2011

Have Ye Not Known? Ye Shall Have A Song (Randall Thompson 1899-1984)
Text: Isaiah 40:21 and Isaiah 30:29

Have ye not known? Have ye not heard? Hath it not been told you from the beginning? Have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?

Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the Lord.

Randall Thompson is considered one of America’s greatest composers, especially well-known for his choral works, most notably Alleluia. After receiving a doctorate from Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, he taught at such notable institutions as Wellesley, Curtis, and Harvard University.

Stabat Mater (Kevin Memley, 1971- )
Text: Traditional Latin Hymn

Stabat Mater dolorosa juxta crucem lacrimosa, dum pendebat Filius. Cuius animam gementem, contristatam et dolentem pertransivit gladius. Vidit suum dulcem Natum moriendo desolatum, dum emisit spiritum.

The grieving Mother stood weeping beside the cross where her Son was hanging. Through her weeping soul, compassionate and grieving, a sword passed. She saw her sweet offspring dying, forsaken, while He gave up his spirit.

Although Kevin Memley been composing since he was 12, his music is just beginning to catch the public’s eye. His setting of Ave Maria was premiered just a few years ago. His music is now performed all over the world. He is a music teacher, pianist and conductor in the Fresno area.

A Boy and a Girl (Eric Whitacre, 1970-)
Text by Octavio Paz (1914-1998)

Stretched out on the grass, a boy and a girl savoring their oranges, giving their kisses like waves exchanging foam. Stretched out on the beach, a boy and a girl savoring their limes,
giving their kisses like clouds exchanging foam. Stretched out underground, a boy and a girl saying nothing, never kissing, giving silence for silence.

Eric Whitacre earned a Master’s degree from the Juilliard School. He is perhaps the most popular living choral composer in the world. His ability to capture the essence of the text in music is quite remarkable. The text above could be interpreted many ways. The conductor of
Consort Chorale prefers the romantic expression of the full lives of two lovers.

The Gospel Train (Arranged by Jack Halloran, 1916-1997)
Text: Traditional Spiritual

All aboard! Gospel train’s a-comin’. The gospel train’s a-comin’, I hear it just at hand. I hear the wheels a-rumblin’ and rollin’ through the land. Git on board little children, there’s room for many-a more. I hear the bell and whistle, they’re comin’ ‘round the curve. She’s loosened all her steam and brakes and strainin’ ev’ry nerve. Git on board little children, there’s room for many-a more. The fare is cheap and all can go, the rich and poor are there. No second class aboard this train, no diff’rence in the fare. Git on board little children, there’s room for many-a more.

Jack Halloran was a television music writer and conductor who
worked for such greats as Dean Martin and Bing Crosby, and scored
countless films.

I Believe in the Sun (Jonathan Adams, 1962-)
This anonymous text was found on a basement wall in Cologne, written by someone
hiding from the Gestapo.

I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining. I believe in love, even when I am lonely. I believe in love, even when feeling it not. I believe in God, even when He is silent.

A blossoming composer, Jonathan Adams is the choral director at Nettleton High School in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He wrote this setting in response and in dedication to victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Lux Aurumque (Eric Whitacre, 1970-)
Poem by Edward Esch, translation into Latin by Charles Anthony Silvestri
Soloist: Soprano, Patricia Littman

Lux, calida gravisque pura velut aurum et canunt angeli molliter modo natum.
Light, warm and heavy as pure gold and the angels sing softly to the new-born baby.

MISSA SOLEMNIS IN B FLAT (Franz Joseph Haydn, 1732-1809)
“Harmoniemesse”

Composed in 1802, the Harmoniemesse (wind-band mass) was the last of the six great masses composed near the end of Haydn’s life. The largest in length and instrumentation, its name is derived from the extensive use of winds (oboes, clarinets, trumpets, etc.). The organ will be substituted for the winds in our performance today. We are especially grateful to John Hirten for his artistry and adaptability at the organ console.

I. Kyrie
Soloists: Soprano-Marty Friesen, Alto-Lucy Arnold,
Tenor-Michael Petersen, Bass-John Griffin

Kyrie eleison! Christe eleison! Kyrie eleison!
Lord have mercy! Christ have mercy! Lord have mercy!

II. Gloria
Soloists: Soprano-Beth Carter, Alto-Ruthann Lovetang,
Tenor-Michael Petersen, Bass-David Irvine

Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.
Laudamus te,benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorifi camus te.
Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will.
We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we adore Thee, we glorify Thee.

Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam. Domine Deus, Rex coelestis, Pater omnipotens, Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe. Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris. Qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis! Suscipe deprecationem nostram, qui sedes ad dexteram Patris. Miserere nobis.
We give thanks to Thee, we praise Thee for Thy glory. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father. Lord Jesus Christ, only begotten Son of the Father. Lord God, lamb of God, son of the Father. Thou who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou who takes away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou who art seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.

