The Canadian Chamber Choir is pleased to begin this concert with our version of a Canadian Mass. The Ordinary of the mass is comprised of the following movements – Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. Throughout history the Mass has evolved from chanted settings for liturgical use in worship, to include much more elaborate settings, many written as large-scale concert pieces. Canadian composers from coast to coast have written their own musical settings of these mass movements that reflect the diversity of our country. We have selected just a few of them to share with you tonight and in between them we’ve included other reflective sacred pieces. From well-established to emerging composers, our Canadian Mass is a showcase for the depth, talent, and diversity of Canadian composers.

Exultate Deo – Robin John King

Robin John King (Edmonton, AB) is a graduate of the University of Toronto where he studied organ and church music on a scholarship from the Bishop F.H. Wilkinson Foundation. His teachers there included John Tuttle, William Wright, Godfrey Ridout and Talivaldis Kenins. After years as a church musician and a term as the Executive Director of the Alberta Choral Federation, he now serves as ordained clergy with the United Church of Canada. Exultate Deo was written in 1987, inspired by the composer’s membership in the bass section of John Tuttle’s Exultate Chamber Singers in Toronto. It was revised in 2003 at the request of Dr. John Hooper, who performed it with his Concordia University Concert Choir in Edmonton. It is performed with permission of the composer.

Rejoice in God our helper:

sing aloud to the God of Jacob.

Take the psalm and bring hither the timbrel:

the merry harp with the lute.

Blow the trumpet in the new moon,

even on our solemn feast day.

KYRIE from Missa Brevis – STEPHEN HATFIELD

Stephen Hatfield (Vancouver Island, BC). In addition to his choral works, he enjoys composing for the theater. While teaching school in Ontario he became recognized as a leader in multiculturalism and musical folklore, an interest that informs many of his compositions and arrangements. Hatfield credits John Barron for the idea behind his Missa Brevis – each movement incorporates folk melodies from different countries. The Kyrie is based on a Gaelic burial song from Scotland and is published by Boosey and Hawkes, Inc.

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

I ASKED OF GOD – EMILY WALKER

Emily Walker (London, ON) holds a Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance with Christine Vlajk, and Composition with Peter Hatch at Wilfrid Laurier University. She has written for the renowned ensembles Schola Madgalena, Maureen Forrester Singers, the Canadian Chamber Choir, and the Renaissance Singers. She is an alum of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada (2012, 2013) playing both violin and viola. Emily is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma at the Glenn Gould School with Steven Dann in Toronto, ON. Emily is very honoured to haveI Asked of God performed by the Canadian Chamber Choir. She writes of the piece:

“With poetry that is both wise and accessible, I Asked of God by Lucy Maud Montgomery is a poem that I found deeply moving and very inspiring. Montgomery eloquently discusses human suffering; an intimidating topic, but something that everyone has experienced in some form. Her reason for the pain is such, “…with the failure came a sympathy, an insight that success had never bought.” I have found this poem to be very encouraging in the midst of personal struggles, which is why I chose to set this work by this amazing Canadian writer.”

Humbly I asked of God to give me joy, To crown my life with blossoms of delight;

I pled for happiness without alloy, Desiring that my pathway should be bright;

Prayerful I sought these blessings to attain, – And now I thank him that he gave me pain.

[I asked of God that he should give success To the high task I sought for him to do;

I asked that all the hindrances grow less, And that my hours of weakness might be few;

I asked that far and lofty heights be scaled, – And now I meekly thank him that I failed.]

For with the pain and sorrow came to me A dower of tenderness in act and thought;

And with the failure came a sympathy, An insight that success had never bought.

Father, I had been foolish and unblest If thou had granted me my blind request!

GLORIA from Missa Pax – TIM CORLIS

Tim Corlis (Toronto, ON) was raised in the Anglican choral tradition in Toronto and writes: “as a chorister… I developed a great appreciation for the liturgical tradition, for the many ways composers have written about the spiritual journey and the many mysteries embedded in these timeless texts.” Gloria is part of a 32-minute work Missa Pax, commissioned and premiered by Noel Edison and the Elora Festival Singers. In the Gloria you can hear segments of chant-like music sung by a solo voice juxtaposed against block chords sung by the full chorus. Including only the first few lines of the traditional Gloria text, both Latin and a paraphrase in English are combined. Corlis’ music has been performed across Canada and internationally to critical acclaim, including a Juno nomination in 2009.  He currently teaches at Conrad Grebel University College and resides in the Kitchener-Waterloo area.  Missa Pax is published by Cypress Choral Music.

Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to all of good will.

We praise thee, we bless thee

we worship thee, we glorify thee,

thanks be to God because of the great glory,

TABULA RASA – DON MACDONALD

Don Macdonald (Nelson, BC)

Don Macdonald’s composition credits include music for classical ensembles, opera, theatre, dance, published vocal works and forays into everything from jazz and rock to contemporary electronic music. He has over 20 feature film credits and has written for and recorded with orchestra, stage band, concert band, string quartet and choir. His composition Tabula Rasa, one of 5 published choral works, received the DaCapo Chamber Choir award for Best Choral Composition in 2010. Don currently resides in Nelson, BC where he teaches at the Selkirk College Contemporary Music and Technology Program. Tabula Rasa is published as part of the Canadian Chamber Choir Series by Cypress Choral Music.

About the piece, he writes: “The Latin phrase Tabula Rasa translates as ‘Blank Slate’ in English.  I had a specific image in mind when composing this music. A quiet moment between a mother and child when the mother sees, as she has never seen, the potential of the precious life she holds in her arms. A silent acknowledgement of her child and every child as a ‘blank slate’ with seemingly limitless potential.”

In my arms, breathe.

Life without limits.

Light of day, dark night.

Sleep, dream, rest in safety.

With your heart, your soul,

listen and know this truth:

Within you are boundless futures

if you are given freedom;

freedom to grow,

freedome to learn,

freedom to touch,

freedom to feel,

freedom to imagine,

freedom to fly,

freedom to love,

freedom to be loved.

Text: Allison Girvan

CREDO from Missa Brevis – LEONARD ENNS

Leonard Enns (Waterloo, ON) is a composer, conductor, and educator who grew up in a small farming community south of Winnipeg. He holds undergraduate music degrees from Canadian Mennonite Bible College (Winnipeg) and Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo, Ontario). His graduate degrees are from Northwestern University, where he completed a Masters degree in Conducting with Margaret Hillis and a PhD in Music Theory. Since 1977 Enns has been employed as a member of the Music Faculty at Conrad Grebel College, University of Waterloo, where he served as chair for a number of years, and teaches in the areas of music theory, conducting, choral music and composition. Enns has numerous choral compositions for school, church, amateur, and professional choirs, published in both Canada and the United States. His works are performed at festivals and concerts across North America, England, and Continental Europe. Apart from choral works, his compositions also include works for solo voice, organ and piano, and orchestra. He is an Associate Composer of the Canadian Music Centre and a member of the Canadian League of Composers.

I believe in one God, The Father Almighty,

Maker of heaven and earth,

and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord, Jesus Christ

the only-begotten Son of God.

Born of the Father before all ages.

God of God, Light of Light,

true God of True God.

Begotten, not made,

of one substance with the Father.

By whom all things were made.

Who for us men and for our salvation

came down from heaven.

And became incarnate

by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary:

and was made man.

He was also crucified for us,

suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried.

And on the third day

He rose again according to the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven

and sits at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory

to judge the living and the dead

and His kingdom will have no end.

And in the Holy Spirit,

the Lord and Giver of life,

Who proceeds from the Father and the Son.

Who together with the Father and the Son

is adored and glorified,

and who spoke through the prophets.

And one holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins

and I await the resurrection of the dead

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

PSAUME 98 – PETER TOGNI

Peter-Anthony Togni (Pembroke, ON) is a freelance composer and broadcaster based in Halifax, N.S. He studied organ and composition at the University of British Columbia with Stephen Chatman, and at the Schola Cantorum in Paris, France, where he won first prize in composition, studying organ and improvisation with Jean Langlais and composition with Allain Gaussin. Well-known to most Canadians as a broadcaster for CBC Radio 2, he has written music for orchestra, chorus, solo organ and piano works, and more. He is an accomplished organist having toured widely with his trio, Sanctuary. Psaume 98 was written in 1997 in both SATB and TTBB arrangements.

