Karen P. Thomas, Artistic Director and Conduc-tor of Seattle Pro Musica, has conducted at international festivals in Europe and North America, including the Berkshire Choral Festival and the Bergen International Festival. She has lectured for Chorus America, the American Guild of Organists, the American Choral Director’s Association, the Seattle Symphony, and has received awards from the NEA, American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, and ASCAP, among others. She was awarded the 2015

Dale Warland Singers Commission Award from Chorus America and the American Composers Forum. Named the Washington State “Outstanding Choral Director” for 2012, she has been lauded for her “charismatic...magnetic podium presence.”

A prize-winning composer, her numerous commissions include works for the Grand Jubilee in Rome, the American Guild of Organists, and the Association of Anglican Musicians. Her compositions are regularly performed internationally by groups such as The Hilliard Ensemble and have been praised as “superb work of the utmost sensitivity and beauty.” She currently serves on the Seattle Music Commission and on the boards of Chorus America, the American Choral Directors Association (NW Region), and the Greater Seattle Choral Consortium.

A B O U T S E A T T L E P R O M U S I C A

Seattle Pro Musica is a critically acclaimed choral organization whose mission is to enrich and inspire our audiences, singers, and community through the experience of choral artistry, and to increase access to and appreciation of choral music. Our members come to us with a range of ages, skills, and experience, and we are united by our desire to make beautiful music together for ourselves and our audiences.

Seattle Pro Musica is comprised of four performing ensembles: the 80-voice Seattle Pro Musica choir; Vox, the mixed-voices chamber ensemble; Chroma, the select SSAA ensemble; and Orpheon, the select TTBB ensemble. Recipient of the Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence and the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming, Seattle Pro Musica is ranked by American Record Guide as “among America’s very best choirs.”

Under the baton of Artistic Director and Conductor Karen P. Thomas, Seattle Pro Musica has received international acclaim for its CD recordings and live performances. Choir and Organ writes: “Seattle Pro Musica presents a cappella singing at its best.” Fanfare Record says: “This is truly an extraordinary choir.” Seattle Pro Musica has appeared by invitation for numerous international and national festivals, and has performed with Jane Eaglen, Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Pacific MusicWorks, and Seattle Symphony. In 2014, members of Seattle Pro Musica appeared on the GRAMMY Award-winning album Winds of Samsara.

Seattle Pro MusicaSOPR ANO I

Tina BeveridgeStephanie GrayAnnie HudsonHeidi Kim *+Teresa NemethJoy PortellaKatie Skovholt *+Jenny Spence *+Jennylynn Vidas *

SOPR ANO II

Emory AndersonLillian BalmforthAbby BlakesleyTess BrandonMarilyn Colyar *+Jonna FarleyErin Gabriel *Elly Hale *+Carole JonesElaine Lee PaolielloMeaghan Leferink *+Jenn NewlandAda Ng *+Catherine RobertsJan Strand *+Judy Williams

ALTO I

Marissa Burkey *+Deborah ForrestAllison Freel *Amy Godwin *Fiona HatfieldEmily JordanLiz LangelandTeena Littleton *+Rose MorrisonCorina RahmigSarah Ruuska *Marit TrelstadJanelle WalhoutALTO II

Liz AdamsShirley BeresfordErica ConveryJacque Deerr-Lord *+Mara Forster SmithKaren ManemanLiz Reed Hawk *+Elizabeth Sanders *+Katy Sarff +Karen SegarAnna ThelenHannah Won +

TENOR I

Chris BurchJacob Buys *^David Horton *^Jim Howeth *^Will Myers *^TENOR II

Richard BersaminaBen Flynn Grégoire Lurton ^Michael MendelowJonathan SiehlDanny Szydlo *^Fred Williams

BASS I

Jim Bartscher *^Ryan Gao *^Peter HemmenRick Johnson *^Wes Kim *^Glenn NielsenBASS II

Mike Engh *^Peter Lifland *^Lee Maneman *^Jon Repp *^Chris Rule *^

Staff MembersKaren P. Thomas, Artistic Director & ConductorKatie Skovholt, Executive DirectorWill Myers, Administrative AssistantDwight Beckmeyer, AccompanistHeidi Kim and Kevin Kralman, Section Leaders

Board of Directors

Joy Portella, PresidentWes Kim, Vice PresidentJosh Smith, Treasurer Katy Sarff, Corporate Secretary Beth AlleyJeannine BlackAnne ClamoungouRick JohnsonLaura Patton-BallardMary RedmanHannah Won

Advisory Board

Dean ArnoldKeith AxelsenMona DworkinSam DworkinMike EvansPhil HaasNoreen KingTeena LittletonTerri LordsJohn SchillingDale Whitehead

*Vox+Chroma^Orpheon

Acknowledgements

Jennifer Newland – Stage Manager Karen Segar – Russian language coach

Soloists

Stars – Jenny Spence

The Christ-child – Jenny Spence

Winter – Katie Skovholt, Amy Godwin, Danny Szydlo, Lee Maneman

Lux Aurumque – Heidi Kim

Aeterna caeli gloria – Erin Gabriel, Jenny Spence, Katie Skovholt

Die Könige – Ryan Gao (Dec.10); Jon Repp (Dec. 17)

I wonder as I wander – Heidi Kim (Dec. 10, 3:00 pm; Dec. 17, 7:30 pm);

Jacob Buys (Dec. 10, 7:30 pm; Dec. 17, 3:00 pm)

O little town of Bethlehem – Jennylynn Vidas

Conditor alme siderum ............................................................................................................................................Guilluame Dufay (1397-1474)Nowel: Owt of your slepe aryse ..................................................................................................................................15th-century British carol

