FESTIVAL OF NINELESSONS AND

CAROLSDecember 18, 2020 – 7:30 pm

ST. PETER CHURCH SCHOLAGlen Segger, Director

Ashley Zadravecz, SopranoJilian Saber, Alto

Wesley Marchena, TenorAnthony DeLuco, Bass

ST PETER CHURCH, DANBURY , CT

OPENING CHANT O FRODENS VIRGA

O frodens virga,In tua nobilitated stansSicut aurora procedit:Nunc gaude et letareEt nos debiles dignareA mala consuetudine liberareAtque manum tuam porridgeAd erigendum nos.

O blooming branch,You stand upright in your nobility,As breaks the dawn on high:Rejoice now and be glad,And deign to free us, frail and weakened,From the wicked habits of our age;Stretch forth your handTo lift us as upright.

O FRODENS VIRGAWords and Music: Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)

OPENING PRAYER

CAROL ONCE AS I REMEMBER 1. Once as I remember, at the time of

yule,After mid December, when it bloweth

cool,I o’erheard a mother was a-singing

“sweet Jesu.”Lullaby.

2. Near as man was able, on my knees fell I,

In the Bethlem stable, where the Babe did lie,

And the virgin Mother was a singing “sweet Jesu.”

Lullaby.

3. Ever among and o’er us angel quire ‘gan singAntiphons in chorus to the newborn King,

Then the virgin Mother fell a-singing “sweet Jesu.”Lullaby.

ONCE AS I REMEMBERWords: G. R. Woodward (1948-1934)

Music: Eleanor Daley (b.1955)

FIRST READING GENESIS 3: 8-19 God tells sinful Adam that he has lost the life of

Paradise and that his seed will bruise the serpent’s head.

CAROL JESUS CHRIST THE APPLE TREE 1. The tree of life my soul hath seen,

Laden with fruit, and always green:The trees of nature fruitless beCompared with Christ the apple tree.

3. For happiness I long have sought,And pleasure dearly I have bought:I missed of all; but now I see'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

2. His beauty doth all things excel:By faith I know, but ne'er can tellThe glory which I now can seeIn Jesus Christ the apple tree.

4. I'm weary with my former toil,Here I will sit and rest awhile:Under the shadow I will beof Jesus Christ the apple tree.

5. This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, It keeps my dying faith alive; Which makes my soul in haste to be With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

JESUS CHRIST THE APPLE TREEWords: Divine Hymns or Spiritual Songs, 1784

Music: Elizabeth Poston (1905-1987)

SECOND READING GENESIS 22: 15-18 God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed

shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.

CAROL NOW MAY WE SINGEN 1. This Babe to us that now is born,Wonderful works He hath y-wrought,He would not loss what was forlorn,But boldly again it brought.

Refrain: And thus it is Forsooth y-wisHe asketh nought but that is His.Now may we singen as it is.Quod puer natus est nobis.

2. This bargain loved He right well,The price was high and bought full dear.Who would suffer and for us feelAs did that Prince withouten peer? Refrain.

3. His ransom for us hath y paid;Good reason have we to be His.Be mercy asked and He be prayed,Who may deserve the heavenly bliss. Refrain.

4. To some purpose God made man;I trust well to salvation.What was his blood that from him ranBut fence against damnation? Refrain.

5. Almighty God in Trinity,Thy mercy we pray with whole heart,Thy mercy may all woe make fellAnd dangerous dread from us to start. Refrain.

NOW MAY WE SINGENWords: 15th Century English

Music: Cecilia McDowall (b.1951)

THIRD READING ISAIAH 9:2, 6-9 The prophet foretells the coming of the Savior.

CAROL QUEM PASTORES LAUDAVERE 1. Quem pastores laudavere,Quibus angeli dixere:Absit vobis iam timere,Natus est Rex gloriae.

1. Shepherds sang their praises o’er himCalled by angels to adore him:‘have no fear, but come before him:Born is now your glorious King!’

2. Ad quem magi ambulabant,Aurum, thus, myrrham portabant,Immolabant haec sincereLeoni victoriae

2. Eastern sages came to view him,Judah’s conquering Lion knew him,Gold, and myrrh, and incense to himAs their tribute offering.

3. Exultemus cum MariaIn coelesti Hierarchia,Natum promat voce pia,Dulci cum melodia.

3. On this Child, rejoicing, gaze we;Led by Mary, anthems raise we;Reverently, with angels, praise weWith the sweetest melody.

4. Christo regi, Deo natoPer Mariam nobis datoMerito resonet vereLaus, honor et gloria.

4. Christ our King, from Mary springing,God made man, salvation bringing,Thee we worship, ever singing:‘Honor, praise, and glory be!’

