Gathering Roses in Winter - Madison Youth Choirs

wilderness, where people of both sexes and all races mixed and sang and socializedand worshiped together.The words speak of an acceptance of death and a concern for those left behind—andalso, more generally, dealing with change (eg. graduation!).I Got Rhythm George Gershwin (1898-1937)Arranged by Ward SwingleOne of the most famous songs written by George and Ira Gershwin, I Got Rhythm is asimple melody that has become a permanent part of our popular culture. We presentit here in an arrangement by the great vocal jazz arranger and group leader WardSwingle.CANTABILE AND RAGAZZIMichael Ross, conductorO Magnum Mysterium Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548-1611)(sung in Latin)O great mystery and wondrous sacrament, that animals should see the new-born Lordlying in their manger! Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy to bear the LordJesus Christ. Alleluia!Countless composers have set this nativity text to music, but Victoria’s setting is one ofthe most stunning and well-known. The simplicity of the opening motive (short fragmentof the melody) represents the amazing wonder in the text. The second section(“O beata”) is incredibly humble and serene, echoing the sentiment of the text. Thefinal “alleluia section”moves from triple meter to a final explosion of celebration beforecoming to its final resting place.In the Bleak Midwinter Gustav Holst (1874-1934)British composer Gustav Holst’s setting of this beautiful Christina Rossetti poem hasbecome a beloved carol.