Bel Canto-Christmas in the Basilica

Celebrating Our 80th Anniversary Season

Richard Hynson, Music Director presents

Christmas in the Basilica Saturday, December 4, 2010, at 7:30 PM Sunday, December 5, 2010, at 3:00 PM The Basilica of St. Josaphat

also featuring Bel Canto Boy Choir Ellen Shuler, Director Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble Dr. John Behnke, Director Mrs. Suzanne Hibbard, Associate Director Kevin Bailey Organist

Bel Canto Chorus 1

PROGR A M Prelude Fantasia on “In Dulci Jubilo” .................................................................................................................J.S. Bach What Child is This .........................................................................................................................Richard Purvis Il Est Né......................................................................................................................................... Richard Hudson Noel...................................................................................................................................Louis-Claude Daquin Kevin Bailey, organist Processional Once in Royal David’s City.........................................................................................................H. J. Gauntlett Samuel Laferriere, treble Bel Canto Boy Choir Bel Canto Chorus It’s Advent It’s Advent..................................................................................................................................Richard Hynson Bel Canto Chorus It Came Upon the Midnight Clear........................................................................................Richard Hynson Bel Canto Boy Choir Still, Still, Still/A Lullaby.........................................................................................................Michelle Hynson Women of Bel Canto Chorus Oh, How Joyfully............................................................................................................... John A. Behnke, arr.

Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble O Come, All Ye Faithful....................................................................................................................John F. Wade All Sing The Angels and the Shepherds Angels We Have Heard on High.............................................................................................Richard Hynson Bel Canto Boy Choir In Dulci Jubilo.................................................................................................................... Ronald Pearsall, arr.

Bel Canto Chorus Of the Father’s Love Begotten........................................................................................ John A. Behnke, arr.

Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble Shepherd’s Pipe Carol..................................................................................................................... John Rutter Bel Canto Chorus Hark! The Herald Angels Sing...........................................................................................Felix Mendelssohn All Sing INTERMISSION What Can I Give Him? Coventry Carol............................................................................................................................ Ellen Shuler, arr.

Bel Canto Boy Choir How Far Is It to Bethlehem?............................................................................................. David Willcocks, arr.

Bel Canto Boy Choir Women of Bel Canto Chorus What a Gift!...............................................................................................................................Richard Hynson Bel Canto Chorus Masters in This Hall......................................................................................................Kevin McChesney, arr.

Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble Silent Night...................................................................................................................... Michelle Hynson, arr.

Bel Canto Chorus 2 Bel Canto Chorus

P R O G R A M ( c o n t .)

The First Noel.........................................................................................................................................Traditional All Sing Go Tell It on the Mountain Ding, Dong! Merrily on High!....................................................................................................Ed Lojeski, arr.

Bel Canto Boy Choir Mary Had a Baby................................................................................................................ David Blackwell, arr.

Bel Canto Chorus Christmas Canon................................................................. J. Pachelbel, Paul O’Neil, and Robert Kinkel Bel Canto Boy Choir Of the Father’s Love Begotten....................................................................................... Richard Hynson, arr.

Bel Canto Chorus Hark! Christmas Bells........................................................................................................John A. Behnke., arr.

Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble Go Tell It on the Mountain............................................................................................. Michelle Hynson, arr.

Bel Canto Chorus Joy to the World.................................................................................................................................. G. F. Handel All Sing This concert is sponsored in part by the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.

A NOTE FROM M AESTRO HYNSON Dear Friends, Thanks for joining us as we continue our 80th anniversary celebration with Christmas at the Basilica. The songs and carols invite us all to lay aside the distractions of daily life to listen to the still, small voice of hope. Once more we are called to witness the age-old story of Mary and Joseph and the little baby lying in the manger. Once more, we join our voices with those long-ago angels who proclaimed the glory of “peace on earth—good will to all!” Once more, we are called to seek that redemptive light in a dark, uncaring world, and to bring our gifts.

The music of Christmas spans centuries, yet its message of peace is timeless and immediate. By gathering together, by listening to the retelling of the mystery of Christmas, and by singing together the old, familiar songs, we, too, travel through time and place to that storied stable to witness the birth of hope.

May you and your family have a blessed holiday season.

Richard Hynson Music Director Bel Canto Chorus 3

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PROFILES RICHARD HYNSON, Music Director/ Conductor This season marks Richard Hynson’s 23rd season as Music Director of the Bel Canto Chorus and Orchestra. In addition, Hynson has served as Music Director of the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra since 2006. In demand as a guest conductor, Hynson’s past engagements include performances with the Milwaukee Symphony, the Skylight Opera Theatre, and the Racine, Sheboygan, and Waukesha Symphony Orchestras.

Hynson has conducted at Carnegie Hall in New York City, where he led a large national festival chorus and orchestra in Ralph Vaughan Williams’s Dona Nobis Pacem. In the summer of 2008, Hynson conducted the string orchestra and chorus for the Prelude Music Academy summer camp in Madison. In 2009, he guest-conducted the Wisconsin Cham-

Announcing Auditions Bel Canto Boy Choir is a group of fun, active and talented boys, fourth grade and older, with unchanged voices.

