WITNESS: Rejoice! Young People's Concert Program

| 2021-2022 SEASON

WITNESS: REJOICE! Young People’s Concert

2021-2022 SEASON

WITNESS: REJOICE! YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERT FEATURING: The Aeolians of Oakwood University VocalEssence Singers Of This Age VocalEssence Teaching Artists: Timothy Berry Patricia Brown Ginger Commodore Karla Nweje T. Mychael Rambo Roxane Wallace Brian Kendrick, drums Sam Reeves, piano Erik Yates, bass guitar Jason Max Ferdinand, conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor

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2021-2022 Season

PROGRAM VocalEssence Singers Of This Age

Avulekile Amasango (The Gates of Heaven) Traditional South African

The Aeolians of Oakwood University and VocalEssence Singers Of This Age So Many Reasons to Rejoice

Eddie Robinson, arr. Brandon Waddles

The Aeolians of Oakwood University

O Praise the Lord Daniel Knaggs

Sing Unto God George Frideric Handel, arr. James L. Chepponis from Judas Maccabaeus I’ve Got a Song

Colin Lett

VocalEssence Teaching Artists Interactive Moment

VocalEssence Singers Of This Age

I Choose Love

Mark Miller

Stand Up from Harriet

Cynthia Erivo and Joshuah Brian Campbell

VocalEssence Teaching Artists Interactive Moment

The Aeolians of Oakwood University

Psalm 150

Nathan Carter

No Color

Shawn Kirchner and Stacey Gibbs

The Aeolians of Oakwood University and VocalEssence Singers Of This Age I Sing Because I’m Happy

Charles H. Gabriel, arr. Rollo Dilworth

2021-2022 Season

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TEXTS AVULEKILE AMASANGO (THE GATES OF HEAVEN) Traditional South African

I CHOOSE LOVE Mark Miller

Sung in Zulu The gates of heaven have opened.

We have come out of great tribulation.

We have been set free.

Amen.

—Traditional South African

In the midst of pain, I choose love.

In the midst of pain, sorrow falling down like rain, I await the sun again, I choose love.

SO MANY REASONS TO REJOICE Eddie A. Robinson, arr. Brandon Waddles

When my world falls down, I will rise.

When my world falls down, explanations can’t be found, I will climb to holy ground, I will rise.

Delivered out of darkness Into the Kingdom of his Son, Forgiven of my sins, and redeemed through his blood.

Oh yes! I have so many reasons to rejoice!

He woke me up this morning And he started me on my way; he gave me health and strength, let me see another day.

Oh yes! I have so many reasons to rejoice!

—Eddie A. Robinson O PRAISE THE LORD Daniel Knaggs Praise the Lord, all you nations; praise the Lord, all you peoples.

For the Lord’s merciful kindness is great toward us, And the truth of the Lord endures forever.

—Psalm 117 SING UNTO GOD George Frideric Handel, arr. James L. Chepponis Sing unto God. Let joyful voices raise a song of gladness with unending praise.

—Rev. Thomas Morell I’VE GOT A SONG Colin Lett I got a song that the angels can’t sing!

God gave me a song that the angels can’t sing!

Oh, I been washed in the blood of the Lamb!

Well, now, if you don’t believe I been redeemed, Just follow me down to the Jordan stream.

Well, it chilled my body, but not my soul.

I am redeemed! Yes! Bought with a price!

Oh yes, the blood has changed my whole life!

And if anybody asks you just who I am, Just tell them that I am redeemed!

—Colin Lett Page 4

2021-2022 Season

In the midst of war, I choose peace.

In the midst of war, hate and anger keeping score, I will seek the good once more, I choose peace.

In the midst of pain, I choose love.

In the midst of pain, sorrow falling down like rain, I await the sun again, I choose love.

—Lindy Thompson STAND UP from Harriet Cynthia Erivo and Joshuah Brian Campbell I been walkin’ with my face turned to the sun Weight on my shoulders a bullet in my gun Oh, I got eyes in the back of my head just in case I have to run I do what I can when I can while I can for my people While the clouds roll back and the stars fill the night Refrain That’s when I’m gonna stand up Take my people with me Together we are going To a brand new home Far across the river Can you hear freedom calling?

Calling me to answer Gonna keep on keepin’ on I can feel it in my bones Early in the mornin’ Before the sun begins to shine We’re gonna start movin’ Towards that separating line I’m wadin’ through muddy waters You know I got a made up mind And I don’t mind if I lose any blood on the way to salvation And I’ll fight with the strength that I got until I die Refrain: And I know what’s around the bend Might be hard to face ‘cause I’m alone And I just might fail But Lord knows I tried Sure as stars fill up the sky Refrain: I go to prepare a place for you —Cynthia Erivo and Joshuah Brian Campbell

PSALM 150 Nathan Carter

I SING BECAUSE I’M HAPPY Charles H. Gabriel, adapt. Rollo Dilworth

Refrain: Praise the Lord Praise him in his sanctuary, Praise him in the firmament of his power.

I sing because I’m happy; I sing because I’m free.

For His eye is on the sparrow And I know He watches me.

I’m so happy, yes! I’m so happy, yes I am!

—Civilla D. Martin

Praise him for his mighty acts, Praise him according to his excellent greatness, Praise him for his power and glory And for the many years of hearing the story, From this gospel preacher and leader of the people Come now let us praise him. Refrain: Praise him with the psaltry and harp.

O praise him with the timbrel and dance, Praise him with stringed instruments and organ.

Praise him upon loud cymbals.

Praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord!

—Psalm 150, adapt. Nathan Carter NO COLOR Stacey V. Gibbs and Shawn Kirchner No color can come between us, No shade to be thrown, No tone be taken to demean us, No hue of hate to shown, No color, no shade, no tone; Let me be transparent with you Whose history is whose?

Who’s walking in whose shoes?

Who’s making whose rules?

Who’s learning in whose schools?

Whose history, whose shoes, whose rules?

Let me be transparent with you.

More love is our intention, Stop—did we forget to mention that We are more alike than we are different?

United we take a stand, Ignited with hand in hand, To build a band of harmony.

No time to wait, don’t hesitate!

Within me there’s a love so strong, Within me there’s a hope to belong, Within me there’s a fire to right all wrongs.

Within me there’s a love to share, Within me there’s a need to care, Within my heart is a risk to dare.

—Stacey V. Gibbs and Shawn Kirchner

2021-2022 Season

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Hope Lingers On Lissa Schneckenburger, arr. Andrea Ramsey

(2017)

VocalEssence Chorus, Ensemble Singers, and Singers Of This Age We are the Saints

VocalEssence Ensemble Singers

Gabriel Kahane (2021)

Chichester Psalms Leonard Bernstein Movement I (1965)

VocalEssence Chorus and Ensemble Singers

Company of Minnesota Dance Theatre

Alexander Hille, choreographer Verano Porteño (Buenos Aires Summer) Astor Piazzolla from Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (Four Seasons of Buenos Aires) (1964)

VocalEssence Ensemble Singers

Elayna Waxse, choreographer Otoño Porteño (Buenos Aires Autumn) Astor Piazzolla from Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (Four Seasons of Buenos Aires) (1969)

VocalEssence Ensemble Singers

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