Kickapoo High School Winter Concert
Cantamos!
December 11, 2023 8:00 pm
Kickapoo Performing Arts Center
Director: Dr. Nathan Cornelius
Associate Director: Mr. Jeff Payne
Student Teacher: Ms. K.J. Flynn
Collaborative Pianist: Mr. Hayden Vaughn
Sing We Noel!
Nakamoa weaves the original words and music with God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen and Sing We Now of Christmas, in this vigorous setting for bass choir captures the festivity and drama of the Christmas season.
Veni, Emanuel
This rhythmic twist on the medieval French melody is Alternates between the Latin and English texts, it is a cappella but for a simple drum accompaniment. We start this piece with our Chamber Choir soprano and altos introducing the early melody in English before the drum and Concert Choir enter with their exciting rendition.
Betelehemu
This a cappella arrangement of the Nigerian Christmas carol opens with a captivating chant before breaking into a joyous, rhythmic celebration. The lyrics of this piece are translated below.
We rejoice, for we have a trustworthy Father.
We rejoice, for we have a dependable Father.
Where was Jesus born? Where was He born?
Bethlehem, city of wonder,
That is where the Father was born for sure.
Praise, praise, praise be to You.
We thank Thee for this day, gracious Father.
Praise be to the merciful Father, the Father who created us.
O Magnum MysteriumThe fluid counterpoint of his 1572 motet O Magnum Mysterium, which sets a Matins chant telling of the wonder of the sight of the newborn Christ, is a beautiful and awe inspiring piece of music. As one of the more generally joyful composers of the Renaissance, it’s no surprise to hear Victoria’s Christmas motet finish with a rousingly florid and affirmative ‘Alleluia!’.
O great mystery,
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the newborn Lord,
lying in a manger!
Blessed is the virgin whose womb
was worthy to bear
the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Alleluia!
Eneza Upendo
"Eneza upendo uendako, umoja ni upendo" translates to "Spread love everywhere you go, unity is love." This piece celebrates the hopeful sentiments of unity and love through both Swahili and English lyrics that celebrate the Kwanzaa principle of Umoja (unity). Percussion add flair, and singers can also get in on the fun with some light body percussion.
S'vivon
This bright Hanukkah song depicts the spinning of the Hanukkah dreidel. The main melody is repeated by different sections throughout the piece, while new melodies are added during each repetition.
English translation:
Dreidel, spin, spin, spin
Hanukkah is a great holiday.
Hanukkah is a great holiday.
Dreidel, spin, spin, spin.
A holiday of happiness it is for the nation.
A great miracle happened there.
A great miracle happened there.
A holiday of happiness it is for the nation.
Hebrew:
Sivivon, sov, sov, sov
Chanukah, hu chag tov
Chanukah, hu chag tov
Sivivon, sov, sov, sov!
Chag simcha hu la-am
Nes gadol haya sham
Nes gadol haya sham
Chag simcha hu la-am.
Hanukkah
This short Hanukkah montage is a medley of three well-known traditional songs about the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah, O Hanukkah; The Dreidel Song and Hevenu Shalom Aleichem are set with beautiful divisi contemporary harmonies that culminate in a stellar finish that sets the stage for the Hanukkah festival of lights! This is also the 4th day of Hanukkah, so happy Hanukkah to our Jewish friends!
Cold December Flies Away
Inspired by the majestic imagery of the text in this Catalonian hymn, this arrangement was written in the fall of 2020 urging the midst of coronavirus shutdown by Daniel Schreiner. The passing of December to April— winter to spring— is a poignant illustration of the presence of hope and joy in the times of hardship or the everyday moments of our lives.
Snow is Falling
With the music following a traditional Welsh lullaby, the arranged lyrics of “Snow Is Falling” paint a beautiful picture of winter that will speak for itself. Allow yourself to sit back, relax, and think of your favorite things that make winter the wonderful holiday it is.
Once Upon a December
From the Broadway musical "Anastasia" this beautiful and elegant arrangement of the tender music box song will enchant your you! The gentle melody and lyrics yearn for a time that no longer exists. "Things I almost remember, and a song someone sings once upon a December."