Ellen Shuler, Director

Rehearsals (BC) Mondays 6:00 p.m.

2

Mequon United Methodist Church For more information or to schedule an audition call (414) 481-8801

ber Orchestra in one of their Concerts on the Square in Madison. He also has been the Music Director for Gathering on the Green, the popular outdoor music festival in Mequon, WI, for the past two summers.

Hynson and members of Bel Canto Chorus have performed internationally at the acclaimed Spoleto Music Festival in Italy, at the Festivals of Troyes and Rheims in France, at the Llangollen Festival in Wales, and at the Elora and Huntsville Festivals in Canada.

During Bel Canto’s most recent tour, Hynson and members of Bel Canto International, including singers from six states, performed to critical acclaim in Ireland. In addition to its annual concert season, the chorus is often called upon to participate in national touring performances. In July 2010, Bel Canto participated in Star Wars in Concert; and in November 2010, Bel Canto sang in the Video Games Live national touring concert. Bel Canto will perform with several orchestras in Argentina and Uruguay in the summer of 2011.

In addition to his work as a conductor and educator, Hynson is a composer.

He has written a substantial body of published choral, vocal, and ensemble works, many of which he has recorded with Bel Canto Chorus singers. The U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants have frequently performed Hynson’s In the Midst of Life, composed in response to the events of September 11. Most notably, they presented it in New York City’s Avery Fisher Hall for the national conference of the American Choral Directors Association.

Music critic Elaine Schmidt (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, October 11, 2010) wrote of this season’s opening concert, “The Bel Canto Chorus and music director Richard Hynson…gave a dynamic, polished performance [and] thoughtful, credible performances of the selections.”

Bel Canto Chorus 5

Presents

Featuring

Heart to Heart Quartet With district champion quartets:

Skyline & Expedition Hosted by

Mark Trevor Ranum Saturday, December 11 2:00pm Matinee and 7:30pm Evening Shows Greendale High School Auditorium 6801 Southway, Greendale Free Parking available

Tickets at www.MVE.org or 888-240-4426 Early Bird Ticket sale ends Dec. 3rd Student and Senior discounts available Dec. 3 - 11

P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .)

ELLEN SHULER, Bel Canto Boy Choir Director Ellen Shuler holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Montana State University and a Master of Music Education with Choral Emphasis from Florida State University.

In September 2009, Shuler helped establish the Bel Canto Boy Choir, the first and only of its kind in Milwaukee. The group, composed of auditioned treblevoiced boys, performs choral repertoire from classical to modern. Its first season included concerts with Bel Canto Chorus and the Vienna Boys Choir.

Currently in its second season, the choir has been praised by music critic Elaine Schmidt (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, October 11, 2010) as a “well-trained, nicely blended, disciplined group.”

the pre-primary general music classes.

She also directs the youth choirs at Mequon United Methodist Church and continues to maintain a voice and piano studio in Mequon.

MILWAUKEE HANDBELL ENSEMBLE

The Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble is an auditioned adult community group of musicians from all across southeastern Wisconsin who play 73 handbells (6 octaves) and 79 handchimes (7 octaves) in advanced repertoire of all Prior to leading the Bel Canto Boy Choir, styles. Founded in 2003, the ensemble Shuler was a director of the Milwaukee is sponsored by Concordia University Children’s Choir for seven years, directWisconsin, and has played concerts ing the first level premier choir, as well throughout the Milwaukee area. They as the beginning and training choirs. were the featured performers at the She worked as the assistant direc2006 AGEHR (American Guild of English tor and accompanist of the Bozeman Handbell Ringers) National Seminar in Children’s Choir in Montana, as well as Milwaukee and the 2004 National Assofor Bozeman’s Mastodon Productions, ciation of Pastoral Musicians in Chicago, singing jingles for area businesses and and have a CD available for purchase back-up vocals for local artists. While entitled An American Sampler. in Montana, she was a member of the Bozeman Intermountain Opera ComKEVIN BAILEY, Organist pany. Shuler taught choral and general Kevin Bailey is the Director of music in Idaho, Colorado, and New Worship and Music at Fox Point Hampshire, as well as pre-primary muLutheran Church, where he is organist sic and movement classes in Colorado and choir director. He is a graduate and New Hampshire. She worked for of Augustana College (IL) and Indiana several years as a choral music editor University. His principal teachers for at Hal Leonard Corporation, where she organ have been Tom Robin Harris and was a contributing author to the MacChristopher Young, and he studied millan McGraw-Hill music education church music and improvisation with series, “Spotlight on Music” and “Music Marilyn Keiser. He has accompanied Express” magazine. and conducted choirs at Anderson University (IN) and served as choir diIn addition to her position with Bel rector and organist at several churches Canto Chorus, Shuler works at the in Indiana before moving to Milwaukee University School of Milwaukee, where in 2003. Bailey remains active outside she directs the Upper School Concert the church as an accompanist and Choir and Swing Choir, is music director continuo performer, and served as the of theatrical productions in both the accompanist for the Master Singers of Middle and Upper Schools, and teaches Milwaukee from 2004 to 2008.

