ADOLPHUS HAILSTORK
Arise, My Beloved
Based on Song of Songs 2:10-12, atl
Arise! Arise, my beloved,
my fair one, and come away;
For lo the winter is past.
Flowers appear on the earth,
the time of singing is here.
The voice of the dove is heard in our land.
PIERRE DE LA RUE
O salutaris hostia
(Latin, "O Saving Victim" or "O Saving Sacrifice") is a section of one of the Eucharistic hymns written by Thomas Aquinas for the Feast of Corpus Christi and the Hour of Lauds in the Divine Office.
Latin Text
O salutaris hostia
Quæ coeli pandis ostium.
Bella premunt hostilia,
Da robur, fer auxilium.
English Translation
Oh saving Victim of Sacrifice
who opens wide heaven’s gates
the enemy threatens war,
give us strength, send us aid.
FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN
Insanae et vanae curae
Latin Text
Insanae et vanae curae invadunt mentes nostras,
saepe furore replent corda, privata spe.
Quid prodest, O mortalis, conari pro mundanis,
si coelos negligas?
Sunt fausta tibi cuncta, si Deus est pro te.
English Translation
Insane and vain fears invade our minds,
ever filling with rage our hearts bereft of hope.
What does it profit you, mortal, to strive for worldly good,
if you neglect heaven?
All is well with you, if God is with you.
ZANAIDA ROBLES
Dedication
Text by Felicia Barber
Dedication is just that, a dedication to the black woman’s experience, particularly in the United States. At first it felt like an ode to my mother in particular; a single mother of six, who went back to the university to get her degree and work two and three jobs most of her life in support of the family. But after further reflection, I realize that this poem is an anthem to the many examples of strong black women who serve(d) as mentors and caretakers throughout my life. To all those who, when they enter a room, often find themselves (ourselves) unacknowledged, undervalued, overlooked, or dismissed. The foundation of our families, they tirelessly serve their communities in both church and civic organizations. Reclaiming what is the true essence of “black girl magic;” we salute our black mothers, sisters, aunts, friends, counselors, and neighbors. they are our heartbeat and the epitomy of ‘our beauty, our grace, our resilience, our faith.’
-Felicia Barber
Dedication - “To being black and a woman”
Our beauty, our grace, our resilience, our faith
We raise our children
We raised their children
We laugh and smile, hiding the pain
We feel joy, we feel grief but are often called upon for others’ relief
Our beauty, our grace, our resilience, our faith
Backbone for days
Clarity in haze
Often called to lead, unacknowledged …. we raise
Our voices for justice, our voices for peace,
When it is our families who bear the burden of unimaginable grief
Our beauty, our grace, our resilience, our faith
To change the world…I am determined
A positive space I must create
Rejecting all words that seem to undermine my way
I remain…In beauty, in grace, in resilience, in faith…
Black is beautiful…it is me…it is she…it is we
…in beauty, in grace, in resilience, in faith….
FLORENCE B. PRICE
Praise the Lord
Florence B. Price was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, but spent most of her professional life in Chicago, Illinois. She was the first African American woman composer to have a symphony performed by a major American orchestra when the Chicago Symphony played her Symphony in E Minor in 1933. She composed a large catalogue of works, including symphonies and other orchestral works, choral works, numerous songs, spiritual arrangements, chamber music, piano works, and organ music. Price composed Praise the Lord February 13th and 14th, 1951.
Based on Psalm 117
Praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise the Lord, all ye people.
For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.
REENA ESMAIL
TāReKiTa
TāReKiTa is a vibrant joyful piece in a rāga (an Indian classical melodic framework) called Jog, which incorporates both major and minor modalities into a single scale. This piece is based on sounds the Indian drum, the tabla, makes, called “bols” — they are onomatopoeic sounds that imitate the sound of the drum. The result is something like a scat would be in jazz – ecstatic, energetic, rhythmic music that feels good on the tongue.
ELAINE HAGENBERG
Splendor (from Illuminare)
Illuminare is Elaine’s first extended work, consisting of five movements using lesser-known sacred Latin, Greek, and English texts. The work guides us through a season of beauty and goodness that has been disrupted by darkness and confusion. Splendor, the bright opening movement, begins with a radiant flurry of sixteenth notes representing the entrance of Light. The voices enter in powerful unison, and then Saint Ambrose’s hymn text bursts into a punctuated and joyful “Gloriae” section. After a brief legato passage, the music returns to the joyful rhythmic momentum heard in the beginning.
Latin Text
Splendor paternae gloriae,
de luce lucem proferens,
lux lucis et fons luminis,
diem dies iluminans.
English Translation
Splendor of God’s glory,
brings forth light from light,
light of light, light’s living spring,
Day, all days illuminates.
TRADITIONAL GOSPEL,
arr. BRANDON A. BOYD
Sign Me Up
Sign Me Up is a concert Gospel choral adaptation that quotes the familiar spiritual, “Roll, Jordan, Roll.”
