Program Notes
Summer Women's Chorus
Nature Sings
Friday, August 1, 2025
Nature Sings
Friday, August 1, 2025
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Lux
by Darius Lim, performed by Voces Lucis Vitae lux Vitae vis Lux Aeterna Luceat lux vestra Dona Nobis Pacem Dixitque Deus fiat lux et facta est lux Light of life Strength of life Light eternal Let your light shine Grant us peace And God said let there be light, and there was light Commissioned by the Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir and choirmaster Wong Lai Foon, “Lux” is a mesmerizing choral work inspired by the composer’s travels, where the work speaks about hope and light in the world. The piece’s title, meaning “Light” in Latin, reflects its underlying theme of optimism and positivity. With its enchanting melodies and intricate harmonies, “Lux” is a powerful tribute to the transformative power of music, lifting the spirits of both performers and audiences alike. |
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Music of Life
Music by B.E. Boykin Poem by George Parsons Lanthrop Music is in all growing things; And underneath the silky sings Of smallest insects there is stirred A pulse of air that must be heard. Earth’s silence lives, and throbs, and sings. If poet from the vibrant strings Of his poor heart a measure flings, Laugh not, that he no trumpet blows: It may be that Heaven hears and knows His language of low listenings. This vibrant setting of a poem by George Parsons Lathrop describes how music underpins all earthly life. A wonderful concert opener sung in surround-sound by Summer Women's Chorus. |
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There is Sweet Music Here
Matthew A. Armstrong & Shelly Armstrong Words by Alfred, Lord Tennyson There is sweet music here that softer falls than petals from blown roses on the grass, or night-dews on still waters between walls of shadowly granite, in a gleaming pass; music that gentlier on the spirit lies, than tired eyelids upon tired eyes; music that brings sweet sleep down from that blissful skies. Here are cool mosses deep, and through the moss the ivies creep, and in the stream the long-leaved flowers weep, and from the craggy ledge the poppy hangs in sleep Alfred, Lord Tennyson
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Songbird
Words and Music by Sarah Quartel I am a Songbird; I will sing anything. Give me a tune, I will spin you gold. Closer you come to the Songbird weaving, Stronger the thread of the music’s hold, Feel in the breeze a breath, a soaring Song to you, and hear me say: ‘I am a Songbird; I will sing anything. Follow the breeze and come my way!’ One little bird on a branch sits fanning Amber wings to the passers by. Two little birds in flight are threading Webs of gold in an endless sky. Three little birds with brushes painting Moonlit sighs in the heart of day. Four little birds with voices gleaming Breathe to the wind singing ‘come my way!’ Sing little bird so sweetly. Drown my fears completely. Five little birds with feathers fluffing Stretch and spread in the midday sun. Six little birds are cooing, humming, Drawing the eyes of ev’ryone. Seven little birds in fountains splashing. Droplets soar, they fawn and play. Eight little birds raise voices higher, Breathe to the wind singing, ‘come my way!’ Sing little bird so sweetly. Drown my fears completely. Fly, little Songbirds, to the horizon. Land meets sky and sky meets sea. Dance, little Songbirds, flick your feathers, Move the current, carry me! Sing, little Songbirds, call to your lovers. Draw them in completely. You, little Songbirds, you can sing anything. I follow the wind and I come your way. "I have a little 6 year old granddaughter that makes up songs about everything and anything. She will come in and say "What do you want to hear a song about?" and then just sing a beautiful tune about whatever we tell her! So the lyrics in Songbird that say 'I am a songbird; I will sing anything. Give me a tune, I will spin you gold.' always remind me her - My little songbird." - Emily Diaz, Alto |
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My Heavenly Father Loves Me
Words and music by Clara W. McMaster Arranged by Ron Staheli Whenever I hear the song of a bird Or look at the blue, blue sky, Whenever I feel the rain on my face Or the wind as it rushes by, Whenever I touch a velvet rose Or walk by our lilac tree, I’m glad that I live in this beautiful world Heav’nly Father created for me. He gave me my eyes that I might see The color of butterfly wings. He gave me my ears that I might hear The magical sound of things. He gave me my life, my mind, my heart: I thank him rev’rently For all his creations, of which I’m a part. Yes, I know Heav’nly Father loves me. "This is one of my favorite children's church songs I grew up listening to. The words are a beautiful reminder that every living thing is a manifestation of God's love for us. This arrangement with cello obbligato and women's voices is pure heaven to sing-and listen to!" -Mandie McMurdie, Director |