Stars .........................................................................................................................................................................................Ēriks Ešenvalds (b. 1977)The Christ-child ..................................................................................................................................................................Gabriel Jackson (b. 1962) Winter ........................................................................................................................................................................................Joshua Shank (b. 1980)Zviozdï (Stars) ................................................................................................................................................................. Sergei Taneyev (1856-1915)Lux Aurumque .........................................................................................................................................................................Eric Whitacre (b. 1970)Hymn to the Creator of Light ................................................................................................................................................John Rutter (b. 1945)

Ante luciferum genitus ......................................................................................................................................................... Jacob Handl (1550-91) Star of Wonder............................................................................................................................................................................Terre Roche (b. 1953)

Aeterna caeli gloria .............................................................................................................................................................................Gabriel Jackson

Hymn to the Mother of Light ..............................................................................................................................Reginald Unterseher (b. 1956)O magnum mysterium ............................................................................................................................................... Morten Lauridsen (b. 1943)Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern ............................................................................................................Michael Praetorius (1571-1621)Die Könige ...........................................................................................................................................................................Peter Cornelius (1824-74)I wonder as I wander ............................................................................................................... John Jacob Niles (1892-1980), arr. John RutterO little town of Bethlehem ........................................................................................................................... British carol, arr. Karen P. Thomas

S E A T T L E P R O M U S I C A

K A R E N P. T H O M A S , C O N D U C T O R

These performances are supported in part by ArtsFund, 4Culture, Classical KING FM 98.1, and the City of Seattle, Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs.

Please turn off all cell phones and electronic devices. No photography during performances. Thank you.

star of wonder

Illuminare Jerusalem............................................................................................................................................................ Judith Weir (b. 1954)

SE AT T LE PR O MUSI C A

VOX

O R PH EO N

I N T E R M I S S I O N

SE AT T LE PR O MUSI C A

CH R O M A

PR O G R A M

During the 15th century, the Burgundian provinces (now known as the Netherlands, Belgium, and Northern France) were the center of European music, home to some of the most important and influential composers of the era – notably Guillaume Dufay. During his lifetime, Dufay was regarded as the greatest composer in Europe. As a young man, he served as a singer and composer in the papal choir in Rome, and later worked for some of the most important courts in Italy and Burgundy. He was constantly sought after as a teacher, and virtually every 15th-century composer was influenced by his writing.

Conditor alme siderum is an anonymous text from the 7th century used at Vespers during Advent.

Conditor alme siderum

Conditor alme siderum,aeterna lux credentium,Christe, redemptor omnium,exaudi preces supplicum.

Qui condolens interitumortis perire saeculum,salvasti mundum languidum,donans reis remedium.

Vergente mundi vespere,uti sponsus de thalamo,egressus honestissimaVirginis matris clausula.

Program notes, text and translations

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Humankind has celebrated the winter solstice for thousands of years, marking the passage through the darkness of winter and yearning for the return of the sun. In Star of Wonder, we share with you music and poetry that evoke winter lights, stars, and the childlike sense of wonder that accompanies winter celebrations.

The stories that these lyrics tell are rich in symbols of the night sky – stars, lights, and the heavens – some with spiritual meaning, others firmly rooted in nature. In The Christ-child, the child’s hair is described as being “like a light…a star…a fire… a crown.” On the secular, natu-ral side, the poet of Taneyev’s Stars transports us to a nighttime scene of lights twinkling in the sky like the misty thoughts in our souls.

For me, the most touching story in this program belongs to our title work, Star of Wonder, by Terre Roche. This unassuming and beautiful piece seems at first glance to simply be a gentle poem about a shepherd looking at a “star of wonder.” But the backstory reveals much more: Roche wrote the lyrics and music as a tribute to her close friend who perished in the Lockerbie bombing over Scotland just before Christmas in 1988.

“Star of wonder in the heavens, are you just a shining star, Or should I follow you tonight. Star of wonder, shining bright.”

Some of the pieces on our program will be familiar to you, and many will be new discoveries, like the evocative Stars by the young Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds. His setting of the poetry by Sara Teasdale uses voices and tuned water glasses to create an unforget-table portrait of a shimmering night sky. We invite you to let your imaginations fly, and enjoy the sounds and imagery of Star of Wonder.

Sincerely,

Karen P. ThomasArtistic Director and Conductor

A message from conductor Karen P. Thomas

Creator of the stars of night,Thy people’s everlasting light,Jesu, Redeemer, save us all,and hear Thy servants when they call.

Thou, grieving that the ancient curseshould doom to death a universe,hast found the medicine, full of grace,to save and heal a ruined race.

Thou camest, the Bridegroom of the Bride,as drew the world to evening tide,proceeding from a virgin shrine,the spotless Victim all divine.

Cuius forti potentiaegenu curvantur omnia;caelestia, terrestrianutu fatentur subdita.

Te, Sancte, fide quaesumus,venture iudex saeculi,conserva nos in temporehostis a telo perfidi.

Laus, honor, virtus, GloriaDeo patri, et filio,Sancto simul paraclitoIn saeculorum saecula. Amen.

Nowel: Owt of your slepe aryse is an anonymous 15th-century British carol from the Selden manuscript, named for John Selden (1584-1654), a legal scholar who amassed a famously eclectic library of books and manuscripts. This piece is a lively and charming celebra-tion of Mary and the virgin birth, a popular theme among British composers and poets of the late Middle Ages. We perform it with the original Middle English pronunciation.

Nowel: Owt of your slepe aryse

Nowel, nowel.Owt of your slepe aryse and wake, For God mankynd nowe hath ytake, Al of a maide without eny make; Of al women she bereth the belle.

And thorwe a maide faire and wys, Now man is made of ful grete pris; Now angelys knelen to mannys servys, And at this tyme al this byfel.