Sign me up for the Christian Jubilee;
write my name on the, on the roll.
I’ve been changed since the Lord has lifted me.
I wanna be, yes, I got to be born again.
Roll, Jordan, roll.
I wanna go to heaven when I die,
to hear ol’Jordan roll.
I got a home in glory;
I got to tell my story, how He brought me over,
soon as I get home,
I’m goin’ to glory; gonna shout my trouble’s over.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
I’ve been changed since the Lord has lifted me.
I wanna be, yes, I got to be born again.
JAKE RUNESTAD
Let My Love Be Heard
Though originally written for Choral Arts Northwest, this work has taken on a new life in light of the atrocities in Paris and Beirut. Jonathan Talberg, the conductor of the choir at Cal State Long Beach, led his singers in a performance during the memorial vigil for Nohemi Gonzalez, a Long Beach student who was killed in the Paris attacks. The day after the vigil, the choir was supposed to begin rehearsing holiday music; however, Jonathan felt that was not appropriate and wanted time for the singers to grieve this loss. So, at the beginning of rehearsal, he passed out a brand new piece of music (Let My Love Be Heard), rehearsed it, and then recorded it. It was posted on SoundCloud and shared in memory of Nohemi and as a plea for peace. Their musical offering is a powerful outpouring of grief but also a glimmer of light. I am honored that this piece, "Let My Love Be Heard," has helped to provide hope in the darkness of our world.
A Prayer
by Alfred Noyes
Angels, where you soar
Up to God’s own light,
Take my own lost bird
On your hearts tonight;
And as grief once more
Mounts to heaven and sings,
Let my love be heard
Whispering in your wings.
TRADITIONAL SPIRITUAL,
arr. WILLIAM L. DAWSON
Soon-ah Will Be Done
Soon ah will be don'
A-wid de troubles ob de worl',
Troubles ob de worl',
De troubles ob de worl'.
Soon ah will be don'
A-wid de troubles ob de worl',
Goin' home t'live wid God.
Soon ah will be don'
A-wid de troubles ob de worl',
Troubles ob de worl',
De troubles ob de worl'.
Soon ah will be don'
A-wid de troubles ob de worl',
Goin' home t'live wid God.
I wan' t'meet my mother,
I wan' t'meet my mother,
I wan' t'meet my mother,
I'm goin' t'live wid God.
Soon ah will be don'
A-wid de troubles ob de worl',
De worl', de troubles ob de worl',
De worl', oh,
Soon ah will be don'
A-wid de troubles ob de worl',
Goin' home t'live wid God.
No more weepin' an' a-wailin',
No more weepin' an' a-wailin',
No more weepin' an' a-wailin',
I'm goin' t'live wid God.
No more weepin' an' a-wailin',
No more weepin' an' a-wailin',
No more weepin' an' a-wailin',
I'm goin' t'live wid God.
Soon ah will be don'
A-wid de troubles ob de worl',
De worl', de troubles ob de worl',
De worl', oh,
Soon ah will be don'
A-wid de troubles ob de worl',
Goin' home t'live wid God.
I wan' t'meet my Jesus,
I wan' t'meet my Jesus,
I wan' t'meet my Jesus,
I'm goin' t'live wid God.
In de mornin' Lord!
God, I'm goin' t'live wid God.
I'm goin' t'live wid God.
TRADITIONAL GOSPEL BLUES,
arr. PAUL CALDWELL & SEAN IVORY
John the Revelator
From Luke 1:57-66, 80
O tell me who is that writin'? John the Revelator...O tell me what is he writin'? 'bout the Revelation...writin' in the book of seven seals...
Dan Forrest
the breath of life
Dan Forrest’s fourth major work continues in the vein of his previous major works, exploring profound themes of what it is to be human. the breath of life ponders the beauty - yet brevity - of human life as portrayed in a single breath. Its profoundly moving texts (ranging from ancient to modern) trace the arc of life from the miracle and joy of birth to the bereavement of death, and the love that makes life worthwhile. Written just before the events of 2020, this work speaks with a voice both prophetic and retrospective in our time.
1. et Deus inspiravit (and God breathed)
(Genesis 2:7)
Et Deus inspiravit in faciem eius spiraculum vitae;
et factus est homo in animam viventem.
(and God breathed into him the breath of life;
and man became a living soul.)
2. first breath last breath
(Antler)
When a baby boy is born
and the midwife
holds him up
as he takes
his first breath,
Place him over
the Mother’s face
so when the baby exhales
his first breath on Earth
the Mother breathes it.
And when the Mother dies,
her middle-aged son
the baby grew up to be —
by her side,
his head next to her head —
Follows her breathing with his breath
as it becomes shorter,
and as the dying Mother
exhales her last breath
her son inhales it.
