A Festival of Christmas Music

presented by The Chancel Choir, Chamber Singers,

Men’s Chorus and Orchestra

Royce Eckhardt, conductor

Sunday, December 8, 2013 at 4:00 p.m.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS

Rev. Alexander Lang, Pastor

Festival of Christmas presented by the choirs of

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ARLINGTON HEIGHTS December 8, 2013

Welcome and Invocation Rev. Alexander Lang Prologue: “I Wonder as I Wander” Appalachian Carol

Nick Pulikowsky, soloist, Beth Freese Dammers & Lynn Stolley, readers

*Congregational Hymn “O Come, All Ye Faithful” (Setting by John Rutter)

1. O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant! 2. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above! Come and behold him, born the King of Angels! Glory to God, all glory in the highest:

REFRAIN: O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

3. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory given!

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!

Longing for the Messiah

“Every Valley” Joseph M. Martin Chamber Singers

“Climb to the Top of the Highest Mountain” Carolyn Jennings

“The Glory of the Father” Egil Hovland The Chancel Choir

A Reading

Music of the Nativity and Incarnation

“Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow” arr. Jack Schrader Men’s Chorus

“The Jesus Gift” Gilbert M. Martin Chamber Singers, JoAnn Thompson, soloist

-2-

“There Is Faint Music” Dan Forrest The Chancel Choir

“For Us a Child Is Born” (Cantata 142) J. S. Bach The Chancel Choir

Adam Hendrickson, Nick Pulikowsky, and Jane Schieber, soloists

(Uns ist ein Kind geboren ("Unto us a child is born"), is a Christmas cantata which was formerly attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach as his BWV 142, but scholars now believe that it was most

likely composed by his predecessor in Leipzig, Johann Kuhnau, around 1720.)

Offertory Music

Pastoral Symphony” (Messiah) G. F. Handel The Festival Orchestra

A Reading

The Music of John Rutter

“Jesus Child” “What Sweeter Music”

“Star Carol” The Chancel Choir

Congregational Carols

“O Little Town of Bethlehem” (Please remain seated)

1. O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie; above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. 2. For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love. O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the king, and peace to all on earth!

3. How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given; so God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in. 4. O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_cantatahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Sebastian_Bachhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BWVhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Kuhnau

-3-

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (Please stand)

1. Hark, the herald-angels sing “glory to the new-born King, peace on earth, and mercy mild,” God and sinners reconciled. Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; with the angelic host proclaim, 'Christ is born in Bethlehem.' Hark, the herald-angels sing glory to the new-born King.

2. Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, late in time behold him come, offspring of a Virgin's womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see: hail, the incarnate Deity, pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Hark, the herald-angels sing glory to the new-born King.

3. Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace: hail, the Sun of Righteousness. Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die, born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth. Hark, the herald-angels sing glory to the new-born King.

A Christmas Medley “The Song of Christmas” arr. Roy Ringwald

Combined Choirs; Lynn Stolley, narrator Roy Ringwald (1910 - 1995) is recognized as one of the most accomplished arrangers of his time.

His arrangements of “the Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor,” and “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” have become enduring favorites in the American repertory. He became the primary arranger for Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians, the ensemble that premiered

“The Song of Christmas” on December 25, 1945. The work is comprised of brief excerpts of twenty traditional carols.

Notes and Soloists for “The Song of Christmas” by Roy Ringwald

1. “Adoramus te Christe”: This choral excerpt of the ancient liturgical prayer is attributed to Palestrina (ca.1525-1594). No other composer before Bach is so well known by name as Palestrina. His works were regarded as the “absolute perfection” of church music.

2. “The Angel Gabriel” is an old English carol found in Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern, 1833.

3. “Believest Thou the Angel” is the third stanza of the Basque carol, “Companions, All Sing Loudly.”

The soloist is Katy Wells. 4. “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”: This text comes from the seven antiphons of the medieval church that were

sung at Vespers the week before Christmas. Each of the antiphons began with an “O,” followed by a biblical title for the Messiah: O Wisdom, O root of Jesse, O dayspring, O Emmanuel, etc. In the 13th century, an unknown poet chose five of the antiphons, set them into meter, and added the refrain: “Rejoice, rejoice!”

