CMYC 2024 PROGRAM NOTES
Elements: Air & Fire : Katerina Gimon - Canadian composer/arranger
Elements is a set of four choral works that abstractly depict the four classical elements and explores the wide range of capabilities of the human voice. Elements features no 'text' (at least not in the traditional sense), rather a series of syllables generated through improvisation meant to evoke the sound and energy of each element. Elements was premiered in March 2014 by Laurier Singers under Lee Willingham. The CMYC will be performing the two movements Air & Fire.
Vision Chant : Andrew Balfour - Indigenous/Canadian composer
Composer Andrew Balfour is of Cree descent, originally from the Winnipeg area and now resides in Toronto. The “vision” described in the title and painted in the music is somewhat fearsome at its climax. The personage of “Windigo”, a fearsome creature, is mentioned (though the minimal text is buried deep inside the texture, in the bass line). For comfort, Grandmother (Nokomis) and Grandfather (Mishomis) are called upon. By the conclusion, there is resolution, and perhaps of awakening to a sunrise.
Ta Na Solbici : Samo Vovk - Slovenian composer/singer/guitarist
The largely self-taught Slovenian composer, guitarist, and singer Samo Vovk originally composed his Ta na Solbici (And So We Dance in Resia) for treble voices. Although an original work its driving rhythms and required body percussion and colourful text give the work a distinct rustic flavour of folk music. Vovk soon crafted a version for mixed choir that took the choral world by storm, opening the door for greater visibility for the young composer. The story of Ta na Solbici begins with a fight over the valley of Resia when the approaching sound coming from the wedding celebration is heard in the village below Kanin— Solbica (Stolvizza). The muscular dancing at the wedding featured feet hitting the ground so loudly that they drowned out not only the noise of the river Bila but also the bells that rang out on that wedding day. The blissful noise echoed from Kanin throughout the Resi.
Hope Lingers On : Lisa Schneckenburger, arranged by Andrea Ramsey
Hope Lingers On, originally performed by "Low Lily" and written by Lissa Schneckenburger, is arranged here by Andrea Ramsey. The song carries a timely message of encouragement and perseverance for justice, equality, honour and love.
The Times They Are a-Changin’ : Bob Dylan, arranged by Adam Podd
Change is inevitable. Accept there are situations you cannot do anything about; but that doesn't mean you're powerless to move forward. Take action! You don't have to be left behind; it's up to you. The re-harmonization and contrasting musical style bring a new attention and poignancy to these well-known words.
Gloria : Antonio Vivaldi - Italian composer
Vivaldi composed his composition Gloria in Venice, probably in 1715. Vivaldi was a priest, music teacher and virtuoso violinist. This, his most famous choral piece, presents the traditional Gloria from the Latin Mass. The wonderfully sunny nature of the Gloria, with its distinctive melodies and rhythms is characteristic of all of Vivaldi’s music, giving it an immediate and universal appeal. Listen for the octave leaps and sixteenth note passages played so beautifully by our amazing accompanist, Loren Hiebert.
Text: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace
Hall of Snarky Ghosts : Dan Wiebe - Winnipeg composer/arranger
I asked Dan to write a short paragraph on what he was thinking when he wrote Hall of Snarky Ghosts. This is what he wrote: Initially this was written as a singer-songwriter tune depicting a young man having a crisis of faith. As with many people, the young man has difficulty with people who say they have all the answers - and meets that energy with cynicism, jokes, and deflection. At times the character shows his vulnerability but it is difficult for even him to tell when he is being earnest and when he is being flippant. This song found new life when arranged for choir. The fullness of sound and the new meanings implied by the harmonies set it up to be enjoyed in a whole new way by many new people.
Hold Me Rock Me : Brian Tate - Canadian composer/arranger
This original song makes clever use of texts from a variety of popular spirituals.
Anyone who has ever yearned for belonging will relate to its message, and will enjoy
the feeling of being rocked by its satisfying music!
As the Ship Went Down : Woodpigeon, arranged by George Chung - Canadian arranger
How long can you hold your breath? Imagine the trauma of being on a sinking vessel. This very cool song by Woodpigeon (a Canadian band from Calgary) makes an exciting choral work with George Chung’s arranging skills - complete with polyphony and canon.
