Fall Choir Concert

Lubbock Christian University Division of Music presents "Songs of Peace, Joy, and Love"

Praise Choir

Canticum Novum

by Ivo Antognini

Performed in Latin 

Sing to the Lord a new song. 
Sing to the Lord, all the earth. 
Sing to the Lord, bless His name: 
Show forth His salvation from day to day. 

A Swiss composer and professor at Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana, Antognini has composed many significant works for concert choirs.  He describes this setting as a “joyful, bright, and jubilant work.”  He continues, “the motive introduced by the sopranos and basses in the first measure is followed by a series of chords in the inner voices.  These chords repeat seven consecutive times (like a mantra) on the text ‘canticum novum’ using an irregular ostinato rhythm.”  This joyful setting of Psalm 96:1-2 serves as an effective opener to this afternoon’s program on the theme of peace, joy, and love. 

Chamber Singers

I Come with Joy

by Kenneth Drake

I come with joy, a child of God, forgiven, loved, and free 
The life of Jesus to recall, in love laid down for me. 
I come with Christians far and near to find, as all are fed, 
The new community of love in Christ’s communion bread. 
And thus we meet and better know the Presence, ever near, 
And join our hearts and sing with joy that Christ is risen here. 
Together met, together bound, in friendship we will stay, 
And go with joy to love the world and live the way we pray. 
I come with Joy! 

Conductor, composer and keyboardist Kenneth Dake assumed the position of Director of Music at New York City's historic Marble Collegiate Church in 1996, overseeing a multi-choir program known for extraordinary musical diversity.  A native of Barrington, Illinois, Kenneth Dake holds degrees in piano performance from The Juilliard School.   Drake’s “I Come with Joy” incorporates newly composed music with a fresh arrangement of the 1835 Sacred Harp tune, DOVE OF PEACE, from Southern Harmony.

If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments

by Thomas Tallis

If ye loved me, keep My commandments, 
And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter; 
That He may abide with you forever, Even the Spirit of Truth.   

John 14:15-17

Thomas Tallis was a prominent English composer of the Renaissance era. Known for his significant contributions to choral music, Tallis left an indelible mark on the history of English sacred music. He served in the courts of four monarchs, including Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I, adapting his compositions to suit the changing religious climates of the time. His enduring legacy remains a testament to his timeless, innovative compositions that continue to inspire musicians and listeners alike. 

Praise Choir 

Peace Like a River

by American Folk Hymn, Arr. Ronald Staheli

I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river in my soul. 
I’ve got love like an ocean, I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul. 
I’ve got pain like an arrow (l”et not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid”) 
I’ve got pain like an arrow in my soul (“let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid”). 
I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river in my soul/ 
(“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto, not as the world giveth”) 
I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul. 
I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got love like an ocean, I’ve got peace like a river 
In my soul.   

Ronald Staheli was the founding director of Brigham Young University Singers as well as director of choral studies for BYU.  With innovative choral arrangements and other original works, this arrangement demonstrates his originality and expressive creativity on this simple, familiar song as he inserts the words of Jesus from John 14:27. 

Chamber Singers

Set Me as a Seal

by Margaret Burk

Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, 
For love is strong as death. 
Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the flood drown it. 
Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, 
For love is strong as death. 

Song of Solomon 8:6-7

 A native of Lawrence, Kansas, Margaret Burk is currently Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin.  As an active composer, her music is published by Oxford University Press, Hal Leonard, and Selah Music Publishing.  This setting of “Set Me As a Seal” was performed by the National High School Honor Choir at the 2023 American Choral Directors’ Association National Conference in Cincinnati. 

Praise Choir

Perfect Peace, It is Well (a two- hymn setting)

by Byron Rogers

Peace, heaven’s perfect peace sweep o’er my spirit, Lord, I pray. 
And peace, perfect peace will wash my fears away. 

When peace like a river attended my way, 
When sorrows like sea billow roll; 
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, 
“it is well, It is well with my soul.” 
It is well with my soul, it is well with my soul. 

Heaven’s perfect peace, sweep o’er my spirit, Lord, I pray. 

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, 
Let this blest assurance control:  
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, 
And has shed His own blood for my soul. 
It is well with my soul, it is well with my soul. 

Heaven’s perfect peace, sweep o’er my spirit, Lord, I pray. 

Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin? 
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.  

Perfect Peace, heaven’s perfect peace. 

Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away? 
In Jesus’ keeping we are safe, and they; 

Perfect Peace, heaven’s perfect peace. 

Peace, perfedt peace, our future all unkown. 
Jesus, we know, and He is on the throne. 

Heaven’s perfect peace, sweep o’er my spirit, Lord, I pray. 

