Walk Together, Children

05.20.2023

SATURDAY @ 7:30PM

Saint John’s Episcopal Cathedral

05. 21 .2023

SUNDAY @ 3:00PM

First Plymouth UCC

This concert sponsored in part by

M. Roger Holland, II Artist-in-Residence

WALK TOGETHER, CHILDREN

LORD, WE GIVE THANKS TO THEE STRIVING AFTER GOD

ALL THAT I AM

Emily Alexander, alto; Michael Bizzaro, baritone; Joseph O’Berry, organ

PRAISE THE LORD

JosephO’Berry,organ

UNDINE SMITH MOORE (1904-1989)

UNDINE SMITH MOORE

WILLIAM GRANT STILL (1895-1978)

PROGRAM NOTES

FLORENCE BEATRICE PRICE (1887-1953)

PSALM 100 (MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE LORD) DAVID HURD (B. 1950)

Joseph O’Berry, organ

PSALM 57

PSALM 150

Pearl Rutherford, soprano; Joseph O’Berry, organ

-- I NTERVAL --

WE ARE THE MUSIC MAKERS

A licia Rigsby, piano

A PRAYER

Laura Tribby, mezzo soprano

ARISE, BELOVED!

Alicia Rigsby, piano

MY HEART BE BRAVE

DRAW US NEAR

Alicia Rigsby, piano

BRING ME ALL YOUR DREAMS

BETTY JACKSON KING (1928-1994)

NATHAN CARTER (1936-2004)

Kantorei’s program this weekend bears the title Walk Together, Children, and features twelve composers with roots in the African diaspora. The connection flavors their music in varying ways. At times, it’s the flow of melodies and their harmonic flavors. It can also be point of view: what feelings or aspirations might seem especially close to the heart. Whatever inspired each composer – men and women alike, representing a century worth of marvelous music – the results make for compelling listening. Sacred or secular, joyous, peaceful, or hopeful, it is music that can reach every one of us.

Undine Smith Moore: two selections – Lord, We Give Thanks to Thee; Striving After God

performers alike.Her setting of Praise the Lord both opens and closes in festive mood. However, the central pages bring tenderness, the better to reflect the text and to provide contrast to the work as a whole.

David Hurd: Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord

Given the text of Psalm 100, one can expect it to be joyful. However, composer David Hurd (b. 1950) goes one step further, providing a distinctive organ prelude, as well as intriguing juxtaposition between voice parts. Hurd sets the middle lines of the Psalm in calm and thoughtful demeanor, making the return to vigor for the closing even more dramatic.

REGINAL WRIGHT (B. 1976)

Granddaughter of slaves, Undine Smith Moore (1904 –1989) grew up in a Virginia community where music played a central role, especially in congregational singing of hymns. Two contrasting examples of Moore's own hymn settings open Kantorei’s program. Lord, We Give Thanks to Thee is vividly celebratory, with elegantly expansive Alleluias which themselves seem worth the price of admission. Handel thought he knew how to set an Alleluia, but Moore gives him a run for his money. Striving After God opens with serenity, growing to juxtapose women’s voices against those of men. At times, greater motion anticipates the fervent build to brightness at the close.

William Grant Still: All That I Am

KEN BURTON (B. 1970)

ROSEPHANYE POWELL (B. 1962)

Composer of the first symphony by an African American to be given a professional performance (1931: Rochester), William Grant Still (1895 – 1978) proved himself in the big classical genres. However, he did not neglect choral settings. Still’s All That I Am, setting words by Verna Avery (1910 – 1987), is a serene prayer of thanks to the Lord for all that He has provided.

MARQUES L. A. GARRETT (B. 1984)

JOEL THOMPSON (B. 1988)

CHRISTOPHER H. HARRIS

HOLD FAST TO DREAMS JOEL THOMPSON

Alicia Rigsby, piano

To make a general contribution to Kantorei, text “ Kantorei ” to 44321 Thank you!