Dank Sagen Wir Alle Gott : Heinrich Schütz - German composer/organist
Heinrich Schütz (1585 - 1672) was a German early Baroque composer and organist, generally regarded as the most important German composer before Johann Sebastian Bach and one of the most important European composers of the 17th century. He is credited with bringing the Italian style to Germany and continuing its evolution from the Renaissance into the early Baroque. Dank Sagen wir Alle Gott is the last movement of his work Historia von der Geburt Jesu Christi, or The Christmas Story. Schütz wrote this work in 1664.
Hope for the World : Jacob Narverud
The uplifting poem with its theme of hope inspired Jacob Narverud to write a rhythmic piano accompaniment, and for the singers, great melodies that move from part to part. What an engaging text and piece of music.
Time : Jennifer Lucy Cook - American composer and lyricist
Notes from the composer - Time, like money or borders between one country and another, is one of those funny human-made concepts that dictate our lives but are fundamentally meaningless if we didn’t all agree to go along with it. And yet, we experience aging, the changing of seasons, and growth, undeniably. The line between time’s reality and its invention is blurry, and there was no better way I could think of to depict that than by writing a repeating lyric that erodes as the piece unfolds. As lyrics disappear, phrases take on new meaning, like the way a 30th birthday differs from a 50th birthday, or how old memories can appear sharper than yesterday’s. We lose time when we try to keep it, we spend time as we try to save it – and since it insists upon eluding us, we can only notice the fact that time has been winking at us all along. This wit, this relentlessness, and this freedom is the spirit behind Time, and this piece is my way of winking back.
Crowded Table : SSAA arranged by Andrea Ramsey - American arranger
This country pop song from supergroup The Highwomen delivers a powerful message for us all to band together and hold one another up. The fiddle adds a nice
touch to the pretty choral harmonies in this poignant selection.
I Want It That Way : TTBB arranged Philip Lapatha - Canadian arranger
This fun, mega-hit by the Backstreet Boys has been cleverly transcribed and arranged by Winnipeg music educator/conductor and composer Philip Lapatha. It gives opportunities to members of the tenor and bass section to strut their stuff. Enjoy.
I Sing Because I’m Happy : arranged Rollo Dilworth - American computer/arranger
This gospel-style interpretation of the hymn His Eye is on the Sparrow was originally performed and recorded by the Georgia Mass Choir. The arranger Rollo A. Dilworth (born November 13, 1970) is an American choral composer, arranger, conductor, and music educator from St. Louis, Missouri. This is a crowd and chorister favourite.
Elements is a set of four choral works that abstractly depict the four classical elements and explores the wide range of capabilities of the human voice. Elements features no 'text' (at least not in the traditional sense), rather a series of syllables generated through improvisation meant to evoke the sound and energy of each element. Elements was premiered in March 2014 by Laurier Singers under Lee Willingham. The CMYC will be performing the two movements Air & Fire.
Vision Chant : Andrew Balfour - Indigenous/Canadian composer
Composer Andrew Balfour is of Cree descent, originally from the Winnipeg area and now resides in Toronto. The “vision” described in the title and painted in the music is somewhat fearsome at its climax. The personage of “Windigo”, a fearsome creature, is mentioned (though the minimal text is buried deep inside the texture, in the bass line). For comfort, Grandmother (Nokomis) and Grandfather (Mishomis) are called upon. By the conclusion, there is resolution, and perhaps of awakening to a sunrise.
Ta Na Solbici : Samo Vovk - Slovenian composer/singer/guitarist
The largely self-taught Slovenian composer, guitarist, and singer Samo Vovk originally composed his Ta na Solbici (And So We Dance in Resia) for treble voices. Although an original work its driving rhythms and required body percussion and colourful text give the work a distinct rustic flavour of folk music. Vovk soon crafted a version for mixed choir that took the choral world by storm, opening the door for greater visibility for the young composer. The story of Ta na Solbici begins with a fight over the valley of Resia when the approaching sound coming from the wedding celebration is heard in the village below Kanin— Solbica (Stolvizza). The muscular dancing at the wedding featured feet hitting the ground so loudly that they drowned out not only the noise of the river Bila but also the bells that rang out on that wedding day. The blissful noise echoed from Kanin throughout the Resi.
Hope Lingers On : Lisa Schneckenburger, arranged by Andrea Ramsey
Hope Lingers On, originally performed by "Low Lily" and written by Lissa Schneckenburger, is arranged here by Andrea Ramsey. The song carries a timely message of encouragement and perseverance for justice, equality, honour and love.