Now man is brychter than the sonne; Now man in heven an hye shal wone; Blssyd be God this game is begonne, And his moder empresse of helle.

That ever was thralle, now ys he fre; That ever was smalle, now grete is she; Now shal God deme bothe the and me Unto his blysse yf we do wel.

Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds was born in 1977 and studied initially at the Latvian Baptist Theological Seminary. In 2004, he received his Master’s degree in composition from the Latvian Academy of Music. He remains deeply religious and has set many sacred texts. Even in many of his secular pieces, such as Stars, there is an acknowledgment of the divine – the divine as seen in the night sky, stars, and heavens. In Stars, the poet Sara Teasdale describes the sparkling beauty of the night sky, which Ešenvalds echoes with the colors of “singing” crystal glasses.

Stars

Alone in the night on a dark hillWith pines around me spicy and still,And a heaven full of stars over my head,White and topaz and misty red;Myriads with beating hearts of fireThat aeons cannot vex or tire;Up the dome of heaven like a great hill,I watch them marching stately and still,And I know that I am honored to beWitness of so much majesty.

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At whose dread Name, majestic now,all knees must bend, all hearts must bow;and things celestial Thee shall own,and things terrestrial Lord alone.

O Thou whose coming is with dread,to judge and doom the quick and dead,preserve us, while we dwell below,from every insult of the foe.

Laud, honor, might and glory beTo God the father, God the son, And God the spirit, three in one,From age to age eternally. Amen.

Nowell, nowell.Out of your sleep arise and awaken,for God has taken human formfrom a maid without any equal:of all women she is best.

And through a fair and wise maidenhumankind is now brought to its full worth;now the angels kneel in the service of humanity;and at Christmas time, all this took place.

Now man is brighter than the sun;man shall now dwell on high;blessed be God that this game is begun,and his mother the empress of hell.

He who was once in bondage is now free;she who was once hymble is now great;now God shall receive both you and meinto his bliss, if we are virtuous.

I love the fact that when we’re playing and singing with the glasses, it really does capture the feeling of seeing stars in the sky. – F I O N A H . , A LTO

Gabriel Jackson was born in Bermuda in 1962, and is best known for his vocal music, especially for his choice and setting of texts. While he cites Michael Tippett and Igor Stravinsky as influences, he is also drawn to soul and R&B. The Christ-child was commissioned by the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, and premiered by them on Christmas Eve 2009.

The Christ-child

The Christ-child lay on Mary’s lap,His hair was like a light.(O weary, weary were the world,But here is all aright.)

The Christ-child lay on Mary’s breast,His hair was like a star.(O stern and cunning are the kings,But here the true hearts are.)

The Christ-child lay on Mary’s heart,His hair was like a fire.(O weary, weary is the world,But here the world’s desire.)

The Christ-child stood at Mary’s knee,His hair was like a crown.And all the flowers looked up at Him,And all the stars looked down.

Born in 1980, Joshua Shank is quickly becoming recognized as a talented and innovative young composer. Winter is a setting of text drawn from several e.e. cummings poems about nature. Of this piece, Shank writes: “There is something about [watching a quiet snow-fall] which seems to put us directly in touch with our creator. The terrain and the air itself seem to come alive in their metamorphosis from trees, grass and sky to something nearly devoid of color and almost unrecognizable...an utterly pure world...”

Winter

snowbeautiful is the unmeaning of (silently) falling (everywhere)(two faces at a darkwindow)this father and hischild are watching snowflakes(falling & falling & falling)(over time space doom dream while floats the wholeperhapsless mystery of paradise)mind without soul may blast some universeto might have been, and stop ten thousand starsbut not one heartbeat of this child; nor shalleven prevail a million questionings against the silence of his mother’s smile– whose only secret all creation sings

Sergei Taneyev represents the late 19th-century Romantic voice on our program. He bridges the gap between the Western European romanticism of Tchaikovsky and the burgeoning nationalism of Rachmaninov. In fact, he studied and became close friends with the former, and taught the latter. In Zviozdï (Stars), Taneyev sets a poem by Yakov Polonsky which invokes the beauty of the Russian winter sky and its expression in the thoughts of the soul.

Zviozdï

Posredi svetil nochnïh,daleko mertsayushchih,iz tumanof, mlechnïmipiatnami blluzhdayushchihi perepllïvayushchihnebesa poliarnïye,novïye sozizhdutsazviozdï svetozarnïye.

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Stars

Among the lights of nighttwinkling from afar,out of misty, milkywandring blotches,which float aboutiIn the polar skies,new and brilliantstars will form.

My favorite piece is The Christ-child...slow and gentle...it’s beautiful and interesting atthe same time!– J E N N Y S . , S O P R A N O

Winter is my fave. Beautiful wintry texts...clustery, shimmering chords...a gorgeously set piece that is powerful both to hear and to sing.– L I Z R . H . , A LTO

Tak i vï, tumannïyemïsli tiho nosites,i, neizyasnimïye,v dushu glluho prosites;tak i vï nad nashïmitiomnïmi mogillamizagorites nekogdayarkimi svetillami.

Eric Whitacre is one of the most popular and performed composers of his generation, with many of his works now in the standard cho-ral repertoire. Lux Aurumque is typical of Whitacre’s choral sound, with its shimmering, close harmonies. The pure, floating sound of the sopranos gently evokes the cold winter, in contrast with the warm, enveloping harmony of the choir. The text is by Edward Esch, with a Latin translation by Anthony Charles Sylvestri.

Lux Aurumque

Lux, calida gravisque pura velut aurumet canunt angeli molliter modo natum.

