Do you love to sing?

Open Audition for New Members

Sunday, January 13, 2013Sunday, January 13, 2013 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

All girls ages 6 through 13 are welcomeAll girls ages 6 through 13 are welcome

For more information, visit girlchoir.org/audition

The Girl Choir of South Florida 3347 NW 55th Street Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 954-533-9227 info@girlchoir.org

The Girl Choir of South Florida

What Sweeter Music All Saints Episcopal Church

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Friday, December 21, 2012

Concert Choir

Pueri Hebræorum Randall Thompson

What Sweeter Music Eleanor Daley, text Robert Herrick (1591-1674)

Psalm Trilogy Srul Irving Glick

Psalm 92: Mizmor Shir L’yom Hashabbat Psalm 47: Lam’natzeiach Livnei Korach Mizmor Psalm 23: The Lord Is My Shepherd

Sponsored in loving memory of Robert Kratish, a dedicated Girl Choir supporter since 2007.

Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day English carol, arr. John Rutter

There Is No Rose Z. Randall Stroope, text 15th century anon.

Deck the Halls (in 7/8) Welsh carol, arr. James McKelvy

Lyric Choir and Concert Choir

The Holly and the Ivy 17th century English carol

arr. Ruth E. Dwyer and Martin L. Ellis

Lyric Choir

Es ist ein Ros 15th century German carol

harmonized by Michael Praetorius, adapted by Marie Stultz

Sponsored by Emma Mellinger

Psallite from Musae Sionae (1609) by Michael Praetorius

arr. John Leavitt

This Little Light of Mine traditional Spiritual, arr. Ken Berg

Before the Paling of the Stars John Boda, text Christina Rossetti

Go Where I Send Thee! Gospel Spiritual

arr. Paul Caldwell and Sean Ivory

v. 3: Now are fulfilled the prophecies of David and Jeremiah and also of Isaiah, alleluia. Therefore, let us sing both loud and high: allelulia. v. 6: Alleluia, this sweet song has sprung out of a green branch. God, send us long-lasting life. Alleluia. Now joy and bliss be among those who can sing: alleluia.

3. Ther is no rose of swych vertu

Burden (refrain): There is no rose of such virtue as is the rose that bore Jesus.

v. 1: There is no rose of such virtue as is the rose that bore Jesus. Alleluia. v. 2: For in this rose was contained heaven and earth in little space. Wondrous thing! v. 3: By that rose we may well see that he is God in three persons, but in equal form. v. 4: The angels said to the shepherds: “Glory to God in the highest.” Let us rejoice! v. 5: Let us leave worldly mirth and follow the joyful birth. Let us go.

4. Nowel: Owt of your slepe aryse

This carol also follows the alternating burden-verse structure. Today’s performance includes three of the original six verses.

v. 1: Out of your sleep, arise and awaken, for God has taken human form from a maid without any equal: of all women, she is best. Nowel! v. 2: And through a fair and wise maiden, humankind is now brought to its full worth; now the angels kneel in the service of humanity; and at Christmastime, all this took place. Nowel! v. 4: He who was once in bondage is now free; she who was once humble is now great. Now God shall receive both you and me into his bliss if we are virtuous. Nowel!

“O virtus Sapientie” and “Tidings of Great Joy”

Both of these selections draw inspiration from Hildegarde of Bingen’s 12th century chant. Maria Lo fberg has composed an original score while preserving Bingen’s text, which is translated as follows:

Sofia! you are the whirling wings circling encompassing energy of God: you quicken the world in your clasp. One wing soars in heaven, one wing sweeps the earth, and the third flies all around us. Praise to Sofia! Let all the earth praise her!

Clifton Noble has done the opposite: the tune of the original chant can be found throughout “Tidings of Great Joy”, but he has chosen to set this ancient melody to the well-known story of Christmas found in Luke 2.