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, 
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll! 
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend, 
Even so, it is well with my soul. 
Oh, it is enough, my soul. 

It is enough, Earth’s struggles soon shall cease! 
And Jesus call us to Heaven’s perfect, Heaven’s peace, perfect peace. 
It is well with my soul. 

This arrangement of the two classic hymns, “It Is Well With My Soul” (Horatio Spafford, Philip Bliss) and “Peace, Perfect Peace” (Edward Bickersteth, George Caldbeck), was commissioned for the Lubbock Christian University Choirs in May of 2023 and completed that same month. While it relies heavily on the original material in these hymns, it does take noticeable melodic and harmonic liberties with them. An original introduction opens the piece and, along with one other bit of new composition, serves as transitional material among the verses and hymns.  

One notable alteration of the original material is the use of minor modal material in the opening sentences of the verses of “Peace, Perfect Peace.” The original text of the hymn is in “question and response” format. This use of minor mode emphasizes the haunting question of the existence of perfect peace—indeed of peace at all. The answering sentence is always in the major mode and does not vary significantly from the arrangement by Charles Vincent found in most congregational hymnals. The question and answer are given by double (SATB) choirs, SSAA to TTBB, and TTBB to SSAA.  

“It Is Well With My Soul” is first heard in solo Soprano voice. Then, joined by one or two of the other voice parts, the solo voice mournfully sings of “sorrows like sea billows.” The full choir then exults in the reality of the wellness of the soul. This setting utilizes the often neglected second verse of the hymn, utilizing a highly modified melody in the second half of the verse. The final verse of this hymn is presented lushly and triumphantly as we are reminded of the return of our Lord.

--Byron Rogers, May 2023

Chamber Singers

Let My Love Be Heard

by Jake Runestad
Conducted by Hayleigh Ritchie

Angels, where you soar 
Up to God’s own light, 
Take my own lost bird 
On your hearts tonight; 
And as grief once more  
Mounts to heaven and sings, 
Let my love by heard 
Whispering in your wings. 

Hailed by Chicago Tribune as “one of the best of the younger American composers”, Jake Runestad has received commissions and performances from many leading professional ensembles, including Voces8, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, and Conspirare.  In 2019, he became one of the youngest composers ever awarded the prestigious Raymond C. Brock commission by the American Choral Directors Association.   This setting of the text by Alfred Noyse brings comfort for the soul that is aching from the deeply felt loss of a loved one.  

Praise Choir

I Can Tell the World

by Moses Hogan

I can tell the world, yes, about this, 
I can tell the nations, yes, that I’m blessed. 
Tell ‘em what My Lord has done 
Tell ‘em the Comforter has come, 
And He brough joy, joy to my soul. 

My Lord done just what He said, 
Yes He did. 
He healed the sick and He raised the dead, 
Yes He did.   
He lifted me when I was down. 
Yes He did. 
He set my feet on solid ground. 
Yes He did. 

I can tell the world, yes, about this, 
I can tell the nations, yes, that I’m blessed. 
Tell ‘em what My Lord has done 
Tell ‘em the Comforter has come, 
And He brough joy, joy to my soul. 

O Lord, He brought joy that morning 
When He saved me 
Joy, that morning, when He blessed me. 
I’ll tell it, how He brought joy to my soul! 

Moses Hogan, more than any other of the Modern Arrangers, is heralded as the composer/arranger who revitalized the performance of spirituals.  With a 1994 performance of the Moses Hogan Chorale for the American Choral Directors Association, Hogan’s arrangements soon became widespread and were performed throughout the world.  Hogan attributed the style of his spiritual arrangements to his African American Baptist Church upbringing combined with his classical training.  I Can Tell the World was published in 1998, just one of more than 80 beloved spirituals that he composed.   

The Lord Bless You and Keep You

by Peter C. Lutkin

The Lord Bless you and Keep You, 
The Lord lift his countenance to shine upon you, 
And give you peace, 
The Lord make His face to shine upon you, 
And be gracious unto you.  Amen. 

Peter Lutkin was dean of the School of Music at Northwestern University in the early 20th century, and became a national spokesman for a cappella singing.  This setting of Numbers 6:24-26 was composed in 1900, and has served as a benediction for many high school and college choirs since it first premiered.  All choral alumni are invited to join the choir as we sing this benediction.

Upcoming Performances 

November 28, Big Blue Christmas, LCU Mall
Nov 30, Christmas Dinner Concert, Margaret Talkington Center for Nursing Education, 6:30 PM.

Please consider a donation to the Music Pioneers Scholarship Fund to establish a strong endowment to benefit music scholarships.