John Rutter’s compositions embrace choral, orchestral, and instrumental music, and he has co-edited various choral anthologies including four Carols for Choirs volumes with Sir David Willcocks. Hymn to the Creator of Light is dedicated to the memory of composer Herbert Howells, and was premiered at the Three Choirs Festival in 1992 for the dedication of a Herbert Howells memorial window in Gloucester Cathedral. The author of the main part of the text, Lancelot Andrewes (1555-1626), was a leading Anglican theologian of his day, one of the translators of the King James Bible, and Bishop of Winchester. The final portion of the piece incorporates the chorale tune Schmücke dich by Johann Crüger.

Hymn to the Creator of Light

Glory be to thee, O lord, glory be to thee,Creator of the visible light,The sun’s ray, the flame of fire;Creator also of the light invisible and intellectual:That which is known of God, the light invisible.Glory be to thee, O Lord, glory be to thee,Creator of the Light.for writings of the law, glory be to thee:for oracles of prophets, glory be to thee:for melody of psalms, glory be to thee:for wisdom of proverbs, glory be to thee:experience of histories, glory be to thee:a light which never sets.God is the Lord, who hath shewed us light. (Lancelot Andrewes, 1555-1626, tr. Alexander Whyte)

Light, who dost my soul enlighten;Sun, who all my life dost brighten;Joy, the sweetest one e’er knoweth;Fount, whence all my being floweth.From thy banquet let me measure,Lord, how vast and deep its treasurer;Through the gifts thou here dost give us,As thy guest in heaven receive us. (J. Franck, 1618-77, tr. Catherine Winkworth, adapted)

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Light and Gold

Light, warm and heavy as pure goldand angels sing softly to the new-born babe.

I N T E R M I S S I O N

Thus you misty thoughtswaft about quietly,and, inexpressible,softly seek to enter my soul.Thus above our dark gravesyou will shine one daylike brilliant lights.

Hymn to the Creator of Light has all these dispa-rate parts that somehow mesh perfectly together, and it’s also a challenge, so it’s really fun to sing.– A N N I E H . , S O P R A N O

Jacob Handl (aka Jacobus Gallus Carniolus) was a late-Renaissance Slovenian composer. Born in Carniola, which at the time was one of the Habsburg lands in the Holy Roman Empire, he lived and worked in Moravia and Bohemia during the last decade of his life. This five-part setting of Ante luciferum genitus for tenor and bass voices is a beautiful example of his mastery of counterpoint.

Ante luciferum genitus

Ante luciferum genitus et ante saecula Dominus, Salvator noster hodie mundo apparuit. Alleluia.

Star of Wonder is by Terre Roche, a member of The Roches, a popular folk trio of Irish-American sisters. Roche writes: “I wrote Star of Wonder in the middle of the night – woke up from a sound sleep, heard the words and played the notes into a tape recorder. Listening back, I realized it was the song I had been trying to write to honor my friend, Joanna Walton, blown up over Scotland at Christmas time. Every year I get several requests from choirs who would like to sing Star of Wonder. It’s the little Magic song which has travelled all over the world peacefully. Please feel free to sing it with your friends.”

Star of Wonder

Star of Wonder in the heavens, wonder what you want of me:Should I follow you tonight. Star of wonder.I am just a lonely shepherd, watching from a distant hill.Why do you appear to me? Star of wonder, if you will.In the morning they’ll come looking for the shepherd on the hill.What would make her leave her flock, for surely she must love them still.Star of wonder in the heavens, are you just a shining star,Or should I follow you tonight. Star of wonder, shining bright.

Born in England of Scottish parents, Judith Weir often composes music that draws on sources from medieval history, as well as the traditional stories and music of her native Scotland. Illuminare, Jerusalem was written for the choir of King’s College, Cambridge, and first performed by them in the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve 1985. The text, in medieval Scots, is taken from an anonymous 15th-century manuscript. The refrain refers to Isaiah 60: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.”

Illuminare, Jerusalem

Jerusalem rejos for joy: Jesus, the sterne of most bewte In thee is rissin as richtous roy, Fro dirknes to illumyne thee. With glorius sound of angell glee Thy prince is borne in Baithlem Which sall thee mak of thraldome free. Illuminare, Jerusalem.

With angellis licht in legionis Thou art illumynit all about. Three kingis of strange regionis To thee are cumin with lusty rout, All drest with dyamantis but dout. Reverst with gold in every hem, Sounding attonis with a shout, Illuminare, Jerusalem.

The regeand tirrant that in thee rang, Herod, is exilit and his offspring, The land of Juda that josit wrang, And rissin is now thy richtous king. So he so mychtie is and dinge,When men his glorious name does nem, Heven, erd and hell makis inclyning. Illuminare, Jerusalem.

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Jerusalem, rejoice for joy:Jesus, the star of greatest beauty Is risen in thee as righteous kingFrom darkness to illumine thee. With glorious sound of angels’ gleeThy prince is born in Bethlehem Who shall make thee from slavery free. Give light to Jerusalem.

With the light of angels’ legionsThou art illumined all about; Three kings from far regions Have come to thee in a splendid companyAll adorned with diamonds, without a doubt, And trimmed with gold on every hem, Crying together with one shout,Give light to Jerusalem.

The raging tyrant who reigned over thee Herod, is exiled with his offspring; He possessed the land of Judah unjustly,And risen is now thy rightful king. Because he is so mighty and worthy,When his glorious name is spoken Heaven, earth and hell bow;Give light to Jerusalem.

Born before the day star and before the ages, the Lord our Savior has appeared this day to the world.Alleluia.

Gabriel Jackson: see page 4 for bio.

Aeterna caeli gloria is one of Jackson’s most challenging choral works – brilliantly complex in its eight-part harmony, while still convey-ing emotional intensity to the listener. It could be viewed as Jackson’s hymn to St. Cecilia, being first performed in 2007 on the eve of the feast of music’s patron saint.