Florence Beatrice Price: Praise the Lord Arkansas born, Boston trained, and Chicago based, Florence Beatrice Price (1887 – 1953) was a prominent figure in the Chicago Black Renaissance. Her orchestral and chamber works tend to get the most notice, but her vocal works merit close attention from audiences and

Betty Jackson King: Psalm 57

Composer Betty Jackson King (1928 – 1994) once attested “Over my head, I hear music in the air. There must be a God somewhere.” That conviction led her to focus largely upon sacred works, including this setting of Psalm 57. The text begins “Have mercy on me, O Lord,” words that King felt were best expressed with serenity. The later addition of a high descant to the other voices brings greater brilliance, and by the closing verse, splendor takes over. King sensed that this evolution best reflected reflect images of praise and exaltation “reaching to the heavens.”

Nathan

Carter: Psalm 150

Over and over, Psalm 150 evokes scenes of praise: with trumpet, tambourine, cymbals, and more. None of those instruments appear in this setting by Nathan Carter (1936 –2004). Only a piano provides accompaniment to the voices. After a glorious opening, nimbly racing lines charge forward, taking a break midway for a serene soprano solo. For the closing pages, Carter brings back the exuberance of the opening. Here is a choral work that, driven by its text, is suffused with joy.

Reginal Wright: We are the Music Makers

Here one finds no Biblical verses. Current composer Reginal Wright (NOT ‘Reginald’) has chosen as text the Ode by Irish poet Arthur O’Shaughnessy (1844 – 1881). The vision is not specifically sacred, but still compelling: “We are the music makers… the dreamers of dreams… the movers and shakers of the world for ever, it seems.” Any singer would revel in

-All program notes © Betsy Schwarm, author of the Classical Music Insights series

PROGRAM NOTES

giving voice to those phrases; any music lover would rejoice to hear them. Wright begins with the tenderness of spring rain and the serenity of flowing voices, becoming fuller in places, especially in the radiant closing lines. What is that “dazzling unknown shore”? Interpretations may vary, but certainly it is a resplendent place, perhaps even more so with Wright’s music.

Ken Burton: Prayer

There are many prayers, but only one Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872 – 1906). Perhaps the first highly acclaimed African American poet, Dunbar stood out not only as a superior wordsmith amongst his own people, but as one whose works were also admired by influential voices in American literature overall. His Ode speaks of “hard won miles… my wounded feet and God… and healing waters.”

Composer Ken Burton (b. 1970) sets the text eloquently: at first flowing peacefully, then building to resplendence, before easing back into rest. There is, it seems, comfort in the Lord’s “gracious balm.”

Rosephanye Powell: Arise, Beloved

Bible verses and romance do not often come in the same package. However, the Old Testament does contain the rapturous love songs of the Song of Solomon, and it is there that American composer Rosephanye Powell (b. 1962) found the text for Arise, Beloved. Voices are joined by piano, not merely as accompaniment, but as an expressive component, too. Powell says she wanted the piano “to play an equal role. Its sparkling lines contrast perfectly with sostenuto voices and flowing passages that juxtapose men’s voices and those of women: it is, after all, a love song! In the last measures, the piano part ascends, quite literally, to a final statement of “Arise.”

Marques L. A. Garrett: My Heart Be Brave

In My Heart Be Brave, composer Marques L. A. Garrett (b. 1984) sets a sonnet by American civil rights activist James Weldon Johnson (1871 – 1938). “Look up, and out, beyond…

There is a power making for the right.” It is a plea for steadfastness in the face of difficulties encountered in the struggle for civil rights. Garrett begins with calm, perhaps reassuring moods. More nimble lines, even eager ones, develop, leading toward visions of “inspiring hope.” Surely, hope is one sort of bravery, and if a cappella voices can inspire it, then let it be done!

