2024 Western ACDA Conference Program
Ad Astra Choir
a Chandler Children’s Choir Ensemble
Gloria Patri by Palestrina, arranged by Ralph B. Woodward
Publisher: Manuscript from the arranger
Palestrina (1525-1594) was an Italian Renaissance composer primarily known for his masses and motets. The arranger, Ralph B. Woodward, is the Artistic Director of the Salt Lake Children's Choir, with whom Mrs. Stewart sang as a youth. He is a prolific composer and arranger but rarely publishes his work. Ralph B Woodward’s published pieces can be found on his website: www.cherbournemusic.com.
Ralph B. Woodward
Palestrina
Cantate Domino by Rupert Lang
Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes 48004303
In 2018, CCC toured Vancouver, Canada, and collaborated with the Vancouver Children's Choir where we met Mr. Rupert Lang, their Founder and Artistic Director. He introduced us to this striking piece of music that he wrote. We have loved it ever since.
Rupert Lang
Hébé from Sept mélodies, op. 2 (no. 6) by Ernest Chausson, arranged by Mari Esabel Valverde
Publisher: Walton Music HL00144468
French Romantic composer Ernest Chausson (1855-1899) wrote this art song about Hébé, the goddess of youth who serves the drink which rejuvenates the gods and renews their immortality with music that evokes a "nostalgic expression of lust for youth and vitality", writes Mari Esabel Valverde. Valverde (b. 1987) is the arranger, a Texas native who has composed choral, vocal, orchestral, and chamber works.
Mari Esbel Valverde
Ernest Chausson
Herbstlied by Felix Mendelssohn
Publisher: Walton Music HL00144468
Mendelssohn (1809-1847) wrote many duets but they are rather obscure. They are versatile and can be used for mixed choirs, treble choirs, or two singers. Herbstlied (Autumn Song) laments the passing of seasons too quickly to winter.
Felix Mendelssohn
Ma Navu by Joseph Spivak, arranged by Barbara Wolfman
Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes 48004635
The text of this Israeli folk dance is "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger of good tidings: of salvation and of peace." That peaceful message is present throughout this graceful music as the unison melody returns in two-part, three-part, and eventually four-part harmony.
Barbara Wolfman
The Moon Bridge by Florence B. Price
Publisher: Wise Music Classical Print on Demand GSP61530OCT
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1887, Price became the first female composer of African descent to have a symphonic work performed by a major national symphony orchestra. In 2009, a substantial collection of her works and papers was found in her abandoned summer home. "The Moon Bridge" was published in 1930 and is a charming gem of a piece we are delighted to sing for you.
Florence B. Price
JAM! (Jom-Ayuh-Mari!) by Tracy Wong
Publisher: Graphite Publishing; TW001
We love a good jam session, so Dr. Tracy Wong's piece evoking spontaneous singing and conversational music themes spoke to our singers. The play on words includes the Malay translation of jom, ayuh and mari, all meaning "come, let's go!" Additionally, the word Jam means "clock", which you can hear in the snapping body percussion, and in our case, the string bass as a percussion instrument.
Tracy Wong
I Live for Joy (Premiere) by Kira Zeeman Rugen
Publisher: www.kirarugen.com
Commissioned for the WACDA conference performance by Arizona composer Kira Zeeman Rugen, "I Live for Joy" is a new favorite of CCC. The more we sing it, the more nuance we find in the music and lyrics, which were written by Dr. Rugen during the pandemic about her family. Reflecting on pain and tragedy, yet choosing joy and finding rebirth is the message we want to share. Fresh, thought-provoking, and endlessly appealing, we've chosen to end our set with joy!
Kira Zeeman Rugen