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A Letter from the Board of Directors Dear Friends, Welcome to our holiday concert! As Empire City Men’s Chorus (ECMC) celebrates 22 years, we wish a special welcome to loyal fans who have attended multiple concerts over the years; we designed tonight’s concert experience to exceed your expectations. For those joining us for the first time, you have discovered one of the best-kept secrets in NYC music. ECMC sings adventurous repertoire and emphasizes collaboration with the composers of our time. We are gay-affirming musicians who believe in the relevance of choral music as an artistic response to pressing issues affecting our communities. We advance choral art by cultivating a diverse audience, presenting compelling performances, and inspiring meaningful dialogue. Interim Artistic Director Vince Peterson programmed our current production of “A Stable Lamp is Lighted”, and we are overjoyed to bring his vision to life. We hope you feel the essence of ECMC from the very first downbeat. We also wish Mr. Matthew Oltman, our fourth and previous Artistic Director, well in his new position as Lecturer at the Texas State School of Music at Texas State University. As you hear our holiday concert, we ask you to reflect on what the holiday season means to you. You will most likely be thinking of spending time with close friends and family. We appreciate that your presence at this concert means you are spending a portion of your holiday season with ECMC; you may even think of ECMC as part of your family. If so, we ask that you look through this program and locate our page entitled Don’t Let the Music Stop. Help us continue our transformation from a best-kept secret to a reliable source of men’s choral music in New York. Consider making a charitable donation at the level appropriate for you. Thank you again for spending time with the ECMC as part of your holiday season celebration. We constantly strive to make sure we can provide you the best musical experience possible. Happy Holidays! Jeremy Davidson, President Scott Brown, Vice-President & Treasurer Edward Angelo Enrique, Director Rodrigo Ernesto Bolaños, Director
James Stephen Longo, Director Anthony Pho, Director Abhishek Ray, Director
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Vince Peterson, Interim Artistic Director | Alden Gatt, Principal Accompanist SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014, 8:00P –ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, BROOKLYN SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2014, 5:00P – THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY APOSTLES, MANHATTAN
PROGRAM O MAGNUM MYSTERIUM F.R.C. Clarke (b.1931–d.2009) KEEP YOUR LAMPS NOËL Eustache du Caurroy (b.1549–d.1609) LUX AURUMQUE golden light
Eric Whitacre (b. 1970) Words by Edward Esch | Latin Translation by Charles Anthony Silvestri Soloist: Ben Donahoo NOËL POUR LES ENFANTS QUI N’ONT PLUS DE MAISONS christmas carol for homeless children
Claude Debussy (b.1862–d.1918) Translation by James Allan Brooks BRING HIM HOME Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and Alain Boublil Arranged by John Leavitt THE STORM IS PASSING OVER Charles A. Tindley (b.1851–d.1933) As sung by the Detroit Mass Choir Arrangement by Vince Peterson – INTERMISSION –
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CHILDREN’S BEGGING SONG Adam de la Halle (c.1230–1287) Arranged by Conrad Susa Trio: Nick DeFrancesco, Eric Faris, James S. Longo A STABLE LAMP IS LIGHTED David Conte (b. 1955) Words by Richard Wilbur BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE Frank Loesser Arranged by Kirby Shaw AVE MARIA Franz Biebl (b.1906–d.2001) Trio: Edward Angelo Enrique, Steve Ostrow, Bill Powell S
Audience Sing-A-Long
Please turn to page 10 for lyrics to the sing-a-long. HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING traditional
THE FIRST NOEL traditional
WINTER WONDERLAND Felix Bernard (b.1897–d.1944) Words by Richard B. Smith SILENT NIGHT | NIGHT OF SILENCE Franz Xavier Gruber (b.1787–d.1863) Lyrics by Joseph Mohr (b.1792–d.1848) Night of Silence by Daniel Kantor S HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS Hugh Martin (b.1914-d.2011) & Ralph Blane (b.1914–d.1995) Arrangement by Larry Moore
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SING-A-LONG WITH THE ECMC HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled” Joyful, all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies With the angelic host proclaim: “Christ is born in Bethlehem” Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King!” Christ by highest heav’n adored Christ the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold Him come Offspring of a Virgin’s womb Veiled in flesh the Godhead see Hail the incarnate Deity Pleased as man with man to dwell Jesus, our Emmanuel Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King!” Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings Ris’n with healing in His wings Mild He lays His glory by Born that man no more may die Born to raise the sons of earth Born to give them second birth Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King!”
