SpringConcert
BELMONT UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MUSIC PRESENTS featuring
ChamberSingers
Deen Entsminger, conductor
StringChamberOrchestra
Robert Gregg, conductor
UniversitySingers
Jane Warren, conductor
April 2, 2023 6PM
McAfee Concert Hall
Concert Program
Chamber Singers
Deen Entsminger, conductor
Sicut Cervus. Giovanni Pierluigi de Palestrina (1525-1594)
Come in and Stay Awhile Rhonda Polay (b. 1951)
Rise up my Love, my Fair One Healey Willan (1880 - 1968)
Praise Ye the Lord Alan Hovhaness (1911-2000)
Until Then Deen Entsminger (b. 1951)
This is my letter to the World Brigid Smullen*
Hold Me, Rock Me Brian Tate (b. 1954)
That Lonesome Road James Taylor (b. 1948)
There will be a brief intermission for personnel change
String Chamber Orchestra
Robert Gregg, conductor
Moorside Suite Gustav Holst (1874 - 1934)
I Scherzo
II. Nocturne
III. March
*Belmont SOM studentEarthSong:MusicforClimateJustice
“We’ve got to get ourselves back to the garden.” - Joni Mitchell
University Singers Jane Warren, conductor
Kasar mie la gaji “The Earth is tired” excerpt
Geographical Fugue
A Prayer of the Middle Ages
In the End
Old Survivor
Red Suede
Alberto Grau (b. 1937)
Ernst Toch (1887 - 1964)
Howard Hanson (1896 - 1981) ***************************************
Reflections on the Human - Earth relationship, Composed and arranged by members of University Singers:
Cameron Lewis, music, Maddie Jelic, Ethan Hutsell, lyrics
arr. Summer Gomez, Skylar Peterson
Cameron Lewis, solo
Janelle Noel, music and lyrics
arr. Summer Gomez, Lainey Seitz
Janelle Noel and Avery Calvert, Solos
Alex Davidson, music and lyrics
arr. Pressler Bruxellas, Lainey Seitz
Alex Davidson, solo
I Remember Sky/Take Me to the World
Stephen Sondheim (1930 - 2021), music and lyrics
arr. Nicholas Benefield
Blue Bird
Josiah Cross, Aidan Grove, music and lyrics
Josiah Cross, solo ***************************************
He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands
Xander Benton, solo
Trad , arr Cedric Dent (b 1962)
Kasar mie la gaji
Translation: The Earth is tired.
A plea for humanity to conserve the planet and lessen its environmental influence is made in Alberto Grau's piece, "Kasar mie la gaji." Only one line of text "Kasar mie la gaji" is used by the Venezuelan composer (The Earth is tired).
Geographical Fugue
The Geographical Fugue or Fuge aus der Geographie is the most famous piece for spoken chorus by Ernst Toch, a prominent composer in 1920s Berlin. He is known to have invented the idiom of the "Spoken Chorus". Although written originally in German, it was later translated into English by John Cage and Henry Cowell. The piece subsequently received wide acclaim It is written in strict fugal form, and consists of four voices, each enunciating various cities, countries and other geographical landmarks in true contrapuntal fashion. (http://www.fact-index.com/g/ge/geographical fugue.html)
Text: Trinidad!
And the big Mississippi and the town Honolulu and the lake Titicaca
The Popocatepetl is not in Canada rather in Mexico, Mexico, Mexico Canada, Málaga, Rimini, Brindisi, Canada, Málaga, Rimini, Brindisi Yes, Tibet, Tibet, Tibet, Tibet Nagasaki, Yokohama, Nagasaki, Yokohama
A Prayer of the Middle Ages
Howard Hanson headed the University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music for several decades, where he composed prolifically, even winning a Pulitzer Prize in1944. Despite all his acclaim, Hanson attracted scholarly scorn for being devoted to tonal music and therefore being out-of-fashion."A Prayer of the Middle Ages" was Howard Hanson's first work for chorus a cappella and written in 1976 during the latter part of his life The piece was commissioned by Furman University on the occasion of the school's sesquicentennial. The text is an anonymous 8th century poem translated into English by James Francis Cooke.
