Program and notes for 2011

(We will announce the 2012 program in May.)

Come Away to the Skies: A High Lonesome Mass and other great early and late American choral music - in the 2011 program

Part of the program will include "Come Away to the Skies: A High Lonesome Mass," by Dr. Tim Sharp, Executive Director of the American Choral Directors Association.

Dr. Sharp, is well known in choral circles, not only as head of the 20,000 member ACDA, but as a conductor and composer. He is director of the famed Tulsa Oratorio Choir and guest conducts in events world-wide. He is a recognized expert in the music of early America and his writing and teaching about the merging of black, Irish, and other musical influences in the southern U. S. is highly respected.

For a great explanation on the source of the material that Tim (and his composition partner, Wes Ramsay) used in this work, see the program notes HERE.

The great thing for us is that Tim Sharp will not only be here for the premiere of his work, but he will also  play the banjo as part of the accompanying bluegrass style group. Yes, you'll hear a marvelous combining of musical styles...wonderful choral writing and the poignant and mesmerizing sound of bluegrass instruments accompanying the choir.

But that's just part of the concert! Check out the whole thing.

Early/Late American
The program will range from early American to present day compositions by American composers such as John Muehleisen (Seattle), Paul Carey (Chicago), Richard Nance (Tacoma), Vijay Singh (Ellensburg), Ola Gjeilo (New York)...all contemporary, as well as a work by the incomparable Leonard Bernstein.

Here is the program for 2011...(subject to change):

Come Away to the Skies - and early American hymn arranged by the legendary Alice Parker
Saints Bound for Heaven - a melody from Walker's "Southern Harmony" of 1835, arranged by Mack Wilberg
When Jesus Wept - William Billings, from the New England Psalm Singer of 1770, but with an amazing new twist...arranged for eight-part, double choir by Paul Carey. This is a premiere performance. (Paul will be in attendance for the Vancouver concert!)
Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal - the robust and powerful hymn arranged by Alice Parker

Come Away to the Skies: a High Lonesome Mass - a west coast premiere of Tim Sharp's latest work. Tim uses his expertise as a scholar in early American music, taking hymns such as "Brethren, We Have Met to Worship," "Do Lord," "Hail, the Blest Morn," and "What Wondrous Love," and placed them in the framework of the mass. The result is a stunning 20 minute work beautifully arranged for chorus, but one that also makes use of bluegrass style instruments such as banjo, dobro, mandolin, guitar, violin, and double-bass that makes for sheer joy as well as moments of wonderful poignancy. Here's the kicker...and a little known fact among Tim's 20,000 member choral director constituency. He's an accomplished banjo picker...and he'll be part of the band for both of our performances!

INTERMISSION

Alleluia - by Hyowon Woo is a departure (along with the next two works) from our American themed concert...but we just had to perform 'em. This piece was premiered at the ACDA national convention by the Incheon Chorale of Seoul, Korea, in 2009. Powerful and very exciting. This may be another west-coast premiere performance.
The Beatitudes - by contemporary Estonian composer, Arvo Paert, is characterized as "minimalist" and sets this Biblical text in short phrases separated by "grand pauses." An amazingly strong piece, ending with a dramatic organ flourish! Chor Anno baritone, composer, and conductor, Reginald Unterseher leads the group in this song.
Northern Lights - a composition by Ola Gjeilo, born in Norway but now living in New York. Ola uses the "Pulchra es" Latin text "Thou art beautiful," from the Song of Solomon, but says (and we believe) the song is about beauty...a "terrible, powerful beauty."

Carpenters of God - by our friend Vijay Singh, and according to Vijay, was inspired by the legendary Weston Noble's visit to Central Washington University's music department two years ago. "It was like the building of musical bridges by this man of God," Singh said. Hence, his dedication of this piece with it's early American style, to Noble.
River Moons - is written by John Muehleisen, a Seattle composer who is becoming widely known. This piece was premiered and recorded by the Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester, MN, in 2006. It's a setting of the poem by Carl Sandburg, who turns the image of the moon reflected in the water into a vivid memory from his youth. John will also attend the Vancouver concert. Carl Sandburg cannot make it.
Shenandoah - familiar song in a gorgeous new setting for choir and violin by our friend and conductor of the PLU Choir of the West, Richard Nance.

No Time - is labeled "a traditional camp meeting song" by arranger Susan Brumfield. It's actually a combining of two songs, "Rise, O Fathers," and "No time...to tarry here for I'm on my journey home." The women of Chor Anno, conducted by Karen Fulmer, perform this one.
We Rise Again - original song by Leon Dubinsky, has been arranged for men's voices by Stephen Smith.
Make Our Garden Grow - from the musical, "Candide," was written by Leonard Bernstein. We don't often look to musicals or, in this case, basically an opera, for our choral material. But, what an ending to our concert! This strong text and musical material shows off the amazing voices in Chor Anno!