Jennifer Burri

Middle School Boys Honor Choir February 27, 11:00

Middle school boys Choir conducted by: Henry Leck and accompanied by Diane Marelli
Morokeni by Bernard Kruger is an upbeat song that is a great concert opener. The
drums along with the acapella singing help to create a welcoming and happy atmosphere. The
Middle School Boys Honor choir were great at articulating consonants and sang with
enthusiasm. Even from the back of the ballroom at ACDA, this song was exciting to me. I looked
up the piece after the concert and was surprised to see that with all the repeating, the song is only
two pages. I am very likely to use this song in a middle school concert in the future.
Ave Verum by Phillip Stopford is beautiful setting of the familiar Ave Verum text. The
polyphony is reminiscent of English boy choirs, but also has a contemporary feel to it. After the
upbeat opener, Ave Verum was a peaceful contrast. I loved the harmonies in this piece, and and
could see myself programming this Phillip Stopford piece, and other works of his in the future.
I Sing Because Im Happy by Rollo Dilworth is a joyful gospel style piece. The
performance was uplifting and fit the message of the piece. When listening to this piece, I
wanted to get up and start dancing. I would also love to program this piece in the future, mostly
because I dont think I would get tired of the melody and words. A piece that is this fun and
uplifting is such a gift to students, and the audience.
Holy Holy Holy by Jeffrey LaValley is a soulful song that gave a very sacred effect.
The melody, is memorable and catchy. The piece is repetitive but builds throughout so it keeps
the audiences attention. I loved this piece, the only reason I would be hesitant to program this
piece would be if there was majority of Christian pieces in the program already.

Jubilee! by Ken Berg was an upbeat American folk songs, and I noticed that a lot of the
performers were smiling throughout the performance. The piece was buoyant and the
accompaniment had an American folk feel with a lot of emphasis on the 1st and 3rd beat of each
measure. I might not program this piece, because I like other arrangements of American folk
songs better. I didnt see anything wrong with piece, but I personally didnt love it.
Irish Blessing is another piece by Philip Stopford. This piece was very different from
Ave Verum that was earlier in the program. The song began with a pure sound that was very
high in the boys range. The piece was gentle and had a sweet ending. The words were hopeful.
This song was a powerful ending to a very strong concert. I loved piece, especially the word
painting like an ascending melodic line on may the flowers bloom. I would definitely program
this piece. I also listened to the SSA version later, and loved it just as much.

Jennifer Burri
High School Honor Choir Conducted by: Joe Miller and accompanied by Rebecca Edie

Sicut cervus by: Giovanni Palestrina was angelic, and stylistically appropriate. My first
thought when I heard the high school honor choir was how drastically different the men sounded
in this group compared to the middle school choir that I heard prior to this.
Dirshu Adonai by Keneth Lampi was a moving piece, in Hebrew. The choir gave me
chills, as the harmonies formed. This song to me sounds as though it is rising into the sky. The
cluster chords are angelic. The words translate to, "Seek the Lord and his strength; seek His
presence continually" - Psalm 105:4 This song was a major highlight of the concert for me. I
would defiantly program this piece.
Holy is the Lord by: Andreas Hammerschmidt was beautiful. Each voice part in the
Honor choir had a good idea of where their voice fit in the texture. I could hear when certain
melodic lines were meant to be emphasized. I loved the free sound of this piece, and I could see
that the choir worked to keep the sound free by moving musically. I thought this song sounded
great, but compared to some of the other pieces I heard at this concert, this one was not as
memorable.
My spirit Sang all day By Finzi is a well-loved, and catchy piece. I have sung this piece
before, and continued to sing it on the car ride home from ACDA. The piece has many examples
of word painting. The switch from major to minor is dramatic. I would definitely program this
piece if I had students who were advanced enough to sing it.
To the first of My Lovers Sydney Carter arranged by Craig Hella Johnson has the
opportunity for 4 soloists as well as a flute and percussion solo. This piece is very different

stylistically then many choir pieces, because it includes scooping on some the notes. I dont think
I would program this piece because of my personal tastes. I found the music a little corny, and I
believe that the choir director should believe in the music they choose for their group.
Stomp your Foot (The Tender Land) by: Aaron Copland was fun to watch! The choir
had choreography that was gender specific. I couldnt believe it when the entire honor choir
moved around on the risers to switch spots as a part of the choreography. The music made me
want to get up and dance, I was swaying in my seat. I would program this piece if I had the right
group. Introducing Aaron Copeland with this piece from The Tender Land could be awesome!