The Southern Chorale with Choir of Royal Holloway
International Concert Series 2024-25
Sunday, 2 March 2025
Ch apel , Founder’s Building
Estimated finish time: 9.15pm
There will be a 15-minute interval during this evening’s event
Please no flash photography or visual/audio recording throughout the event.
For news about our future events, please visit royalholloway.ac.uk/music/events
Richard Burchard (b. 1960)
Et Lux in Tenebris Lucet : A Requiem for the Forgotten
I. Introit: Et Lux in Tenebris Lucet
II. Hymn: In Omnibus
III. K yrie eleison
IV. Psalm: E xistimo quo d non sunt
V. Hymn: Et Lux in Tenebris Lucet
VI. S anctus/Benedictus
VII. Psalm: Quia non est respectus
VIII. Hymn: E t erit in novissimis
IX. Agnus Dei
(Performed by the Southern Chorale)
- INTERVAL -
Charles Vi lliers Stanford (1852- 1924) ‘Beati quorum via’ from Three Latin Motet s , Op. 38
Charles Vi lliers Stanford ‘Justorum animae’ from Three Latin Motet s , Op. 38
(Perfo rmed by the joint choirs )
Andrej Makor (b. 1987) O lux beata Trinitas (2013)
Nathan James Dearden (b. 1992) Full of sweet days (2021)
Nathan James Dearden Let all the world in ev ’ry corner sing (2021)
(Performed by the Choir of Royal Holloway )
Ivo Anto gnini (b. 1963)
Jubilate Deo (2015 )
(Performed by the Southern Chorale)
Ivo Anto gnini Come to me (2019)
James Mulholland ‘A Red, Red, Rose’ from F our Robert Burns Ballads
(Perfo rmed by the joint choirs )
NOTES, TEXT & TRANSLATIONS
Richard Burchard (b. 1960)
Et Lux in T enebris Lucet: A Requiem for the Forgotten
Performed by the Southern Chorale
Colin Bruff: darbuka, shruti box
Garret Johnston: doumbek, glockenspiel, idiopan
Sarah Kwas: glockenspiel, shruti box, wave drum
Bonnie Littlejohn: piano/harp, tambourine, wave drum
Gabriel Manning: bass doumbek
Requiem for the Forgotten is subtitled Et lux in tenebris lucet“ and the light shines in the darkness .” The work speaks to part of the human condition as both a sombre reminder and a tribute that while we are all created equal, not everyone is given an equal opportunity to reach their full potential while living. This has been recorded throughout history to the modern day.
I am heavily influenced by the music and traditions of pre- Western music, particularly that which emanates from the ancient region known as Mesopotamia. As that music influenced early Western music, I am equally influenced by the development of western polyphony from the 11th to 16th centuries. These sounds and colours dominate the movements of this modern work.
I. Introit: Et Lux in T enebris Lucet
et lux in tenebris lucet and the light shines in the darkness
II. H ymn: In Omnibus Tribulationem in omnibus tribulationem patimur We are tormented on every side, sed non angustiamur but not overcome aporiamur sed non destituimur perplexed, but not in despair; persecutionem patimur sed non derelinquimur We are persecuted, but never abandoned; deicimur sed non perimus struck down, but not destroyed
III. K yrie eleison
Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy. Christe eleison. Christ, have mercy. Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy
IV. Psalm: E xistimo quod non sunt
Existimo enim quod non sunt condignae For I consider that the sufferings of this present time passioned hujus temporis ad futuram gloriam are not worth comparing with the glory quae revelabitur in nobis
that is to be revealed to us quia et ipsa creatura liberabitur that the creation itself will be set free a servitude corruptionis from its bondage to corruption in libertatem and obtain the freedom gloriae filiorum Dei of the glory of the children of God
V. H ymn: Et Lux in T enebris Lucet
et lux in tenebris lucet, and the light shines in the darkness, et tenebrae eam non conprehenderunt and the darkness can never extinguish it.
VI. S anctus & Benedictus
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Holy, holy, holy Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Lord God of Sabaoth. Pleni sunt Caeli et terra gloria tua. Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in excelsis Hosanna in the highest.
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in excelsis. Hosanna in the highest.
VII. Psalm: Quia non est respectus
quia non est respectus morti eorum
May He liberate the poor, rescue the children et firmamentum in plaga eorum of the needy and crush their oppressors.