The Little Drummer Boy
This classic holiday piece was written Katherine K. Davis, Henry Oronati, and Harry Simeone. Each section in the choir has a unique sound to mimic the sound of percussion while still capturing the traditional melody. Besides hearing our live percussionist, you might be able to hear the bass drum and the snare drum sung through the voices.
Carol of the Bells
Originalky a Ukrainian New Year’s carol, Shchedryk (Wealth) was written by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovich, who saw to it that the piece found a place in the repertoire list of the Ukrainian Republican A Cappella CHoir in 1919. Under the directorship of Alexander Koshetz, this chorus began its goodwill tour in all major European cities and later brought their performance to North America. It was in one of these United States performances that Peter J. Wilhousky first heard the carol. Inspired by the beauty of the melody, Wilhousky wrote original lyrics and arranged the music into what has become an American Christmas masterpiece, entitled Carol of the Bells.
Since its original publication by Carl Fischer Music Publishers in 1936, this classic Christmas standard has sold over three million copies in octave form. To honor this venerable Wilhousky publication, Carl Fischer is proud to release this newly engraved, edited and corrected edition. Carol of the Bells has been performed on television programs, as well as commercials, on the stage of virtually every major performance hall in the world, on radio programs, church and concert choir performances and in movie scores. It has been conducted by the most renowned choral conductors in the world and has earned recognition and popularity as one of the most performed Christmas songs of all time.
Mistletoe
This contemporary pop song was written by Nasri Atweh, Adam Messinger, and Justin Bieber in 2011. If you attended our Fall concert, you watched Bel Canto perform “Sakura, Sakura” arranged by Dwight Okamura. After learning such a challenging piece, the students from Bel Canto asked to choose the song for Cantamos. They had (almost) full creative liberty of the song and wrote the choreography to it themselves.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Our modern Acapella group, Minor Inconvenience, gives this holiday standard a new sound! With solos and a great jazz vocal background you'll enjoy theses students rendition and be humming it all the way home!
The World for Christmas
This original a cappella piece, as performed by the Swedish vocal jazz ensemble The Real Group, expresses the Christmas wish that all the children of the world will inherit the beautiful blue-green, healthy planet of their dreams.
Fruitcake!
This piece really doesn't need much explained. Enjoy!
Cantamos!
December 11, 2023 8:00 pm
Kickapoo Performing Arts Center
Director: Dr. Nathan Cornelius
Associate Director: Mr. Jeff Payne
Student Teacher: Ms. K.J. Flynn
Collaborative Pianist: Mr. Hayden Vaughn
Sing We Noel!
Nakamoa weaves the original words and music with God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen and Sing We Now of Christmas, in this vigorous setting for bass choir captures the festivity and drama of the Christmas season.
Veni, Emanuel
This rhythmic twist on the medieval French melody is Alternates between the Latin and English texts, it is a cappella but for a simple drum accompaniment. We start this piece with our Chamber Choir soprano and altos introducing the early melody in English before the drum and Concert Choir enter with their exciting rendition.
Betelehemu
This a cappella arrangement of the Nigerian Christmas carol opens with a captivating chant before breaking into a joyous, rhythmic celebration. The lyrics of this piece are translated below.
We rejoice, for we have a trustworthy Father.
We rejoice, for we have a dependable Father.
Where was Jesus born? Where was He born?
Bethlehem, city of wonder,
That is where the Father was born for sure.
Praise, praise, praise be to You.
We thank Thee for this day, gracious Father.
Praise be to the merciful Father, the Father who created us.
O Magnum MysteriumThe fluid counterpoint of his 1572 motet O Magnum Mysterium, which sets a Matins chant telling of the wonder of the sight of the newborn Christ, is a beautiful and awe inspiring piece of music. As one of the more generally joyful composers of the Renaissance, it’s no surprise to hear Victoria’s Christmas motet finish with a rousingly florid and affirmative ‘Alleluia!’.
O great mystery,
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the newborn Lord,
lying in a manger!
Blessed is the virgin whose womb
was worthy to bear
the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Alleluia!
Eneza Upendo
"Eneza upendo uendako, umoja ni upendo" translates to "Spread love everywhere you go, unity is love." This piece celebrates the hopeful sentiments of unity and love through both Swahili and English lyrics that celebrate the Kwanzaa principle of Umoja (unity). Percussion add flair, and singers can also get in on the fun with some light body percussion.