5. “At Bethlehem City” is the second and third stanzas of “A Virgin Most Pure,” a traditional English carol that first appeared in Some Ancient Christmas Carols of 1822, originally in seven stanzas. An early version of this carol appeared in 1734. Quartet members are Mary Johnson, Jane Schieber, Eric Johnson, Chris Urban.

6. “Strange Sight within a Stable Old” is a portion of “To Us is Born a Little Child” as published in a Cologne

hymnal of 1887. It originates from a collection of Christmas songs compiled in 1544.

7. “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night” comes from the pen of Nahum Tate, the English poet laureate (1652-1715). This hymn of six stanzas provides a succinct narrative of the nativity event as recorded in Luke 2. It is one of 16 hymns of Tate’s Supplement to the New Version of Psalms (1700).

The soloist is JoAnn Thompson.

8. “Angels We Have Heard on High” is an English translation of the French carol, “Les Anges dans nos Campagnes,” which comes from the collection Nouveau Recueil de Cantiques of 1855. This popular folk melody brings particular delight in the singing of the ”Gloria” refrain.

9. “To Bethlehem Straight the Happy Shepherds Ran” is stanza four of “Christians, Awake, Salute the Happy Morn.” It originally had eight stanzas and was written by John Byrom in 1749 as a Christmas present for his daughter. Byrom was an influential teacher for both John and Charles Wesley.

10. “What Child is This?” is the English tune for the ballad “Greensleeves” (c.1580), a most popular song of

Shakespeare’s time (he mentions it twice in The Merry Wives of Windsor). The text is part of a longer poem, “The Manger Throne,” by William Chatterton Dix, written in 1865.

11. “We Three Kings,” both words and music, was written by Dr. John Henry Hopkins in1863. The original text

was written in a dialogue style, with each of the Wise Men singing a stanza as they presents gift to the Christ Child. The men’s trio is comprised of Nick Pulikowski, John Cambell, and Tom Pardo.

12. “Gold in Honor of the King” is the second stanza of “Eastern Monarchs, Sages Three,” a 15th century Latin

text, with a melody from the Andernach Gesangbuch of 1608. The words refer to the symbolism of the Magi’s gifts. Tradition tells that Melchior offered gold in token of Christ’s sovereignty, Jaspar presented frankincense in honor of Christ’s divinity, and Balthasar brought myrrh, the ancient burial aromatic, in token of Christ’s humanity.

13. “Then Said Herod Fearfully” is the third stanza of “Unto Us a Boy is Born,” a cheerful carol from Piae

Cantiones (Pious Songs) of 1582. This famous Swedish collection was the source for many fine hymn and carol tunes. The only extant copy is now in the British Museum.

14. “Joseph Then Heard God’s Angel at Hand” is stanza two of an old Flemish carol, “The Three Kings.”

Adam Hendrickson is the soloist.

15. “Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine” dates back to a manuscript in Leipzig around 1500 as part of a mystery play

enacted in church around the cradle. Mary sings stanza one and Joseph sings stanza two, with all the children of the church joining on the refrain, “He came among us at Christmastide.” Soloists are Katy Wells and Nick Pulikowsky.

16. “O Holy Night” (“Cantique de Noel”) was written by Adolph Adam (1803-1856) and is unique in being the

only example of a quasi art song accepted into the popular Christmas repertoire. The third refrain only (“Christ is the Lord”) is used here.

17. “O Thou Joyful Day,” also known as “O Sanctissima,” is the source for the last carol excerpt, beginning with

the words, “Adoramus Domine.” The German text (“O du fröhliche”) was written in 1816 in three stanzas for the major festivals of the church year—stanza one for Christmas, stanza two for Easter, and stanza three for Pentecost. The tune is a Sicilian folk song, which, according to tradition, was sung regularly by Sicilian sailors on their ships, hence the tune name of SICILIAN MARINERS.

Upcoming Events

The 29th Annual Organ Fest, February 9, 4:00 p.m. Organists John Bryant, Keith McNabb, Kirstin Synnestvedt, Christopher Urban, and Gary Wendt

team up to provide another program of favorites on the 51 rank Schantz pipe organ.

Chicago Bronze, March 16, 4:00 p.m. Founded in 1999, Chicago Bronze is a community English handbell ensemble from the Chicago area.