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Sea Fever from Five Sea Song
By Daniel Brinsmead Text from "Sea Fever" by John Masefield I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by, And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking, And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking. I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, And the flung spray and the blown foam, and the sea-gulls crying. Down, down to the sea. The first of a set of five sea songs, this exciting original work speaks of a sailor being drawn to the sea like a calling. The colorful imagery of John Masefield's poem comes to life with the help of a dramatic piano accompaniment that brings the flavor of the sea. |
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Stars Above and Earth Below
Music by Rob Swenson Poem by Sara Teasdale One by one, like leaves from a tree, All my faiths have forsaken me; But the stars above my head Burn in white and delicate red, And beneath my feet the earth Brings the sturdy grass to birth. I who was content to be But a silken-singing tree, But a rustle of delight In the wistful heart of night, I have lost the leaves that knew Touch of rain and weight of dew. Blinded by a leafy crown I looked neither up nor down-- But the little leaves that die Have left me room to see the sky Now for the first time I know Stars above and earth below.
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Orion
Music by Susan LaBarr Words by Faith Zimmer Most mourn the falling leaves, The weight of death the ground receives. Yet you rise in Winter's Chill, And in the gloom you still believe. Most mourn the setting sun. The aging day is overcome. Yet you rise in Twilight Still, And night reveals you one by one. Carefully the constellations Bend their knees to your dictation. Standing guard with quiver ready, Stand you've held for cent'ries steady. Warrior high above the earth, Telling human beings of their worth. Most mourn the sinking mast, The ocean's pull into the vast. Yet you rise at Memory's Will, And you will stand on ages past. "As a young woman who is beginning her adult life, I’ve had a lot of moments where I question who I am and my own self worth. Like many women, I’ve always struggled with my own self confidence and believing in myself especially now as I navigate young adulthood. Whenever I sing Orion, I’m reminded that I am not alone in my struggles and of the people who believe in me when I don’t believe in myself. Just like the stars, they are constant and there for me when I need help reminding me of my own inner strength." -Maddie May, Soprano |
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Northern Lights
By Ola Gjeilo Performed by Voces Lucis Pulchra es amica mea, suavis et decora sicut Jerusalem, terribilis ut castrorum acies ordinata. Averte oculos tuos a me quia ipsi me avolare fecerunt. Thou art beautiful, O my love, sweet and comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army set in array. Turn away thy eyes from me, for they have made me flee away. |
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“Northern Lights is my most Norwegian production in years; composed in an attic outside of Oslo at Christmas time in 2007, it’s one of the few works I have written in Norway since I moved to New York in 2001. The U.S. is my home now, so I guess my work has been increasingly reflecting my love for American music, writing and scenery. Most of all, this piece and its text is about beauty. About a ‘terrible’, powerful beauty, although the music is quite serene on the surface." -Ola Gjeilo, Composer |
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Goodnight Moon
Music by Eric Whitacre Performed by Voces Lucis In the great green room there was a telephone and a red balloon and a picture of the cow jumping over the moon. There were three little bears sitting on chairs and two little kittens and a pair of mittens and a little toyhouse and a young mouse and a comb and a brush and a bowl full of mush and a quiet old lady who was whispering “hush.” Good night room Goodnight moon Goodnight cow jumping over the moon Goodnight light and the red balloon Goodnight bears Goodnight chairs Goodnight kittens and goodnight mittens Goodnight clocks and goodnight socks Goodnight little house and goodnight mouse. Goodnight comb and goodnight brush Goodnight nobody Goodnight mush and goodnight to the old lady whispering “hush.” Goodnight stars Goodnight air Goodnight noises everywhere. |