Sing to the Lord a new song,

for he has done marvelous things;

his right hand and his holy arm

have worked salvation for him.

The Lord has made his salvation known

and revealed his righteousness to the nations.

He has remembered his love

and his faithfulness to Israel;

all the ends of the earth

have seen the salvation of our God.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,

burst into jubilant song with music;

make music to the Lord with the harp,

with the harp

and the sound of singing

with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—

shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

Let the sea resound, and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it.

Let the rivers clap their hands,

let the mountains sing together for joy;

let them sing before the Lord,

for he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness

and the peoples with equity.

SANCTUS from Missa Brevis – MATTHEW EMERY

Matthew Emery (London, ON) is a multi award-winning composer. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of British Columbia where he studied with Stephen Chatman and Jocelyn Morlock, and is a fellow of Melodious Accord studying with Alice Parker. Matthew is the Composer-in-Residence for the Amabile Choirs of London, Canada for the 2014-2015 season, and is a member of the Canadian League of Composers. His music has been performed across North America, Europe and Asia and has been heard on national television and radio. Matthew is the recipient of the ACDA Raymond W. Brock composition contest (USA) and the ACCC Diane Loomer award for Choral Writing (Canada), among many other awards from across North America. He writes of Sanctus:

“The Sanctus of my Missa Brevis, written in May 2012, connects the fundamental feelings of glory and exultation described by the text with more refined moments of peace and inner joy. The ebullient energy of the piece is derived from the use of various time signatures, together with combinations of short rhythmic patterns. The tuneful melodies in conjunction with a rich harmonic texture result in what I hope is an effective depiction of the overarching theme of jubilation.”

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

AVE MARIA – JAMES FOGARTY

James Fogarty (Moncton, NB) rreceived his B.Mus in vocal performance from l’Université de Moncton, where he also studied composition and conducting. He pursued his M.Mus in composition at King’s College London. James has written both instrumental and choral works, including Ave Maria, which won first place in the Inaugural Canadian Chamber Choir Composition Competition in 2009 and is published by Renforth Music. His opera, Baba Yaga: Witch of the Forest, was performed at the Capitol Theatre in Moncton in Jaunary of 2010 by the Université de Moncton Opera Workshop. James has continued to write choral music for such groups as the Ontario-based Cantabile Chamber Singers and the New Brunswick Youth Choir. Ave Maria is published by Renforth Music.

Ave Maria!

O holy Mary, mother of God,

Pray for us, Maria

Now and at the hour of our death

Hear our pray’r!

Ave Maria!

Text adapted from the Hail Mary by James Fogarty.

IN PARADISUM – KATHLEEN ALLAN

Kathleen Allan (St. John’s, NL) moved to Vancouver in 2007, where she received a degree in composition from the University of British Columbia. She has since completed a masters degree in conducting at Yale University and was appointed director of the Junior Choir at S. Michael’s Choir School in Toronto. Equally at home as an accomplished singer and conductor, Kathleen served as the CCC’s Conducting Fellow in 2013. In Paradisum is published as part of the Canadian Chamber Choir Series by Cypress Choral Music.

About In Paradisum, she writes:

“In Paradisum was premiered by the UBC University Singers on their 2008 United Kingdom tour. A highly personal work, it was written during my first year in Vancouver and was inspired by my first encounters with the beautiful Pacific coast. Having grown up in a harsher coastal climate on the edge of the Atlantic ocean, I was struck by the calmness and serenity of Vancouver’s seaside. I was inspired to write a poem in honour of my grandfather, an amateur sailor and photographer, who at the time was beginning to succumb to his chronic lung disease in St. John’s. Writing the poem and setting it to music helped me to reconcile the distance between my homes on two coasts, and allowed me to musically express my awe at natural beauty, my grappling with transitions, life and loss, and the profound sense of hope the ocean, regardless of coast, represented to me.”

