MIDDLE SCHOOL
ADVENT ARTS EVENING

STARS

Thursday, December 5, 2024
Hickory Campus Auditorium 



Where are we?
How large is our cosmic context and how tiny are we in it?
Anyone out there?
 
The ancients used to think of the earth as the steady given and the moving heavenly bodies as the ever-circling points of light. Many societies sought meaning and guidance from stars and plotted their lives and plans accordingly. Biblical references to stars abound: God’s dwarfing invitation to childless Abraham to try to count the stars as indicators of the number of his coming descendants; David hearing divine “speech” from both daylit and night-darkened skies; Persian magi pursuing an unusual star westward in search of a royal prophecy fulfilled; Revelation stars plunging from the heavens at the Last Day; the “morningstar” rising in our hearts.
 
On this Advent night, we will consider stars in many ways: musically, poetically, visually. They will speak to us of both our smallness and our importance. They will position us in time and space, while also ceaselessly moving themselves. Fittingly for Advent, they will glimmer out of the dark reaches of space, points of hope amidst uncertainty. God’s quiet, nightly “fiery messengers.”
 
May some strains of the “music of the spheres” land on your listening heart tonight. And may the Creator of the morning stars assure you personally and cosmically that “All is well.”
We have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him…



Concert Program

O Come, O Come Emmanuel
arr. McCallister
Advanced Band

It is estimated that this hymn came to life over 1,200 years ago as part of monastic life. It has gone through some changes to become the hymn we know today, and we invite you to reflect on the text to prepare your hearts and minds for this Advent season. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Welcome
By Malcolm Guite
Evie Yniguez, Reader

‘Welcome’, the word is always on your lips,
Each welcome warms another one inside,
An interleaving of relationships,
An open door where arms are open wide.
First welcome to the child and through the child
A welcome to the Saviour of the world
And through the Saviour’s welcome all are called
Home to the Father’s heart. Each call is curled
And nested in another, as you were
Nested and nestled in your mother’s womb,
As Mary carried One who carried her,
And we are wrapped in you, deep in the tomb,
Where you turn our rejection into welcome,
And death itself becomes our welcome home.
 
Bright Morning Stars
Arr. Jay Althouse Vocation
Soloists: Zoe Levesque, Kelly Johnson, Elizabeth Burton

This old Kentucky hymn accompanies the singer through family upheaval and loss… but always with that persistent “bright morning star” of hope.
Agnus Dei
Victor C. Johnson
Eighth Grade Choir

As we begin to look forward to the Christmas season, it is appropriate to remember the reason that Jesus came to Earth. The words of this piece are a traditional prayer that reflects on Christ’s sacrifice and humbly requests his mercy and peace.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Dona nobis pacem. 
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us and grant us peace.
The Tempest
Robert W. Smith
Intermediate & Advanced Bands

Feel the energy and mystery as difficulty approaches. It’s easy to sing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!” and forget that the road leading to Christ’s birth was marked with sin, mass murder of our youngest and most innocent, and a world in dire need of a Messiah. You’ll hear several moving lines as well as heavy accents and syncopated rhythms meant to characterize disorientation.
Out of the Stars
Bill Cutter
Eighth-Grade Choir; Lucy Foshay, Flute

This piece reflects several passages in scripture, such as Psalm 19, that speak of the heavens giving glory to God and our ability to see his character through His creation that glorifies him. It features a flute line that weaves together with the voices at several key points. 
December Sky
Erik Morales
Intermediate Band, Advanced Band, and US Honors Ensemble

When commenting on his inspiration for the piece, the composer writes: "On a crisp, cold night in December, she gazes upward and stands in awe of the heavens. She realizes that the earth is only a tiny part of something much greater.” It begins with a theme from clarinets, and the rest of the ensemble gradually reveals itself, as if one discovers a star not previously noticed in the sky. As the music reaches its climax, we are humbled by the sheer multitude of stars in the sky.
He Did Not Wait
Madeleine L’Engle
Abby Remein, Reader

He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace.
He came when the Heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.
He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine. He did not wait
‘til hearts were pure. In joy he came
to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
he came, and his Light would not go out.
He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.
We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!
Sing We Now of Christmas
Arr. Mark Hayes
Vocation; Lucy Foshay, Flute; Reed Verbrugge, Chimes

The French carol “Noel Nouvelet” is both translated and set to a bouncing accompaniment that underscores the many and profound reasons we have to “Sing we all Noel!”
Rise Up Shepherd
Trad. Spiritual, arr. Archer
Seventh-Grade Choir
Soloists (in order): William Mathew, Colbie Frazier, Delancey Taliaferro, Molly Ciesil, Sophia Griffin

This jazzy Christmas song invites us all to rise up and to “follow the star to Bethlehem.” The choir worked hard on some difficult harmonies, and several students take turns with the main melodic line. The rest of the choir works together to provide a joyful and energizing musical backing for the soloists as they sing together.
Angels We Have Heard on High
Trad. arr. Rush/Boyle
Foundations Band

Written to the hymn tune “Gloria,” this favorite focuses on Luke’s telling of the shepherd’s encounter with the heavenly host outside Bethlehem. Enjoy these students’ very first performance on the big stage as a wind ensemble!
Shepherd’s Pipe Carol
John Rutter, arr. Kenneth Pont
Sixth-Grade Choir

A light, joyful Christmas song featuring a shepherd boy on his way to worship Christ…and a traveler who meets him on the road.
Musette
Bach, arr. Rush
Foundations Band

​​Musette is a lively piece that has been popular for hundreds of years. This little dance, that imitates a small bagpipe, is another work from J.S. Bach’s Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach.
Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel      
Traditional Spiritual, Arr. Roger Emerson
Sixth-Grade Choir

A spiritual that has become a very popular choral work, this song portrays the fearless and exuberant confidence that Christians can have in the faithfulness of the Lord to deliver His people, both physically and spiritually.
 
