I realized in rehearsal with the kids Friday that its been a while since they sang Morning Has Broken because it wasn't really familiar to them, and it wasn't in my blog: which means we've probably sung it over the summer when the blog was on vacation! Here's a succinct history from hymnary.org : "BUNESSAN is a Gaelic tune that was first published (melody only) in Lachlan Macbean's Songs and Hymns of the Gael (1888) as a setting for Mary Macdonald's carol "Child in the Manger." The tune is named after Macdonald's birthplace on the Isle of Mull, Scotland. BUNESSAN is also well known as the setting for Eleanor Farjeon's (1881 –1965) "Morning Has Broken" (1931), published in many hymnals and widely popularized by Cat Stevens (b.1948), who recorded an arrangement of the tune in 1971.
I actually performed the Cat Stevens version in my High School graduation assembly in 1977!
The prelude is a setting by Scottish composer Michael Higgins. If it is the Michael Higgins I think it is, he has the following review from Choir and Organ Magazine on his website: "Contemporary harmony that won't frighten the horses."
Our Song of Praise is a beautiful setting, Canticle to the Spirit sun by the School Choirs. It is by Eleanor Daley (b. 1955), Canadian composer, choral musician and accompanist who lives and works in Toronto, Ontario. The words are after Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) German Benedictine abbess and writer, composer, philosopher, mystic, and visionary.
The psalm is a setting of Psalm 139 (Lord You Have Searched Me Out), written out Anglican chant with a congregation refrain heralded by a flute part. It is by the great church musician David Hurd who I wrote about here.
Our Offertory is a really fun combined choir gospel piece by Keith Hampton, Praise is Holy Name! I'm sending you to his webpage for more info, since I have a concert to dress for! https://drkeithhampton.com/
One other thing worthy of mention, the beautiful Finnish tune NYLAND is another one we havn't sung much but should! O Jesus I Have Promised is authored by British priest and scholar John E. Bode (1816-1874).
The last hymn ("where is this tune from?" answer: WALES!) is a favorite done not so long ago, read about it here (at the end of the blog).
The postlude celebrates graduation season with a little G .F. Handel (1685-1750) Water Music.
Please come hear Harmonium Choral Society Saturday Night or Sunday afternoon! The program notes are here https://www.harmonium.org/repertoire and I invite you to tempt yourself! Below are just a few composers, of course more include Andrea Ramsey TTBB piece, a gorgeous SSAA Lithuanian piece arr. by Kęstutis Daugirdas, there's Karen Marolli, Melanie DeMore, Weelkes and Gibbons, Paul Halley's Untraveled Worlds, spoken word from Morristown teen poets, and last but not least two amazing High School composition contest pieces! Lots of instrumentalists from within the group like our own Teddy Love on oboe and Kimbo Love on viola (JUST graduated from Obertln) Mark Miller's new piece is amazing, based on Wendell Barry's Manifesto: The Mad Farmer's Liberation Front. Even if you can't come, Mark has written and amazing commentary on the poem in the notes.
Tickets available at the door.
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