May angels lead you into Paradise;

may the martyrs receive you at your coming

and lead you to the holy city of Jerusalem.

May a choir of angels receive you,

and with Lazarus, who once was poor,

may you have eternal rest.
A breath of sunset,

A snapshot of fresh air

Is framed in memory.

Sailing still.
Let me lead you up away

Beyond the sunset,

Beyond the sea

Where the still living memories

are sailing still.
Let us into the sky stand

Across the sunlight,

Beyond the day

Towards living horizons

Still breathing still.
A focused journey

Through the lens

Of true breath.

Waves wash in and out

Inhaling tide

Exhaling colour.

Your eyes are seeing still

Your flash is welcome.

AGNEAU DE DIEU – RUPERT LANG

Rupert Lang (Red Deer, AB) earned his first degree in Music from the University of Manitoba. He went on to study in England where he received diplomas from the Royal School of Church Music, the Royal College of Organists, and the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Certificate in Church Music. Lang received an M.A. (Music) from the University of Cambridge where he studied with George Guest, Gillian Weir, and John Scott. After returning to Canada, Lang founded the Vancouver Children’s Choir while he was director of music at West Vancouver United Church. In 1986 he was appointed to his present position as Organist and Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver. Commissioned works have been premiered by The Calgary Girl’s Choir, Chor Leoni Men’s Choir, Syracuse Children’s Choir, and others. Many of his works continue to be performed internationally. Agneau de Dieu was written for his Cathedral Choir in 2002 as a test piece for the CBC National Amateur Choral Competition. It is published by Boosey and Hawkes, Inc.

Lamb of God, who takes away

the sins of the world,

grant us peace.

The second half of the program features music inspired by mankind’s relationship to nature – earth, sky, and sea. The first three pieces come from Aboriginal perspectives (Ute, Inuit, and Ojibway). They are followed by a Canadian setting of a French poet, linking love and loss with the movement of the river. Folksongs both moving and rollicking, round out the half, musically expressing the relationship of Canadians with the earth.

EARTH TEACH ME – RUPERT LANG

Lang was commissioned to write Earth Teach Me with the stipulation that he use a First Nations text. It was premiered by the Central Bucks High School (Pennsylvania) at a choral festival in Toronto in 2006. Meditative in nature, the moving text directs us to learn essential qualities through observing nature.

SONGS ARE THOUGHTS – LAVINIA KELL PARKER

Lavinia Kell Parker (Churchhill, Ontario) has been the recipient of awards in national and international competitions, including the New York Treble Singers Composition Competition, the IAWM New Genre Award, the ACCC Associated Publishers Award and the Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Composition Competition. Her formal training began at Wilfrid Laurier University and she has continued her studies with residencies in France and the United States. An avid interest in choral writing has been fostered in part by her experience as a choral singer and that as a church musician. Professional and amateur choirs have performed her works, including the Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir, the Eastman Women’s Chorus, the NYTS, the Amadeus Choir of Toronto and the Canadian Chamber Choir. An Associate Composer of the CMC, she sees composition as a medium of social activism, and hopes that her music will provoke thought, dialogue and, eventually, positive change. She lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children. Songs are Thoughtscombines both Inuktitut and English text (Orpingalik, recorded by Rasmussen) expressing the integral role of music in the culture of the Netsilingmiut. Songs are Thoughts is published as part of the Canadian Chamber Choir Series by Cypress Choral Music.

Parker writes:

“Orpingalik’s songs literally had the power to transform. Music is at the very essence of our being. If we too are to have this realization… perhaps we will have the potential to create powerful transformations of our own.”

VISION CHANT from Bawajigaywin – ANDREW BALFOUR

Andrew Balfour (Winnipeg, MB) is of Cree descent and started writing his own compositions in 1998. Since then, he has written a body of choral, instrumental and orchestral work, including Gregorio’s Nightmare, Raven Can Tango, Wa Wa Tey Wak (Northern Lights), Fantasia on a Poem by Rumi, Missa Brevis, Medieval Inuit, Kihewetaniy (Eagle Feather), and Voice of the Lake. Many of Andrew’s works have been performed and/or broadcast locally, nationally and internationally. Andrew is Music Director and founder of Camerata Nova (Winnipeg) and specializes in arrangements of medieval, Renaissance, early Baroque and Byzantine choral music. Andrew has also produced many experimental arrangements using unusual instruments in conjunction with voice. Vision Chant is from a work called Bawajigaegan, which means Vision Quest in Ojibway.  The text – ‘babamadizwin’ means ‘journey’ and is set phonetically. It is based on an aboriginal chant style.