- All program notes © Betsy Schwarm, author of the Classical Music Insights series

Joel Thompson: Draw Us Near

Here we have another entreaty for courage in difficult times, though not civil rights per se. Rather, it is a supplication to the “God of Peace” to give strength to those wearied by “war and blood and fear.” One might wonder if this setting by Joel Thompson (b. 1988) will seek to express those frightful visions, but darkness is not the message. Rather, the mood is largely gentle, gradually becoming sunlit as hope takes root in the heart. Near to the God of Peace, there is comfort.

Christopher H. Harris: Bring to Me All Your Dreams

Dreams can be passionate, or magical, or many other things. For this text by Langston Hughes (1902 – 1967), current composer Christopher Harris opts for awestruck rapture. The harmonies are smooth, the vocal lines flowing. Dreams, after all, are not only those that occupy one’s mind during sleep; they can also be aspirations for the future. Such a notion is a recurring theme in Hughes’ works. The gentleness of Harris’ setting suggests bated breath, that Hughes’ voice is offering a joy that had never seemed possible.

Joel Thompson: Hold Fast to Dreams

Kantorei’s program closes with one more dream of possibilities to come, evoked through a second work by composer Joel Thompson, whose Draw Us Near was featured a short time ago. Hold Fast to Dreams, another Langston Hughes text, muses upon what happens to dreams deferred. Therein could lie discouragement, and indeed, the music juxtaposes both soft and dark energies, even anxiety. However, in the closing pages, Thompson and Hughes together offer the strength of hope and steadfastness. “Hold fast to dreams, for when dreams go, life is a barren field frozen with snow.” Thompson’s music suggests not the barrenness, but rather the hope still within reach. It is a heartening mood in which to send listeners and performers off on their way.

- All program notes © Betsy Schwarm, author of the Classical Music Insights series

& CLASSROOM GRANT

The Kantorei community is proud to offer an annual Classroom Grant and Individual Scholarship to support choral teachers and students of color in the Denver metro area! With your help, we aim to improve diversity in the choral arts. We would love your support of this program, both financially and to get the word out to eligible students and teachers.

Use this QR code to donate. Check back in the fall for application instructions!

JOEL M. RINSEMA Managing Artistic Director

Joel M. Rinsema joined Kantorei (Denver, Colorado USA) in 2014, becoming the second conductor in its 25-year history. A frequent collaborator and champion of new works for chorus, Joel has commissioned and premiered works by many of today’s leading composers, including Kim André Arnesen, Mason Bates, René Clausen, Jean Belmont Ford, Ola Gjeilo, Jocelyn Hagen, Mark Hayes, Cecilia McDowall, Sarah Quartel, Jake Runestad, and Eric Whitacre. In the summer of 2022, Joel conducted the Central American premiere of Jake Runestad’s El Último Hilo (The Last Thread) in Guatemala City and Antigua, Guatemala with Kantorei and the Guatemalan choir Vocalis. He will return in late May of 2023 to conduct Eric Whitacre’s The Sacred Veil

Under Joel’s direction, Kantorei has released two recordings on the Naxos label. Sing, Wearing the Sky: Choral Music of Jake Runestad (2020) was the #3 best-selling classical album on iTunes, reached #4 on the Traditional Classical Billboard Charts, and was in the top ten in both the best-selling classical album and new classical release categories on Amazon. Infinity: Choral Works of Kim André Arnesen (2018) climbed to the #2 best-selling classical album on iTunes, #6 on the Traditional Classical Billboard Charts, and #19 on the overall Classical Billboard charts. Santa Barbara Music Publishing Inc., publishes the Joel Rinsema / Kantorei Choral series.

Joel led Kantorei in performances at the 2019 National Convention of the American Choral Directors Association, and prepared Kantorei as the primary chorus for the Aspen Music Festival for Maestro Robert Spano in the summers of 2021 and 2022. More recently, he conducted Kantorei along with the Canadian Brass in December of 2022, commissioned and prepared Kantorei for the world premiere of the string orchestra version of Eric Whitacre’s The Sacred Veil, led by the composer, and guest conducted The Sacred Veil with the Washington (DC) Choral Arts Society in May of 2023.