Aeterna caeli gloria

Aeterna caeli gloria,beata spes mortalium,celsi Parentis Unice,castaeque proles Virginis:

Da dexteram surgentibus,exsurgat et mens sobria.flagrans et in laudem Deigrates rependat debitas.

Ortus refulget lucifer,ipsamque lucem nuntiat,cadit caligo noctium,lux sancta nos illuminet.

Sit, Christe, rex piissime,tibi Patrique gloria,cum Spiritu Paraclito,in sempiterna saecula.

Reginald Unterseher is Music Director and composer-in-residence at Shalom United Church of Christ, Richland, Washington. He is also the Repertoire and Resources Chair for Composition for the Washington State American Choral Director’s Association, a past Artistic Di-rector of Consort Columbia (now Mid-Columbia Mastersingers), founder and past Chorus Master of Washington East Opera, and an active member of Male Ensemble Northwest and Chor Anno. Hymn to the Mother of Light is a mystical meditation on the nature of light and existence, originally concieved for a Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols service. The text is by Unterseher and Sheila Dunlop.

Hymn to the Mother of Light

O MotherWomb of the unbroken lifeLens of the new-formed sunSpeaker of the word, the endless wordMirror of the eternal lightO Mother

A National Medal of Arts recipient, Morten Lauridsen was composer-in-residence for the Los Angeles Master Chorale (1994–2001) and has been a professor of composition at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music for 50 years. O magnum myste-rium was premiered in 1994, and has become one of his most popular choral works.

O magnum mysterium

O magnum mysterium, et admirabile sacramentum, ut animalia viderent Dominum natum, jacentem in praesepio! Beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt portare Dominum Christum. Alleluia.

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O Christ, whose glory fills the heaven,our only hope, in mercy given;Child of a Virgin meek and pure;Son of the Highest evermore:

Grant us Thine aid Thy praise to sing,as opening days new duties bring;that with the light our life may berenewed and sanctified by Thee.

The morning star fades from the sky,the sun breaks forth; night’s shadows fly:O Thou, true Light, upon us shine:our darkness turn to light divine.

All laud to God the Father be;All praise, Eternal Son, to Thee;All glory, as is ever meet,to God the Holy Paraclete.

O great mystery,and wonderful sacrament,that animals should see the new-born Lord,lying in a manger!Blessed is the Virgin whose wombwas worthy to bear Christ the Lord.Alleluia!

Hymn to the Mother of Light makes me feel like we’re witnessing, and even joining in, the creation of stars. It’s a fascinating balance between techni-cal and ecstatic.– L I L L I A N B. , S O P R A N O

Michael Praetorius was a German Renaissance composer, organist, and music theorist. He was one of the most versatile composers of his age, and was an especially important figure in the development of musical forms based on Protestant hymns. A practical composer, he wrote many different versions of his shorter works so they could be performed by various types of choral ensembles. The two verses of Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (How lovely shines the morning star) that we perform bear this out – verse 1 is written for four voices, and verse 2 for five voices.

Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern

Wie schön leuchtet der MorgensternVoll Gnad und Wahrheit von dem Herrn,Die süße Wurzel Jesse!Du Sohn Davids aus Jakobs Stamm,Mein König und mein Bräutigam,Hast mir mein Herz besessen,Lieblich, freundlich, schön und herrlich, groß und ehrlich,Reich von Gaben, hoch und sehr prächtig erhaben!

Wie bin ich doch so herzlich froh,Daß mein Schatz ist das A und O.Der Anfang und das Ende!Er wird mich doch zu seinem PreisAufnehmen in das Paradeis;Des klopf’ ich in die Hände.Amen! Amen!Komm, du schöne Freudenkrone,Bleib nicht lange, deiner wart’ ich mit Verlangen!

Born into a family of actors, Peter Cornelius was trained both as a musician and as an actor. As a young man, he gave up acting and pursued a career as a composer, poet, and music critic. Die Könige is one of his most well-known pieces, originally written for voice and piano – here performed in an arrangement for chorus and soloist. The accompaniment is the chorale tune Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (How lovely shines the morning star), heard previously in this program in a setting by Praetorius.

Die Könige

Drei Kön’ge wandern aus Morgenland;ein Sternlein führt sie zum Jordanstrand.In Juda fragen und forschen die Drei,wo der neugeborene König sei?Sie wollen Weihrauch, Myrrhen und Golddem Kinde spenden zum Opfersold.

Und hell erglänzet des Sternes Schein;zum Stalle gehen die Kön’ge ein;das Knäblein schauen sie wonniglich,anbetend neigen die Könige sich;sie bringen Weihrauch, Myrrhen und Goldzum Opfer dar dem Knäblein hold.

O Menschenkind halte treulich Schritt.Die Kön’ge wandern, O wandre mit.Der Stern der Liebe, der Gnade Sternerhelle dein Ziel, so du suchst den Herrn,und fehlen Weihrauch, Myrrhen und Gold,schenke dein Herz dem Knäblein hold!

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Three kings are traveling from the East;a small star leads them to Jordan.In Judea they ask and search, these three,where the new-born king is.They wish to bring incense, myrrh and goldas an offering to the child.

And the light of the star shines brightly;the kings go into the stall;gazing with wonder at the child,the kings bow low in worship.They bring incense, myrrh and goldas an offering to the sweet baby boy.

O Sons of Man keep faith.The kings are journeying - travel with them.The star of love, the star of graceshine on your goal as you seek the Lord,and if you lack incense, myrrh and gold,give instead your heart to that sweet baby boy!