QUEM PASTORES LAUDAVEREWords: 14th Century Carol

Music: Susan LaBarr (b. 1981)

FOURTH READING ISAIAH 11:1-3, 4, 6-9

The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown.

CAROL BETHLEHEM’S STAR 1. Bethlehem’s star is shining on high,The shepherds have seen the star in the sky,Make haste to the manger, Jesus in nigh. Alleluia.

2. Mary his Mother, virgin mid,Was chosen of god, yet undefil’dTo bear our Lord the Jesus Child. Alleluia.

3. Angels are parising God this night,They sing of the birth of God’s delight,Rise up andsee the wondrouse sight. Alleluia.

4. Out of the East came wise men three,According to the prophecy,To worship the Babe on bended knee. Alleluia.

5. Peace to the earth the Christ Child will bring,Our Joy, our Hope our loving King,So lift up your hearts together and sing. Alleluia.

6. On this most wondrous Christmas night,To God our voices we uniteThe praise of the Lord our Light of Light. Alleluia.

BETHLEHEM’S STARWords and Music: Eleanor Daley (b.1955)

FIFTH READING LUKE 1:26-35, 38

The angel Gabriel salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary.

CAROL GABRIEL’S MESSAGE 1. The angel Gabriel from heaven came.His wings as drifted snow, his etes as flame.All hail said he, thou blessed mother Mary,Most highly favoured lady, Gloria.

2. For known a blessed mother thou shalt be.All generations laud and honour thee.Thy Son shall be Emmanuel be seers foretold.Most highly favoured lady, Gloria.

3. Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head.‘To me be as it pleaseth God.’ she said.‘My soul shall laud and magnify His holy name.’Most highly favoured lady. Gloria.

4. Of her Emmanuel the Christ was bornIn Bethlehem all on a Christmas mornAnd Christian fold thru-out the world shall ever say,Most highly favoured lady. Gloria.

GABRIEL’S MESSAGEWords: Luke 1:46-55

Music: Basque Carol, Arr. Gail Lund (b. 1939)

SIXTH READING LUKE 2:1. 3-7 St Luke tells of the birth of Jesus.

CAROL HURON CAROL 1. 'Twas in the moon of wintertimeWhen all the birds had fledThat mighty Gitchi ManitouSent angel choirs insteadBefore their light the stars grew dimAnd wandering hunters heard the hymnJesus your King is born, Jesus is born

2. Within a lodge of broken barkThe tender Babe was foundA ragged robe of rabbit skinEnwrapp'd His beauty roundAnd as the hunter braves drew nighThe angel song rang loud and highJesus your King is born, Jesus is born

In excelsis gloria In excelsis gloria

3. The earliest moon of wintertimeIs not so round and fairAs was the ring of gloryOn the helpless infant thereThe chiefs from far before him kneltWith gifts of fur and beaver peltJesus your King is born, Jesus is bornIn excelsis gloria

4. O children of the forest freeO sons of ManitouThe Holy Child of earth and heavenIs born today for youCome kneel before the radiant BoyWho brings you beauty, peace and joyJesus your King is born, Jesus is bornIn excelsis gloria

HURON CAROLWords: St. Jean de Brebeuf (c.1643); trans. Jesse Edgar Middleton

Music: Trad. Canadian, Arr. Sarah Quartel

SEVENTH READING LUKE 2:8-16 The shepherds go to the manger.

CAROL A SIMPLE GLORIA And it was in a simple Gloria that quiet morn,

And it was in a simple Gloria the Child was born. The angels sang a simple Gloria,

That echoed gently through the stars. The shepherds heard the simple Gloria,

Gloria in Excelsis Deo. Salvatore Mundi Est. Ergo nos cum Gaudio, Natus est Emmanuel.

A SIMPLE GLORIAWords: M. K. Dean (b. 1950)

Music: Libby Larsen (b. 1950)

EIGHTH READING MATTHEW 2:1-12 The wise men are led by the star to Jesus.

CAROL OFFERING AT THE MANGER 1. Long ago in Bethlehem Lived a woman, poor and oldSitting in her lowly cabin,She, her story, told.

2. ‘Once I was a whining starAnd followed it to this good town.With shepherd here I marveledAt the wonder we had found.’

3. ‘That blessed babe in manger lowDid not a tear of sorrow cryWhen I displayed my humble offering,A poor berry pie.’

4. I loved that babe at first sight,The Child who soon was crowned a King.But my gift of food was the causeOf laughter for Wisemen visiting.’

5. ‘I left the stable silently, Walking homeward, heavy of heart,

6. Of all the gifts we offerTo Christ who came from God above,

When high above, a glorious angel,In joyful song, proclaimed:’

Not gold, not myrrh, not frankincense, But the greatest gift is Love

OFFERING AT THE MANGER – THE PIE CAROLWords and Music: Beverly Lewis

NINTH READING JOHN 1:1-14 St John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.