“little tree” by E. E. Cummings little tree little silent Christmas tree you are so little you are more like a flower who found you in the green forest and were you very sorry to come away? see i will comfort you because you smell so sweetly i will kiss your cool bark and hug you safe and tight just as your mother would, only don't be afraid look the spangles that sleep all the year in a dark box

dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine, the balls the chains red and gold the fluffy threads, put up your little arms and i'll give them all to you to hold every finger shall have its ring and there won't be a single place dark or unhappy then when you're quite dressed you'll stand in the window for everyone to see and how they'll stare! oh but you'll be very proud and my little sister and i will take hands and looking up at our beautiful tree we'll dance and sing "Noel Noel"

Es ist ein Ros

The German text is from an anonymous German 15th century poem. The melody first appeared in a hymnal in Germany in 1599 and was later harmonized by Michael Praetorius in Ars Musica, Band IV, Chorbuch für gemischte Stimmen.

A rose grew up from a tender root as the forefathers sang: it stemmed from Jesse, and brought forth a little flower during the cold of winter at about midnight. The little rose of which Isaiah spoke, was brought us by one Mary, the only pure maid. From God’s eternal design, she bore this child, who brings us blessed joy.

Go Where I Send Thee

This is a gospel arrangement of a spiritual from the African-American folk tradition. According to the arrangers, “some of the scriptural references are quite evident; others are somewhat cloaked:

eleven refers to the opinion that Judas might not fare well on judgment day nine traditionally represents the nine choirs of angels eight recalls the number of people instructed to board Noah’s ark five refers to the loaves of bread that fed thousands four refers to the gospel writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John three refers to the Hebrew children: Shadrich, Meschach, and Abednego, who were thrown into the fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar”

A Belém Pastores

To Bethlehem, shepherds let us go! For a child is born for our own sake. Come, come, come, let us run to Bethlehem! The king of heaven was born in a manger. Come little shepherds, let us come and adore him!

On Yoolis Night

On Yoolis Night is a compilation of medieval carols and motets arranged and recorded by Anonymous 4, the a capella women’s ensemble renowned worldwide for their “unearthly vocal blend and virtuosic ensemble singing.”

1. Hodie Christus natus est

This 13th century plainchant is taken from a British collection of chants for the divine office. You may recognize it as the same chant used in the opening movement of Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols”.

Today, Christ is born. Today, the Savior has appeared. Today, the angels sing on earth and the archangels rejoice. Today, good people exult, saying: Glory to God in the highest, alleluia.

2. Alleluya: A nywe werk

This carol is based upon the traditional alternating burden (refrain) and verse structure. In today’s performance, we will be singing three of the original six verses.

v. 1: A new work has come on hand through the might and grace of God’s messenger, to save the lost of every land, alleluia. For he is now free who was once in bondage; we may well sing alleluia.

Chamber Singers

The Holly and the Berry “Sans Day Carol”, arr. Henry Roe McDermott

as performed by Cherish the Ladies

A Belén Pastores Teo filo Becerra Medina, arr. Julia n Go mez Giraldo

Un flambeau, Jeanette, Isabella French carol, arr. Olivia Goehrig

Bring a Torch French carol, arr. Clifton J. Noble, Jr.

On Yoolis Night arr. Anonymous 4

Hodie Christus natus est British antiphon, 13th century

Alleluya: A nywe werk British carol, 15th century Ther is no rose of swych vertu British carol, 15th century Nowel: Owt of your slepe aryse British carol, 15th century

Sponsored by Emma Mellinger

O virtus Sapientie Maria Lo fberg, text Hildegard von Bingen

Tidings of Great Joy Clifton J. Noble, Jr.

based upon the chant “O virtus Sapientie” by Hildegard von Bingen

Concert Choir

little tree Paul Carey, text E. E. Cummings

with Primes Choir members Anagrace Fagot, Lianna Gegerson, and Amyah Holloman

Combined Choirs

We Wish You a Merry Christmas English carol, arr. Emily Crocker

Lyric Choir Nia Anderson Ariela Anselmo Gwen Braccialarghe Nola Browne Brianna Chavez Cleo Collado Miranda Fitzpatrick Kaila Gumbs

Carina Jones Sadie Kopelman Jada Lebert Claire Lefort Kaylah Louiny Alexis Maldonado Natalie Medina Sarah Mellinger