Bel Canto Chorus 7

PROGR A M NOTES

by

Susan Chamberlin Smith According to Luke the Evangelist, the first hymn of the nativity was sung by the angels to the shepherds on the hillside: “Glory to God in the Highest.” In the second century, Pope Telesphorus decreed that the Gloria in Excelsis be added to the celebration of the Mass and “that in the holy night of the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour, they do celebrate public church services, and in them solemnly sing the Angel’s Hymn, because also the same night he was declared unto the shepherds by an Angel, as the truth itself doth witness.” By the third century, December 25 had been chosen as the date for the Feast of the Nativity, and in the fourth century, the first Latin Christmas hymns began to appear in Rome. Hymns such as Veni redemptor gentium, written by Ambrose, Archbishop of Milan, and Corde natus ex Parentis (Of the Father’s love begotten) by Aurelius Prudentius, were written as statements of the orthodox doctrine of the Incarnation in opposition to the heresies of the time.

In the ninth and tenth centuries, a new form of hymnody arose in the monasteries of northern Europe: the Prose or Sequence, sung before the chanting of the gospel. The most famous Nativity sequence is St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s Laetabundus, exsultet fidelis chorus which dated from the beginning of the twelfth century and was, unlike earlier sequences, written in rhymed stanzas. The writing of rhymed sequences, however, became common later in the century through the example of Adam of St. Victor (a medieval monastery outside Paris), who adopted an entirely new style, based on vernacular words and music.

Christmas music was not confined to the church during medieval times. In Italy, France, Germany, and England, a strong tradition of Christmas songs sung by minstrels in the native language was developed in conjunction with celebrations whose roots can be found in the pagan festivals which had been celebrated for centuries. Toward the end of the fourteenth century, when Latin was still the language of clerics and scholars but was losing ground to the vernacular, so-called “macaronic carols” were written in a combination of Latin and the vernacular, such as the German carol In Dulci Jubilo.

Another important influence on the carols of the Middle Ages was the production of mystery plays by the guilds of Europe and England. These plays helped ordinary people, many of whom were illiterate, learn the biblical stories. Carols were an integral part of these productions, and, on occasion, near riots would break out if the popular songs were not sung at a play’s performance.

The word carol has several possible derivations: it could come from the French word carole, meaning to dance or perhaps from the Latin carula, referring to a circle dance or the song accompanying the dance. In the medieval period, a carol was not necessarily a Christmas song, but could be any joyous song with a verse and a refrain. It is interesting to note that stanza means “to stop or stand” and chorus means “to dance,” perhaps referring to the common performance practice.

Christmas carols in printed English first appeared at the end of a 1426 work of John Awdlay, the blind chaplain of Haughmond Abbey in Shropshire, who lists twenty-five 8 Bel Canto Chorus

P R O G R A M N O T E S ( c o n t .) “caroles of Cristemas.” Awdlay’s carols are meant to be sung by “wassailing neighbours, who make their rounds at Christmastide to drink a cup and take a gift, and bring good fortune upon the house.” The fifteenth century and the first half of the sixteenth saw a blossoming of English Christmas poetry, with more than five hundred carols from this period still known today. The oldest printed collection of English Christmas carols is that published by Wynkyn de Worde, in the year 1521.

In the Elizabethan era, English Christmas carols were probably divided into two sorts: one, of a more scriptural serious nature sung in churches, through the streets, and from house to house; the other, of a more convivial nature sung at feasts and revelries, such as the wassailing songs which could be traced back to the Anglo-Normans. Carols were sung by the town waits, musicians hired by the town council and so named because they sang on Christmas Eve, “waitnight.” Carolers would visit the principal houses in the parish in ascending order of importance.

During the Reformation in Europe, the emphasis on congregational singing resulted in many new Christmas hymns, especially in Protestant Germany. Martin Luther’s Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her (“From Heaven above to Earth I come”) and Paul Gerhardt’s Wie soll ich dich empfangen? (“How shall I fitly meet Thee?”), which Bach sets in the Christmas Oratorio, are fine examples of this era, bringing a sense of personal piety and a keen fondness for the Infant Christ to hymnody. When Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans came to power in England, the celebration of Christmas, including the singing of carols, was banned by an Act of Parliament in1644. Although the ban was lifted in 1660 when Charles II was restored to the throne, carol singing was an underground activity for generations. Almost no new carols were published until the revival of interest during the Victorian era.

When Victoria was born in 1819, carols were only being sung in a few isolated communities. Beginning in 1822, however, as collections of the old songs were published, the caroling tradition which had nearly died out was revitalized. Because Victorian popular taste and Victorian Protestant religious observance in the United States and England were closely linked, these carols steadily gained in popularity in both countries. Composers like Arthur Sullivan also helped to bring the Christmas carol back to popularity.