And to the earth it gave great light And so it continued both day and night. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel! This star drew nigh to the northwest O’er Bethlehem it took its rest And there it did both Pause and stay Right o’er the place where Jesus lay. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel!
WINTER WONDERLAND
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening, In the lane, snow is glistening A beautiful sight, We’re happy tonight. Walking in a winter wonderland. Gone away is the bluebird, Here to stay is a new bird He sings a love song, As we go along, Walking in a winter wonderland. In the meadow we can build a snowman, Then pretend that he is Parson Brown He’ll say: Are you married? We’ll say: No man, But you can do the job When you’re in town. Later on, we’ll conspire, As we dream by the fire To face unafraid, The plans that we’ve made, Walking in a winter wonderland. THE FIRST NOEL In the meadow we can build a snowman, The First Noel, the Angels did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay And pretend that he’s a circus clown We’ll have lots of fun with mister snowman, In fields where they lay keeping their sheep Until the other kiddies knock him down On a cold winter’s night that was so deep. When it snows, ain’t it thrilling, Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Though your nose gets a chilling Born is the King of Israel! We’ll frolic and play, the Eskimo way, They looked up and saw a star Walking in a winter wonderland. Shining in the East beyond them far
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SING-A-LONG WITH THE ECMC SILENT NIGHT
by Franz Xavier Gruber (b.1787–d.1863) Lyrics by Joseph Mohr (b.1792–d.1848) Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright Round yon Virgin Mother and Child, Holy Infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight; Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing alleluia; Christ, the Savior is born! Christ, the Savior is born! Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light Radiant beams from thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at they birth!
NIGHT OF SILENCE
sung by ecmc with silent night
Daniel Kantor (b.1960) Cold are the people, winter of life, We tremble in shadows this cold, endless night, Frozen in the snow lie roses sleeping, Flowers that will echo the sun rise, Fire of hope is our only warmth, Weary, its flame will be dying soon. Voice in the distance, call in the night, On wind you enfold us, you speak of the light, Gentle on the ear you whisper softly, Rumors of a dawn so embracing, Breathless love awaits darkened souls, Soon will we know of the morning. Spirit among us, shine like the star, Your light that guides shepherds and kings from afar, Shimmer in the sky so empty, so lonely, Rising in the warmth of your Son’s love, Star unknowing of night and day, Spirit, we wait for your loving Son.
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SPECIAL THANKS ECMC would like to acknowledge those on whom we depend for necessary services, volunteer efforts, and moral support when things get tough—you all have our utmost gratitude. performance venues and their staff Vince Peterson and Drew Helstosky – St. Paul’s Carroll Street, Carroll Gardens Michael Ottley and his staff – Church of the Holy Apostles, Chelsea music artists Vince Peterson – Interim Artistic Director of Empire City Men’s Chorus; Artistic Director of Choral Chameleon, Chameleonic, and Music at St. Paul’s Carroll Street Matthew D. Oltman – Immediate Past Artistic Director of Empire City Men’s Chorus ecmc committeeS Concert Development Digital Media & Marketing Finance Grants Membership
Bill Powell (Chair); Eric Faris, Daniel Greller, Jack Kirk, Ki Han, Mark Salzwedel, Daniel Weinberg Abhishek Ray (Chair); Jeremy Davidson, Ki Han, Westley Todd Holiday Edward Angelo Enrique (Chair); Rodrigo Bolaños, Scott Brown, Ariel Estrada, Mark Salzwedel, Marshall Taylor Scott Brown (Chair), Bruce Bergquist, Ben Danahoo, Jeremy Davidson, Daniel Fiore, Neil Fleming, Daniel Weinberg Anthony Pho (Chair), Jeremy Davidson, Nick Defrancesco, Daniel Fiore, Westley Todd Holiday, James Stephen Longo, John Pohle, Tucker Wheatley Rodrigo Bolaños (Chair); Jeremy Davidson, Daniel Greller, Ron Languedoc, Clay Morris, Steven Ostrow, Mark Salzwedel
post-rehearsal socializing Chris, Beth, Josh, and the staff of Hourglass Tavern, Hell’s Kitchen rehearsal space Jean, Olga, and the staff of Studios 353, Hell’s Kitchen GRAPHIC DESIGN Original design by Marc Bovino; digital and production design by Ariel Estrada concert volunteers To all of those helping with set up, transportation, concessions, ticketing, and ushering, and to our volunteer house manager Justin Lockwood, ECMC is eternally grateful for your support and we would not have a successful production otherwise. Thank you!
