Winter

Concert
WFHS CHORAL DEPARTMENT
JANUARY 12, 2024

MaryRobert McGrath, Choral Director

Chase Wilson, Co-director
Aiden Henderson, singer and accompanist
 PROGRAM ORDER
Bhombela traditional Zulu, arr. Will Skaff
Stars Mary Donnelly
Forest Singers

Joshua spiritual, arr. Kirby Shaw

soloist: Onyx Hernandez
Forest Singers and Tenor Bass

Homeward Bound Marta Keen, arr. Jay Althouse

soloist: Tristin Ford
Yo le Canto David L. Brunner
Tenor Bass

Give Me Your Stars to Hold Richard Waters

Tenor Bass and Advanced Treble

Bouquet Kara Stacy Bedwell

Shalom Dan Forrest
Royals recorded by Lorde, arr. Deke Sharon
A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes arr. Roger Emerson
Advanced Treble

ModimoTraditional Sesotho/isiZulu, arrMichael Barrett

Tenor Bass and Advanced Treble

I Am But A Small Voice Roger Whittaker, arr. John Coates

Full Department
 PROGRAM NOTES
Bhombela
Note contributed by Rachel Cook
This song originated from South Africa in the language known as Zulu. This song
was based upon a stick passing game where a mother would use it to wake up her
kids on the train that were used to transport workers. The English translation of
this song is bombela bombela of the train what is the mother doing waking up the
children

Stars
Note contributed by Onyx Hernandez
“Stars” is based off of a poem written by Sarah Teasdale set to music and adapted
into song by Mary Donelly and George L.O. Strid. This piece is about the beauty
and grace of being alone and yet surrounded by nature. Due to the artful wording
of the piece, the dynamics used in this song match the gentility and elegant
nature.

Joshua
Note contributed by Elijah Goodwin
“Joshua” is a musical retelling of the story of Joshua son of Nun, a great leader of
Israel. Under the direction of God, Joshua led the Israelites around Jericho for 7
days. At the end of those 7 days, the walls of Jericho fell and the Israelites entered
the Promised Land.
This rendition of Joshua is an African-American Spiritual arranged by Kirby Shaw.
It’s a wonderful story of overcoming adversity and celebrating the victories in
your life.

Homeward Bound
Note contributed by Onyx Hernandez
Homeward Bound is a story of coming home, of returning to our loved ones, no
matter the cost. This song was written by Marta Keen and is arranged by Jay
Althouse. The song was originally written in the context of World War I as the story
of a soldier longing to return home. We sing this song to return to our home,
wherever, whoever, or whatever that home may be.

Yo Le Canto
 PROGRAM NOTES
Yo le Canto
Note Contributed by Elijah Goodwin
“Yo le canto todo el dia” translates to “I sing to him all day.” It is a story about not
letting separation stop your love. The first lines of the song are, “Ya me voy de
corazón” which means, “I’m leaving from the heart” sets the tone for this
emotional piece. The song was originally written for the patron saint of drumming.
With music by David L. Brunner, the beautiful melody and lyrics combine to create
a wonderful song.
Ya me voy de corazón I’m leaving from the heart
Ya me voy con un tambor I’m leaving with a drum
Yo le canto todo el día (le canto) I sing to him all day (I sing to him)
Con cariño y alegría With love and joy
Con cariño y emoción With love and emotion

Give Me Your Stars to Hold

Note contributed by Kiera Ellsworth
Sara Teasdale’s poem “Peace” is given new artistic meaning when paired with the
harmonic, dynamic, and elegant arrangement of Richard Waters. A simple poem of
only twelve lines holds such an impact as it dives into the emotions of endearment
and longing as well as the comfortable tranquility you can find when being with
the one that you love. Partnered with such a delicate, beautiful tune, we have a
song that moves deeply and resonates invariably.