Kimberly Nolan Ana Marí a Nu n ez Gabby Pagano Abigail Pinder Chayanne Pollard Ela Reyes-Roma n Ciara Rodriguez-Horan Brianna Russell

Leslie Saravia Venisha Servalis Emma Sheehan Mindy Taft Megan Tirrell Chenelle Vassell Emme Wien Anne Zamor

Concert Choir Isabella Alvarez Christa Anderson Laura Blank Helen Budowsky Gillian Cannataro Sofí a Castan eda Ev Chong Alex Colaizzi Mariana Colmenares Marcia Cuellar-Garcia Sophie Garrett

Olivia Goehrig Amanda Goldberg Valeria Hansen Shannon Harper Sydney Harper Christina Hernandez Eliza Hurst Seyra Joseph Morgane Labbe Jana Lebert Alise Lofgren

Cassidy Long Valerie Martinez Elizabeth Mathew Towns McClain Michaela Miller Gabriella Morris Maria Ortega Cristina Pichardo Kayla Raper Lilly Rogers Maddie Rogers

Kali Rosendo Bryndahlyn Silverstrom Alia Smith Jyothy Thomas LaVon Thomas Ashley Vogt Kelly Walsh Rayna Whye

Chamber Singers Isabella Alvarez Christa Anderson Laura Blank Ev Chong Alex Colaizzi

Mariana Colmenares Marcia Cuellar-Garcia Olivia Goehrig Amanda Goldberg Christina Hernandez

Eliza Hurst Alise Lofgren Kayla Raper Maddie Rogers Bryndahlyn Silverstrom

Jyothy Thomas Ashley Vogt Kelly Walsh

The Girl Choir of South Florida

Wallis Peterson Artistic Director

Susan Dodd Accompanist

Gayle Giese Accompanist

Cover Artwork by Mary Manteiga Special thanks to Daniel Copher and All Saints Episcopal Church

Cole Crossgrove Bass

Lisa Gelfand Oboe

Allen Giese Violin

Monica Godbee Cello

Mindy Lofgren Guitar

Emma Mellinger Flute and Piccolo

Funding for this organization is provided in part by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council.

Program Notes

Pueri Hebræorum

The Hebrew children, bearing olive branches, went forth to meet the Lord, crying out and declaring “Hosanna in the highest”

Psalm Trilogy

Psalm Trilogy was commissioned for the Toronto Children’s Chorus in honor of the bat mitzvah of chorister Gabi Epstein. Composer Srul Irving Glick based the work on the psalms of David, using both Hebrew and English texts.

Psalm 92:1-3: A psalm, a song for the Sabbath day. How good it is to give thanks to you, O Lord! How good it is to sing praises to Your name, O Most High! How good it is to sing praises to Your kindness, O Lord, to sing and play on the 10-string lute and the harp.

Psalm 47: All you nations join hands, blow the ram’s horn, and sing to God with a song of joy. For the Lord is awesome and supreme, the great king over all the Earth. Make music for God, make music for the King, make music!

Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day

John Rutter, in his program notes about this song, says “The age-old relationship between religion and the dance is the source of the unusual and vivid imagery of this carol (which, in its complete form, has eleven verses covering all the events of Christ's life up to the Ascension).” While conventionally considered to be a cre che carol celebrating the birth of Christ, scholars have recently come to believe that this may actually be a joyous dance of death and resurrection.

There Is No Rose

This 15th century poem embodies a common medieval conceit of identifying the Virgin with a rose, and follows the old custom of mixing Latin with the vernacular. The Latin translation of each phrase is:

Res miranda Wondrous thing Pares forma Equal in form Gaudeamus Let us rejoice Transeamus Let us go

The Holly and the Ivy

This carol can be traced to 17th century England. It is thought to be a transitional song from paganism to Christianity. In England, holly was considered a symbol of good luck for men and ivy a symbol of good luck for women. Over time, the carol was adapted to represent Christian themes, i.e. the holly as a symbol of Jesus’s crown of thorns, and the white lily as a symbol of purity.