Connecticut Master Chorale

Joyfully Sing – Brian D. Petersen

Our program opens with this triumphant vision of the angelic rejoicing on the morning of Christ's birth.

Chris Dedrick
1947 - 2010

Emily Crocker
b. 1949

Sweet Songs of Christmas – Chris Dedrick, arr. Emily Crocker

This eloquent, expressive portrayal of the beauty and wonder of Christmas comes from the Canadian Brass' hit Christmas album "Noel!"

John Rutter
b. 1945

Shepherd’s Pipe Carol – John Rutter

One of John Rutter's earliest compositions, this joyous setting of a traditional text brought him immediate recognition and remains a favorite of singers and audiences alike.

Aaron Copland
1900 - 1990

Horace Everett
1927 - 2001

The Promise of Living – Aaron Copland, lyrics by Horace Everett

Also known as "The Thanksgiving Song", this iconic favorite from Aaron Copland's opera "The Tender Land", is an expressive hymn of thanks.

Lawrence McCoombe
1943 - 2001

Judah’s Land (Gentle Stranger) – arr. Lawrence McCoombe

A stylish and flowing a cappella arrangement of the Appalachian Carol.

Mack Wilberg
b. 1955

Gloria Tibi Domine – Mack Wilberg

An energetic and buoyant setting of the fifteenth-century English carol text, with for brass and percussion.

Tina Heidrich
b. 1954

Boar’s Head Carol – arr. Tina Heidrich

The ancient ritual and the rousing holiday song, where the highly decorated dishes of the Christmas feast were presented to the company amid song, pomp and circumstance, with the great platter on which rested the boar's head given pride of place.

Theron Kirk
1919 - 1999

A Festival of Carols – arr. Theron Kirk

A colorful Christmas medley of familiar carols, including “Joy to the World”, “What Child Is This?”, “Fum, Fum, Fum”, “He Is Born”, “I Saw Three Ships”, and “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

AN AFRICAN CHRISTMAS:

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  Michael Barrett
  b. 1985

  African Advent Carol – Michael Barrett

  Part of the Christmas season is the anticipation of Jesus' coming, and in this original work, the growing expectation is captured and set free with African percussion. A quote of the traditional spiritual Kum Ba Yah fits right into the texture as the piece moves to an exciting finish. "Go tell the news - get ready for the King."
• 

  Ruth Elaine Schram
  b. 1956

  Yoo, Yoo (Baby Won’t Sleep) – arr. Ruth Elaine Schram

  In this gentle setting of a Kenyan folk song, triadic harmonies in the voices are sometimes close and other times open to create breathtaking treble sonorities.
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  Rosephanye Powell
  b. 1962

  Ogo ni fun Oluwa! (Glory to God in the Highest) – Rosephanye Powell

  An exuberant a cappella celebration of Christmas in the Yoruba language of Nigeria, with throbbing percussion and call-and-response vocal phrases.

Andy Beck
b. 1961

Light a Candle – Andy Beck

This new creation begins with one voice and builds to many as we use the candle as a symbol of peace and enduring traditions, not only of Hanukkah, but of Christmas and Kwanza.

Tina Heidrich
b. 1954

A Greek New Year’s Carol – arr. Tina Heidrich

A traditional Greek Carol celebrating St. Basil, the Santa Claus of the Greeks. January 1 is the feast day (or name day) of St. Basil. Children typically receive their Christmas presents on this day.

Gordon Krunnfusz
1931 - 2011

Calypso Noel – Gordon Krunnfusz

The classic Christmas song that started the "islands" carol craze, creating visions of a sunny and warm Christmas day, with steel drums to add a genuine Caribbean feel.

Tom Fettke
b. 1941

Thomas Grassi
b. 1970

Pat-a-Pan Salsa – Tom Fettke & Thomas Grassi

With steel drums and Latin percussion instruments, the famous Burgundian carol has never sounded like this before!

Hugh Martin
1914 - 2011

Ralph Blane
1914 - 1995

Russ Robinson
b. 1956

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane, arr. Russ Robinson

A gorgeous new a cappella setting of this timeless standard that was originally introduced by Judy Garland in 1944 in the cinema classic Meet Me in St. Louis.

Michael Sykes
b. 1958

Suzanne Jennings
b. 1965

Woody Wright
b. 1957

Lari Goss
b. 1945

He Drew the Line! – Michael Sykes, Suzanne Jennings, & Woody Wright; arr. Lari Goss

From the brand new musical "Changed by a Baby Boy", this foot-stomping gospel number will be our rousing concert closer.