40th Annual Holiday Gala & Silent Auction
His Excellency Daniel Mulhall, Ambassador of Ireland, and Mrs. Greta Mulhall, Honorary Patrons
Saturday, December 12, 2020 | 7:00 pm ET
Virtual Concert Hall
His Excellency, Daniel Mulhall, Amassador of Ireland and Mrs. Greta Mulhall, honorary patrons and hosts
Scott Tucker, conductor & host
Tad Czyzewski, host
Brandon Straub, conductor
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, guest artist
Anúna, guest chorus
Symphonic Chorus
Youth Choir
Brass Ensemble
Paddy Homan, post-gala revelry
#ChoralArtsDC
Evening at a Glance
6:00 pm
Music by the Virtual Fireside
Silent Auction
7:00 pm
Gala Presentation
8:00 pm
Post-Gala revelry with Paddy Homan.
Program
Carol of the Bells
MYKOLA LEONTOVYCH (1877–1921)
Explore Carol of the Bells
Text
Hark how the bells,
Sweet silver bells,
All seem to say,
Throw cares away
Christmas is here,
Bringing good cheer,
To young and old,
Meek and the bold.
Ding dong ding dong
That is their song
With joyful ring
All caroling.
One seems to hear
Words of good cheer
From everywhere
Filling the air.
Oh how they pound,
Raising the sound,
O’er hill and dale,
Telling their tale.
Gaily they ring
While people sing
Songs of good cheer,
Christmas is here.
Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas,
Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas.
On on they send,
On without end,
Their joyful tone
To every home.
Ding dong ding dong
Ding dong ding dong
Hark how the bells,
Sweet silver bells,
All seem to say,
Throw cares away
(We will throw cares away)
Christmas is here,
Bringing good cheer,
To young and old,
Meek and the bold.
(Bringing cheer to the young and old)
Oh how they pound,
Raising the sound,
O’er hill and dale,
Telling their tale.
Gaily they ring
While people sing
Songs of good cheer,
Christmas is here.
Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas,
Merry Christmas
Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas,
Merry Christmas
On on they send,
On without end,
Their joyful tone
To every home.
A Christmas Childhood
PATRICK KAVANAUGH
Read by His Excellency, Daniel Mulhall, Ambassador of Ireland
Wexford Carol
IRISH TRADITIONAL CAROL
Arr. John Rutter
Explore Wexford Carol
Text
Good people all, this Christmas time
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done
In sending his beloved son
With Mary holy we should pray
To God with love this Christmas Day
In Bethlehem upon that morn
There was a blessed Messiah born
Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep
To whom God’s angels did appear
Which put the shepherds in great fear
‘Prepare and go, ‘ the angels said
‘To Bethlehem, be not afraid
For there you’ll find, this happy morn
A princely babe, sweet Jesus born
With thankful heart and joyful mind
The shepherds went, this babe to find
And as God’s angel had foretold
They did our saviour Christ behold
Within a manger he was laid
And by his side the virgin maid
Attending on the Lord of life
Who came on earth to end all strife
Good people all, this Christmas time
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done
In sending his beloved Son
With Mary holy we should pray
To God with love this Christmas day
In Bethlehem upon that morn
There was a blessed Messiah born
Gaudete
TRADITIONAL
Arr. Michael McGlynn
Anúna, guest chorus
Michael McGlynn, Artistic Director
Explore Gaudete
Text & Translation
Latin Text
Gaudete
Gaudete, gaudete Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine gaudete
Gaudete, gaudete Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine gaudete
Tempus adest gratiae hoc quod optabamus
Carmina laetitiae devote redamus
Gaudete, gaudete Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine gaudete
Gaudete, gaudete Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine gaudete
Deus homo factus est natura mirante
Mundus renovatus est a Christo regnante
Gaudete, gaudete Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine gaudete
Gaudete, gaudete Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine gaudete
Ezechielis porta clausa pertransitur
Unde lux est orta salus invenitur
Gaudete, gaudete Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine gaudete
Gaudete, gaudete Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine gaudete
Ergo nostra contio psallat jam in lustro
Benedicat domino salus regi nostro
Gaudete, gaudete Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine gaudete
Gaudete, gaudete Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine gaudete
English Translation
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
The time of Grace has come, which we have waited for
Let us devotedly render Him joyful songs
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
God has become Man, and Nature is astounded
The world has been renewed by the reigning Christ
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
The closed gate of Hezechiel has been crossed
From there the Light has risen, Salvation has come in
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
Therefore, our congregation, praise Him in brightness!
