About the Program
Learn more about the music you’ll hear today!
Cartoon Christmas….………………. Arr. Andy Beck
Your favorite cartoon tunes spark in this joyful medley! Featuring The Most Wonderful Day of the Year, Put One Foot in Front of the Other, Heat Miser, Silver and Gold, and We Are Santa’s Elves, these beloved holiday songs are combined into one seasonal celebration. Each familiar melody evokes nostalgia and delight, making the music instantly recognizable and inviting for listeners of all ages. This medley is sure to bring smiles and laughter, capturing the magic of the season.
For Unto Us A Child Is Born ……………. George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) Arr. Paul Thompson
“For Unto Us a Child is Born” is a choral movement from Handel’s masterwork Messiah, a three-part oratorio that traces the anticipation of Christ’s coming, the story of His life and death, and triumph of the resurrection. Its blend of expressive arias, powerful chorus, and vivid text-painting has made it a cornerstone of the choral repertoire for nearly three centuries. This movement is drawn from the prophecy of Isaiah, the text and music declares the titles of the promised child–“Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming Praetorius……… ……………………… Michael Praetorius (1571-1621)
Adapted by Marie Stultz
The lyrics of this song come from a 15th-century German text, and the melody first appeared in a hymnal in Köln, Germany, 1599. This particular arrangement is based on the harmonization by German composer and theorist Michael Praetorius, with added introduction and interlude by Marie Stultz. The gentle carol reflects on the birth of Jesus, symbolized as a rose blossoming in the dead of winter—a poetic image drawn from the prophecies of Isaiah. Stultz’s arrangement brings out the piece’s inherent serenity, capturing the sense of wonder surrounding the nativity.
Alegria, Alegria, Alegria!………………Puerto Rican Folk Song Arr. Jill Gallina
“Alegria” is a vibrant Puerto Rican folk song traditionally performed as part of Christmas festivities. These celebrations begin with the Misas de Aguinaldo (Mass of Christmas Carols), a series of nine consecutive evening services leading up to Christmas Eve, where communities gather to sing, pray, and celebrate together. Alegria would often be sung as a lively backdrop to the Mass, bringing joy and energy to the occasion. Its spirited rhythms and melodies convey the warmth, community, and celebratory spirit that are central to Puerto Rican holiday traditions.
A Hanukkah Remembrance…………………Victor C. Johnson (b. 1978)
The Hebrew phrase “Nes gadol haya sham” (A great miracle happened there) is interwoven with English lyrics in this sensitive and reflective song. One section in the song features a narrator telling the story of Hanukkah. The violin, long a vital instrument in Jewish musical culture–partly because of historical occupational restrictions made music one of the few available professions–adds a poignant mood that echoes centuries of Jewish communal expressions.
Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All………..Andrew Parr (b. 1993)
Andrew Parr’s Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All offers a gentle and heartfelt reflection on the hope of the Christmas season. A fresh original melody is blended with the familiar refrain from Angels We Have Heard on High, offering a universal message of peace and joy. Its flowing lines and luminous harmonies create a calm, uplifting moment perfectly suited for the holiday season.
Umoja Tunaimba (United We Sing)…… …….Victor C. Johnson (b. 1978)
This song Umoja Tunaimba, “United We Sing” in Swahili, is an energetic composition that proclaims a message of justice and peace, making it perfect for celebrating Kwanzaa. The percussion instruments played by Touring Choir members add vibrant pulse of excitement. Victor Johnson is a prolific choral composer whose first publication in1994 while he was a sophomore in high school. He teaches at the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts and serves as director for the Children’s Choir of Texas. Bringing voices together to stand in umoja (unity), the song reminds us we are better together.
Here We Come A-Caroling…….…………………………Traditional English Carol Arr. Molly Ijames
In this arrangement of the traditional carol, joyful voices bring festive greetings and offer wishes for prosperity and happiness. The original song, which dates back to the 19th century, celebrates the practice of going door to door during the Christmas season, singing and spreading cheer. The flute and violin add a bright, sparkling energy to the atmosphere. Together, voices and instruments inspire a lively musical welcome to the holiday season, reflecting the communal joy and celebratory tradition of Christmas caroling.
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day……..Traditional English Carol Arr. Matthew Culloton
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day is a traditional English carol from the 16th century. The lyrics are uniquely presented from Jesus’ perspective, portraying his life as a dance that moves through key moments of the Nativity story. In Culloton’s arrangement, the use of vocal counterpoint and pizzicato-like “doo”s carry the music forward, creating a flow, dance-like motion. The interweaving lines and harmonies enhance the playful spirit of the carol.