Joel is a passionate advocate for the professional choral art form, and he frequently consults with choral arts organizations around the country. Because of his leadership in his field, he received the Louis Botto Award for “Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal” from Chorus America, the industry’s advocacy, research, and leadership development organization for choruses, choral leaders, and singers.

From 2017-2020 he was the North American Choral Promotion Manager for Oxford University Press based in Oxford, England, a tenure during which he worked closely with and represented roster composers John Rutter, Mack Wilberg, Bob Chilcott, Sarah Quartel, Cecilia McDowall, Gabriel Jackson, and Will Todd among others.

Joel holds music degrees from Arizona State University and Whitworth University and he is a member of the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Grammys), American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA).

He came to Kantorei from the Grammy Award-winning Phoenix Chorale. Throughout his 23-year tenure with the Phoenix Chorale, he served in nearly every capacity with the organization, including his last 15 years as President & CEO and Assistant Conductor. He negotiated an ongoing recording contract with the prestigious U.K.-based Chandos Records, and Phoenix Chorale recordings received a total of eight Grammy nominations and two Grammy awards during his tenure. Joel appears on all Phoenix Chorale recordings and was a soloist on the Grammy Award-winning “Spotless Rose: Hymn to the Virgin Mary.” In addition to his work with the Phoenix Chorale, he was the founding chorus master of the Arizona Musicfest Chorus.

Kantorei is a Denver-based, choral ensemble comprised of volunteer singers under the direction of Artistic Director Joel M. Rinsema

Formed in 1997 under the leadership of six friends and artistic director Richard Larson, Kantorei has established itself as one of the nation’s premier choral ensembles. Our choral artists have studied at schools with strong music programs across the United States such as Baylor University, Brigham Young University, Eastman School of Music, Indiana University, St. Olaf College, Wartburg College, and Westminster Choir College. Kantorei’s singers reside throughout the greater Denver area. Some serve as choral music educators, church choir conductors, and vocal instructors. Others are doctors, social workers, optometrists, counselors, clinical psychologists, accountants, realtors –all brought together in weekly rehearsals for shared artistic excellence and community.

Kantorei has performed for major choral conventions across the U.S., toured the world, and has commissioned and premiered new choral works from such renowned composers as Kim André Arnesen, Eric William Barnum, Abbie Betinis, René Clausen, Ola Gjeilo, Jocelyn Hagen, Sarah Quartel, Jake Runestad, Joshua Shank, and Eric Whitacre. In the summer of 2022, Kantorei performed the Central American premiere of Jake Runestad’s “El Ultimo Hilo” in Guatemala City and Antigua, Guatemala, along with Guatemelan choir Vocalis. In the fall of 2021, Kantorei began its three-year collaboration with M. Roger Holland, II as Artist-in-Residence.

Kantorei has released two recordings on the Naxos label. “Sing, Wearing the Sky” (2020) choral music of Jake Runestad reached the #3 best-selling classical album on iTunes, #4 on the Traditional Classical Billboard Charts, and the top ten in both the best-selling classical album and new classical release categories on Amazon. “Infinity: Choral Works of Kim André Arnesen” (2018) climbed to the #2 best-selling classical album on iTunes, #6 on the Traditional Classical Billboard Charts and #19 on the overall Classical Billboard charts. Santa Barbara Music Publishing Inc. publishes the Kantorei Choral series.

“...An ideally balanced ensemble... In total a much recommended release.”

-David Denton, David’s Review Corner, August 2020 (Read the full review here)

“That he writes well for singers is enthusiastically proved by the all-volunteer Denver-based Kantorei choral ensemble and eight instrumentalists, and some full-blooded recordings.”

-Laurence Vittes, Gramophone, October 2020 (Read the full review here or here)

“…Always engaging and colorful…sung with depth and conviction by Kantorei.”