S'vivon
This bright Hanukkah song depicts the spinning of the Hanukkah dreidel. The main melody is repeated by different sections throughout the piece, while new melodies are added during each repetition.
English translation:
Dreidel, spin, spin, spin
Hanukkah is a great holiday.
Hanukkah is a great holiday.
Dreidel, spin, spin, spin.
A holiday of happiness it is for the nation.
A great miracle happened there.
A great miracle happened there.
A holiday of happiness it is for the nation.
Hebrew:
Sivivon, sov, sov, sov
Chanukah, hu chag tov
Chanukah, hu chag tov
Sivivon, sov, sov, sov!
Chag simcha hu la-am
Nes gadol haya sham
Nes gadol haya sham
Chag simcha hu la-am.
Hanukkah
This short Hanukkah montage is a medley of three well-known traditional songs about the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah, O Hanukkah; The Dreidel Song and Hevenu Shalom Aleichem are set with beautiful divisi contemporary harmonies that culminate in a stellar finish that sets the stage for the Hanukkah festival of lights! This is also the 4th day of Hanukkah, so happy Hanukkah to our Jewish friends!
Cold December Flies Away
Inspired by the majestic imagery of the text in this Catalonian hymn, this arrangement was written in the fall of 2020 urging the midst of coronavirus shutdown by Daniel Schreiner. The passing of December to April— winter to spring— is a poignant illustration of the presence of hope and joy in the times of hardship or the everyday moments of our lives.
Snow is Falling
With the music following a traditional Welsh lullaby, the arranged lyrics of “Snow Is Falling” paint a beautiful picture of winter that will speak for itself. Allow yourself to sit back, relax, and think of your favorite things that make winter the wonderful holiday it is.
Once Upon a December
From the Broadway musical "Anastasia" this beautiful and elegant arrangement of the tender music box song will enchant your you! The gentle melody and lyrics yearn for a time that no longer exists. "Things I almost remember, and a song someone sings once upon a December."
The Little Drummer Boy
This classic holiday piece was written Katherine K. Davis, Henry Oronati, and Harry Simeone. Each section in the choir has a unique sound to mimic the sound of percussion while still capturing the traditional melody. Besides hearing our live percussionist, you might be able to hear the bass drum and the snare drum sung through the voices.
Carol of the Bells
Originalky a Ukrainian New Year’s carol, Shchedryk (Wealth) was written by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovich, who saw to it that the piece found a place in the repertoire list of the Ukrainian Republican A Cappella CHoir in 1919. Under the directorship of Alexander Koshetz, this chorus began its goodwill tour in all major European cities and later brought their performance to North America. It was in one of these United States performances that Peter J. Wilhousky first heard the carol. Inspired by the beauty of the melody, Wilhousky wrote original lyrics and arranged the music into what has become an American Christmas masterpiece, entitled Carol of the Bells.
Since its original publication by Carl Fischer Music Publishers in 1936, this classic Christmas standard has sold over three million copies in octave form. To honor this venerable Wilhousky publication, Carl Fischer is proud to release this newly engraved, edited and corrected edition. Carol of the Bells has been performed on television programs, as well as commercials, on the stage of virtually every major performance hall in the world, on radio programs, church and concert choir performances and in movie scores. It has been conducted by the most renowned choral conductors in the world and has earned recognition and popularity as one of the most performed Christmas songs of all time.
Mistletoe
This contemporary pop song was written by Nasri Atweh, Adam Messinger, and Justin Bieber in 2011. If you attended our Fall concert, you watched Bel Canto perform “Sakura, Sakura” arranged by Dwight Okamura. After learning such a challenging piece, the students from Bel Canto asked to choose the song for Cantamos. They had (almost) full creative liberty of the song and wrote the choreography to it themselves.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Our modern Acapella group, Minor Inconvenience, gives this holiday standard a new sound! With solos and a great jazz vocal background you'll enjoy theses students rendition and be humming it all the way home!
The World for Christmas
This original a cappella piece, as performed by the Swedish vocal jazz ensemble The Real Group, expresses the Christmas wish that all the children of the world will inherit the beautiful blue-green, healthy planet of their dreams.
Fruitcake!
This piece really doesn't need much explained. Enjoy!