Perhaps the most influential collection of carols in the era was William B. Sandys’ Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern, published in 1833, which marked the first appearance of many now-classic English carols, such as God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, The First Noel, I Saw Three Ships, and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing! Sandys wrote: “Some few of them are printed occasionally in the country, and also in London, Birmingham, and other places, as broadside carols; others have appeared, with some variation, in Mr. Gilbert’s collection, having been derived from similar sources; but a large portion, including some of the most curious, have, I believe, never been printed before.”

In 1880, when services were being held in a temporary wooden structure before the Cathedral of Truro in Cornwall was built, the first Bishop of Truro created the tradition of the service of nine biblical lections and suitable Christmas music which he called a “Festal Service for Christmas Eve.” Now known as the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, this service has been held at King’s College, Cambridge, since 1918, and always begins with the singing of Once in Royal David’s City. In today’s performance, following the tradition at King’s College, the first verse will be sung unaccompanied by a solo boy chorister.

Bel Canto Chorus 9

PROGR A M TEXT Once in Royal David’s City

By H. J. Gauntlett Harmonized by A.H. Mann Lyrics by C. F. Alexander Once in royal David’s city, Stood a lowly cattle shed, Where a mother laid her Baby, In a manger for His bed: Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ, her little Child.

He came down to earth from heaven, Who is God and Lord of all, And His shelter was a stable, And His cradle was a stall; With the poor, and mean, and lowly, Lived on earth our Savior holy.

And through all His wondrous childhood He would honor and obey, Love and watch the lowly maiden, In whose gentle arms He lay; Christian children all must be Mild, obedient, good as He. For He is our childhood’s pattern; Day by day, like us, He grew; He was little, weak, and helpless, Tears and smiles, like us He knew; And He feeleth for our sadness, And He shareth in our gladness.

And our eyes at last shall see Him, Through His own redeeming love; For that Child so dear and gentle, Is our Lord in heaven above: And He leads His children on, To the place where He is gone.

Not in that poor lowly stable, With the oxen standing by, We shall see Him; but in heaven, Set at God’s right hand on high; Where like stars His children crowned All in white shall wait around.

It’s Advent

By Richard Hynson Lyrics by Ruth Van Gorder It’s Advent and our hearts return With wonder and with awe, To light the candles one by one And fill the crib with straw.

Our large and little enmities We freely lay aside; It’s Advent and the Prince of Peace Will come at Christmastide.

No more shall trifles trouble us Nor peevishness annoy; 10 Bel Canto Chorus

It’s Advent and we hear again “Good tidings of great joy!”

Our hearts are strangely kinder now, Our chores less burdensome; It’s Advent and at Christmas time The Lord of Love will come.

It’s Advent and our hearts return With wonder and awe, To light the candles one by one And fill the crib with straw.

Let us keep Advent all our lives And hearts with hope aglow; The Child will come to all of us At times we cannot know.

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

By Richard Hynson Lyrics by Edmund H. Sears It came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold: “Peace on the earth, good will to men, From heaven’s all-gracious King.”

The world in solemn stillness lay, To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come With peaceful wings unfurled, And still their heavenly music floats O’er all the weary world; Above its sad and lowly plains, They bend on hovering wing, And ever o’er its Babel sounds The blessed angels sing.

Still, Still, Still / A Lullaby Still, Still, Still – Traditional German Carol Translated and arranged by Michelle Hynson A Lullaby by Michelle Hynson Still, still, still, While the Baby sleeps, be still.

The little angels softly singing, Over the manger watchfully winging.

Still, still, still, While the Baby sleeps, be still.

Lullaby, dear holy Infant, Close Your sleepy eyes now and rest.

In the manger safely slumber, All those around You shall be blest.

Lullaby, whisper and sigh, Lullaby, lullaby.

Lullaby, angels surround You, Bringing tidings wondrous and new.

Shepherds, frightened, come to the

P R O G R A M T E X T ( c o n t .) manger, Finding God’s great love through You. Lullaby, whisper and sigh, Lullaby, lullaby.

Sleep, sleep, sleep, Oh, sweet little Child, now sleep, As Mary sings so softly around You, And her true love gently surrounds You, Sleep, sleep, sleep, Oh, sweet little Child, now sleep.

Be still and sleep, dear Baby.

Hush, hush, hush, While the Baby is sleeping, hush.

Kind St. Joseph, vigil keeping, Angels are hovering while He is sleeping.

Hush, hush, hush, While the Baby is sleeping, hush.

Angels We Have Heard on High

By Richard Hynson Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o’er the plains, And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Come to Bethlehem and see Christ Whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo! See Him in a manger laid, Whom the choirs of angels praise; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, While our hearts in love we raise.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo! In Dulci Jubilo 14th Century German Carol Arranged by R. L. Pearsall Edited by John Rutter In dulci jubilo Let us our homage show; Our heart’s joy reclineth In praesepio, And like a bright star shineth Matris in gremio; Alpha es et O. O Jesu parvule, My heart is sore for Thee; Hear me, I beseech Thee, O Puer optime; My prayer, let it reach Thee, O Princeps gloriae; Trahe me post te.