3. the silent kiss
(from “A Man Young and Old”, W. B. Yeats)
In the long echoing street the laughing dancers throng,
The bride is carried to the bridegroom’s chamber
through torchlight and tumultuous song;
I celebrate the silent kiss that ends short life or long.
Never to have lived is best, ancient writers say;
Never to have drawn the breath of life,
never to have looked into the eye of day;
The second best’s a soft goodnight and quickly turn away.
epilogue: time is
(Henry Van Dyke)
Time is
Too Slow for those who Wait,
Too Swift for those who Fear,
Too Long for those who Grieve,
Too Short for those who Rejoice;
But for those who Love…
…Time is not.
CLARE GRUNDMAN
Kentucky 1800
Kentucky 1800 is based on the tunes of three American folk songs: The Promised Land, Cindy, and I'm Sad and I'm Lonely, melodies which are reminiscent of the years the pioneers were forging westward. It is a rhapsodic tone poem in which thematic material is treated in great depth and with variety. The work is a band masterpiece which has long since become a favorite with audiences.
PERCY GRAINGER,
arr. ROBERT LONGFIELD
Horkstow Grange, from Lincolnshire Posy
Lincolnshire Posy was commissioned by the American Bandmasters Association and premiered at their convention with the composer conducting in 1937. It is in six movements, all based on folk songs from Lincolnshire, England. Grainger's settings are not only true to the verse structure of the folk songs, but attempt to depict the singers from whom Grainger collected the songs. Since its premiere, it has been recognized as a cornerstone of the wind band repertoire.
The second movement, Horkstow Grange, tells the story of a fatal feud between an elderly man and his assistant; the solo trumpet featured in the middle of the movement represents the town crier recounting the tale to the people.
SCOTT WATSON
Terracotta Warriors
Terracotta Warriors was inspired by the extraordinary "spirit army" of clay statues -- numbering more than 6,000 -- created in the third century B.C. for the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, first emperor of China. This astounding array of armed sculptures was placed in the emperor's tomb, along with hundreds of terracotta horses and chariots, to protect the emperor in the afterlife.
The music begins with a brief, plaintive folk chant summoning the army from their centuries-old sleep. The faithful warriors respond, coming to life to protect their emperor with musical representations of uniform marching and weapons display. Terracotta Warriors captures the legend and grandeur of the Qin dynasty in this striking and unique piece for band.
ANDREW DAVID PERKINS
Burn After Reading
This high-octane thriller uses great harmonic tension, driving rhythms, and intense percussion to create a musical thrill ride that will have both audience and musicians on the edge of their seats!
CAIT NISHIMURA
Origin
Origin is an uplifting, empowering piece that evokes the feeling of returning home to a significant place in one's journey, reflecting on all that has changed and all that has remained. I have come to cherish the magical full-circle experiences that occur when my music is performed in spaces that were meaningful or inspiring to me as a young musician. This piece is an ode to all the people and places that leave a lasting impact on the lives of others.
TRADITIONAL IRISH,
arr. CLIFTON TAYLOR
The Lark in the Clear Air
This setting of The Lark in the Clear Air was written for the Mississippi State University Wind Ensemble for their May 2008 concert tour of Ireland and England. The melody is the traditional Irish folk tune Caisleán U, Neil. It was collected by Lady Ferguson in the west of Ireland, and appears in the book A Song For Ireland by Mary O’Hara.
SAMMY NESITCO
Reflective Mood
Written in 1964 and dedicated to his trombone teacher, Matthew Shiner, this popular Nestico original is a warm ballad with rubato passages, two cadenzas, and a high range to B4.
KATAHJ COPLEY
Neon Nights
Neon Nights a captivating journey through the vibrant and exhilarating world of nighttime revelry. I wanted to immerse the listener in a sonic landscape pulsating with Afro-Latin rhythms and harmonies, evoking the bustling energy of urban nightlife.
As the piece progresses, it weaves its way through a tapestry of diverse rhythms and scenarios, much like the ever-changing facets of a bustling nightlife. The music takes the listener on a journey through a spectrum of emotions and atmospheres, vividly illustrating the various elements of a vibrant urban evening. At one moment, the music builds a lush, kaleidoscopic glow of a light show, as the ensemble's harmonies shimmer and sparkles, casting a mesmerizing spell. In contrast, the music also transports us to the heart of a heat-filled dance floor, where infectious rhythms and spirited melodies inspire movement and celebration. Neon Nights paints a vivid picture of neon signs and dazzling visual displays that transform the cityscape into a luminous wonderland.
Thank you for attending this evening’s performance! We invite you to join us for more unforgettable Carnegie Hall concerts as part of our 2025 season. By becoming a member of our exclusive MCP Concert Club, you’ll gain access to special offers and exclusive presales for upcoming performances. Email us at tickets@mcp.us to sign up today!
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Davis Magnificat
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Debut Series Festival
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Fauré Requiem
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