VIII. H ymn: E t erit in novissimis
Et erit in novissimis diebus effundam, and it shall come to pass, in the last days, de Spiritu meo super omnem carnem: I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: et prophetabunt filii vestri et filiae vestrae, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, et iuvenes vestri visiones videbunt, and your young men shall see visions, et seniores vestri somnia somniabunt. and your old men shall dream dreams. Et quidem super populus meos,
And upon my people, men and women, et super ancillas meas in diebus illis effundam, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, de Spiritu meo et prophetabunt. and they will prophesy.
IX. Agnus Dei
Agnus Dei, Lamb of God, qui tollis pecata mundi, who takest away the sins of the world, miserere nobis. have mercy on us. Dona nobis pacem. Grant us peace.
INTERVAL -
C ha rles Vi lliers Stanford (1852 -1924)
‘Beati quorum via’ from Three Latin Motets, Op. 38 ( Performed by the join t choirs)
Beati quorum via integra est, qui ambulant in lege Domini
Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.
Cha rles Vi lliers Stanford
‘Justorum animae ’ from Three Latin Motets, Op. 38 ( Performed by the join t choirs)
Justorum animae in manu Dei sunt, et non tanget illos tormentum mortis. Visi sunt oculis insipientium mori, illi autem sunt in pace.
The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die; but they are in peace.
Andrej Makor ( b. 1987)
O lux beata Trinitas (2013) ( Performed by the Choir of Royal Holloway)
O lux beata Trinitas, et principalis Unitas, iam sol recedit igneus, infunde lumen cordibus. Te mane laudum carmine, te deprecemur vespere: te nostra supplex gloria per cuncta laudet saecula.
Deo Patri sit gloria, eiusque soli Filio, cum Spiritu Paraclito, et nunc, et in perpetuum.
O Tri nity of blessed Light,
O Unity of sovereign might, as now the fiery sun departs, shed Thou Thy beams within our hearts.
To Thee our morning song of praise, to Thee our evening prayer we raise; Thee may our glory evermore in lowly reverence adore. All laud to God the Father be; all praise, Eternal Son, to Thee; all glory, as is ever meet, to God the Holy Paraclete.
Nathan James Dearden ( b. 1992 )
Full of sweet days ( 2021 ) ( Performed by the Choir of Royal Holloway)
Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright, The bridal of the earth and sky; The dew shall weep thy fall to-night, For thou must die.
Sweet rose, whose hue angry and brave Bids the rash gazer wipe his eye; Thy root is ever in its grave, And thou must die.
Sweet spring, full of sweet days and roses, A box where sweets compacted lie; My music shows ye have your closes, And all must die.
Only a sweet and virtuous soul, Like season'd timber, never gives; But though the whole world turn to coal, Then chiefly lives
George Herbert
Nathan James Dearden
Let all the world in ev’r y corner sing ( 2021 ) ( Performed by the Choir of Royal Holloway)
Let all the world in ev'ry corner sing, "My God and King!"
The heav'ns are not too high, God's praise may thither fly; the earth is not too low, God's praises there may grow.
Let all the world in ev'ry corner sing, "My God and King!"
Let all the world in ev'ry corner sing, "My God and King!"
The church with psalms must shout: no door can keep them out.
But, more than all, the heart must bear the longest part.
Let all the world in ev'ry corner sing, "My God and King!"
George Herbert
Ivo Antognini ( b. 1963 )
Jubilate Deo ( 2015) ( Performed by the Southern Chorale)
Jubilate Deo. Sing joyfully to God
Ivo Antognini
Come to me ( 201 9) ( Performed by the join t choirs)
Come to me in the silence of the night; Come in the speaking silence of a dream; Come with soft rounded cheeks and eyes as bright As sunlight on a stream; Come back in tears, O memory, hope, love of finished years.
Oh, dream how sweet, too sweet, too bitter sweet,
Whose wakening should have been in Paradise, Where souls brimfull of love abide and meet; Where thirsting longing eyes
Watch the slow door
That opening, letting in, lets out no more.
Yet come to me in dreams, that I may live My very life again tho’ cold in death:
Come back to me in dreams, that I may give Pulse for pulse, breath for breath: Speak low, lean low, As long ago, my love, how long ago.
Christina Rossetti
James Mulholland
‘A Red, Red, Rose ’ from Four Robert Burns Ballads ( Performed by the join t choirs)
O my Luve is like a red, red rose That’s newly sprung in June; O my Luve is like the melody That’s sweetly played in tune.
So fair art thou, my bonnie lass, So deep in luve am I; And I will luve thee still, my dear, Till a’ the seas gang dry.
Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear, And the rocks melt wi’ the sun; I will love thee still, my dear, While the sands o’ life shall run.
And fare thee weel, my only luve! And fare thee weel awhile! And I will come again, my luve, Though it were ten thousand mile.
