This concert was presented by the No-Name Chorale on Sunday, November 24, 2019 at First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, IL. We are a project based ensemble dedicated to sharing the joy of choral singing with each other and the greater St. Louis community. Like our Facebook page @nonamechorale for updates on future projects and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
Program Notes & Selected Texts/Translations:
The irony of most choral concerts is that the people we hear (the singers) have no voice in choosing the music they perform. For this concert, I asked our singers to recommend songs they love to sing and for our program notes to provide a way of inviting audience members to understand what we love about singing holiday music. As you might imagine, asking people to suggest their most cherished holiday songs generates a list of mostly slow and, somewhat surprisingly, minor key carols...so, this concert is my attempt to honor those requests while creating a dynamic, varied program that reflects our collective taste and personality.
One thing that jumped out at me while compiling the personal reflections of our singers is the central theme of shared experience during the impressionable period of young adulthood. Almost every story is focused on the way a specific piece of music sparked their curiosity, elevated their awareness of the wider world, or deepened their appreciation for the gift of shared creativity in the act of choral singing. As we enter the season of frantic preparations, seemingly countless concerts, and increased stress, I hope this afternoon provides a moment to pause and give thanks for the gift of music and its ability to create experiences worth remembering...and sharing!
~Andy Jensen, NNC Artistic Director
Program:
Jesus Christ the Apple Tree, by Elizabeth Poston (0:07)
Jennifer Rea, soloist
Carol of the Bells, arr. Peter J. Wilhousky (4:36)
The Song of Peace, by Olaf C. Christiansen (6:33)
The Holly and the Ivy, arr. John Rutter (8:30)
O Nata Lux, by Morten Lauridsen (12:11)
For Unto Us a Child is Born from Messiah, by G.F. Handel (16:35)
In the Bleak Midwinter, arr. Abbie Betinis (21:05)
Belinda Quimby & Eve Diel, soloists
What Sweeter Music, by John Rutter (27:23)
'Twas the Night Before Christmas, arr. Harry Simeone (31:30)
The First Noel, arr. Dan Forrest (45:24)
He Is Sleeping, Traditional Polish Carol (50:26)
7 окт 2024