O Patris caritas!

O Nati lenitas!

Deeply were we stainèd Per nostra crimina; But Thou hast for us gainèd Caelorum gaudia: Oh, that we were there!

Ubi sunt gaudia, where?

If that they be not there?

There are angels singing Nova cantica.

There the bells are ringing In Regis curia: O that we were there!

Shepherd’s Pipe Carol Music and Lyrics by John Rutter Going through the hills on a night all starry On the way to Bethlehem, Far away I heard a shepherd boy piping On the way to Bethlehem.

Angels in the sky brought this message nigh: ‘Dance and sing for joy that Christ the newborn King is come to bring us Peace on earth and He’s lying Cradled there at Bethlehem.’

‘Tell me, shepherd boy piping tunes so merrily On the way to Bethlehem, Who will hear your tunes on these hills so lonely On the way to Bethlehem?’

Angels in the sky brought this message nigh: ‘Dance and sing for joy that Christ the newborn King is come to bring us Peace on earth and He’s lying Cradled there at Bethlehem.’

‘None may hear my pipes on these hills so lonely On the way to Bethlehem; But a King will hear me play sweet lullabies When I get to Bethlehem.’

Angels in the sky came down from on high, Hovered o’er the manger where the Babe was lying Cradled in the arms of His mother Mary, Sleeping now at Bethlehem.

‘Where is this new King, shepherd boy piping merrily, Is He there at Bethlehem?’

‘I will find Him soon by the star shining brightly In the sky o’er Bethlehem.’

Angels in the sky brought this message nigh: Bel Canto Chorus 11

P R O G R A M T E X T ( c o n t .)

‘Dance and sing for joy that Christ the newborn King is come to bring us Peace on earth and He’s lying Cradled there at Bethlehem.’

‘May I come with you, shepherd boy piping merrily, Come with you to Bethlehem?

Pay my homage too at the new King’s cradle, Is it far to Bethlehem?’

Angels in the sky brought this message nigh: ‘Dance and sing for joy that Christ the infant King is Born this night in lowly stable yonder, Born for you at Bethlehem.’

Coventry Carol Traditional English Carol Arranged by Ellen Shuler Lullay, Thou little tiny Child, By, by, lully, lullay.

Lullay, Thou little tiny Child.

By, by, lully, lullay.

O sisters, too, how may we do, For to preserve this day; This poor young thing for whom we sing, By, by, lully, lullay.

Herod the King, in his raging, Charged he hath this day; His men of might, in his own sight, All children young, to slay.

Great kings have precious gifts And we have naught, Little smiles and little tears Are all we brought.

For all weary children Mary must weep.

Here, on His bed of straw Sleep, children, sleep.

God in His mother’s arms Babes in the byre, Sleep, as they sleep who find Their heart’s desire.

What a Gift!

By Richard Hynson Lyrics by Ruth Van Gorder What a gift to us was given!

Angels hadn’t time to tell On that midnight when from heaven Came the Lord Immanuel; Gift of peace beyond our knowing, Gift of mercy without end, Gift of light forever glowing, Gift of comforter and friend; Gift of awe and inspiration, Gift of tenderness and joy, Gift of love and of salvation In sweet Mary’s blessed boy.

What a gift to us was given!

Angels hadn’t time to tell On that midnight when from heaven Came the Lord Immanuel;

Then woe is me, poor Child, for Thee, And ever morn and day; For Thy parting, nor say nor sing, By, by, lully, lullay.

Cradled in a manger lowly Lay this gift of wondrous worth; If we could accept Him wholly How that gift would change our earth!

How Far Is It to Bethlehem?

Traditional English Melody Arranged by David Willcocks Lyrics by Frances Chesterton

Silent Night Music by Franz Grüber Arranged by Michelle Hynson Lyrics by Joseph Mohr

How far is it to Bethlehem?

Not very far.

Shall we find the stable room Lit by a star?

Can we see the little Child?

Is He within?

If we lift the wooden latch May we go in?

May we stroke the creatures there Ox, ass, or sheep?

May we peep like them and see Jesus asleep?

If we touch His tiny hand Will He awake?

Will He know we’ve come so far Just for His sake?

Silent night! Holy night!

All is calm, all is bright, Round yon virgin Mother and Child, Holy Infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace.

12 Bel Canto Chorus

Silent night! Holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight; Glories stream from heaven afar, Heav’nly hosts sing alleluia!

Christ, the Savior is born.

Silent night! Holy night!

Son of God, love’s pure light; Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace,

P R O G R A M T E X T ( c o n t .)

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Ding, Dong! Merrily On High!

Traditional French Carol Arranged by Ed Lojeski Ding, dong! Merrily on high, The Christmas bells are ringing: Ding, dong! Heav’n and earth reply With angel voices singing.

Gloria, hosanna in excelsis!

Good King Wenceslas looked out On the Feast of Stephen, When the snow lay round about, Deep and crisp and even.

Brightly shown the moon that night, Though the frost was cruel.