The Chanukah Song (We Are Lights)………….……………Lyrics by Steve Young
Music by Stephen Schwartz (b. 1948)
The project to create this song began when Young was asked to write a new Hanukkah lyric for a 2001 holiday concert at Lincoln Center, with the goal of expanding the limited modern choral repertoire for the Jewish holiday. Young’s text shifts our focus from miracles of the past to the miracles within us today–”We are miracles, lighting up the dark.” The acclaimed Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz, best known for Gospell, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Wicked, set the words to music, crafting expressive melodies that enriches the text’s reflective message.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas……….……………Words by Hugh Martin (1914-2011) Music by Ralph Blane (1914-1995)
Arr. Molly Ijames
The song first appeared in the 1944 film Meet Me in St. Louis, sung by Judy Garland. In the movie, Garland’s character sings it to her five-year-old sister to provide comfort after their father announces the plans to move the family to New York City, stirring anxiety over leaving their home, friends, and familiar life in St. Louis. Garland’s tender performance, combined with the song’s simple, heartfelt melody, captures the warmth and intimacy of family life. Since its debut, the song has become one of the most cherished Christmas classics, admired for its warm charm and nostalgia.
Of a Rose, a lovely Rose from Magnificat…………………….…John Rutter (b. 1945)
Rutter’s choral music is beloved around the world, and his music has been featured in royal ceremonies. Between two jubilant movements, “Of a Rose, a lovely Rose” from Magnificat offers a solemn depiction of a rose, a metaphor for the Virgin Mary. Drawn from a 15th-century English poem, the text and music together generate a mystical beauty. Rutter intentionally chose these Middle English texts to connect the Latin Magnificat tradition with English Marian devotions. This approach is similar to Bach’s Magnificat where he sometimes blended the traditional Latin text with German chorale lines, connecting old liturgy with music familiar to his contemporaries.
Regina Coeli, KV 276………………………….…Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Regina Coeli (Queen of Heaven) is a liturgical text used in the Catholic Church during the Easter season, celebrating the resurrection of Christ. Mozart set music to the text three times, with KV. 276 being the last and largest of these settings. Composed in 1779, the work features soloists and choir, with fast, intricate passagework that is demanding for the singers, allowing for a dynamic interplay between individual voices and the full ensemble. Its joyous “Alleluja” section has a triumphant character that recalls the famous “Hallelujah Chorus” of Handel’s Messiah, a work Mozart had heard a few years earlier.
Gloria in excelsis from Jazz Missa Brevis……….………….Will Todd (b. 1970)
Will Todd’s Jazz Missa Brevis combines the traditional Latin Mass with the vibrant rhythms, harmonies, and improvisatory feel of contemporary jazz. The “Gloria in excelsis” opens with a drum solo, instantly establishing an uplifting Latin groove, and the choir’s energetic, syncopated lines create the joyful spirit of praise. In the middle of the movement, the music suddenly shifts to a more reflective mood, highlighting the prayerful plea of mercy. The exuberant “gloria” returns, and the movement concludes with a celebratory outburst.
Sleigh Ride…………..Music by Leroy Anderson (1909-1975) Words by Mitchell Parish (1900-1993) Arr. Kirby Shaw
Originally written for orchestra, composer Leroy Anderson imagined composing Sleigh Ride during a heat wave in July, 1946, and completed the work in 1948. The English lyrics we know today were set by Mitchell Parish in 1950. This arrangement by Shaw is inspired by the 1960s cover by the American girl group Ronettes who gave the song a pop twist and added the playful “Ring-a-ling-a-ling, ding-dong-ding” between verses. More than six decades later, their recording remains a familiar part of the holiday season.
Marshmallow World ………………….Carl Sigman (1909-2000)/ Peter DeRose (1896-1953) Arr. Greg Gilpin
Wintertime brings joy…and plenty of sweet treats! Written in 1949 and popularized by Bing Crosby’s 1950 recording, Marshmallow World compares a fresh snowfall to fluffy marshmallows covering the ground. Its playful and bouncy melody captures the excitement and wonder of a perfect winter day. The lyrics paint a fun image of a “whipped cream day” that we dream about all year long.