How lovely shines the Morning Star,Bringing truth and mercy from the Lord.Thou dear root of Jesse,Thou son of David from Jacob’s branch;My bridegroom and my King,You hold my heart in thrall.Loving, friendly, fine and splendid, great and true, rich in gifts; in high splendor placed.

How happy am I that mydear treasure is both A and O;the beginning and the end.He will claim me as his prize, And take me to paradiseWhich I will clasp in my hands.Amen, Amen!Come thou beauteous, joyous crown;Do not delay, I long for thee.

I wonder as I wander is a folk hymn, written by American folklorist and singer John Jacob Niles. The hymn has its origins in a song frag-ment collected by Niles in 1933 in Appalachian North Carolina. In his unpublished autobiography, he wrote of hearing the song:

“A girl had stepped out to the edge of the little platform attached to the automobile. She began to sing. Her clothes were unbelievably dirty and ragged, and she, too, was unwashed. Her ash-blond hair hung down in long skeins.... But, best of all, she was beautiful, and in her untutored way, she could sing. She smiled as she sang, smiled rather sadly, and sang only a single line of a song.”

The girl, Annie Morgan, repeated the fragment seven times in exchange for a quarter per performance, and Niles left with “three lines of verse, a garbled fragment of melodic material—and a magnificent idea.” The arrangement we perform is by John Rutter (see page 5 for bio).

I wonder as I wander

I wonder as I wander out under the sky,How Jesus the Saviour did come for to dieFor poor on’ry people like you and like I; I wonder as I wander out under the sky.

When Mary birthed Jesus ‘twas in a cow’s stallWith wise men and farmers and shepherds and allBut high from God’s heaven, a star’s light did fallAnd the promise of ages it then did recall.

If Jesus had wanted for any wee thingA star in the sky or a bird on the wingOr all of God’s Angels in heaven to singHe surely could have it, ‘cause he was the King

I wonder as I wander out under the sky,How Jesus the Saviour did come for to dieFor poor on’ry people like you and like I;I wonder as I wander out under the sky.

The text for O little town of Bethlehem was written by Phillips Brooks (1835–93), an Episcopal priest in Philadelphia. He was inspired by visiting the village of Bethlehem in 1865. Three years later, he wrote the poem for his church, and his organist, Lewis Redner, composed the music.

O little town of Bethlehem

O little town of BethlehemHow still we see thee lie,Above thy deep and dreamless sleepThe silent stars go by.Yet in thy dark streets shinethThe everlasting Light.The hopes and fears of all the yearsAre met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of MaryAnd gathered all above,While mortals sleep, the angels keepTheir watch of wondering love.O morning stars togetherProclaim the holy birth,And praises sing to God the KingAnd peace to all on earth.

Where children pure and happy pray to the blessed child,Where misery cries out to thee,Son of the mother mild;Where charity stands watching,And faith holds whide the door,The dark night wakes, the glory breaks,And Christmas comes once more.

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The melody of this carol is disarmingly simple, but it carries a lot of emotion – a surprising amount of melancholy even.– W E S K . , B A S S

There’s something about this song that’s enormously comforting to me. It takes me back to past Christmas celebrations with my family when we would all sing carols together.– J O N R . , B A S S

DONORS ($100 –$249)

Amazon.comKeith AxelsenLillian BalmforthRoger BergerTrevor BlanarikTess BrandonReid BransonGakyung Chung and Robert KirkmanLauren CreeAngela de OliveiraNancy DearbornMichael Dryfoos and Ilga JanssonsBrendan FarleyDrew FitchetteChristopher Irle and Allison FreelErin GabrielKathryn GardowKerstin GleimAmy GodwinLouisa Gowen

Christina GrahamStephanie and Tim GrayJohn GreggDiane GroverPaul HendersonRoger HerrickRandolph HokansonDean IshikiRosalie LangJoel Bodansky and Anne LeavittMeaghan Leferink and Becca GuestKathleen McLaughlinAda Ng and John SantinoJim and Nancy NuerenbergLisa ParkEric Jain and Isabelle PhanChrista Miklin PhillipsonMike and Penny RedmanLiz Reed Hawk and Michael HawkJulia & Russell ReidSarah RuuskaKaty and Mike SarffDolores Schuh

Karen SegarFelix SimonovskyKarla StanwickWilliam Cole StevensLevi StraussJanet SyferdDan TemkinMarjorie ThomasVineet WahiSteve WhitnerMarsha WienerBen WilliamsonDoug WyattRusty Wycoff and Steve Knipp

CONTRIBUTORS ($50 –$99)

Barbara and Pru BalateroRamona BarberRichard and Madeline BersaminaJ. Howard BoydCatherine BrandGail BroderDaniel Curda

F R I E N D S of S E A T T L E P R O M U S I C A

The members of Seattle Pro Musica are grateful for the support of our many contributors. Donations are vital to the success of our organization, providing the critical extra funding which makes our concerts and outreach programs possible. Our profound thanks to all of our supporters.

Donor recognition includes donations received between November 1, 2015, and November 1, 2016. If you have any corrections to report, please call us at 206-781-2766.