When a poor man came in sight Gathering winter fuel.

Mary Had a Baby Traditional Spiritual Arranged by David Blackwell Mary had a Baby, yes, Lord; Mary had a Baby, yes, my Lord; Mary had a Baby, yes, Lord; The people keep a-coming and the train done gone.

Stars keep a-shining, yes, Lord; They keep a-moving in the elements, yes, Lord; Stood above the stable, yes, Lord; The people keep a-coming and the train done gone.

Where did she lay Him? Yes, Lord; Laid Him in the manger, yes, my Lord; Wrapp’d Him in the swaddling, yes, Lord; The people keep a-coming and the train done gone.

What did she name Him? Yes, Lord; Named Him King Jesus, yes, my Lord; Wonderful, Counselor, yes, Lord; The people keep a-coming and the train done gone.

Christmas Canon

By J. Pachelbel, Paul O’Neil, and Robert Kinkel Merry Christmas!

The hope that He brings!

This night we pray our lives will show This dream He had. Each child still knows.

We are waiting. We have not forgotten, On this night, on this very Christmas night.

Of the Father’s Love Begotten 13th Century Plainsong Arranged by Richard Hynson Of the Father’s love begotten, Ere the worlds began to be, He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He, Of the things that are, that have been, And that future years shall see.

Evermore and evermore!

Oh that birth forever blessed, When the Virgin, full of grace, By the Holy Ghost conceiving, Bare the Savior of our race; And the Babe, the world’s redeemer First revealed His sacred face, Evermore and evermore!

Thee let old men, thee let young men, Thee let boys in chorus sing; Matrons, virgins, little maidens, With glad voices answering; Let their guileless songs reecho, And the heart its music bring.

Evermore and evermore.

O ye heights of heaven, adore Him; Angel hosts, His praises sing; Powers, dominions, bow before Him, And extol our God and King; Let no tongue on earth be silent, Every voice in concert ring.

Evermore and evermore!

Go, Tell It on the Mountain Traditional Spiritual Arranged by Michelle Hynson Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere.

Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night, Behold throughout the heavens there shone a holy light.

The shepherds feared and trembled, when lo! above the earth, Rang out the angel chorus that hailed the Savior’s birth.

Down in a lowly manger, the humble Christ was born, And God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.

Bel Canto Chorus 13

B E L C A N TO C H O R U S Jill Andersen Vaughn Ausman Tom Barnum Jon Bartos Kelly Bartyczak Jan Becker Eloise Black CarolAnne Bozosi Susan Brown Marc Cohen Michael J. Comiskey Peter Craig Elizabeth Everson Christine G. Fitch Emily Fox Naomi Fritz Josefina Z. S. Gardinier Janet Gibeau Andrea S. Goetzinger+ Sarah Grams Eileen Griffiths Lynn Gutoski Brett Hanisko Carrie F. Hardel Joshua Hart Keith Heidmann Joan Henkel Craig Hoffmann Dan Holzmiller Jeanne Houle Ronald Houle Sally D. Hoyt Katherine Hughes

Kathleen Hughes+ Michelle Hynson+ Elizabeth Janicek Katie Kaminsky Susi Kiefer Kieth Klemp Jessi A. Kolberg Kyle Kolberg Russell Kopitzke+ Erin Laabs+ Jonathan A. Laabs+ Penny Laferriere Lindsay Lamm Brian J. Larsen Helga Larsen Angela Lee Gary Lesko Loretta Jelinek Lieske K. David Lupardus Barbara L. Lyons Patrick C. Lyons Amanda Mather Jessica Morrison Erik Olson Carol Osburn-McKean Lori Ann Pannier+ Andrea Pelloquin Marjorie Piechowski Alexandra Pieper John Reinardy Betty Reul David Reul Susan Rugg

Kerry Saver Kathleen Schilz Timothy W. Schmidt+ Kate Schmitt Glenn Schumann Trinny Schumann Fred Sentman Cameron Smith Susan Chamberlin Smith William R. Smith+ Binette Solomon Philip Starr Joan Stevens Jeff Stolpa James D. Stout Lora Sunder Ken Tazelaar Kim Terek Mary Thiele Tom Thiele Carolyn Tramel Tom Treder Sarah Trim Fausta Urboniene Nathan Wesselowski+ Hazel Wheaton Rebecca Whitney+ Jennifer W. Williamson Jessica Wirth Karyn Gimbel Youso +Denotes Section Leader

B E L C A N TO B O Y C H O I R Tyler Bair Elias Baldino Charlie Baumle Ryan Deloge Joshua Holmes Evan Hunter Jack Karnes

Michael Kearney Jack Kurth Ethan Laferriere Samuel Laferriere Ashton Lehner Oliver Olson Ethan Shuler

Philip Shuler Matthew Thur Aidan Treder Dan Wallace Jordan Yoon-Buck Will Zajkowski

M I LWAU K E E H A N D B E L L E N S E M B L E Kenneth Blake Tracey Bowers Linda Carlson Debbie Frick Laura Ellwein 14 Bel Canto Chorus

