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PerformancesIMPORTANT NOTE: Because of the nature of live performances, the dates, times, and venues listed on this schedule are subject to change without notice. For your convenience, the most accurate and current performance calendar information will always be posted on this website.
All performance venues are in Oklahoma City unless otherwise indicated.
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Spring 2009 Season RepertoireOn April 5, 2009, Spiritful Voices Community Choir celebrates its 10th Anniversary! In honor of the choir's Diamond event, Spiritful Voices presents "A Season of Celebration," featuring a wide variety music to commemorate several occasions in 2009: The 10th Anniversary of Spiritful Voices Community Choir, the 70th Anniversary of Shawnee Press (a choral music publisher in Nashville that has invited Spiritful Voices to perform at New York City's Carnegie Hall on June 6, 2009), the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln, and the 200th anniversary of the death of celebrated Austrian composer Joseph Haydn. Lift Your Voice and Sing, music and lyrics by Darla Eshelman. This exciting original choral fanfare was written by a music professor at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee. Dr. Eshelman also conducts the Bisonette Glee Club and serves as director of the Young Singers of Central Oklahoma, a community based weekly choral program for students ages 7-18. Dr. Eshelman has had hundreds of her sacred and secular choral works published through Hal Leonard, Alliance, and Alfred Publications, and is active as a guest clinician and conductor. “Lift Your Voice and Sing” is dedicated in fond memory of Spiritful Voices alto Judith Rothbaum, whose untimely death on July 15, 2007, deeply saddened her fellow choristers. *Live
Your Dream, music by Greg Gilpin.
This major modern choral work is a moving tribute to anyone who has a
dream and pursues it. With lyrics based on the words of Rumi, Lao-Tzu, and
Thoreau, Greg Gilpin’s original music and choral arrangement is full of
emotional strength that paints the text with musical significance.
5:30 The Homecoming, words and music by Joseph M. Martin, lyrics based on the poem, “My Childhood Home I See Again,” by Abraham Lincoln. This original composition masterfully weaves haunting melodies with text from our 16th President, who was born 200 years ago on February 12, 1809. Mr. Lincoln once wrote about his poem, “In the fall of 1844...I went into the neighborhood in that state in which I was raised, where my mother and only sister are buried, and from which I had been absent about 15 years. That part of the country is, within itself, as unpoetical as any spot on earth; but still, seeing it and its objects and inhabitants aroused feelings in me which were certainly poetry...” Through the generosity of its composer, Spiritful Voices Community Choir was honored to have premiered this exceptional choral work during our Spring 2004 Season, and also take pride in having recorded it on our choir’s debut CD. Gloria In Excelsis Deo, words and music by Franz Joseph Haydn, arranged by Russell Robinson. This classic in choral literature is presented in tribute to the composer, who died on his 77th birthday 200 years ago, on March 31, 1809. Joseph Haydn is known as the “father of the Classical Style.” He was a friend to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and he taught Ludwig Von Beethoven musical composition. This is one of the most widely performed movements of Haydn’s Heiligmesse—or “Heilig’s Mass”—so named because it contains a theme in one of its movements that sounds much like the Heilig, a popular church song during Haydn’s time. *Nothin’
Gonna Stumble My Feet, words by John Parker, music by Greg
Gilpin. This new spiritual a
cappella setting is brimming with exciting dynamic contrasts, rhythmic nuances,
and textual percussiveness – it is an absolute thrill to hear! *Shout to God, words by J. Paul Williams, music by Joseph M. Martin. The exceptionally gifted musical team of native Oklahoman J. Paul Williams and Austin resident Joseph M. Martin created this thrilling paraphrase based on Psalm 47 that provides a choral fanfare to praise the Lord with unabashed joy! *Of Tears and Sorrows (from “The Weeping Tree”), music by Joseph M. Martin. With text based on Isaiah 53:4-5, this powerful choral piece creates a thoughtful and poignant portrait of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. New
York State of Mind,
words and music by Billy Joel, arranged by Steve Zegree.
The popular Billy Joel ballad pays tribute to the world’s greatest
city, and this powerful vocal jazz arrangement is as compelling as it is
enjoyable. The
Boy from New York City,
words and music by John Taylor and George Davis, arranged by Kirby Shaw. This outstanding arrangement of the swingin' song, as
recorded by “The Manhattan Transfer,” has become a pop classic. Theme from “New York, New York”, words by Fred Ebb, music by John Kander, arranged by Philip Kern. Originally written for the 1977 United Artists motion picture musical “New York, New York,” few songs have reached the level of popularity with all age groups as has this familiar favorite, which became Frank Sinatra’s signature tune during the last two decades of his life. A
Chorus Line (Choral Medley),
words and music by Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban, arranged by Ed Lojeski.
The wonderful music from this mainstay Broadway musical smash is presented in
this well-crafted medley. The
original Broadway production was an unprecedented box office and critical hit,
the winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, and the recipient of the
1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It originally ran for 6,137 performances,
becoming the longest-running production in Broadway history up to that time.
The show has enjoyed many successful productions worldwide, and even
recently returned to Broadway for two more years from 2006 to 2008.
Included in this choral medley are: I Hope I Get It; Who Am I
Anyway?; I Can Do That; At The Ballet; The Music And The
Mirror; What I Did For Love; and One. *The Awakening, words and music by Joseph M. Martin, instrumental orchestration by Dr. Brandt Adams, Professor of Music at Oklahoma State University. The glory of music is treated with great depth and musical-textual imagery in this deeply moving selection. This stunning choral piece makes a lasting impression on audiences worldwide with cries of "Let Music Live!" *Battle Hymn of the Republic, words by Julia Ward Howe, music by William Steffe, arranged by Roy Ringwald. This classic setting of the 19th Century sacred and patriotic hymn was written during the heyday of Fred Waring and his famous choir, “The Pennsylvanians.” Hailed as one of the most dramatic and powerful choral arrangements ever written, this work is still widely performed and highly regarded as the definitive choral arrangement of the anthem. *A Parting Blessing, words and music by J. Jerome Williams. The familiar words and melody of this acappella classic from Shawnee Press has stood the test of time as it continues to resonate with audiences around the globe. * Indicates
selection to be included in Carnegie Hall concert on June 6, 2009
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