– Karl W. Nehring, Classical Candor, December 2020 (Read the full review here)

Kantorei’s mission is “to elevate the human experience through choral excellence.”

Photo courtesy of Williams Pérez

THE CHOIR ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

SOPRANO ALTO TENOR BASS

Mary Christ

Kimberly Dunninger

Beryl Fanslow Wilson

Christina Graham

Heather Gunnerson

Stacie Hanson

Christina Heppermann

Becca Hyvonen

Sara Michael *

Alicia Rigsby ◊

Pearl Rutherford

Christianna Sullins

Emily Alexander

Lindsey Aquilina

Lizabeth Barnett

Lyn Berry-Helmlinger

Sarah Branton *

Desiree Deliz-Morales

Madeline Gardner

Melissa Menter

Erin Meyerhoff

Jennifer Moore

Allison Pasternak

Emma Tebbe

Laura Tribby

Andrea Ware-Medina

Jane Wright

* Section leader ◊ Collaborative Pianist

STAFF MEMBERS

Sarah Branton

Assistant Conductor

Sara Michael

Business Manager

Alicia Rigsby

Accompanist, Collaborative Pianist

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jennifer Moore President

John Bartley

Vice President

MEMBERS AT LARGE

Judy Bloomberg Schenkein

Josh Corwyn

Kai Berry-Helmlinger *

Benjamin Corwyn

Joshua Corwyn

Matthew Eschliman

Keith Ferguson

Keith Harrison

Bryce Kennedy

Samuel Low

Alex Menter

Zachariah Smith

Jonathan Von Stroh

John Wright

Michael Bizzaro *

Jordan Black

Michael Boender

Adam Cave

Garth Criswell

Ryan D. Garrison

Scott Horowitz

Brad Jackson

Brad Larson

Bryan Lastrella

John Ludwig

John Schaak

Kirk Schjodt

Griffin Sutherland

Matt Weissenbuehler

Becca Hyvönen

Marketing & Communications Manager

Alison Roman House Manager

Leslie Britton Treasurer

Melissa Menter Secretary

Desiree Deliz-Morales

Scott Horowitz

M. Roger Holland, II is the Teaching Assistant Professor of Music and Religion and Director of The Spirituals Project at the Lamont School of Music, University of Denver. He is a graduate of Union Theological Seminary in New York City where he received the Master of Divinity degree. He also holds degrees from the Manhattan School of Music where he received a Master’s in Piano Performance and a Bachelor’s Degree from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, majoring in Music Education, with a concentration in piano and voice.

Roger toured nationally and internationally with The Boys Choir of Harlem, working with them as a conductor, pianist, instructor, and arranger for several of their recordings. Roger served as Minister of Music for Our Lady of Charity Roman Catholic Church in Brooklyn, NY for 12 years and is Liturgical Music Consultant for the New York Archdiocese Office of Black Ministry, acting as Music Director for their special Masses at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Roger served as Artist in Residence at Union Theological Seminary for 13 years where he directed their Gospel Choir. In addition to his Broadway credits, which include, playing for the Broadway production of Oprah Winfrey’s The Color Purple, Roger is also a respected clinician, presenting workshops for McDonald’s Gospelfest, the Clarence Rivers Music Institute, Archbishop Lyke Liturgical Conference, the Roderick Bell Institute, Unity Explosion-Region X, and the Hampton University Ministers’ Conference. His commissioned works include “The Dream and The Dreamer,” “Down By The River,” commissioned by The Negro Spiritual Scholarship Foundation, and “The Tribulation Suite,” a 4-movement work based on Negro Spirituals. In 2016, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York presented Roger with the Pierre Toussaint Medallion for Service.

Photo courtesy of Alvin Jones

M. ROGER HOLLAND, II

Director of The Spirituals Project Lamont School of Music, University of Denver

Known for his sensitivity, and imaginative registrations as a collaborative artist, Joseph O’Berry nurtures the reputation as a first-rate musician, and is Associate Director of Music and Organist at Saint John’s Cathedral. Before arriving to Denver, Mr. O’Berry held Director of Music posts in Seattle, Washington; Springfield, Massachusetts; and Atlanta, Georgia.