LEADERSHIP GIVING ($5,000 +)

ArtsFundBoeing Matching GiftsMicrosoft Matching GiftsElly Hale and Brad RodgersPaulette MurphyJohn SchillingPeter Hemmen and Jan Strand

CONDUCTOR’S CIRCLE ($2,500 +)

4CultureOffice of Arts & Cultural AffairsLiz Adams and Brian NordwallDeb ArnoldHolly Boone and Pat BrausGeoff and Adrian CunardJacque Deerr-Lord and Bob LordBob and Bev DockstaderSam and Mona DworkinMike and Barbara EvansThe K FoundationCarole Jones and Bernard JalbertTeena and Kent LittletonKaren ManemanJim Ballard and Laura Patton BallardKaren P. Thomas

BENEFACTORS ($1,000 –$2,499) AetnaDean and Barbie ArnoldJane and Peter BarrettSarah and Kevin BeshlianBruce and Jill BjerkeChristopher BrandonMike and Karen BrugatoAnnette ButcherMarilyn and Lance ColyarRuth Conn and Dawn StremelBrian and Lynn GrantWerner and Carol HennSylvia Johnson and Norman Lundin

Roxanne KenisonWes KimGlenn LuxDan McGrawElizabeth NewlandPeter Newland and Robyn JohnsonJenn NewlandJoy Portella and Mark FirmaniMelinda Moree and Elizabeth SandersJosh and Laura SmithRuth Conn and Dawn StremelHannah Won

PATRONS ($500 –$999)

Beth AlleyDhruv BhattAnne and Ganga ClamoungouDelta DentalPaul Drayna and Cole Arden PeakeMark Falstein and Megan CampbellNick FedericiNancy A. FedericiBenjamin and Laura FlynnSeattle FoundationTravis Jo Cufley and Anthony GromkoPhil and Eda HaasPaul and Jennie HendrieRick JohnsonRich KempHeidi KimCharlie Butler and Kevin KralmanHelen Lafferty and Mark GunningTeresa and George NemethKatie Oman and Kevin FraryMary RedmanJohn Atcheson and Doane RisingBriana SchwartzDan SmithWendy ThomasDoug Winnie and Kenn SebastianGrace Won

SPONSORS ($250 –$499)

Bank of America Matching GiftsShirley BeresfordJeannine BlackIrene G. BrayJacob BuysAlice ByersJohn Carroll and Richard LiedlePaul CondratGerald and Jonna FarleyCathy FedericiRyan GaoMiriam Gnagy and Cory CalhounKira HicksJim HowethChris Grass and Carolyn JorstadBeatrice KennedyNoreen KingJiri KremlickaBill LeveyPeter and Brooke LiflandMolly McGeeRaymond E. Mencke, Jr.Glenn Nielsen and Wendy WooleryJon and Krista ReppLavina SadhwaniKelly SanderbeckDivya SinghKatie SkovholtCynthia and Neil SkovholtDaniel SzydloVesteinn ThorssonLynn and John TissellJanelle WalhoutDonna WardFred and Judy WilliamsPeggy Wolff

Ruth EllerBill and Lee EllisDaniel FroehlichJames HarringtonWendy HarrisTuri HendersonAllison L. HiltnerLane InmanEmily JordanJill Kimball and Ian BishopJohn LeeLee ManemanDeborah and Ron MyersStephanie Nelson-PenlandVerna NessRuth PettisMark and Cindy PiennettAbby and Bethel BlakesleyKacey ShiffletAllan TysonConstance WentzelGretchen WenzlNancy Zylstra

SUPPORTERS ($10 –$49)

Emily AndersonKathryn BouchardJanet BowersoxMarissa BurkeyShekhar DadlaniDeborah ForrestVictoria GraylandWendy JacksonElizabeth LangelandLucy LauterbachEvelyn LesterNancy LuedickeMargaret OkamotoCorina RahmigDouglas SchneiderJennifer SherleyAnna ThelenMarit TrelstadNicole Van BatenburgMaritess Zurbano

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Sterling Circle – The Sterling Circle acknowledges donors at the $250 level and above. We are especially grateful for their generous gifts.

seattlepromusica.org

F R I E N D S of S E A T T L E P R O M U S I C A

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In-Kind Donors

• Carole Jones Design• Chris Burch Photography• Classical KING FM 98.1• David Owen Hastings• Jenn Newland• John Carroll • Law Offices of Paul Steven Drayna

Be a part of our vision!

There are many ways to contribute to the vibrant musical tradition created by Seattle Pro Musica over the last 40-plus years. Nothing compares to the experience of sitting in a concert hall, sharing in the emotional and intellectual intensity that comes from listening to choral music performed at the highest level of artistry. Another way to join our family, one that helps to make our work possible, is to support Seattle Pro Musica’s concert season and education outreach projects with a donation.

Subscriptions and ticket sales cover only a third of our concert expenses, so we rely on arts supporters like you to help make our music accessible to all kinds of audiences. Seattle Pro Musica is a registered 501c3 organization, and your gift can be considered a charitable donation for tax purposes. Your gift will be gratefully acknowledged in all our concert programs. Many employers will match charitable gifts – check with your employer and you may be able to double your donation!

Please know that there are several donation options that may offer special advantages both to you and to Seattle Pro Musica, includ-ing stocks, properties, and annuities. If these or other options interest you, we encourage you to discuss them with your financial and tax advisors, and contact us for further information.

We’re thrilled to have you in our audience, and we thank you for considering taking the next step. We look forward to welcoming you into our giving family!

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Planned Giving

Are you a loyal fan and supporter of Seattle Pro Musica’s exciting choral sound? Do you want our artistry to continue and flourish for generations to come? If you answered yes to these questions, consider including Seattle Pro Musica in your will.

It’s easy. When it’s time to talk with your financial advisor or at-torney, ask about setting up a bequest to designate a portion of your estate to Seattle Pro Musica . We’ve already received multiple gifts through planned giving that have allowed us to expand our repertoire, reach out to new audiences, and try new musical endeavors.

This support is critical and provides an amazing musical legacy. If you want help getting started, check out the Seattle Foundation’s helpful resource “Charitable Giving through Your Will” for more information or email us at admin@seattlepromusica.org.

seattlepromusica.org

We thank these generous Fund-a-Dream donors from our 2016 Auction. Their donations will help to fund the costs associated with our performances of the Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem with orchestra and soloists in May 2017.