LE PONT MIRABEAU – JEFF ENNS

Jeff Enns (Waterloo, ON) studied organ, viola and composition at Wilfrid Laurier University. He has since won a number of composition competitions including the Amadeus Choir Competition and the Trinity United Competition (Kitchener). His pieces have been performed across Canada and throughout the world and are featured on a number of acclaimed CD’s including the CCC’s In Good Company. Enns is currently organist and choir director at St. James Lutheran church in Elmira, teaches violin part time at the Beckett School in Kitchener as well as being a stay at home dad. He lives in Elmira with his wife Valerie and their two children. Le pont Mirabeau was composed in 2011 by Jeff Enns and received an honourable mention in the DaCapo Chamber Choir’s Composition Competition in 2012. Inspired by Guillaume Apollinaire’s poem and the setting by Lionel Daunais, it was written for Choral St. John in Edmonton. Enns describes the poem as ‘a sonic version of a Monet painting.’ The lyrical melody is supported by Enns’ characteristic layered harmonies.

Under the Mirabeau Bridge there flows the Seine

Must I recall

Our loves recall how then

After each sorrow joy came back again

Let night come on bells end the day

The days go by me still I stay

Hands joined and face to face let’s stay just so

While underneath

The bridge of our arms shall go

Weary of endless looks the river’s flow

Let night come on bells end the day

The days go by me still I stay

All love goes by as water to the sea

All love goes by

How slow life seems to me

How violent the hope of love can be

Let night come on bells end the day

The days go by me still I stay

The days the weeks pass by beyond our ken

Neither time past

Nor love comes back again

Under the Mirabeau Bridge there flows the Seine

SHE’S LIKE THE SWALLOW – JEFF ENNS

The CCC was honoured to premiere Jeff Enns’ arrangement of She’s Like the Swallow. It is published as part of the Canadian Chamber Choir Series by Cypress Choral Music.

He says this about his first Canadian folksong arrangement:

“The melody is so hauntingly beautiful that half of the work is already finished. The difficulty was in putting my own stamp on the music without taking away from the melody. The text provides many images: from swallows flying to picking flowers, but always coming back to the sea and melancholy. I attempted to capture some of the changing moods throughout the piece and keep the gentle feel of the melody throughout.”

À LA CLAIRE FONTAINE – STEPHEN SMITH

Stephen Smith (Cape Sable Island, NS) is a pianist, choral conductor, and composer who makes his home in Vancouver. He studied in Nova Scotia and in England before obtaining a doctoral degree at the University of British Columbia. His arrangement of À la claire fontaine won honourable mention in the fourth Melodious Accord International Composition Search. The composition was described as “grateful to sing and communicative to the audience.” It is published by Jaymar Music Limited.

By the clear spring

as I was walking,

I found the water so beautiful

that I bathed myself.

Refrain:

I have loved you for a long time,

I will never forget you.

I dried myself off

under the leaves of an oak.

On the highest branch

the nightingale was singing.

Sing, nightingale, sing,

you who has such a happy heart.

You have a heart for laughing;

my heart is for crying.

THE JONES BOYS – TIM COOPER

Tim Cooper(Ingersoll, ON) received his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of Toronto and his DMA in Choral Conducting and Literature from the University of Georgia in Athens. For over 30 years he taught at the University of New Brunswick in the Faculty of Education. Dr. Cooper has dedicated his musical life to working with amateur choirs. He has conducted choirs in the Anglican, Baptist, Roman Catholic and United Churches. In addition, he has conducted choral societies and amateur chamber choirs in Fredericton, NB since 1978. The Jones Boys is a traditional New Brunswick Folk Song that was reportedly a favourite of Lord Beaverbrook. It is published by Renforth Music.