Kaethe Grabenhofer Michael Grosnick Penny Kindraka Shelley Lund Kristine Morano

Jennifer Scheler Rachel Strand Katie WiererÂ

B E L C A N TO C H O R U S O R G A N I Z AT I O N Board of Directors President........................................................................................................................ Sally D. Hoyt Past President......................................................................................................Thomas Barnum Secretary...........................................................................................................................Tom Thiele Treasurer.......................................................................................................................... Jim Hyland Patrick Foran, Tom Gagliano, Merilou Gonzales, Betty Reul, Kerry Saver, Peter Storer, Martin Tierney, Ariana G. Voigt Artistic Staff Music Director/Conductor............................................................................... Richard Hynson Assistant Conductor/Accompanist............................................................. Michelle Hynson Boy Choir Director....................................................................................................... Ellen Shuler Administrative Staff Managing Director.......................................................................................................Marla Hahn Development Director.................................................................................... Rebecca Whitney Patron Services Manager............................................................................................ Bryce Lord Chorus Cabinet Kelly Bartyczak, Jan Becker, CarolAnne Bozosi, Susi Kiefer, Dave Lupardus, Carol McKean, Marge Piechowski, Kerry Saver, Kathleen Schilz, Kate Schmitt, Jim Stout, Hazel Wheaton

PABST MANSION Holiday Tours $10 www.PabstMansion.com

Bel Canto Chorus 15

B E L C A N TO C H O R U S M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T The mission of Bel Canto Chorus is to enrich the lives of its audience members through the outstanding presentation of the finest choral music, and to reach out to the community in order to share the benefits and the joy of the singing arts.

B E L C A N TO C H O R U S E N D OW M E N T F U N D Consider donating to Bel Canto Chorus’s Endowment Fund, where your gift to choral music can be appreciated for years to come. Whether it is a gift of stock or a check, simply indicate that you would like your investment to go toward our Endowment Fund. For more information, contact the Bel Canto office at (414) 481-8801.

B E L C A N TO L E G AC Y S O C I E T Y Members of the Bel Canto Legacy Society have agreed to include the Chorus as part of their estate planning arrangements. You may join them by contacting the Bel Canto office at (414) 481-8801.

Vaughn Ausman and Sally D. Hoyt Margaret E. Haggerty Kerry Saver Chris and Joanna Smocke

16 Bel Canto Chorus

James Steinman David and Roseann Tolan Louis Winter

AC K N OW L E D G E M E N T S Bel Canto Chorus wishes to thank these friends for their generous support of our 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 seasons. Please consider adding your name to this list.

Bravissimo ($5,000+) Anonymous Vaughn Ausman and Sally D. Hoyt Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Hydrite Chemical Richard and Michelle Hynson Milwaukee County – CAMPAC Oconomowoc Area Foundation George B. Storer Foundation Ireene Sullivan United Performing Arts Fund Mrs. Harriette Vick Wisconsin Arts Board Bravo ($1,000-$4,999) Anonymous* Charles Barnum Thomas and Carole Barnum Jan and Robert Becker John and Kay Crichton Brian and Cindy Dearing Janet Gibeau Greater Milwaukee Foundation David and Roseann Tolan Fund Robert and Penny Laferriere Sue and Gary Lesko Joe and Katie Pickart Betty and David Reul San Camillo Senior Community* William Smith and Susan Chamberlin Smith Peter and Jean Storer Tom and Mary Thiele David and Julia Uihlein Charitable Foundation Karyn and Bernie Youso Fortissimo ($500-$999) Linda and Vincents Dindzans Susan and Ralph Harkins John W. Hayes, Sr.* Michael Hayes and Patricia Teets Rudy Malz Northwestern Mutual Foundation Connie Pukaite

Kerry Saver Katherine and Don Schwerin Kay and Joseph Tierney III Martin and Janet Tierney Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. Forte ($250-$499) Anonymous Julie Allenstein Blanche Banerian* Shari Benson Susan and Thomas Connor Dennis Daye Mary Alice Tierney Dunn Tom and Dawn Gagliano Josefina Gardinier Reese and Eileen Griffiths Bill and Libby Hansen Katherine Hughes Tyrrell and Kathleen Hughes Jim Hyland Kieth and Bonnie Klemp Herbert Kohl Charities, Inc. Helga and Gerald Larsen Barbara and Patrick Lyons Mequon United Methodist Outreach Team* Jean and Hilton Neal Marjorie Piechowski Suzanne and Richard Pieper Kathleen and Timothy Schilz Marcia and Jeff Schwager Fred Sentman Brenda Skelton* Judy and James Stoddard Ken Tazelaar Earnest and Betsey Williamson Bob Winter Jessica Wirth Mezzo Forte ($100-$249) Anonymous (2)* Lynne Ausman and David Croll Eloise Black Evert Bos CarolAnne Bozosi David and Dawn Brightsman Susan Brown Randy Casey Sally and Mike Chier Sandra Christensen*