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"Our tattered and battered copy of Goodnight Moon is evidence of the number of times it’s worked sleepy magic on my children when they were very small. It’s no surprise that I fell in love with Eric Whitacre’s arrangement with its similar sleepy, dreamlike magic in musical form. This is one I’ll continue to listen to and sing long after the concert is over." -Sarah Schulz, Soprano |
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Mata Del Anima Sola
By Antonio Estevez Performed by Voces Lucis Mata del ánima sola, boquerón de banco largo ya podrás decir ahora aqui durmió canta claro. pilin, pilin, pilin,.... Con el silbo y la picada de la brisa coleadora la tarde catira y mora entró al corralón callada. pilin.... La noche, yegua cansada, sobre los bancos tremola la crin y la negra cola y en su silencio se pasma tu corazón de fantasma. Tree of the soul lonely, wide opening of the riverside long now you will be able to say: Here slept Cantaclaro. pilin, pilin, pilin,.... With the whistle and the sting of the twisting wind, the dappled and violet dusk quietly entered the corral. pilin, .... The night, tired mare, shakes her mane and black tail above the riverside; and, in its silence, your ghostly heart is filled with awe. Inspired by a poem of Alberto Arvelo Torrealba, this piece has two distinct sections: one slow and meditative, and the other very quick and rhythmic based on a combined 3/4 and 6/8 meter which is characteristic of a dance called joropo. The music depicts the solitude and mystery of the llanos, the high plains of Venezuela, while the solo represents the llanero or "man of the plains" whose songs are improvised. In the joropo section, the choir imitates the instruments that are traditionally used to play the dance. One hears the rhythm of the cuatro (a small guitar with only four strings), the the diatonic harp, and the guitar bordones, all of which combine to provide the "instrumental" accompaniment for the soloists. |
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Under the Willow
By Stephen Collins Foster Arranged by Susan LaBarr Under the willow she’s laid with care Sang a lone mother while weeping, Under the willow, with golden hair, My little one’s quietly sleeping. Fair, fair, with golden hair, Sang a lone mother while weeping, Fair, fair, with golden hair, Under the willow she’s sleeping. Under the willow no songs are heard, Near where my darling lies dreaming; Nought but the voice of some far-off bird Where life and its pleasures are beaming. Under the willow I breathe a prayer Longing to linger forever Near to my angel with golden hair In a land where there’s sorrowing never. "My daughter, a recent UT graduate, was a Camp Mystic girl for four summers back in the 2010's, even residing in Bubble Inn (the one almost completely lost) her first year. (She only stopped attending that camp because she took the SAT as a 7th grader and qualified for Duke TIP camp instead.) This song mirrors my preoccupation these days, thinking about how the mothers of those lost at Camp Mystic must be facing each minute, each hour, each day right now." -Roxanne Dillon, Soprano |
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The Peace of Wild Things
Music by Joan Szymko Words by Wendell Berry When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free. "The Peace of Wild Things is, I believe, very appropriate for the heavy and collective grief many of us are feeling right now. Many of us are feeling despair for the current state of the world and what that might mean for our future. These lyrics and the way the music is written are imagery on the page, depicting serene and moving moments of nature that we often miss. What a beautiful and wonderful reminder that our Mother Earth provides stillness, calm, and restoration for our souls when we grow weary. Nature is the medicine all of us could use more of in our busy, hustle culture as it reminds us that we are not our accomplishments, our thoughts, our anxiety, or our stressors. We are human beings, not human doings and sometimes we just need to soak in the healing benefits of nature to restore our souls and find peace in the midst of our chaotic world." -Clarissa Wicklund, Alto |
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I Am The Wind
Music by Elaine Hagenberg Lyrics by Zoe Atkins I am the wind that wavers, You are the certain land; I am the shadow that passes Over the sand. I am the leaf that quivers, You the unshaken tree; You are the stars that are steadfast, I am the sea. You are the light eternal-- Like a torch I shall die; You are the surge of deep music, I but a cry! "I've been married 46 years to my husband, who is my certain land, my steadfast star, and my eternal light and companion. This song is for him, and for all of the people in our life who support and ground us." -Ginny von Bose, Alto |