quartel (b. 1983) Austin Nikirk ‘20, drum I heard a voice on the summer wind, who she is I can’t explain. I heard a voice on the summer wind, blowing free and blowing wild. I heard a voice on the summer wind, strength and spirit in her song. I heard a voice on the summer wind, with a song I seem to know. I heard a voice on the summer wind, sounds familiar like my own. I heard a voice on the summer wind, moves me like she knows me well. I am the voice on the summer wind, strong and sure is where I stand. I am the voice. Carol: O Come All Ye Faithful Audience and Choirs O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, o come ye, to Bethlehem. Come and behold him, born the King of angels; O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above. Glory to God, all glory in the highest, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord. — — — — Concert Choir — — — — Gaudete J. David Moore (b. 1962) (Sung in Latin) Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is born of the virgin Mary, rejoice! The time of grace that we desired is here. Let us reverently render songs of joy. While nature wondered, God has been made human. The world has been restored by Christ’s reigning. The closed gate of Ezekiel is crossed. Salvation is found in the place from which the light came. So let our assembly now sing psalms in offering; let it bless the Lord. Hail to our king! In the Bleak Midwinter Gustav Holst (1874-1934) (Audience, please do not sing this carol with the choir) In the bleak midwinter frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone. Snow had fallen, snow on snow. In the bleak midwinter, long, long ago. Angels and archangels may have gathered there, cherubim and seraphim thronged the air; But his mother only, in her maiden bliss worshipped the beloved with a kiss. What can I give, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a wise man, I would do my part; what can I give, give my heart. Music in the Night Elaine Hagenberg (b. 1979) Timothy Foster, piano When stars pursue their solemn flight, Oft in the middle of the night, A strain of music visits me, hushed in a moment silverly,– Such rich and rapturous sounds as make The very soul of silence ache With longing for the melody; Or how or whence those tones be heard, Hearing, the slumbering soul is stirred, As when a swiftly passing light Startles the shadows into flight; While one rememberance suddenly Thrills through the melting memory,– A strain of music in the night. Carol: Angels We Have Heard On High Audience and Choirs Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains, And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo! Shepherds why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heavenly song? Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo! — — — — C a m e r ata — — — — Swingle Song Darmon Meader (b. 1961) Ocho Kandelikas Flory Jagoda (b. 1923), arr. Thom Mariner (Sung in Ladino) Beautiful Chanuka is here, eight candles for me. Refrain: One candle, two candles, three candles, four candles, five candles, six candles, seven candles... eight candles for me! Many parties will be held, with joy and pleasure. Refrain... We will eat pastelikos with almonds and honey. Refrain... Blue Moon Richard Rogers, arr. David Blackwell Blue moon you saw me standing alone Without a dream in my heart, without a love of my own Blue moon, you knew just what I was there for, You heard me saying a prayer for someone I really could care for, And then there suddenly appeared before me, The only one my arms will ever hold. I heard somebody whisper “Please adore me,” And when I looked, the moon had turned to gold! Blue moon, now I’m no longer alone, Without a dream in my heart without a love of my own. The World For Christmas Anders Edenroth (b.1963) It’s the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature is stirring not even a mouse, The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, but hopes for Saint Nicholas I wish I could share. I am new to this world, I arrived here this morn, to this beautiful planet though beat up and torn. I don’t need a gift need no more than I’ve got, hear the unspoken wish from a tiny tiny tot. I only want the world for Christmas, The blue-green forever turning world for Christmas, nothing more, nothing less I want it for keeps and, I promise to share, so that everyone who wants can cuddle and care. I only want the world for Christmas, The blue-green for ever turning world for Christmas, to restore to repossess, Please make it last, my fate is in your hands, oh give me a present for the future. You could follow your heart but you follow a whim, and fill up your stockings way over the brim, Ignoring the signs on a frail crystal ball, you wish away, wish away, wish away all. The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow, gives a luster of midday to objects below, Why your eyes won’t see when they’re given all this light, I wonder, I wonder, this very special night. I only want the world for Christmas, The blue-green forever turning world for Christmas, nothing more, nothing less I want it for keeps and, I promise to share, so that everyone who wants can cuddle and care. I only want the world for Christmas, The blue-green for ever turning world for Christmas, to restore to repossess, Please make it last, my fate is in your hands, oh give me a present for the future.