Robert Burns
OUR PE RFORME RS
T HE S OUTHERN C HORALE has a long history of excellence at Southern Miss, the most comprehensive school of music in Mississippi. Membership consists primarily of junior and senior music majors and graduate students studying voice and conducting. The ensemble has been chosen by blind/refereed audition to perform at state, regional, and national conferences on fifteen occasions over the past twenty years, including two national conventions and three regional conventions. In addition, the Chorale has been featured at festivals or concert series in South Korea, Norway, Sweden, Jamaica, Romania, Hungary, Mexico, Austria, The Czech Republic, France, England, and throughout the United States since 2003. The Chorale has participated in many important premieres of new oratorio and extended works. In late February, the group will appear with the Choir of Royal Holloway (University of London) on their Side -by-Side Concert Series in the historic Chapel on their campus. In addition, performances will be held at St. Gabriel’s Pimlico (London) and Église Saint Marceau in Orléans, France. The group has also accepted an invitation to sing at the Haapsalu Festival (Estonian Baltic Coast) in late June of 2026.
GREGORY F ULLER is a Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at The University of Southern Mississippi. He conducts the Southern Chorale and Hattiesburg Choral Union, teaches graduate conducting courses, and oversees master's and doctoral conducting candidates. Previously, he held conducting positions at The University of Missouri and Briar Cliff University in Iowa. Dr. Fuller has led performances in 25 countries
and 30 states, receiving 16 refereed invitations, including appearances at national conventions such as American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), Music Educators National Conference (MENC), and National Collegiate Choral Organization (NCCO). He has organized over 60 tours, including 30 international trips spanning three continents. His travel portfolio includes concert tours, study groups, pilgrimages, and four conducting symposiums in Estonia, Salt Lake City, Russia, and Sweden. He has also served in various leadership roles within the Mississippi Chapter of ACDA. An active orchestral and choral conductor, Dr. Fuller has collaborated with professional and university ensembles in over 100 performances. He has premiered 11 extended works, including pieces by Tõnu Kõrvits and Richard Burchard, and prepared orchestral choruses for major symphonies, including those in St. Louis, Atlanta, and Mobile. His work with community and church choirs includes directing the Siouxland Master Chorale and organizing performances in Japan. Currently, he serves as choirmaster at Parkway Heights United Methodist in Hattiesburg.
RICHARD BURCHARD is currently the Choral Artist in Residence with The University of Southern Mississippi. As a college music educator for more than thirty years, Richard also has years of teaching experience abroad, including courses in Salzburg, Austria and South Africa. A native of Meadville, PA, he received a BAIS degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and BM and MM degrees from the University of Louisville. Richard’s choral works have been premiered throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia, and South Africa. He
is published with the Fred Bock Music Company, Gentry Publications, Pavane Publishing, H.T. Fitzsimons Co., Hinshaw Music, National Music Publishers, and Morning Star. Richard also has two choral series with Gentry Publications: The Choral Music of Richard Burchard and The Richard Burchard Choral Series. Richard has a longstanding relationship with the USM Department of Choral Activities. Notable events include the Carnegie Hall premiere of The Seven Last Words of Christ in 2018, the American premiere of Stabat Mater and the ACDA National premiere of Cum Laude Ego Canto in 2022. For more information and to hear other of Burchard’s works, visit www.richardburchard.com
The CHOIR OF ROYAL H OLLOWAY is considered to be one of the finest university choirs in Britain. The choir was created at the time of the foundation of Royal Holloway College in 1886, and was originally only for women’s voices. The group, comprised of 20 choral scholars and an organ scholar, is directed by Rupert Gough and undertakes a busy schedule of weekly services and concerts, international tours, recordings and live broadcasts. Royal Holloway is the only university that maintains a tradition of singing daily morning services, and is home to the only choir in the country performing weekly live-streamed concerts. As part of the choir’s 50+ concerts a year, they regularly collaborate with and perform alongside many famous ensembles. These have included the King’s Singers, the BBC Singers, Britten Sinfonia, London Mozart Players, Onyx Brass, Fretwork and the jazz -tri o Acoustic Triangle, with whom they broadcast live on BBC radio. The group also celebrates the work of living composers, and have commissioned works from Sir James MacMillan, Gabriel Jackson, Richard Rodney Bennett, Cecilia McDowall and Paul Mealor. The choir’s diverse repertoire also includes larger-scale works including Vespers by Monteverdi, Rachmaninov and Rautavaara, Requiems by Mozart and Howells, and Gabriel Jackson’s Ave regina coelorum for choir and