Text:
We declare unto all the ages as the greatest marvel, Ere there were hills and trees or the mighty ocean, Ere the sunlight shone forth or the moon cast its beams, When naught was, from end to end, there wert Thou, O God.
Thou almighty God, from time unknown to time unknown, Eternal God, Thou who madest heaven and earth, give to us wisdom, prudence and strength, Give through Thy holy blessing faith unending that Thy will we may do. Amen.
UniversitySingersProgramTextsandNotes
Reflections on the Human - Earth relationship
Composed and arranged by members of University Singers
In the End
"In the End" is a representation of what we predict the earth will look like in its final days
The song is written from the perspective of the earth as a mother trying to tell her children that she is no longer able to hold on. She talks about how, over the years, humankind has been wasteful and made her unwell through pollution and other means of global damage The line "I will love you in the end "is her final message saying that even though we have hurt her and it is her time to go, she will always love us. It is s symbol of a mother's love for her baby.
Text:
As my lifeline seems to slow it's pace, will the ones about me ensure my fate? I could tell them they bring pain to me or show them that my love is free
I've loved you from the beginning and I'll love you 'til the end I've given you everything you need to win.
Rain on my skin, feels of the ocean sun on my heart
I'm starting to fall apart. My baby is crying, want to be there in the morning. I hope we ' re all together in the end
No, I won't ask for apologies. Yes, I'll still help you to grow Rain on my skin, feels of the ocean sun on my heart.
I'm starting to fall apart. My baby is crying, want to be there in the morning I hope we ' re all together in the end.
Old Survivor
Inspired by the oldest coastal redwood tree known by the same name, “Old Survivor” is a call to action. This song urges people to look up and observe the world’s oldest natural monuments that have withstood centuries of human destruction. The lyrics challenge the audience to consider how the elements would express their feelings given the current state of the world. As we witness this response, may we finally seethe Earth with reverential fear and awe She is much more than a commodity, but rather a gift from the Creator to be our sacred home "
Text:
Why does no one ask the ocaen what she fears, Or held the stone-faced mountain while he sheds his tears? I'm afraid it's too late now for us to comprehend Nature will stand beyond the human man.
Oh can't you see? The world's a frightening beauty to behold, Not a piece of property that can be sold! She holds mysteries and memories untold, And remoins our humble home
Why has no-one asked the red oak what he's seen
As the guardian of the forests and the beasts? Have we been too quick to pronounce him as useless, When he never looked to us for his purpose?
Lord, help us see the world's your glorious beauty to behold! Not a piece of property that can be sold! She holds mysteries and memories untold, And remains our humble home.
Red Suede
"Red Suede" is a song written from the Earth's perspective regarding humankind's overconsumption. "Red Suede" and "Blue Shoes" are both analogies for the human extravagance that is damaging the planet The lyric "When you ' re gone, I'll change" is the Earth's foreboding message of the possibility of one day moving on from humanity
Text: Red Suede, falling from grace, all in its place When you ' re out and when you ' re gone, I'll change. Blue shoes, down by the door, you ' ve worn them before. When you ' re gone and when you ' re done, I'll change Red Suede, it's lookin' grave. Nothing's the same. When you ' re gone and now you ' re gone, so I'll change. Oh! So, I'll change
I Remember / Take Me to the World
Composed by Stephen Sondheim and arranged for University Singers by our accompanist and composition major Nick Benefield, this piece is an amalgam of two songs from Sondheim's TV musical Evening Primrose, about a young girl who spent the majority of her life trapped in a department store, never being allowed to venture outside. As a reflection on the relationship with our planet, the lyrics ask us what it might feel like if we lost earth's beauty and then try to remember it. We must be careful moving forward " or the world will never be the same "
Text:
I remember sky, it was blue as ink. Or, at least I think, I remember sky. I remember snow, soft as feathers, Sharp as thumbtacks, coming down like lint. And it made you squint when the wind would blow. And ice like vinyl on the streets, cold as silver white as sheets, Rain like strings and changing things like leaves.
Let me see the world with clouds. Take me to the world, out where I can push through crowds, Take me to the world.
