To begin our 23rd season, we Sing Noel! Many of you include our December concert as part of your annual holdiay traditions, and we’re honored that you’re with us again this year. And to all who are new to Northwest Repertory Singers, we warmly welcome you!
The music we share with you today showcases a variety of composers, styles, and eras. A few highlights: We begin with the ancient Latin carol, “Resonet in laudibus” set by Renaissance composer Jacob Handl—and moments later the melody returns in “Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine” from legendary 20th-century choral conductor Norman Luboff. Between these two, “one of America’s most performed living American composers,” Libby Larsen, invites us to consider “A Simple Gloria.” With our guest artist Shannon Spicciati, oboe, you’ll discover modern melodies for ancient English carols and also hear the word noel for the first time in the concert with Donna Gartman Schultz’s “Noël Nouvelet.” Jubilant music by André J. Thomas illuminates African American and Liberian traditions, Canadian composer Sarah Quartel reframes words from “Silent Night” in a wondrous winter landscape, and we encounter a modern re-imaginging of “The First Noel” from Portland-based Naomi LaViolette. Plus, you will have a chance to sing noel with NWRS, too!
Thank you for sharing this extraordinary music with us. Please be sure to mark your calendars for our next concerts, May 4 and 5, here at Christ Church. In the meantime, as the carol says, “be merry and glad!”
Join Northwest Repertory Singers
for our next performances:
To Life! To Love!
featuring Liebeslieder waltzes by Johannes Brahms
Marjorie Skreen and Duane Hulbert, piano
Saturday, May 4, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 5, 2023 at 3 p.m.
Christ Episcopal Church, Tacoma