how can I keep from singing

Even When He is Silent

LOVE IS.

Give Us the Wings of Faith

Notes by Eric Barnum
The love story of Ruth and Boaz was masterfully captured by 19th-century poet Thomas Hood in his poem titled Ruth.  It depicts perhaps the first moment Boaz saw his love in a harvest field, gleaning corn.  The sun shines warmly on the scene and is mirrored in the warm harmonies and musical textures throughout.  Pastoral and calm, there are hints of glistening gleams of light and shadows cast while praise ascends into the air from the blessedness of Ruth.  One can see the gentle hand of Boaz, amid a ray of light, stretch forth to her, saying, 'lay thy sheaf adown and come, share my harvest and my home.'  

Sweetheart of the Sun
Thomas Hood (1799-1845)

She stood breast-high amid the corn,
Clasp'd by the golden light of morn,
Like the sweetheart of the sun,
Who many a glowing kiss had won.

On her cheek an autumn flush,
Deeply ripen'd; — such a blush
In the midst of brown was born,
Like red poppies grown with corn.

Round her eyes her tresses fell,
Which were blackest none could tell,
But long lashes veil'd a light,
That had else been all too bright.

And her hat, with shady brim,
Made her tressy forehead dim;
Thus she stood amid the stooks,
Praising God with sweetest looks: —

Sure, I said, Heav'n did not mean,
Where I reap thou shouldst but glean,
Lay thy sheaf adown and come,
Share my harvest and my home.



Sweetheart of the Sun, Eric Barnum

"The Stars Stand Up in the Air", Eric William Barnum
Robert Bode, conductor
Lee D. Thompson, piano
Composed to a rare poem by Irishman Thomas MacDonagh, it describes the torture of lost love.  Such was the power of this love, that the poet cannot help proclaiming she was more beautiful than music itself, and now that she is gone, he wishes all music were mute.  Yet throughout the poem, he cannot help avowing her beauty with wild statements, culminating in 'She's more fair than the stars where they stand —'  Such a love, when it disappears, can leave a hole in the heart so large, perhaps the only response one can give as MacDonagh does in a final remark: 'Tis my grief that her ever I knew!'  The music is highly romantic with flowing melodies and dramatic phrasing, narrating the past joy and present pain of the jilted lover.


The Stars Stand Up in the Air
Thomas MacDonagh (1878-1916)

The stars stand up in the air
The sun and the moon are gone,
The strand of its waters is bare.
And her sway is swept from the swan.

The cuckoo was calling all day,
Hid in the branches above,
How my stóirín is fled away,
'Tis my grief that I gave her my love.

Three things through love I see —
Sorrow and sin and death —
And my mind reminding me
That this doom I breathe with my breath.

But sweeter than violin or lute
Is my love — and she left me behind.
I wish that all music were mute,
And I to all beauty were blind.

She's more shapely than swan by the strand,
She's more radiant than grass after dew,
She's more fair than the stars where they stand —
'Tis my grief that her ever I knew!



"The Stars Stand Up", Eric William Barnum

"Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Jake Runestad. Performed by the Cincinnati Vocal Arts Ensemble. Craig Hella Johnson, conductor. Purchase scores: http://jakerunestad.com/store/why-the-caged-bird-sings

Why the Caged Bird Sings (SATB choir)

O! What A Beautiful City (arr. Shawn Kirchner)

This is the latest album by the Tuks Camerata, conducted by Michael Barrett.

It includes the program that won them the title of World Champions at the 2014 World Choir Games in Riga, Latvia.

Indodana - arr. M Barrett and R Schmitt

Muusika SATB - Alto 1 Predominant - Part Uusberg

I Am In Need of Music - Alto Predominant - David L. Brunner

Composed by Stephen Paulus
Performed by The Dale Warland Singers, 1999, on their album "Bernstein and Britten"

To purchase sheet music for this piece, use this link:
http://stephenpaulus.com/products/pilgrims-hymn

Pilgrims' Hymn

1. Let Him Kiss Me (from Four Songs Of Love) Sven-David Sandström (South Dakota Chorale)

Performed by the Lacock Scholars, directed by Greg Skidmore.

'O Come O Come Emmanuel - Music for Advent'
27 November 2016 at St. Cuthbert's Church, Earl's Court, London

Arvo Pärt - Seven Magnificat Antiphons, 2. O Adonai

This is a live recording from the Denver Pro Chorale's October concert, "Living in Love"

Unknown album (11/30/2016 4:55:13 PM)

I am the Rose of Sharon - Ivo Antognini

"Please Stay" by Jake Runestad. Performed by the Capital University Chapel Choir. Lynda Hasseler, conductor. More info: jakerunestad.com/store/please-stay

In 2013, suicide took the lives of 41,149 people in the USA alone. Depression affects about 20 million people in the USA, 350 million worldwide. Mental health disorders are serious issues in our culture and it is important that we have open conversation about their existence and that we show support to those who are battling them.

To Write Love On Her Arms is a nonprofit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. Their 2016 campaign for World Suicide Prevention Day was titled “And So I Kept Living.” Using the hashtag #IKeptLiving, thousands of individuals who battle depression shared their stories on Twitter as to why they chose to life over death. I read through and collected hundreds of the tweets and used them to inspire the text for this work.

“Please Stay” is an anthem for hope — an attempt to destigmatize mental illness and challenge all of us to support those who are battling depression and thoughts of suicide. You are not alone. We can make a difference. We can be the support system that saves a life.

Text:

No, don't go! Don't go!

Don't let your worst day be your last.
The storm is strong, but it will pass.
You think you can't go on another day,
but please stay. Just stay.

Hope is real, help is real.
You are breath, you are life,
you are beauty, you are light.

Your story is not over.
You are not a burden to anyone.

Please stay. Just stay.

3.25.17 Concert

Please Stay

If Music Be The Food Of Love (Disc 1)

El Hambo

Endless Song

Sure On This Shining Night

"Nyon Nyon" by Jake Runestad. Performed by VocalEssence, Philip Brunelle, conductor, at the 2012 Chorus America National Conference at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. Recording from the live stream on Minnesota Public Radio.

Purchase scores at:  http://jakerunestad.com/store

Nyon Nyon is an exploration of the effects that one can produce with the human voice. I created original words to achieve varieties of colors and mixed and matched them within the ensemble to produce a diverse sonic landscape. Incorporating effects similar to a flanger, wah-wah pedal, drum and bass, and synthesizers turns the choir into a full-fledged vocal orchestra.

Nyon Nyon - (SATB Choir)

Light & Gold

The Seal Lullaby

Seraphic Fire. Patrick Quigley, conductor. From their 2013 album "Seraphic Fire."
http://jakerunestad.com/works/i-will-lift-mine-eyes

how can I keep from singing

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