Michael and Ellen Comiskey Emily and Dean Crocker John Cullen Mary and Rich Davenport Peggy Dean* Rosemarie Deisinger* Kelsey Erdahl Deborah Feingold June Fisher* Joanne Foran Marynell Foran Naomi Fritz Janet Gibeau* In memory of Jeanette Steiner David Globig Sandy Grivett and John Schwartz Elna Hickson* William Hoppenjan* June Hoyt In honor of Sally Hoyt and Vaughn Ausman Eileen Kehoe Tom Kibbe Susan and Don Kiefer Adeline and Harvey Kohn Lindsay Lamm Dorothy Jane Martin* Sue Martin-Steiner and Tony Steiner* In honor of D.J. Martin Barbara McCallum Mary Ann Mueller* Jean and Hilton Neal Betty Nordahl Deborah and Jamshed Patel Jayne Pelton* Richard Pietsch* Jim and Gwen Plunkett Mary Pollock* Marian Roeglin* Michael and Mary Ryan Timothy Schmidt Kate and Steve Schmitt Ellen and Dain Shuler Binette Solomon David and Lydia Sovine Patty and Brad Spaits* In honor of Elaine Kennedy Ed and Elisabeth Stieg* Sheila Strock Connie Sylvester* Richard Terlau Tim and Nancy Thiele David and Roseann Tolan In memory of Peter Fargo Bel Canto Chorus 17

AC K N OW L E D G E M E N T S ( c o n t .)

Glen Van Fossen* Judy and Dick Vogel Ariana Voigt Michael Walton Carl and Elizabeth Wege Scott and Tina Weiss WE Energies Foundation Gail Zander* Friend (to $99) Anonymous (2)* Judith Anderson Jean Angermeier Tolly Arthur and Jim Rutz Devin Artley Audrey Baird Ann Barnish Betsy Benes Deborah Betsworth Paul Bonauito Lois and Bob Brazner Peter and Margaret Browne Carl Chelius Robert Christie Blanche and Eugene Comiskey Patricia and Phil Crump Ruth Danby* Christine Del Re Patricia Donohoe* Steve Duback Regina Dunst Marcella Egges* Lori Eshleman Rosemary Fischer* Patrick Foran Edward Ford Constance Forrest Mark Friday Cindy Gallun* In honor of Jack Hayes’s birthday Gary and Laura Gardetto Louis Germanotta John Gerzel Madeleine and Kenneth Gimbel Henry Gozdowiak* Joe Hagan Marilyn Hartmann* Keith Heidmann Joan Henkel Rev. John Hentzer* Glenna Holstein Mary Horne* Barbara Hunt* Marjorie Jothen Oscar Joyner* Katie Kaminsky Emily and Kevin Kane Jim and Elizabeth Kelly 18 Bel Canto Chorus

Elaine Kennedy* *George B. Storer Ed and Michelle Foundation Grant Match Kotnarowski (The Storer Foundation will Johanna Kubicek match every dollar raised Deborah Larkey and in support of the Bel Canto Jack Harris Senior Singers Program Angela Lee up to $25,000 through Marcelena Lemanski* December 31, 2010.)

Loretta and John Lieske Thelma Mahoney* Joe Maller Gloria Mandella* Hugh and Katie McManus* Randall Moles Linda and Edward Mordy Mary Ann Mueller Margaret NeisRobertson* Margaret Mary chorus Newell* Jayne Pelton June Peterson* Roberta Piper Irene Quast* Commemoration of the Debbie Rakestraw Lee Renner* Ginny Tierney Rogers* 2010-2011 Concert Series Katharina Ruckstadter* Megan Sarver The World Beloved: Joanne Schatzlein, A Bluegrass Mass OSF October 10, 3:00 PM Carol Schmitt Humphrey Scottish Rite James Scholler Masonic Center Janet Schroeder with Bel Canto Boy Choir and Bluegrass band Above the Town Nancy Shirley Nancy V. Sipperly* Christmas in the Basilica Daniel Stefanich December 4, 7:30 PM Jessica and Andy December 5, 3:00 PM Stenz Basilica of St. Josaphat Joan Stevens with Bel Canto Boy Choir and Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble Lora and Gregg Sunder Remembrance: Carol Totsch Legacy of the Civil War Tom and Martha March 13, 3:00 PM Treder Christ King Parish Ruth Treisman with Milwaukee Genevieve Chamber Orchestra Warhanek* Give Us Peace Carrie Weddle May 21, 7:30 PM Sarah Weitzer Oconomowoc Arts Center Bonnie and Daryl with Milwaukee Symphony Wunrow Orchestra (Edo de Waart, Gordon Zion Music Director), and Waukesha Choral Union Marilyn and John Zwissler Ticket or Audition Info 414.481.8801 www.belcanto.org

Civil War

SUNDAY, MARCH 13 AT 3:00 PM CHRIST KING PARISH, WAUWATOSA FEATURING BEL CANTO CHORUS AND MILWAUKEE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA TICKETS $17-$25 414-481-8801 • WWW.BELCANTO.ORG

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