I remember days, or at least I try (Let me see the world that's real. Show me how it's done.) But as years go by they're a sort of haze. (Somewhere I can laugh and feel Move me to the sun ) And the bluest ink isn't really sky. (A world of skies that's bursting with surprise to open up your eyes.) And at times I think I would gladly die Careful or the world will never be the same.
Blue Bird
Bluebird is an upbeat funk/gospel tune that is about appreciating the nature around us. When writing it we looked back at our hometowns and the natural beauty that we found in them. A lot of times the nature around us is taken for granted and we wanted to appreciate that in a fun and grand way. Because of climate change unfortunately we don’t know how much longer some of these natural wonders will last. Bluebird is an ode to the beautiful mountains, giant trees, and wildlife on Earth. We hope that people can reflect on this song and enjoy the nature around them with a greater appreciation for it
Text:
Apart of you is still etched in my memory, a sky so blue and the comfort of green Tell me one more time that home is where the heart is If I only knew you wouldn't be here with me
As time moves along, next season and you ' re gone. All the paths that I walked on kept me grounded.
Oh I can't wait to see your sun shine through. No more time, ' cause I can't wait on you
A sky so blue birds sing their song, honeydew sweet on my tongue Fields of green horses run wild, mountain peaks that stretch for miles
As the tide comes crashing, riverside moves with the wind, Falling raindrops grace my skin I feel alive, hey! I’ll make you smile someday, I’ll clear the skies of gray All the flowers here to stay o ’ er the mountains
Look to the light Blue bird, Bluebird Make it right as you go!
He's Got the Whole World In His Hands
This arrangement of the beloved traditional spriritual was composed by Cedric Dent of Take 6 fame.Listen for elements of jazz, gospel, spiritual and African folk song throughout the piece. Additionally, special lyrics have been created to reflect our climate justice theme.
Text:
He's got the whole world in His hands (repeat).
He's got you and me brother in His hands (repeat)
He's got you and me sister in His hands (repeat).
We've got to save the water, save the trees, We've got to save the whales and save the bees, We've got to save the planet for you and me. We've got to save our planet now.
He's got all Creation in His hands (repeat). He's got the whole world in His hands.
Personnel Chamber Singers
DEEN ENTSMINGER, CONDUCTOR
Soprano
Savannah Ashley
Brooke Barkley
Jillian Betz
Caroline Bradley
Robin King
Solar Heiser
Jessie Quadrini
Alto
Megan Billups
Hannah Kinnison
Brigid Smullen
Julia Hutchinson
Faith Pettit
Presley Philpot
Ally Wesner
Tenor
Chase Lowery
Bass
Brigham Finch
Max Linkon
Brendan Herr
Personnel String Chamber Orchestra
ROBERT GREGG, CONDUCTOR
First Violins
Kinsey Overdeer, Concertmaster
Emma Curtis, Alana Chowdhury, Kimmie Rauscher, Virginia Peppiatt, Max Whitmore, Lydia Mitchell
Second Violins
Jack Dungan, Principal
Megan Velzen, Sam Lehe, Paul Wertz, Madison Stroth, Lynn Fawcett, Amani Gibbs
Violas
Kay Detrick, Principal
Shannon Jeffries, Gabby Kline
Cellos
Hannah Koshgarian, Principal
John Horst, Lili Wrenne, Joanna Lowery
Bass
Carrie Simmons
Personnel University Singers
JANE WARREN, CONDUCTOR
Nicholas Benefield, piano
Charles Griffith, acoustic guitar
Frances Hamilton, upright bass
Creative Teams
Alternative Folk: ("Old Survivor"
Avery Calvert, Brooke Irvin, Janelle Journales, Mae McDougald, Aidan Schmidtke
Funk/Gospel: (Bluebird")
Josiah Cross, Aidan Grove, Canon Williamson
Jazz: ("In the End")
Clay Bradford, Charles Griffith, Ethan Hutsell, Maddie Jelic, Cameron Lewis
Rock: ("Red Suede")
Alex Davidson, Carson Green, Collin Lackey, Alex McClurkin
Arrangers: Nicholas Benefield, Pressler Bruxellas, Summer Gomez, Skylar Peterson, Lainey Seitz
Here is a link to a youtube playist of the demos by the songwriters!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhtNI7l7nLKEFC4SxtTqdB2S5CU5dL Hh