Bless the Lord! Greeting to our King!
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
Production credits
Solo by Sam Kreidenweis
Video shared with permission from Anúna.
Don Oiche Ud I Mbeithil (The Night In Bethlehem)
TRADITIONAL
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, soloist
Explore Don Oiche Ud I Mbeithil (The Night In Bethlehem)
Text & Translation
Gaelic Text
Don oíche úd i mBeithil
beidh tagairt faoi ghréin go brách,
Don oíche úd i mBeithil
gur tháinig an Briathar slán;
Tá gríosghrua ar spéartha
‘s an talamh ‘na chlúdach bán;
Féach Íosagán sa chléibhín,
‘s an Mhaighdean ‘Á dhiúl le grá
Ar leacain lom an tsléibhe
go nglacann na haoirí scáth
Nuair in oscailt gheal na spéire
tá teachtaire Dé ar fáil;
Céad glóir anois don Athair
sa bhFlaitheasa thuas go hard!
Is feasta fós ar sa thalamh
d’fheara dea-mhéin’ siocháin!
English Translation
I sing of a night in Bethlehem
A night as bright as dawn
I sing of that night in Bethlehem
The night the Word was born
The skies are glowing gaily
The earth in white is dressed
See Jesus in the cradle
Drink deep in His mother’s breast
And there on a lonely hillside
The shepherds bow down in fear
When the heavens open brightly
And God’s message rings out so clear
Glory now to the Father
In all the heavens high
And peace to His friends on earth below
Is all the angels cry
Production credits
Video shared with permission from Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh.
Ding Dong Merrily on High
TRADITIONAL
Arr. Michael McGlynn
Anúna, guest chorus
Michael McGlynn, Artistic Director
Explore Ding Dong Merrily on High
Text
Ding dong merrily on high,
In heav’n the bells are ringing:
Ding dong! verily the sky
Is riv’n with angel singing
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
E’en so here below, below,
Let steeple bells be swungen,
And “Io, io, io!”
By priest and people sungen
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
Pray you, dutifully prime
Your matin chime, ye ringers,
May you beautifully rhyme
Your eve’time song, ye singers
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
Hosanna in excelsis!!!
Production credits
Shared with permission from Anúna.
Bring a Torch
Choral Arts Youth Choir
Brandon Straub, conductor
Explore Bring a Torch
Text
Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabella, bring a torch, come swiftly and run.
Christ is born, tell the folk of the village Jesus is sleeping in his cradle.
O! how beautiful is the Mother. O! how beautiful is the son.
Good folk of the village, the Christ child to see
Hasten now hasten now
You will find him asleep in the manger.
Quietly come and whisper softly. Hush! Hush!
peacefully now he slumbers. Hush! Hush!
peacefully now he sleeps.
Emanuel.
Look upon the face of the Savior.
See him smile as he is dreaming. Gently he stirs and now awakens.
Oh! How he gazes. Oh how he sees!
Oh! how silently now he gazes. Oh! how silent the world
Enter his presence gaze upon
Enter with reverence into his presence.
For he sleeps in Mary’s keeping
Gaze upon him, Emanuel… See him sleeping in
Mary’s keeping what joy in his presence to dwell
Bring a torch Bring a torch
See them running the torches they bring……
Oh come worship the newborn King.