electric guitar which they also broadcast live on BBC Radio 3. Festival engagements have included the Spitalfields Festival, the Three Choirs Festival, the Windsor and Swaledale festivals, the Cheltenham Festival (with alumna Dame Felicity Lott and the City of London Sinfonia), and numerous residencies at the Presteigne Festival. International performances are also an integral part of the choir’s work. They have toured most European countries, and have been broadcast on national television and radio all over the world. A tour of all three Baltic States saw the choir performing in the Latvian Song Festival with the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, in a concert (sung in Estonian) broadcast nationally on the Estonian Day of Independence. Further afield, the group has visited Beijing and had a number of successful tours to the US and Canada. The choir regularly sing at high-profile events which have included the Annual Festival of Remembrance at the Albert Hall (live on BBC television), an awards ceremony at Buckingham Palace, and for the Magna Carta 800 celebrations, in which they performed a new work by John Rutter in the presence of HM the Queen and the Archbishop of Canterbury. More recently they sang at the wedding of Ellie Goulding and Caspar Jopling at York Minster. The choir has an extensive and highly acclaimed discography with Hyperion, Decca, Signum and Naxos amongst others, and has one of the busiest recording schedules of any collegiate choir. Recordings include music by 16th century composer Peter Philips with the English Cornett & Sackbut ensemble, contemporary American choral music by René Clausen and Stephen Paulus and madrigals from Victorian England. The choir is renowned for their performances of Nordic and Baltic music, and has recorded works by Vytautas Miškinis, Rihards Dubra, Bo Hansson, Tõnu Kõrvits (with the Britten Sinfonia) and Ola Gjeilo to great acclaim. The 2018 release Winter Songs with Gjeilo was No. 1 in the UK and US classical charts.
RUPERT GOUGH has been Director of Choral Music and College Organist at Royal
Holloway, University of London since 2005. He is also Organist and Director of Music at London’s oldest surviving church, Saint Bartholomew the Great, which maintains a professional choir. At Royal Holloway Rupert has developed the choral programme to incl ude weekly choral recitals, choral conducting courses for undergraduates, frequent new choral commissions and transformed the Chapel Choir into an elite group of 24 choral scholars. The Choir has particularly come to prominence through their series of recordings for Hyperion Records. Their recent recording of the music of Ola Gjeilo for Decca Classics was top of the US and UK classical charts. The choir is now in demand for recording work from a variety of record labels, composers and orchestras and travels widely for concert performances. Rupert was a chorister at the Chapels Royal, St. James's Palace, and won a scholarship to the Purcell School. He received (with distinction) a Masters degree in English Church Music from the University of East Anglia whilst Organ Scholar at Norwich Cathedral. For 11 years he was Assistant Organist at Wells Cathedral during which time he made around 30 CD recordings as accompanist and director. Rupert has worked with a variety of professional ensembles including the BBC Singers, King’s Singers, Britten Sinf onia, London Mozart Players and Tallinn Chamber Orchestra. He regularly conducts and commissions new music for concerts and recordings. This year he is recording the choral music of George Arthur and a new Oratorio by Carson Cooman with the London Mozart P layers.
Described as “a champion of his generation” and whose music is “hauntingly beautiful’ (Media Wales), NATHAN JAMES DEARDEN is an award-winning Welsh composer, conductor, and educator. He is currently the Composer-in-Residence with the Choir of Royal Holloway. He has been performed and featured by the Philharmonia, London Philharmonic Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Tippett Quartet, Genesis Sixteen, BBC National
Orchestra of Wales, National Youth Orchestra of Wales, Heath Quartet, Grand Band, Fidelio Trio, Hebrides Ensemble, CHROMA, National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, and Dunedin Consort. His music regularly features in concerts across the UK and overseas, inc luding at the Cheltenham Music Festival, Dartington International Summer Festival, International Young Composers' Meeting, CROSSROADS International New Music Festival and Vale of Glamorgan Festival of Music. His music has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, Resonance FM, RTÉ lyric FM, S4C and Soho Radio, and has been released on NMC Recordings and Delphian. Recent notable performances and projects include: Three Motets, commissioned by Presteigne Festival of Music and Arts; messages, commissioned by Three Choirs Festival; a Welsh tour of The day following with UPROAR New Music Ensemble; and That now are distant, commissioned by Nicky Spence and Andrew Matthews-Owen. A champion for bringing audiences and communities diverse and exciting programming, Nathan is also a sought-after conductor, arts advisor, event curator and educator. He is currently Lecturer in Music Composition and Music Performance Manager at Royal Holl oway University of London, Conductor of the New Voices Consort and New Music Collective, and holds arts advisory roles with several international organisations.