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TRANSLATIONS & NOTES By Vince Peterson, Interim Artistic Director, Empire City Men’s Chorus O MAGNUM MYSTERIUM F. R. C. Clarke (1931-2009) O magnum mysterium, admirabile sacramentum, animalia viderunt Dominum natum, iacentem in praesepio. O beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt portare Dominum Jesum Christum. O magnum mysterium, Alleluia. O magnum mysterium.
Oh, great mystery, wonderful sacrament that the animals see the newborn Lord lying in a manger. Oh, blessed Virgin, whose womb was deemed worthy to bear Jesus Christ the Lord. Oh, great mystery, Hallelujah. Oh, great mystery.
KEEP YOUR LAMPS TRIMMED AND BURNING Keep your lamps trimmed and burning, Keep your lamps trimmed and burning, Keep your lamps trimmed and burning, The time is drawing nigh. Children, don’t get weary, Children, don’t get weary, Children, don’t get weary, ‘Til your work is done. Winter’s journey soon be over, Winter’s journey soon be over, Winter’s journey soon be over, The time is drawing nigh. NOëL Eustache du Caurroy (1549-1609) Eustache du Caurroy (baptized February 4, 1549 – August 7, 1609) is, today, a lesser known French composer. However, in his own lifetime, he held several of the highest positions a musician could hold in French high society, including Assistant Director (and later, Director) of Music at the Royal Chapel in Paris. Through his work as a composer in the church, he accrued a number of benefices and even an estate in Picardy. “Noël” is one of a set of 53 sacred motets for 3 to 7 voices. It is a choral example of Musique Mesurée which was pioneered by Claude Le Jeune—a practice of the late 16th century in which composers set longer or stressed syllables of French texts to longer note values, and shorter to
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shorter as a means of creating what was then a “contemporary” understanding of Ancient Greek text declamation. Though popular in France, it was also popular in Italy. In particular, it was studied by the Florentine Camerata, which gave birth to the first recitatives and eventually to opera itself. Noël, Noël, Sors de ton lit, Paré comme un nouveau soleil. Romps les lieux et descend, Ange du grand conseil. Enfant, mais homme-dieu, Fils du Très-Haut qui porte Ta grand principauté Sur ton épaule forte. Noël, Noël.
Noel, Noel, Get up out of your bed, dressed like a new sun. Sunder the high places and come down, Angel of the Great Council. Child, but Emmanuel, Son of the Most High, who brings your Grand Principality upon your strong shoulder. Noel, Noel.
Lux aUrumque (GOLDEN LIGHT) Edward Esch (b. 1970) Latin translation by Charles Anthony Silvestri Music by Eric Whitacre (b. 1970) Lux, lux calida pura velut aurum, et canunt, modo natum.
Light, warm light, pure as gold, and sing to the newborn.
NOËL DES ENFANTS QUI N’ONT PLUS DE MAISONS (CHRISTMAS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN) Achille-Claude Debussy (1862-1918) Nous n’avons plus de maisons! Les ennemis ont tout pris, Jusqu’à notre petit lit! Ils ont brûlé l’école et notre maître aussi. Ils ont brûlé l’église et monsieur Jésus-Christ! Et le vieux pauvre qui n’a pas pu s’en aller! Nous n’avons plus de maisons! Les ennemis ont tout pris, Jusqu’à notre petit lit! Bien sûr! papa est à la guerre, Pauvre maman est morte Avant d’avoir vu tout ça.
Our houses are gone! The enemy has taken everything, even our little beds! They burned the school and the schoolmaster. They burned the church and the Lord Jesus! And the poor old man who couldn’t get away! Our houses are gone! The enemy has taken everything, even our little beds! Of course, Papa has gone to war. Poor Mama died before she saw all this.