Joseph was Organ Scholar at Blackburn Cathedral and Truro Cathedral in England (2014-2016). Whilst in England he participated in over 800 services, some of which included the attendance of dignitaries, His Majesty King Charles III and The Queen Consort, and dozens of concerts with both Blackburn and Truro Cathedral Choirs. In 2016, Mr. O’Berry shared playing the organ and conducted

Truro Cathedral Choir in a national broadcast celebrating Queen Elizabeth II 90th birthday. Joseph has performed with The Royal Northern Orchestra, London Symphonia, and Truro Symphony Orchestra. He shared responsibilities in playing the daily offices of Choral Evensong and Eucharist, training the probationer boys, conducting the Cathedral Choirs, and was administrator of the music departments, which included Cathedral Music Outreach. On several occasions Joseph has appeared on BBC Spotlight accompanying Truro Cathedral Choir and is a featured organist on the Priory Records Label (the largest producer of church music in the United Kingdom) for Blackburn Cathedral Choirs newest CD entitled “ Natus : Music for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany”.

Preceding his appointments in England, Joseph lived in Atlanta, Georgia and was Director of Music at Holy Trinity Parish (Episcopal), Chapel Organist for the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, and sang with the professional Schola at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip- during which time the Schola went on pilgrimage to England singing two week residencies at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London and Canterbury Cathedral, respectively.

Joseph’s undergraduate studies were in organ performance with secondary emphasis in early music and collaborative piano from The Townsend School of Music at Mercer University. He is a Colleague of the American Guild of Organists and has performed extensively as a solo and collaborative recitalist throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and England (in the notable venues of Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, London, Worcester Cathedral, Blackburn Cathedral, Chester Cathedral, York Minster, Truro Cathedral, Canterbury Cathedral, Liverpool Cathedral, Lancaster Priory, and Ripon Cathedral).

FEELING ELEVATED?

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Photo courtesy of Evans Ousley, Saint John's Cathedral

JOSEPH O’BERRY

Featured Artist

TEXT & TRANSLATIONS

Lord, We Give Thanks to Thee Leviticus 25:9

Lord, we give thanks to Thee For these, Thy servants. Alleluia, amen. Then shalt Thou cause the trumpet to sound, The trumpet of the jubilee. Alleluia.

Striving After God

Michelangelo

True art is made noble and religious by the mind producing it. For those who feel it, nothing makes the soul so religious and pure as the endeavor to create something perfect. For God is perfection, and whoever strives after perfection is striving after God.

All That I Am

Verna Arvey

All that I am, all I ever can be I owe to You, Lord, for You have molded me.

All that I have, all that I call mine I owe to You, Lord, for all things are Thine. You are the source of light; Light that’s offered all men.

In Your wisdom You give to each his due. You are the source of love: Love that binds in brotherhood.

In Your love and mercy I find lasting peace.

All that I love, all that’s dear to me, All of my blessings come, my Lord, from Thee.

All that I own, all that belongs to me, all I surrender, My Lord, to Thee.

Praise the Lord Psalm 117 (KJV)

Praise the Lord all ye nations; praise the Lord all ye people.

Praise the Lord for His merciful kindness is great toward us. And the truth of the Lord endureth forever.

Praise the Lord all ye nations, praise the Lord.

Psalm 100 (Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord) Psalm 100 (NRSV)

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands!

Serve the Lord with gladness!

Come into God’s presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, who made us, is God. We are the Lord’s; we are the people of God, the sheep of God’s pasture. Enter God’s gates with thanksgiving, And God’s courts with praise!

Give thanks and bless God’s name!

For the Lord is good; God’s steadfast love endures forever, God’s faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 57 Psalm 57:1, 7, 10-11

O God, be merciful unto me. For my soul taketh refuge in thee, Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I take refuge Until these sorrows pass over. My heart is fixed, God, for thy loving kindness is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the skies. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let thy glory be above all the earth. Amen.

