I look forward to the Chamber Singer performance in sacred space of St. Fidelis Basilica in Victoria. I try to pick literature that makes good use of the acoustics while respecting and enjoying the spiritual overtones of this beautiful place. This year we performed three pieces:
Thou Shalt Know Him by Mark Sirett
Thou shalt know Him when he comes
not by any din of drums,
Nor his manners nor his airs,
nor by anything he wears.
Thou shalt know him when he comes,
not by his crown or by his gown,
But his coming known shall be
by the holy harmony which his coming makes in thee.
Thou shalt know him when he comes. Amen.
(Almost by mistake, we noticed in rehearsal that this piece flowed well with no break into…)
There is Faint Music by Dan Forrest
There is faint music in the night
and pale wings fanned by silver flight.
A frosty hill with tender glow
of countless stars that shine on snow.A shelter from the winter storm,
a straw-lined manger safe and warm,
and Mary singing lullabies
to hush her baby’s sleepy sighs.Her eyes are fixed upon his face,
unheeded here is time and space.
Her heart is filled with blinding joy
for God’s own son, her baby boy.
Ever ‘Gainst That Season by Michael Fink
Some say that ever ‘gainst that season comes
Wherein our Saviour’s birth is celebrated,
This bird of dawning singeth all night long;
And then, they say, no spirit dare stir abroad,
The nights are wholesome, then no planets strike,
No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm,
So hallow’d and so gracious is the time.