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Qu’est-ce que l’on va faire? Noël! petit Noël! n’allez pas chez eux, N’allez plus jamais chez eux, Punissez-les! Vengez les enfants de France! Les petits Belges, les petits Serbes, Et les petits Polonais aussi! Si nous en oublions, pardonnez-nous. Noël! Noël! surtout, pas de joujoux, Tâchez de nous redonner le pain quotidien. Nous n’avons plus de maisons! Les ennemis ont tout pris, Jusqu’à notre petit lit! Ils ont brûlé l’école et notre maître aussi. Ils ont brûlé l’église et monsieur Jésus-Christ! Et le vieux pauvre qui n’a pas pu s’en aller! Noël! écoutez-nous, nous n’avons plus de petits sabots: Mais donnez la victoire aux enfants de France!
THE STORM IS PASSING OVER Charles Albert Tindley (1851-1953) Have courage my soul, and let us journey on, though the night is dark, and I am far from home. Thanks be to God. The morning light appears. CHORUS: The storm is passing over. The storm is passing over. The storm is passing over, Hallelu. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah. The storm is passing over. The storm is passing over. The storm is passing over, Hallelu. Billows roll high and thunder shakes the ground with the lightning’s flash and tempest all around.
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What shall we do? Christmas! Little Christmas! Don’t go to their houses, never go there again. Punish them! Avenge the children of France! The little Belgians, the little Serbs and the little Poles, too! If we’ve forgotten anyone, forgive us. Christmas! Christmas! Above all, no toys. Try to give us our daily bread again. Our houses are gone! The enemy has taken everything, even our little beds! They burned the school and the schoolmaster. They burned the church and the Lord Jesus! And the poor old man who couldn’t get away! Christmas, listen to us. Our wooden shoes are gone, but grant victory to the children of France!
Jesus walks out and calms the angry waves. Soon we will reach the distant shining shore. Free from all the storms, we’ll rest forever more. Safe in the veil, we’ll furl the riven sail.
CHILDREN’S BEGGING SONG
Adam de la Halle (c. 1230-1287) Arranged by Conrad Susa CHORUS: May God dwell in this house, and may there be joy a-plenty. Our dear, newborn Lord now sends us forth in his stead To his joyful friends, to the loving and gently bred, To beg new Christmas prayers all bright with holy joy. Our Lord, rich in grace, might well beg without this grace, But to generous men He has sent us in His place, His own children whom he made strong with holy joy.
A STABLE-LAMP IS LIGHTED Words by Richard Wilbur (b. 1921) Music by David Conte (b. 1955) A stable-lamp is lighted Whose glow shall wake the sky; The stars shall bend their voices, And every stone shall cry. And every stone shall cry, And straw like gold shall shine; A barn shall harbour heaven, A stall become a shrine. This child through David’s city Shall ride in triumph by;
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The palm shall strew its branches, And every stone shall cry. And every stone shall cry, Though heavy, dull and dumb, And lie within the roadway To pave his kingdom come. Yet he shall be forsaken, And yielded up to die; The sky shall groan and darken, And every stone shall cry. And every stone shall cry For stony hearts of men: God’s blood upon the spearhead, God’s love refused again. But now, as at the ending, The low is lifted high; The stars shall bend their voices, And every stone shall cry. And every stone shall cry In praises of the child By whose descent among us The worlds are reconciled. AVE MARIA Franz Biebl (1906 – 2001) Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ et concepit de Spiritu sancto. Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum; benedicta tu in muleribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui Jesus. Maria dixit: Ecce ancilla Domini; fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum. Et verbum caro factum est et habitavit in nobis. Sancta Maria, mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus, Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis, nunc et in hora mortis nostræ, Amen.
