Harvard University Choir

The Choir consists of three interlocking groups, which lend an enormous flexibility to the Harvard singing experience. At full strength they are an oratorio choir of around 75 singers, 35 of whom are members of the Festival Choir. These volunteer singers rehearse once a week on Thursday afternoons, and perform roughly once a month, in concert or in special church services. It is a great opportunity for someone with a demanding academic schedule, such as a visiting fellow or post doctoral student, who wants to be part of a dynamic professional singing group. Occasionally, a singer can step up the level of commitment as circumstances permit. A simple individual audition is all that is required for entry to this group. The remaining 40 singers ­ the size of an average college concert choir ­ form the Sunday Choir, a group that performs first-class choral repertoire for the Sunday services of The Memorial Church; in recognition of this commitment, each member receives a modest stipend. For entry to this group, which is also the touring ensemble, a quartet audition is required, to choose the most qualified singers for the available number of paid places. The Choral Fellows At the heart of the choir are the ten Choral Fellows, who with the two Choir Secretaries form the chamber ensemble that sings for the service of Daily Prayers in Appleton Chapel, one of Harvard¹s oldest traditions. This group, the size of many of Harvard¹s a cappella ensembles, also represents Harvard and the Church on tour and at special events. These singers are appointed for the academic year after auditions the previous spring.

Discography

Carols From The Yards

PreludeL In dulci jubilo (James Woodman) Introit: In dulci jubilo (arr. Archibald T. Davison) Processional Hymn: Adeste Fideles Sentences from Scripture and Invocation The First lesson- Isaiah 35:1-10 Canite Tuba- G. P. da Palestrina Come rejoicing, praises voicing (Charles Callahal) Ein Kind is uns geboren (Heinrich Schutz) Hymn: Personent Hodie (Gustav Holst The Second lesson- Luke 1:26-38 Ave Maria (Johannes Brahms) Mary Had a Baby (William L. Dawson) Riu, Riu, Chiu (Spanish Traditional) In the ending of the Year (Peter Niedmann) The Third Lesson- Luke 2:1-20 In the bleak mid-winter (Harold Darke) And all in the morning (Gerald Near) Sing Lullaby (arr. David Willcocks) To us is born Immanuel (Michael Praetorius) Jesus, Jesus, rest your head (arr. Russell Schulz-Widmar) Hymn: Silent Night Prayers and the Lord's Prayer Hymn: Joy to the world (Antioch) Benediction and Choral Amen (William Byrd) Postlude: Paean on "Divinum Mysterium"

The echoes of carols have been heard through Harvard Yard since 1910, when Archibald Davison, newly-appointed University Organist and Choirmaster, and Edward Moore, Prof. of Christian Morals, designed the order of service still used every year. Directed by Murray F. Somerville, and accompanied by The Bach Society Orchestra and an organist, there are 25 songs on "Carols," telling the story of Jesus' birth in song. Some favorites­"Adeste Fideles," Charles Calahan's "Come Rejoicing, Praises Voicing,," the spiritual "Mary Had A Baby," ³In The Bleak Mid-Winter," "Sing Lullaby," "Jesus, Jesus, rest your head" and "Joy to the World." A beautifully sung and spoken Christmas story. Accompaniment on some songs.

7336 CD $15.98

Amy Beach and Randall Thompson

The Eternal Dove Lord of All Being, Op. 146 The Best of Rooms Help Us, O God! Op. 50 Choose Something Like A Star Peace I Leave With You Felices Ter Evening Hymn, Op. 125 No. 2 Nunc Dimittis Alleluia Te Deum Jubilate

Both Amy Beach, America's first important woman composer, and Randall Thompson, one of the most elegant individualists of American music, had links to Harvard University. Largely self-taught, Mrs. Beach's physician husband was a lecturer in anatomy at Harvard; Thompson was a student and eventually a professor there. A successful concert soloist in the circle of Longfellow and Oliver Wendell Holmes, Mrs. Beach stopped touring with her marriage to Beach in 1885, but continued composing, including her Gaelic Symphony, the first by an American woman. Her many and varied works show a fluent and passionate romanticism. Thompson, a professor at California University in 1931, director of the Curtis Institute of Music in 1939 and professor at Harvard in 1948, was best known in his lifetime as a composer of choral music, but he produced an opera and several fine instrumental works, including 3 symphonies. One of America's oldest college choruses, founded in 1834, the 41-strong, mixed HUC performs 12 amazing works by the two composers, mostly Christian choral works. Our favorites are the a cappella pieces "The Eternal Dove," "The Best of Rooms," "Felices Ter" and "Alleluia," all by Thompson, and "Help Us O God!, Op. 50" and "Peace I Leave With You" by Beach. The organ-accompanied songs, including "Choose Something Like a Star," "Evening Hymn, Op. 125 No.2," "Te Deum" and "Jubilate" are equally lovely. The Choir sings these intricate, little-known masterworks with a spirited grace and perfection. Truly lovely!

6922 CD $15.98

Lo, There is Light!

Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis Lo, there is light Amen 2 The Lord is my light Lauds Choral Response Save Us, O Lord Shaker Hymn Ecce Sacerdos Magnus Amen 4 The Song of Deborah My Shepherd will supply my need Exalt Yourself above the heavens, O God Jesus, so lowly Bring us, O Lord God Amen 3 Ecce Jam Noctis Evening Hymn Amen, Opus 35

The 43-strong Harvard University Choir is maintained by the University to sing great choral literature in the Memorial Church Sunday services, to perform in the annual Carol Services and concerts of major choral works. Recently the choir has toured to great acclaim in England and Germany. Here are 19 organ-accompanied sacred songs and hymns: "Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis," "The Lord Is My Light," "Shaker Hymn," "The Song of Deborah," "Jesus So Lowly," "Evening Hymn"… they're all lovely and perfectly performed. "Lo, there is light!" is an inspirational CD of great spiritual power and joy!

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