A La Ru, A La Me…………………………………..Douglas E. Wagner (b. 1952)
Based on a traditional Spanish carol, the song depicts the baby Jesus sleeping peacefully in the manger. The gentle sway of the refrain, “A La Ru, A La Me” rocks him softly, like a tender lullaby. The simple, flowing melody portrays a serene, comforting atmosphere surrounding the infant with warmth and quiet joy, inviting listeners to cherish the calm beauty of the scene.
Peace Carol (with “Dona Nobis Pacem”) ……….Arranged with additional words and music by Emily Crocker (b. 1949)
A beautiful original melody by Crocker is paired with the familiar canon Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant Us Peace), a tune orally passed down, possibly dating from the 16th or 17th century. The blend of old and new melodies creates a timeless, meditative quality. The ethereal flute adds a heavenly glow, enhancing the music’s calm and serene tone.
Mary Had a Baby….Traditional Spiritual Arr. Victor C. Johnson
Among African-American spirituals, the nativity of Christ is not a common theme. Mary Had a Baby is one of the few examples, celebrating the birth of Jesus and the joy surrounding the holy event. Its call-and-response style brings warmth to the story, making the celebration feel communal. The words “The people keep a-comin’ and the train has gone” use imagery common in African-American spirituals, suggesting hope and resilience even when opportunities have passed.
Carol of the Bells …………….Words by Peter J. Wilhousky (1902-1978)
Music by Mykola Leontovich (1877-1921)
The original tune of Carol of the Bells was a Ukrainian song called Shchedryk, traditionally sung to celebrate the New Year. The song tells a story of a swallow that flies into homes, bringing news of the wealth and prosperity each family will have in the coming year. Its haunting four-note ostinato reminded Ukrainian-American composer Peter Wilhousky of the sound of bells, inspiring him to write a new English text. In 1936, he arranged the piece for orchestra and choir, which became a favorite of Christmas music.
In Dulci Jubilo……………....Arr. Matthew Culloton
Traditional Christmas carol In Dulci Jubilo (“In Sweet Rejoicing" in Latin) celebrates the birth of Christ, and the tune dates back to the Middle Ages. Over the centuries, numerous composers including J. S. Bach and Franz Liszt have adopted the melody in their works. This arrangement by Culloton brings fresh harmonic colors and textures, given life to the well-known melody while preserving the buoyant character of the original tune. Reflecting the multilingual tradition of the carol, Culloton combines Latin and English, much like the original lyrics mixed Latin and German.
Laudi Alla Vergine Maria from Quattro Pezzi Sacri…………….……….Guiseppe Verdi (1813-1901)
In his late years, Italian opera composer Verdi returned to sacred music, a genre he had first explored as a teenager. “Laudi Alla Vergine Maria,” with text drawn from a short prayer in Dante’s Paradiso, is one of his Quattro Pezzi Sacri (Four Sacred Pieces), originally written for four solo female voices and now often performed by treble choir. The set premiered in Paris in 1898, but Verdi, recovering from a secretly kept stroke, could not attend. Instead, he sent his friend and fellow composer Arrigo Boito to represent him and guided the rehearsal process through letters and telegrams. In contrast to his dramatic writing in operas, this a cappella piece is pure and serene, revealing Verdi’s deep sensitivity to text and his ability to shape music to illuminate its meaning.
Grown-Up Christmas List……..David Foster (b. 1949)/ Linda Thompson-Jenner (b. 1959) Arr. Mac Huff
Making a Christmas list isn’t just for kids. The 1989 song Grown-Up Christmas List expresses universal hopes for a kinder, more peaceful world. Its original song was recorded by Natalie Cole for Foster’s 1990 album. Instead of wishing for presents, the lyrics imagine a place where “no more lives torn apart” and “love would never end.” It reminds us that the spirit of the season is as much about compassion and healing as it is about celebration.
Carol Sing!……………….……………Arr. John Leavitt
Mashing together some of our favorite Christmas carols, Carol Sing! blends Deck the Hall, Joy to the World, and Angels We Have Heard on High into a joyful medley. Accompanied by orchestra, this arrangement not only showcases the familiar melodies but also encourages audience participation–if you know the tunes, you are invited to sing along and join the festive celebration–just as these songs were meant to bring people together!
Night of Silence……………Daniel Kantor (b. 1960)
Dreaming of the morning sun in the middle of a cold night, Night of Silence quietly anticipates the arrival of the infant. Its delicate harmonies and serene atmosphere creates a scene of stillness, inviting us to reflect on the meaning of the season. On the third verse, we welcome the audience to join in singing Silent Night. May this moment, and the gift of music, bring a light to everyone’s heart.
(Program Notes by Yukino Miyake)