The angel of the Lord made his annunciation to Mary and she conceived by the Holy Spirit. Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Mary said: Behold the handmaiden of the Lord. Let it be unto me according to Thy word. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners. Holy Mary, pray for us, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
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about empire city men’s chorus
Founded in 1993, the Empire City Men’s Chorus celebrates its 22nd year of performances in New York City. ECMC was initially formed by members of the gay community who were interested in creating a male chorus featuring an eclectic multilingual repertoire of predominately classical music. For the past 22 years, the ECMC has consistently presented concerts that boast a wide variety of well-known composers and newly commissioned works with a classical sensibility. Prior to Vince Peterson’s appointment as Interim Artistic Director in the fall of 2014, ECMC has been led under the esteemed batons of Matthew D. Oltman, Christopher Clowdus, Jonathan Babcock, and Donald Messer. Over a relatively short period of time, the ECMC has established an impressive musical history, having performed in some of New York’s most historic spaces. The ECMC has performed for the United Nations Secretary General’s Campaign UNiTE to End Violence Against Women, in Manhattan at Merkin Hall, Carnegie Hall (several times, with Mid-America Productions), Symphony Space, Greenwich House Music School, Saint Bartholomew’s Church, The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Church of the Blessed Sacrament, and Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew. Our guest performers have included opera stars Stephanie Blythe and Margaret Lattimore, Tony-award winning Victoria Clark, and Tony Award- and Drama Desk- nominee Barbara Walsh. Highlights of our seasons include a gala 10th Anniversary concert featuring world premieres of works by 2004 Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Moravec and Adam Silverman, and a jointly produced concert with The Astoria Symphony which included performances of the Brahms Alto Rhapsody, and the performance of Arnold Schönberg’s A Survivor in Warsaw. The ECMC produces two major concerts per season. The group has received grants from the New York State Council of the Arts and the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, and is a member of Chorus America. Our members meet seasonally on a weekly basis, and we frequently post upcoming auditions on our web site. We are a diverse group and open to anyone whose musical talents and spirit embellish the current strengths of our chorus members. Please contact us for more information. www.empirecitymenschorus.org
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we thank all of the donors listed below for their generous support of empire city men’s chorus VISIONARY ($3,000+) Four complimentary VIP tickets, two CDs, complimentary dinner with the Artistic Director and Board Chair ($300 non-deductible). The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs BENEFACTOR ($500 - $999) Four complimentary general admission tickets, two CDs (up to $80 non-deductible) Greg Bauer, Jeremy Davidson, Ki Han, James Stephen Longo Sojourn Restaurant PATRONS ($200 - $499) Two complimentary general admission tickets with preferred seating, 1 CD (up to $40 non-deductible). Michael Cheffo & Jonathan Wind Edward Angelo Enrique, Clay Morris SUPPORTER ($100 - $199) One complimentary general admission ticket with preferred seating, 1 CD (up to $20 non-deductible). Thamer Al Dubaikhi Lee Bairnsfather, Jon Bairnsfather Brian Kovacs (in memory of the Life and Ministry of The Rev. Prof. Robert Ed Taylor, father of ECMC member Robert Marshall Taylor) Ronald Languedoc, Matthew Oltman, Anthony Pho FRIEND ($50 - $99) Two complimentary upgrades to preferred seating for tickets already purchased. Scott M. Brown, Daniel Greller Monica Herbst, John Indalecio Casey Kyung Hun Koh, Daniel Lowen Paul Marsolini , Stephen E. Novak, Steven Ostrow John Pohle, Abhishek Ray Robert Marshall Taylor, Alan Werner
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don’t let the music stop For twenty-two years, the Empire City Men’s Chorus (Gotham Performing Arts) has offered cultural enrichment through music to its members, its audiences, and the greater New York GLBTQ community. The ECMC continues to donate its services to a wide variety of organizations including AIDS research, gay youth programs, community groups, and civil rights causes. By making a tax-deductible contribution to Gotham Performing Arts, Inc., you can lower your tax bill while simultaneously providing vital funds that will enable us to build upon our positive influence in New York. It is gratifying to know that we can count on your generosity when it is needed. We understand how many appeals you must receive each year and we hope you can identify with the significant local needs you will help meet with your contribution to the Empire City Men’s Chorus. Friend Supporter Patron Benefactor Sponsor Visionary Commissioner
$50 - $100 $100 - $199 Pays for licensing of sheet music for a single piece $200 - $499 Provides rehearsal space for one week $500 - $999 Underwrites production costs for a concert CD $1000 - $2999 Finances the publicity for a concert season $3000+ Defrays the cost of a concert performance space rental Supports the commissioning of a new world premiere piece. (Please contact us regarding specific dollar amounts.)
Name
Street Address
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Total enclosed is $ make your check or money order payable to gotham performing arts, inc.
My company offers a Matching Grant Program:
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Indicate name and address giving statements should be forwarded to:
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Address please mail your check or money order to: empire city Men’s Chorus • PO BOX 1017 • NEW YORK, NY 10185 or for online donations, please visit our website at www.empirecitymenschorus.org
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