The Light of Love
This special concert brings together voices and traditions from around the world as our choir performs songs of peace, joy, and love in multiple languages.
December 22, 2024
Kali Paguirigan, Artistic Director
Bitsy Salisbury, Managing Director
David Reid, piano
Antiphon: Hodie Christus natus est
British, 13th century
Small group voices
During the high Middle Ages (the 12th-14th centuries), poets and musicians of the British Isles produced a vast array of songs, ballads, carols and liturgical works on the topics of the incarnation and the virgin birth. In comparison to continental Europe, the number of these pieces is so large that it sometimes seems as if the British invented the celebration of Christmas.
It is from this rich repertoire that our first two songs of the evening have been chosen.
Carol: Alleluya
British, 15th century
Soloist: Elizabeth Speigle
lyrics
A new work has come on hand
through the might and grace of God’s messenger,
to save the lost of every land
Alleluia, Alleluia
For he is now free who was once in bondage;
We may well sing alleluia!
By Gabriel it was begun;
just as the sun shone through the glass,
Jesus Christ was conceived
Alleluia, alleluia
Of Mary, mother, full of grace.
now let us sing alleluia!
Noel
Written by Todd Smith
arr: Brad Holmes
Soloists: Danny Thompson, Mike West
Percussion: Amy Shelley
Cowbell: Kate
With text in the African Kituba dialect (the official language of the Democratic Republic of Congo), this bright, rhythmic piece captures the feeling of a tribal celebration as it expresses the joy of the Christ Child's birth.
Translation
Noel! Noel! Jesus has come to live with us.
If you want to know the Child,
You have to come kneel.
SKATING
Brass Quintet only
Trumpets: Shane Endsley, Gabe Mervine
French Horn: Carolyn Kunicki
Trombone: Zach Rich
Tuba: Jaeden Rooker
Enjoy this lovely music from our Brass Quintet!
River
Words and Music by Joni Mitchell
Arranged by Shane Endsley
Soloist: Nina de Freitas
Lyrics
It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
But it don't snow here
It stays pretty green
I'm going to make a lot of money
Then I'm going to quit this crazy scene
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby cry
He tried hard to help me
You know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I'm so hard to handle
I'm selfish and I'm sad
Now I've gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby say goodbye
It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
Singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
BASS QUINTET
Brass Quintet only
Trumpets: Shane Endsley, Gabe Mervine
French Horn: Carolyn Kunicki
Trombone: Zach Rich
Tuba: Jaeden Rooker
Enjoy this lovely music from our Brass Quintet!
Carol: Ther is no rose of swych vertu
British, 15th century
Soloists: Jacob Sievert, Ryan Sargent
There is no rose of such virtue
As is the rose that bore Jesus;
Alleluia.
For in this rose contained was
Heaven and Earth in a little space;
A thing to wonder at.
By that rose we may well see
That he is God in persons three,
But of equal form.
The angels sang to the shepherds,
“Gloria in excelsis Deo.”
Let us rejoice!
Leave we all this worldly mirth,
And follow we this joyful birth;
Let us go.
Ai, nama mamina
Latvian Folk Songs
Arranged by Andrejs Jansons
Soloist: Elizabeth
Percussion: Amy Shelley
Cowbell: Kate
Translation
Roasting a duck and happily humming
kaladu kaladu
roasting a duck and Christmas is coming
kaladu kaladu
Mixing a punch with a generous measure
kaladu kaladu
Mixing a punch with a cup full of pleasure
kaladu kaladu
Chopping a tree with the woods are dimming
kaladu kaladu
Propping it up and happily trimming
kaladu kaladu
Slipping away with the gifts and wrapping
kaladu kaladu
Kids wanna look and the puppy’s yapping
kaladu kaladu
Sitting around with a log on the fire
kaladu kaladu
Singing along with the family choir
kaladu kaladu
Bright are lights and bright is the season
kaladu kaladu
Christ was born and that is the reason
kaladu kaladu
Winter Song
Words and music by Sarah Bareilles and Ingrid Michelson
Arranged by Mac Huff
Small Group Voices: Alana Chartier, Bridget Kromrey, Stephanie Empey, Sami Streifer, Suzanne Whitney, Sarah Weiler, Caroline Cheong, Maggie Masciarelli
Ending Solos: Alana Chartier (part 1), Maggie Masciarelli (part 2), Sami Streifer (part 3)
This haunting song by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson is a poetic reflection on the winter landscape and longing for love, with layered vocals and a rich harmonic underpinning.
Lyrics
This is my winter song to you
The storm is coming soon
It rolls in from the sea
My voice, a beacon in the night
My words will be your light
To carry you to me
Is love alive?
They say that things just cannot grow
Beneath the winter snow
Or so I have been told
They say were buried far
Just like a distant star
I simply cannot hold
Is love alive?
This is my winter song
December never felt so wrong
'Cause you're not where you belong
Inside my arms
I still believe in summer days
The seasons always change
And life will find a way
I'll be your harvester of light
And send it out tonight
So we can start again
Is love alive?
Halcyon Days
Music by Melissa Dunphy
Words by Jacqueline Goldfinger
Soloist: Bridget Kromney
This piece, set to a new text from poet Jacqueline Goldfinger, creates a period of calm during winter storms where we reflect on what we have lost but rise up to face the new year with joy and grace.
Lyrics
Sacred days draw near, traditions hallowed and wan,
Well-worn prayers embrace their heirs when love returns as embers.
Dreams delayed, hopes frayed in the blue nights of winter,
Daybreak dreams of reunions lost.
Rise up, tattered and torn! Rise up, barren and reborn!
Go forth in peace, bring joy to the dawn,
and grace, turn your face upon us.
SLEIGH RIDE
Brass Quintet only
Trumpets: Shane Endsley, Gabe Mervine
French Horn: Carolyn Kunicki
Trombone: Zach Rich
Tuba: Jaeden Rooker
Enjoy this music interlude from our Bass Quintet!
THIS CHRISTMAS
Words and Music Donny Hathaway and Nadine McKinnor
Arranged by Shane Endsley
Soloist: LaDamian Massey
Enjoy this rendition of This Christmas, arranged by our accompanying trumpet player, Shane Endsley!
HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS
Sing along with us!
Lyrics
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay
From now on, our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years, we all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Dona Nobis Pacem
Traditional Canon
Sing along with us!