Gathering Roses in Winter - Madison Youth Choirs

GATHERING ROSES IN WINTER:MEMORY, HOPE, AND HOMESunday, January 20, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.CANTABILE AND RAGAZZIMichael Ross, conductorWanting Memories Ysaye M. Barnwell (b. 1946)We open our concert with this beautiful song about the importance of memory andthe lessons those memories can teach us. This song, first sung by the a cappella groupSweet Honey in the Rock, has been recorded and performed countless times.PURCELLMargaret Jenks, conductorDavid Anderson, pianoWho Can SailTraditionalArranged by Jeanne Julseth-HeinrichThe first verse of this Norwegian folk song poses some seemingly impossible challenges:Who can sail without wind? Who can row without oars? Who can leave a friendwithout tears?The second verse provides some answers. The boys discussed ways that it would besomehow possible, as the song claims, to sail without wind or row without oars. Asone Purcell member wisely observed, “The first two questions are problems to besolved and we can figure out a different way to complete the task. The third questionisn’t really a problem. Who would want to leave a friend without feeling somesadness?”As we reflected on friendships separated by time and distance, the boys shared awealth of memories of humor, joy and pain.