The Times They Are a-Changin’ : Bob Dylan, arranged by Adam Podd
Change is inevitable. Accept there are situations you cannot do anything about; but that doesn't mean you're powerless to move forward. Take action! You don't have to be left behind; it's up to you. The re-harmonization and contrasting musical style bring a new attention and poignancy to these well-known words.
Gloria : Antonio Vivaldi - Italian composer
Vivaldi composed his composition Gloria in Venice, probably in 1715. Vivaldi was a priest, music teacher and virtuoso violinist. This, his most famous choral piece, presents the traditional Gloria from the Latin Mass. The wonderfully sunny nature of the Gloria, with its distinctive melodies and rhythms is characteristic of all of Vivaldi’s music, giving it an immediate and universal appeal. Listen for the octave leaps and sixteenth note passages played so beautifully by our amazing accompanist, Loren Hiebert.
Text: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace
Hall of Snarky Ghosts : Dan Wiebe - Winnipeg composer/arranger
I asked Dan to write a short paragraph on what he was thinking when he wrote Hall of Snarky Ghosts. This is what he wrote: Initially this was written as a singer-songwriter tune depicting a young man having a crisis of faith. As with many people, the young man has difficulty with people who say they have all the answers - and meets that energy with cynicism, jokes, and deflection. At times the character shows his vulnerability but it is difficult for even him to tell when he is being earnest and when he is being flippant. This song found new life when arranged for choir. The fullness of sound and the new meanings implied by the harmonies set it up to be enjoyed in a whole new way by many new people.
Hold Me Rock Me : Brian Tate - Canadian composer/arranger
This original song makes clever use of texts from a variety of popular spirituals.
Anyone who has ever yearned for belonging will relate to its message, and will enjoy
the feeling of being rocked by its satisfying music!
As the Ship Went Down : Woodpigeon, arranged by George Chung - Canadian arranger
How long can you hold your breath? Imagine the trauma of being on a sinking vessel. This very cool song by Woodpigeon (a Canadian band from Calgary) makes an exciting choral work with George Chung’s arranging skills - complete with polyphony and canon.
Dank Sagen Wir Alle Gott : Heinrich Schütz - German composer/organist
Heinrich Schütz (1585 - 1672) was a German early Baroque composer and organist, generally regarded as the most important German composer before Johann Sebastian Bach and one of the most important European composers of the 17th century. He is credited with bringing the Italian style to Germany and continuing its evolution from the Renaissance into the early Baroque. Dank Sagen wir Alle Gott is the last movement of his work Historia von der Geburt Jesu Christi, or The Christmas Story. Schütz wrote this work in 1664.
Hope for the World : Jacob Narverud
The uplifting poem with its theme of hope inspired Jacob Narverud to write a rhythmic piano accompaniment, and for the singers, great melodies that move from part to part. What an engaging text and piece of music.
Time : Jennifer Lucy Cook - American composer and lyricist
Notes from the composer - Time, like money or borders between one country and another, is one of those funny human-made concepts that dictate our lives but are fundamentally meaningless if we didn’t all agree to go along with it. And yet, we experience aging, the changing of seasons, and growth, undeniably. The line between time’s reality and its invention is blurry, and there was no better way I could think of to depict that than by writing a repeating lyric that erodes as the piece unfolds. As lyrics disappear, phrases take on new meaning, like the way a 30th birthday differs from a 50th birthday, or how old memories can appear sharper than yesterday’s. We lose time when we try to keep it, we spend time as we try to save it – and since it insists upon eluding us, we can only notice the fact that time has been winking at us all along. This wit, this relentlessness, and this freedom is the spirit behind Time, and this piece is my way of winking back.
Crowded Table : SSAA arranged by Andrea Ramsey - American arranger
This country pop song from supergroup The Highwomen delivers a powerful message for us all to band together and hold one another up. The fiddle adds a nice
touch to the pretty choral harmonies in this poignant selection.
I Want It That Way : TTBB arranged Philip Lapatha - Canadian arranger
This fun, mega-hit by the Backstreet Boys has been cleverly transcribed and arranged by Winnipeg music educator/conductor and composer Philip Lapatha. It gives opportunities to members of the tenor and bass section to strut their stuff. Enjoy.
I Sing Because I’m Happy : arranged Rollo Dilworth - American computer/arranger
This gospel-style interpretation of the hymn His Eye is on the Sparrow was originally performed and recorded by the Georgia Mass Choir. The arranger Rollo A. Dilworth (born November 13, 1970) is an American choral composer, arranger, conductor, and music educator from St. Louis, Missouri. This is a crowd and chorister favourite.