See him in his cradle come and worship the newborn King.
Send the word to all who will hear it.
Send the word that Jesus has come. For he brings with him
Joy and redemption. Let all the earth, rejoice in singing
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
There’s nobody like you, None come before you Jesus
We lift our hands and give you the highest praise.
We adore you, Jesus, we celebrate your name, Jesus
Come and praise Him, worship him, adore Him.
Hallelujah to the Father, Hallelujah to the son
Father, Hallelujah to the Son…
Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabella
Bring a torch, come swiftly and run.
Bring a torch…….
Hallelujah Chorus (from Messiah)
GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL (1685–1759)
Explore Hallelujah Chorus (from Messiah)
Text
Hallelujah!
For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah!
For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah!
The kingdom of this world
Is become the kingdom of our Lord,
And of His Christ, and of His Christ;
And He shall reign for ever and ever,
For ever and ever, forever and ever,
King of kings, and Lord of lords,
And He shall reign,
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings, forever and ever,
And Lord of lords,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
Hallelujah!
The Parting Glass
TRADITIONAL
Explore The Parting Glass
Text
Of all the money that e’er I had
I spent it in good company
And all the harm I’ve ever done
Alas, it was to none but me
And all I’ve done for want of wit
To memory now I can’t recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be to you all
Chorus
So fill to me the parting glass
And drink a health whate’er befalls
Then gently rise and softly call
“Good night and joy be to you all”
Of all the comrades that e’er I had
They’re sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e’er I had
They’d wish me one more day to stay
But since it fell into my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I’ll gently rise and softly call
“Good night and joy be to you all”
Chorus
Meet the Artists
Symphonic Chorus
Scott Tucker, conductor
Sopranos
Lynda Adamson
Julie Ciamporcero Avetta
Brooke Bartolome
Kaylee Boalt
Ashley B. Boam
Susan G. Boggs
Alison Cooper
Abigail Corbett
Shannon Corey
Dana Crepeau
Gloria DeCoste
Kate Fernandez
Julie Gilmore
Amity Hall
Marie Hyder
Jennifer Leach
Lisa Stechschulte Lowe
Heather MacDonald
Rebecca Mullen
Katherine S. Myer
Jenny Nordstrom
Alexandra Normile
Julia Preseau
Diane Shapiro Richer
Erika Rissi
Sally Robinson
Elizabeth Romig
Bethann Siegel
Lisa Sommers
Carolyn Sowinski
Katie Spitzel
Margaret A. Stromecki
Amanda Thorne
Cathryn Wanders
Nadine Wethington
Bonnie Williams
Carolyn Wise
Julie Wommack
Altos
Petia Antova
Barbara Barry
Marty Brown
Patricia A Byram
Michelle Cho
Jan Clayberg
Karen Coda
Katherine Degreef
Sarah Penniston-Dorland
Karen Doyne
Cynthia Dunbar
Karen Florini
Barbara Gardner
Coleen Gatehouse
Ariel Gold
Kate Goodrich
Karen Hopper
Cindy Jensen
Anne B. Keiser
Joyce Korvick
Lucy Newton
My-Van Nguyen
Margaret Nice
Rebecca Nielsen
Ellen Platts
Laura S. Pruitt
Joan Reinthaler
Diedre Robinson
Cindy Speas
Joyce Stephansky