Chicago Bronze uses five octaves of bells and handchimes to perform a variety of music including sacred, secular, classical, jazz and old favorites. The performances are family-friendly and entertaining for listeners of

all ages

Spring Choral Concert, April 13, 4:00 p.m. This closing concert of the series will include sacred works by the Chancel Choir, Chamber Singers, and

orchestra.

Join Us for Worship

Christmas Eve 4:00PM – Christmas Pageant with Children’s Choirs

8:00PM – Candlelight Worship with The Chancel Choir

11:00PM – Candlelight Worship with Communion

Sunday Mornings

8:30AM – finding grace worship in the Chapel

9:30AM – Crossroads worship in the Sanctuary

11:00AM – Heritage worship in the Sanctuary

Concert Series Contributors

LEGACY

Pat Makeever Christopher Urban

ANGEL

Tom and Susan Carroll Rob and Nancy Lincoln

Bill and Jo Christian Emily Monroe

Carol Johnson Larry and Jan Olson

SPONSOR

Roger and Irene Bertelson Tom and Mary Krigas

Donna Doughty Juanita Reinhard

Roger and Joy Fick Kris Ward

Don and Ruth Howard

PATRON

Ron and Pat Baker Marlene Kucera

Betty Lou Bukowski Jim and Ruth Kurtz

Carl and Virginia Burklund Gary and Haven McClung

Kyle and Millie Campbell Joyce McComb

Mary Clarbour Jim and Mary Mayer

Drost, Kivalhan, McMahon & O’Connor Morris and Delores Miller

Jerry and Saralu Garland Joyce O’Mara

Don and Lois Hartung Harriett Ogorzalek

David and Charlotte Hay Gordon and Vivian Palmer

Susan Henderson Donald and Helen Ross

Robert and Lois Holyoak Rich and Sheree Vane

Burt and Sally Jensen Judy Whitacre

Don and Nancy Johnson Al and Karen Wilson

Eric and Mary Johnson

FRIENDS

Dave and Pat Almblad Susan Kogan

Don and Judy Ayers Peter and Connie Landwehr

Virginia W. Barnard Gale and Joyce Myers

Jean Castles Leon Nelson

Stan and Nancy Conning William and Carol North

Carol Dahn Patricia Richard

Hal Fendius Richard and Susan Scott

Bill and Celia Ginnodo Sally Sopchyk

Priscilla Heerens - In Memory of Joe Heerens Ed and Nancy Stautzenbach

Donna Holmes Wayne Tegeder

Yvonne Kennedy

The Festival Orchestra Royce Eckhardt, conductor

First Violin John Eckhardt Pam Lutter Second Violin Stephen Winkler Carol Stolley Viola Vannia Phillips Jane Horswill Soprano

Fran Anderson*

Jan Ashley

Alison Harrald

Mary Helfrich

Donna Holmes

Mary Johnson

Nancy Johnson

Haven McClung*

Talie McKenzie

Debra Mraz*

Vivian Palmer

Kathy Sobeski*

Rosalie Stoike

JoAnn Thompson*

Kris Ward

Karen Webb

MaryEllen Weberlein

Katy Wells*

Karen Wilson

*Chamber Singers

^Men’s Chorus

Cello Richard Yo Bass Alan Steiner Flute Kathryn Cargill Karen Sarasin Oboe Marissa LeFevre Michelle Fielder

Alto

Nancy Ashe

Jo Christian

Jennifer Fick

Joy Fick

Priscilla Heerens

Edie Jolly

Gayle Kittredge*

Nancy Lincoln*

Emily Monroe

Joyce O’Mara*

Patricia Richard

Jane Schieber*

Bea Sonderegger

Trumpet Eric Allen Richard Galime Horn Joan Morrone Trombone Gordon Palmer Kevin Carroll Tenor

Chuck Beech*^

John Campbell

Don Johnson^

Eric Johnson

Nick Pulikowski*^

Sally Sopchyk

Chris Urban*^

Percussion Bruce Nelson Joe Sonnefeldt Piano Pam Orals Harp Jennifer Keller Organ Don Mead Christopher Urban Bass

Dave Almblad

Roger Anderson^

Roger Bertelson^

Ron Conner^

Bill Dillon*^

Adam Hendrickson

Bill Jenkins

Bob Jolly

Tim Lock^

Gary McClung*

Tom Mraz*

Larry Olson

Gordon Palmer

Tom Pardo^

Rich Scott*^

Lazlo Stephan

Rich Vane*^

The Choirs