CAROL THE WORD WAS GOD

In the beginning was the Word,And the Word was with God

And the Word was GodThe same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by him;And without him was not anything made that was made.

THE WORD WAS GODWords: John 1:1-3

Music: Rosephanye Powell

COLLECT AND BLESSING

CLOSING CAROL HE IS BORN 1. He is born, Holy Child divinePlay on the flute, on the drum beat merrilyHe is born, Holy Child divineBorn in a manger in Bethlehem

2. Prophets wise in the days of oldHad foretold of His coming birthOur Messiah He would beBringing peace to all the earth

3. O how lovely, O how pureIs this perfect gift of birthO how lovely, O how pureGracious gift to all the earth

4. Il est ne, le divin Enfant,Jouez, hautbois, resonnez, musettes;Ilest ne, le divin Enfant;Chantons yous son avenement!

5. O Jesus! O Roi tout puissant!Tout petit enfant que vous etes,O Jesus! O Roi tout puissant!Regnez sur nous entierement!

6. He is born, Holy Child divinePlay on the flute, on the drum beat merrilyHe is born, Holy Child divineBorn in a manger in Bethlehem

HE IS BORNWords: 18th Cenetury French Carol

Music: Arr. Kim Denis (b. 1976)

PROGRAM NOTES HILDEGARD OF BINGEN was a polymath of the medieval ages; her numerous writings spanned topics from theology to science. Known for her visions, she entered monastic life at a young age. A prolific composer of chant, Hildegard is known for her soaring melismatic chants that pushed the boundaries of traditional Gregorian chant. O frodens virga was written to the Virgin Mary, the “blooming branch,” from whom we ask to be freed from the wickedness of our age.

Canadian composer, ELEANOR DALEY, has over 100 published choral compositions to her credit, and continues to be commissioned extensively throughout the North America. The St. Peter Schola is performing two works of Daley this evening. Once as I Remember is an exquisite composition that sensitively interweaves text and music. Bethlehem’s Star is a simpler work with a lovely “Alleluia” that is cleverly extended in the last verse.

ELIZABETH POSTON was a British composer who primarily wrote scores for radio and television while working for the BBC. She was also an editor of folk songs, which may be how she came across the text for Jesus Christ the Apple Tree, an anonymous text originating in 18th century New England. Poston sets these words with a simple melody and a delicate harmonization.

Born in London, CECILIA MCDOWALL has won numerous awards, including the British Composer Award for Choral Music (2014). She has been described by the International Record Review as having ‘a communicative gift that is very rare in modern music.’ Now May We Singen is an exciting carol that communicates the sheer joy experienced when encountering the Christ child.

SUSAN LABARR is an American composer living in Springfield, Missouri. Her arrangement of Quem pastores laudavere, a 14th-century carol, was originally arranged for the all-male vocal quartet, New York Polyphony, and appeared on their 2014 album, Sing Thee Nowell, which was nominated for a Grammy.

Gabriel’s Message is a lovely arrangement of the Basque carol, which tells the story of the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel told the Blessed Virgin Mary that she would become the mother of Jesus Christ. This delightful arrangement was composed by the Canadian composer, GAIL LUND, who currently resides on Gabriola Island, a small island off Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

The text of the Huron Carol was written by St. Jean be Brebeuf, a 17th-century French missionary to the Huron people; it is known as Canada’s oldest Christmas song. Tonight’s arrangement of this carol was composed by SARAH QUARTEL, a Canadian composer and educator known for her fresh and exciting approach to choral music.

LIBBY LARSEN is one of America’s most performed living composers. Her catalogue of over 500 works can be heard on over 50 CDs. A Simple Gloria is a serene setting of a macaronic text by M. K. Dean describing the song the angels sang for the birth of the Christ Child.

Both the words and music for Offering at the Manger, also known as the “Pie Carol,” were written by Canadian composer, BEVERLY LEWIS. This simple carol tells the fictional story of an elderly woman who takes a homemade pie as a gift to the infant Jesus. After becoming the object of some derision, she is assured by an angel that the greatest gift anyone could offer the Christ Child is our love.

ROSEPHANYE POWELL is an African-American composer who has been hailed as one of America’s premier women composers of choral music. The Word was God is a rhythmically exciting setting of the opening of St. John’s Gospel.

For our final carol, Edmonton based composer, KIMBERLY LEWIS, has created a fetching, up-tempo rendition of the French carol: Il Est Ne. Syncopated rhythms on ‘boms’ and ‘doo wops’ add to the fun.