Bouquet
Note contributed by Kiera Ellsworth
This acapella, madrigal-style piece changes the traditional narrative about love
songs. This song has an underlying, sardonic tone throughout the duration of a
piece as we observe the suitor, who we refer to as “Jack”, progress further and
further into disloyalty. However, the female in this story doesn’t play to the
stereotypes of women in narratives like this. This SSA song about female
empowerment shows how the woman in question proves that his actions don’t
dictate her control to make her own decisions.

Shalom
Note contributed by Kristen Spellman
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives; do not be
afraid.” The Hebrew word Shalom forms the refrains and whispers of the word
“peace” to further paint the spirit and promise of the text. This song embodies the
peace, harmony, and wholeness of our choir.
 Royals
Note contributed by Emma Fortin
Royals is a pop song that was originally written by Lorde in 2012. Singing Royals
has given us the opportunity to play around with our sound placement and overall
expression. We’ve been challenged to strike a balance between finding the
traditional pop music sound and incorporating choral aspects into the music, such
as voice blending. We are really proud of how we’ve grown as a chorus singing
Royals, and we hope you enjoy this song as well.

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

Note contributed by Kiera Ellsworth
Sara Teasdale’s poem “Peace” is given new artistic meaning when paired with the
harmonic, dynamic, and elegant arrangement of Richard Waters. A simple poem of
only twelve lines holds such an impact as it dives into the emotions of endearment
and longing as well as the comfortable tranquility you can find when being with
the one that you love. Partnered with such a delicate, beautiful tune, we have a
song that moves deeply and resonates invariably.

Modimo
Note contributed by Kenzie Anderson
Modimo is a South African arranged by Michael Barrett. South African music is
diverse in that it is made up of many different cultures that each add their own
unique spin to music. There are many ways to sing “Modimo” that choirs have
tried over the years. As for our choir, we strive for cultural accuracy while
celebrating the diversity of expression. Our choir is made up of people from all
different backgrounds, but when we sing “Modimo,” we unite to celebrate how
unique music can be.

I Am But A Small Voice

Note contributed by Emerson O’Keefe
This song was written to inspire people all around the world have the power to
make a difference in the world. The lyrics encourage them to speak up for what
they believe in, and to speak out against injustice. The words, “come young
citizens of the world” showcases an urgencey to speak out and to stand up for
what is right. “I am but a small voice, I am but a small dream” even though we are
all just one person, and we think that our voice doesn’t mean much, since there
are so many voices, the song tells us that out voice does matter, no matter how
insignificant you think your voice is. Jennifer Bell says it best when she states
“Over the years, the song has become a timeless anthem of unity, compassion,
and resilience, resonating with audiences around the world.” This piece of music
represents hope, unity, and peace in the world.
 SINGERS
ADVANCED FOREST SINGERS
TREBLE Zoe Altman
Kenzie Anderson
Kaitlynn Arkey
Sarah AuClair
Natalie Baker
Hadley Ayers
McKenna Barham
Mary Beth Crowder
Sophia Bertelli
Kiera Ellsworth
Phoebe Bosch
Emma Fortin
Ibri Bouyer
Clara Gee
Jessica Buford
Olivia Gordon
Ray Carew
Madison Henderson
Rachel Cook
Erin Jones
Isabella Coppola
Emerson O’Keefe
Mia’Asiah Dickens
Audrey Remsburger
Ava Gee
Kristen Spellman
Mari Green
Lily Hatch
TENOR BASS
Onyx Hernandez
James Denning
Makayla Holder
Jorel Durham
Sanaa Jones
Gabe Emery
Layne Joslin
Tristin Ford
Josephine Marcus
Elijah Goodwin
Abigail Maya-Perez
Karl Grimmett
Abby McAvoy
Diego Guzman
Shyaire Miller
Aiden Henderson
Lane’e Miller
Joshua Lee
Nayeli Munoz
Grant Meese
Sophia Pereira
Sebastian Rovelo
Madeline Pesa
Cory Smith
JaNiyah Rivers
Ben Stanley
Arielys Rodriguez
Brendan Timerlake
Sophia Rothstein
Kyleigh Sellars
Jade Wood