Program Notes for 2005-2006:

"All Ye Who Music Love" by Baldassare Donato (1527-1603), arranged by David Clark Isele

This piece is a contemporary setting of an old madrigal. The setting is distinguished by snappy syncopations, close diatonic harmonies, and an unusual aleatoric section before the brilliant closing page.

"Dixit Maria" by Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612)

This piece is a quiet a cappella meditation on the words of the Virgin Mary. It employs polyphonic entrances of a dignified melody based on chant.

"Ave Maria" Op. 37, No. 6 by Serge Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)

Rachmaninoff echoes the Russian Orthodox tradition of his homeland, suggesting eastern chant textures while weaving an intense narrative form based on late romantic harmonies.

"Diffusa est Gratia" by Vytautas Miskinis (b. 1954)

This is an enigmatic, beautiful modernist piece. The polyphonic middle section of quasi-canonic writing is framed by evocative paragraphs wherein the melody is shared across the various parts and accumulates harmonic resonance thereby.

"Four Songs For Four Voices" by David Clark Isele; poems by John Matthias

The lyric opening and closing movements (1. Boy and a Lute, 4. Of a Cave Near a Pacific Beach) treat the subject of lost love with delicacy and sensitive understatement. The whimsical and capricious inner movements (2. A Dazzle, 3. Between) are rhythmic, lively and jazzy.

"I'm Goin' Away" and "Old Joe Clark" arranged by Mack Wilberg

The familiar folk song "I'm Goin' Away" is set in lush harmonies with many subdivisions of the choir parts to achieve rich resonance. The writing combines traditional chordal progressions with innovative polychords and bitonal inflections. By contrast, Wilberg's setting of "Old Joe Clark" takes the listener on a boisterous hoe-down, complete with yelps, shouts and heehaws peppering the rambunctious and joyful tune.

"Deep River" arranged by Duncan MacMillan

This arrangement is a straightforward setting of the old spiritual ornamented with a yearning soprano descant arching over the final paragraphs.

"Long Time Ago" and "Ching a Ring Chaw" arranged by Aaron Copland (b. 1900)

These two pieces are part of a larger collection of musical Americana arranged by Aaron Copland. The first is a poignant Victorian ballad accompanied by flute and piano, while the second is a Revivalist tune exuberantly proclaiming the heavenly rewards awaiting the faithful.

"America the Beautiful" arranged by Derric Johnson

This is a stirring setting of the patriotic tune that ends in great triumph.

"Over the Rainbow" arranged by Russ Robinson

This arrangement is a great example of jazz a capella writing. With its close harmonies, soprano solo, and gently flowing rhythms, it effectively paints the text in a rainbow of musical colors.