Kandie Stroud
Alex Swartsel†
Lizabeth Tankersley
Christa Teemer
Michelle Tiller
Emily Townsend
Nancy Witherell
Virginia Yates
Tenors
Jeff Ashford
Leroy R. Barnes
Jonathan Blocksom
Colin Brown
Luke Capizzo
John Clewett
Jeff Dauler
David Flaxman
Daniel Forbes
Jerry Haggin
Edward Hoover
Karl Jensen
Paul Nooney, Jr
Daniel Kaufman
Tony Lee
Michael McKeon
Byron V. Peters
Rob Porter
Jonathan Rajaseelan
David Robinson
Dileep Srihari
Robert Stansbery
Rob Vogel
Basses
Charles Cerf
Michael Cook
Neil R. Ericsson
David Freeman
Gregg Grisa
Eric Holmes
George Krumbhaar
Douglas M. Lapp
Todd Leeuwenburgh
Michael Lincoln††
Clarke Maylone
Douglas McAllister
Daniel Perkes
Nathan Perriello
Dennis Reece
Roberto Sada
Sam Strike
William Theuer
Art Tiller
Rob Vonderhaar
Jim Weinstein
Christopher Wilde
Ray Williams
† President
†† Vice-President
* Section Leader
** Section Manager
Youth Choir
Brandon Straub, conductor
Sopranos
Arya Balian
Lydia Danas
Grace Fisher
Bella Guagenti
Claudia Hull
Madeline Jensen
Julia Messenger
Sabina Perry
Mary Pelson
Georgie Williams
Caelan Wommack
Meghan Wommack
Altos
Liza Harold
Noah Milad
Annie Phan
Anya Trudeau
Kathleen Whatley
Tenors
William Barbee
Basses
Matthew Carey
Gaston Finger
Max Howard
Mark MacGuidwin
Brass Ensemble
Terry Bingham, Trumpet
Andrew Boylan, Trumpet
Christian Ferrari, Trumpet
Christian Hinkle, Trumpet
Rick Lee, Horn
Gus Mitchell, Trombone
Adam McColley, Trombone
Jon Voth, Tuba
Tom Dell’Omo, Percussion
Peter Soroka, Timpani
Officers
Lexy B. Kessler, Chair
Craig Miller, Vice Chair
Barbara Rossotti, Secretary
Anne B. Keiser, Treasurer
Nadine Wethington, Immediate Past Chair
Laura S. Pruitt, Of Counsel / Advisor to Committees
Directors
Julie Ciamporcero Avetta
Suzanne S. Brock
Charles Cerf
Tad Czyzewski, Executive Director *
David Flaxman
Karen Florini
Matthew Garber
Sue Goodhart
Elke Gordon
Edward Hoover
Craig Miller
Emily Riffle
Diane Schaefer
Nicholas Smith
Liz Tankersley
Scott Tucker, Artistic Director*
Alex Swartsel, Chorus President*
Ashley Wilson
Honorary Trustees
John Adams
Dr. Ysaye Maria Barnwell
Mrs. W. Tapley Bennett, Jr.
James Conlon
John Corigliano
Christoph Eschenbach
Denyce Graves
Marta Casals Istomin
Bobby McFerrin
Leontyne Price
Samuel Ramey
Helmuth Rilling
Leonard Slatkin
John Williams
Staff
Scott Tucker, Artistic Director
Tad Czyzewski, Executive Director
April Angilletta, Associate Director of Communications
Joe Aubry, Artistic and Production Associate
Caryn Fraim, Deputy Director
Caitlin Gompf, External Communications Coordinator
Whitney McColley, Artistic Manager
Brandon Straub, Associate Conductor and Pianist
Embassy of Ireland, USA
Ambassador Dan Mulhall and Mrs. Greta Mulhall
Ms. Emer Rocke, Deputy Head of Mission
Mr. Ragnar Almqvist, Media, Public Diplomacy and Cultural Affairs Officer
Mr. Finbar Brown, Food and Agriculture Counsellor
Ms. Sarah Keating, Vice Consul, Consulate of Ireland, Chicago
Ms. Emily Speelman, Research Assistant, Public Policy
Ms. Norma Ces, Assistant to the Ambassador
Quartet
Heather MacDonald, soprano
My-Van Nguyen, alto
Ed Hoover, tenor
Will Theuer, bass
The Falls Church Episcopal
The Jensen Family
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