O Magnum Mysterium - Morten Lauridsen
Still, Still, Still - arr. John Rutter
Ubi Caritas - Maurice Duruflé
Hymn to the Virgin - Benjamin Britten
Ave Maria - Franz Biebl
Throw the Yule Log On, Uncle John - PDQ Bach
Good King Kong - PDQ Bach
Mozart’s Fa la la - arr. Philip Kern
Singing in this performance are
Soprano — Ruth Bruning, Jessica Fierro, Robin Fitzgerald, Joy McFarland, Susan Nagle, Connie O’Herron, Joy Perry, Desiree Rogers
Alto — Barb Chapman, Stacy Gulick, Martha Horton, Gail Lewis, Kelly Lewis, Frances McLaren, Katelyn Monore, Irene Peterson, Nancy Ruda, Casey Winston
Tenor — Bill Brodginski, Melody Chilson, Mary Ann Marks, Tom McCloskey, Colie Smith, Gary Tucker
Bass — Tony Ciccariello, Jim Cook, Jeff DeMeritt, Stephen Nagle, David Rosplock, Ron Tunison
Rehearsal Accompanist — Frances McLaren Music Director — Will Wickham
Program Notes
What a year! What a pandemic! It seems wild that our last regular, in-person performance was December of 2019, exactly two years ago. And what a ride these last 24 months have been! From rehearsing towards a March, 2020 performance that we had to cancel at the last minute (click here to hear the recording of the dress rehearsal), through several virtual choir recordings, a wonderful out-door performance in Corning this past September to finally finding ourselves here with you today!!
Because the Covid-19 threat continues, we have chosen to keep this performance short and simple, drawing from some of our singers favorites from recent years. You can thrill to the soaring beauty of Morten Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium and feel the glorious quiet of the traditional carol Still, Still, Still as set by the incomparable John Rutter. Maurice Duruflé has given us a beautiful, contemplative setting of the traditional Ubi Caritas chant.
And then for something completely different, we have chosen two works from the equally incompatible ersätz work of the highly questionable (but always delightful) PDQ Bach, the should-still-be unknown son of JS. Throw the Yule Log On, Uncle John relates a bit of how the holiday was celebrated in the Bach household and Good King Kong tells the silly story of a not so with it monarch at Christmas time. Recognizing that no work of this SOB (son of Bach) should go unchallenged, we offer what might be appropriately subtitled Eine Kleine “Weihnachtsnachtmusik” (A little Christmas Night Music) from arranger Phillip Kern.
Coming back from the brink, we end our indoor set with Benjamin Britten’s incredibly beautiful A Hymn to the Virgin, and our all-time favorite, Ave Maria from Franz Biebl.
For you and for all of us, we sincerely hope that some comfort and joy can be found in the music and fellowship of this performance. We do hope and pray that you have a joyous, safe, and happy holiday! - - Will Wickham, music director
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