SSAATB, 7:45 https://cypresschoral.com/composers/lavinia-kell-parker/songs-are-thoughts/ Songs Are Thoughts is part of the Canadian Chamber Choir Series. The work addresses the nature of music and the potential it creates within us. “Songs are thoughts, sung out with breath when people are moved by great forces and ordinary speech no longer suffices… I sing as I draw breath.” https://youtu.be/M_YWvpolvHU CCC Repertoire Wednesday Series (this is the best video ever! Take a listen!). Video description: This is a beautifully evocative work with a timely message about the power of singing – the perfect way to begin the series! It’s well-suited to an advanced high school or university-level choir, and it requires an excellent pianist. Interesting lines, contrasting sections, and a combination of both English and Inuktitut texts. “Songs Are Thoughts” is a piece you’re going to want to consider programming on your next in-person concert.

SSAATB with soloist, 3 minutes: Mississippi College Singers, Dr. Mark Nabholz PBS 2019 Christmas Special “Festival of Lights”

SATB with optional soprano soloist, 5:30: https://youtu.be/hXp25z-_1es The uplifting text is taken from Joyce Kilmer’s “Wartime Christmas” written during the WWI, during a time of extreme hardship, pandemic, and a war from which the poet would lose his life. Now is the earth a dreary place, A troubled place, a weary place. Peace has hidden her lovely face And turned in tears away. Led by a star, a golden star, The youngest star, an olden star, Here the kings and the shepherds are, Akneeling on the ground. What did they come to the inn to see? God in the Highest, and this is He, A baby asleep on His mother’s knee And with her kisses crowned. Peace, Peace, Peace — Peace has hidden her lovely face And turned in tears away. Yet the sun, through the war-cloud, sees Babies asleep on their mother’s knees. While there are love and home—and these— There shall be Christmas— Christmas Day.

SSAATTBB with soloist, 7:20: The Agnus Dei prayer of supplication pleads for understanding, an end to misery and asks to grant us peace. Lavinia has used this prayer as an anchor for which she set the poetry of friend, Nico Crisafulli:  Prayers for Peace, White Lights in Darkness