III. Credo
Soloists: Soprano-Patricia Littman, Alto-Michele Baroody,
Tenor-Michael Petersen, Bass-Jim Kamphoefner;
also including Beth Carter and David Irvine

Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, factorem coeli et terrae, visibilium omnium et invisibilium. Et in unum Dominum, Jesum Christum, Filium Dei unigenitum, et ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula. Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero, genitum, non factum, consubstatialem Patri, per quem omnia facta sunt. Qui propter nos homines et propter nostram salutem descendit de coelis.
I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Maker of earth and heaven, of all things seen and unseen. Begotten of the Father before all worlds. God from Gods, Light from light, true God from true God. Begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, through Him all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven.

Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine, et homo factus est. Crucifi xus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato, passus et sepultus est.
And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man: He was also crucifi ed for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried.

Et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas, et ascendit in cælum, sedet ad dexteram Patris. Et iterum venturus est cum gloria, iudicare vivos et mortuos, cuius regni non erit fi nis; Et in spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivifi cantem, qui ex Patre Filioque procedit. Qui cum Patre et Filio simul adoratur et conglorifi catur: qui locutus est per prophetas. Et unam, sanctam, catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam. Confi teor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum. Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum.
And (on) the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures: And ascended into Heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father: And He shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead: Of His Kingdom there shall be no end; And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father and the Son, Who, with the Father and the Son, is similarly adored and glorified, Who has spoken through the Prophets. And I believe in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, I confess one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I expect the Resurrection of the Dead.

Et vitam venturi saeculi. Amen.
And the Life of the world to come. Amen.

IV. Sanctus
Soloists: Soprano-Patricia Littman, Alto-Michele Baroody,
Tenor-Michael Petersen, Bass-David Irvine

Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua, Hosanna in excelsis!
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in the highest.

V. Benedictus
Soloists: Soprano-Marty Friesen, Alto-Lucy Arnold,
Tenor-Michael Petersen, Bass-John Griffin

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

VI. Agnus Dei
Soloists: Soprano-Beth Carter, Alto-Ruthann Lovetang,
Tenor-Michael Petersen, Bass-David Irvine

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis!
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem!
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us!
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

VII. Dona Nobis

Dona nobis pacem!
Grant us your peace.

Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel (Arranged by Stacey V. Gibbs, 1965-)
(African-American Spiritual)

Oh, Lordy, if I could, you know I surely would stan’ on de rock where Moses stood. Didn’t my Lord deliver Daniel, then why not a-every man? He delivered Daniel from the lion’s den, Jonah from the belly of the whale, an’ the Hebrew chillun from the fi ery furnace then why not a-every man? Didn’t my Lord deliver Daniel, then why not a-every man? I set my foot on de gospel ship an’ de ship begin to sail, an’ it landed me down on Caanan’s shore an’ I’m nevuh comin’ back anymo’. Didn’t my Lord deliver Daniel, then why not a-every man? The wind blows east an’ the wind blows wes’, it blows like the Judgmen’ day, an evr’y poor sinnuh that nevuh did pray will be glad to pray that day. Didn’t my Lord deliver Daniel, then why not a-every man?

Stacey Gibbs is a relatively new name on the scene of choral music. A true amateur musician who makes a living outside of music, his arrangements of spirituals have quickly captured the attention of choral directors of professional, university and community choirs.

Hear My Prayer (Moses Hogan, 1957-2003)

O Lord, please hear my prayer, in the mornin’ when I rise. It’s Your servant bound for glory. O dear Lord, please hear my prayer. O Lord, please hear my prayer, Keep me safe within Your arms. When my work on earth is done and you’ve come to take me home, Just to know I’m bound for glory, and to hear You say well done. Done with sin and sorrow, have mercy. Amen.

Moses George Hogan was an African-American composer and arranger of choral music, best known for his settings of spirituals. Hogan was a pianist, conductor and arranger of international renown. He was a graduate of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) and Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio, and he also studied at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and New York’s Julliard School of Music.

Consort Chorale consists of selected choral singers primarily from the San Francisco Bay Area who are dedicated to the choral art form. Every summer, for the past seventeen years, the group has auditioned in May, gathered for almost-weekly rehearsals and then an intensive week of nightly rehearsals, culminating in a crowdpleasing concert. The unique “intensive” format comes with certain limitations, but provides an opportunity for singers to share in their love of choral music through the ages. We are indebted to the artistic rehearsal contributions of Martha Wall, David Irvine, Sally Johnson and Ruth E. Wells, whose assistance in preparation is immeasurable.

Allan Robert Petker , founder-director of Consort Chorale, is an internationally known choral conductor, clinician and prolific composer with over 250 published works. He is the President of Pavane Publishing and the Director of Publications for the Fred Bock Music Companies. He is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Santa Clarita Master Chorale and the Director of Music at the First Presbyterian Church in San Pedro.

Special thanks to the First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo; Bob Friestad, Consort’s unflappable Dean; The Madison Company for their assistance with our publicity; Marty Friesen for managing the web site, ticketing and finances; Suzanne Young and Martin Hillyer for program assistance; Kimberly Ayers Petker, Kris Irvine, Allan McAllister, and Mary Carol Winkler, Reception; Kirk Austin, Recording Engineer; Good Shepherd Lutheran Church for rehearsal space, Stephen McKersie for his invaluable assistance and especially Jim Berry, accompanist..

Please join us for a reception on the patio immediately following the concert. Our 2012 concert will be August 19. Mark your calendars now!