Beth Alley • Deb Arnold • Keith Axelsen • Shirley Beresford • Richard and Madeline Bersamina • Dhruv Bhatt • Trevor Blanarik • Christopher Brandon • Tess Brandon • Gail Broder • Mike and Karen Brugato • Annette Butcher • Jacob Buys • Anne and Ganga Clamoungou • Marilyn and Lance Colyar • Paul Condrat • Lauren Cree • Geoff and Adrian Cunard • Bob and Bev Dockstader • Sam and Mona Dworkin • Mark Falstein and Megan Campbell • Jonna and Gerald Farley • Cathy Federici • Drew Fitchette • Ben and Laura Flynn • Deborah Forrest • Christopher Irle and Allison Freel • Kathryn Gardow • Amy Godwin • Brian and Lynn Grant • Travis Jo Cufley and Anthony Gromko • Paul Henderson • Turi Henderson • Paul and Jennie Hendrie • Michael Blonsky and Kira Hicks • Lane Inman • Rick Johnson • Peter Newland and Robyn Johnson • Bernard Jalbert and Carole Jones • Rich Kemp • Roxanne Kenison • Beatrice Kennedy • Wes Kim • Charlie Butler and Kevin Kralman • Liz Langeland • Becca Guest and Meaghan Leferink • Teena and Kent Littleton • Jacque Deerr-Lord and Bob Lord • Glenn Lux • Kelly Maneman • Karen Maneman • Dan McGraw • Larissa Min • Rose and Royce Morrison • Paulette Murphy • Jenn Newland • Elizabeth Newland • Ada Ng • Lizbeth Adams and Brian Nordwall • Kevin Frary and Katie Oman • Jim Ballard and Laura Patton-Ballard • Paul Drayna and Cole Peake • Eric Jain and Isabelle Phan • Christa and Chris Phillipson • Mary Redman • Mike and Penny Redman • Liz Reed Hawk • Jon and Krista Repp • John Atcheson and Doane Rising Elly Hale and Brad Rodgers • Sarah Ruuska • Kelly Sanderbeck • Melinda Moree and Elizabeth Sanders • Mike and Katy Sarff • Briana Schwartz • Douglas Winnie and Kenn Sebastian • Divya Singh • Cynthia and Neil Skovholt • Katie Skovholt • Josh and Laura Smith • Dan Smith • Erin Gabriel and Rich Stearns • Cole Stevens • Peter Hemmen and Jan Strand • Ruth Conn and Dawn Stremel • Karen P. Thomas • Wendy Thomas • Aaliyah Gupta and Vesteinn Thorsson • Donna Ward • Gretchen Wenzl • Steve Whitner • Fred and Judy Williams • Ben Williamson • Peggy Wolff • Grace Won • Nicholas Corey and Hannah Won • Glenn Nielsen and Wendy Woolery

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S E A T T L E P R O M U S I C A ’ S E D U C A T I O N A N D O U T R E A C H P R O G R A M

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Check our website for the latest on performance dates and venues.

Seattle Pro Musica is committed to building audiences and sing-ers of the future. Through our Education and Outreach Program, we support music educators in their effort to inspire their students to develop a lifelong love for choral music.

Annually, Seattle Pro Musica partners with several local music teachers to invite their most promising young singers to rehearse and perform with us in concert. Dozens of elementary and middle-school children will perform with the members of Seattle Pro Mu-sica during our Christmas with Seattle Pro Musica Family Holiday Concert on December 11.

This program offers student singers the invaluable opportunity to sing with an adult choir in a professional setting with a master conductor, receive valuable advice and encouragement in the

company of other talented young people, and to inspire their entire school choir program with the insights and experience they gain.

The Education and Outreach Program is always seeking new partnerships and participants, and we invite you to help us make new connections for future seasons. It is our goal to reach out to student singers of all backgrounds, but we especially appreciate the opportunity to touch the lives of young people who would otherwise be unable to attend high quality choral events. If you have an interest in Seattle Pro Musica’s Education and Out-reach Program, would like to suggest a school or music program for a future partnership, or would simply like to learn more, please contact us at education@seattlepromusica.org.

This choir is a proud member of the

Access the rich variety of excellent performances available in our

online calendar at

www.seattlesings.orgor scan the image below.

Rachmaninov Vespers A timeless masterpiece of choral orchestration based on ancient Russian chants.

American Masterpieces Works by American composers Lauridsen, Bernstein, Barber, Whitacre, Hogan, and more!

Music of the Spirit Including Martin’s Mass for Double Choir, Allegri’s Miserere, Stanford’s Beati quorum via and the world premiere recording of Karen P. Thomas’ Lux Lucis.

Peace in Our Time This highly evocative live recording includes Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem for choir and orchestra, Howells’ sublime Requiem, and Britten’s Missa Brevis.

Alnight by the Rose Lush choral works on the themes of divine love and earthly passion including Lauridsen’s Madrigali. (Digital download only.)

Horizons A live recording of contemporary a capella choral works from North America and Europe, featuring the world premiere of I sing of love by Bernard Hughes. Lively, engaging, and evocative music. (Digital download only.)

In Dulci Jubilo Crosscultural seasonal music — a beautiful narrative of the winter season from different parts of the world. A perfect holiday gift!

Navidad: Christmas in the New World Music from eight Latin American countries, from the 16th century to the present. The infectious rhythms will have you dancing!

Weihnachten! A German Christmas Recorded in the reverberant acoustic of Seattle’s St. James Cathedral, this CD features magnificent German choral works for the holiday season.

Celtic Christmas Recorded live in concert at Bastyr Chapel, Celtic Christmas features the lively sounds of traditional Celtic choral music for the Christmas season.