Psalm 150 Psalm 150, adapt. Nathan Carter

Praise ye the Lord, O praise ye the Lord.

Praise him in his sanctuary, praise him in the firmament of his power.

Praise him for his mighty acts, praise him according to his excellent greatness, praise him for his power and glory, and for the many years of hearing the story, from this gospel preacher and leader of the people come now let us praise him!

Praise him with the psaltry and harp.

O praise him with the timbrel and dance, praise him with stringed instruments and organ.

Praise him upon the loud cymbals.

Praise ye the Lord.

O praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord!

We Are the Music Makers

From “Ode” - Arthur O’Shaughnessy

We are the music makers, We are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone sea-breakers, Sitting by desolate streams; World-losers and forsakers On whom the pale moon gleams: We are the movers, we are the shakers, We are the music makers, the dreamers, We are the dreamers of dreams.

A Prayer

Paul Laurence Dunbar

O Lord, the hard-won miles Have worn my stumbling feet: Oh, soothe me with thy smiles, And make my life complete. The thorns were thick and keen Where’er I trembling trod; The way was long between My wounded feet and God. Where healing waters flow Do thou my footsteps lead. My heart is aching so; Thy gracious balm I need. Amen.

Arise, Beloved!

Based on Song of Solomon 2:7-13

Arise, my love!

Arise, beloved, fair one, come away: For lo, the winter is past. Beloved, come away. Come, the rain has gone; The flowers appear. The birds are singing. Come, your hand in mine; We’ll taste of the grapevines. And hear the turtle doves: Their voices sing of joy and love. Hush! Do not awaken, love. Do not arouse ‘til it pleases. As the gazelles and does of the field, So is my beloved.

My heart be brave “Sonnet”

- James Weldon Johnson

My heart be brave, and do not falter so, Nor utter more that deep, despairing wail. Thy way is very dark and drear I know, But do not let thy strength and courage fail; For certain as the raven-winged night Is followed by the bright and blushing morn, Thy coming morrow will be clear and bright; ’Tis darkest when the night is furthest worn. Look up, and out, beyond, surrounding clouds, And do not in thine own gross darkness grope, Rise up, and casting off thy hind’ring shrouds, Cling thou to this, and ever inspiring hope:

Tho’ thick the battle and tho’ fierce the fight, There is power [in] making for the right.

Draw Us Near

Joel Thompson

This song we sing is our hearts’ vow to you, O God of Peace. Please send down your Dove, your Spirit of Love, to help our torments cease.

The world is tired of war and blood and fear, the tears we’ve cried, the pain inside; O Spirit, draw us near. So keep us true to our hearts’ vow to show the world your love.

May bias wane and joy remain as we sing to You above. We pray, O God, You take away our fear, the tears we’ve cried, the pain inside; O Spirit, draw us near.

Bring me all your dreams

“The Dream Keeper” - Langston Hughes

Bring me all [of] your dreams, You dreamers, Bring me all [of] your Heart melodies

That I may wrap them

In a blue cloud-cloth

Away from the too-rough fingers Of the world.

TEXT & TRANSLATIONS

Hold Fast to Dreams

From “I Have a Dream” - Martin Luther King, Jr.; “Harlem” and “Dreams” - Langston Hughes

Free at last, Free at last?

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore and run?

Does it stink like rotten meat or crust and sugar over like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags like a heavy load or does it explode?

Hold fast to dreams

For when dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird

That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams

For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow.

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Donors who contributed between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023 are recognized in this program * Singers ^ Board & Staff ~ Volunteers

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Donors who contributed between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023 are recognized in this program * Singers ^ Board & Staff ~ Volunteers

DONORS

Donors who contributed between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023 are recognized in this program * Singers ^ Board & Staff ~ Volunteers

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KANTOREI 2023-24

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