Breath of Heaven
Amy Grant / Christopher Eaton
Karen Proce, Reader

I have traveled many moonless nights,
Cold and weary with a babe inside;
And I wonder what I've done…
Holy father, you have come
And chosen me now to carry your son.
I am waiting in a silent prayer;
I am frightened by the load I bear.
In a world as cold as stone,
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now, be with me now.
Breath of heaven, hold me together,
Be forever near me…
Breath of heaven, lighten my darkness,
Pour over me your holiness, for you are holy,
Breath of heaven.
Do you wonder as you watch my face
If a wiser one should have had my place?
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of your plan.
Help me be strong; help me be; help me…
Breath of heaven, hold me together,
Be forever near me….
Breath of heaven, lighten my darkness,
Pour over me your holiness, for you are holy,
Breath of heaven
Manger Lullaby
Trad, arr. Morris, Grunow, Azzara
Advanced Band 
What began as a normal class exercise to learn the melodic and harmonic structure of three tunes evolved into a slightly more unique arrangement, bringing fresh layers and texture to these otherwise familiar pieces. You’ll hear A La Nanita Nana, What Child Is This, and Coventry Carol arranged into this Manger Lullaby.
A Jubilant Song
Mary Lynn Lightfoot
Seventh-Grade Choir

Cantate Domino, Canticum Novum! Sing to the Lord a new song! The very foundation of why we sing in the first place - to glorify God.
We Three Kings
John Henry Hopkins arr. Morris
US Honors Ensemble

Composed by Episcopal rector John Henry Hopkins, Jr., the classic hymn tells the story of the Magi through the eyes of the kings themselves. This unique arrangement, in a Persian style, offers the beloved star melody in a style that pays homage to what is believed to be the homeland of the travelers.
Introduction and Scherzo
Anne McGinty
Intermediate & Advanced Bands 

A bright, heralding fanfare meets a light and playful dance.
Christ Has No Body But Yours
Teresa of Avila
Elsa O’Brien, reader

Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours.
 
Good King Wenceslas
Traditional English Carol
Honors Ensemble
"My liege," he said, "I cannot go on. The wind freezes my very blood. Pray you, let us return." "Seems it so much?" asked the King. "Was not His journey from Heaven a wearier and a colder way than this?" Otto answered not. "Follow me on still," said S. Wenceslaus. "Only tread in my footsteps, and you will proceed more easily." The servant knew that his master spoke not at random. He carefully looked for the footsteps of the King: he set his own feet in the print of his lord's feet.
Psalm 150
Dave and Jean Perry
Eighth-Grade Choir

This exultant setting of Psalm 150 incorporates the Old Hundredth, often called the Doxology. Its placement within the overall piece, which exhorts us to worship the Lord with everything we have, encourages us to truly meditate on the meaning of the words we may be prone to sing without much thought.
A Christmas Flourish
Randall Standridge
US Band

This arrangement welcomes the Advent and Christmas seasons by taking beloved classics and simply giving them a bit more shimmer. Primarily based on O Come, All Ye Faithful in a delightfully spirited way, it includes parts of We Three Kings; Ukrainian Bell Carol and I Saw Three Ships. “Lo! Star led chieftains, Magi, Christ adoring.” 
It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas
Arr. Michael Brown
US Band

As we move from darkness to light, we embrace the joy, the season’s greetings, and festivity that comes in celebrating Christ’s birth.
 
Deep Peace
Traditional Irish Blessing
Elsa O’Brien, Reader

Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the gentle night to you.
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you.
Deep peace of Christ, the light of the world to you.
Deep peace of Christ to you.
Go Forth With a Song
Sally K. Albrecht and Jay Althouse
Sixth-Grade Choir

Written in the style of an Irish blessing, this sweet song trades the melody back and forth from the sopranos to the altos, and even adds a descant on top of the melody line.
Descant Soloists: Amelia Johnson and Della Kelley
Joy to the World
Combined Middle School Bands and Choirs

Written in 1719, this song is a historic collaboration between hymnist Isaac Watts, music director/educator Lowell Mason, and the legend himself, George Friedrich Handel. It is the most widely published Christmas hymn in North America, and we bring it to you now in a feat never attempted at Covenant: almost 150 middle school musicians performing together!

1. Joy to the world; the Lord is come;
Let Earth receive her King;
Let ev'ry Heart prepare him room,
And Heav'n and nature sing (x3).

3. No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found (x3).

4. He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness,
And wonders of his love (x3).

Performers

List of 8 items.

  • Advanced Band

    Alto Saxophone
    Evelyn Castline
    James Sumhka

    Trumpet
    Ripley Hutchens
    Camden Marsh

    Percussion
    Drew Pariseau
    Hal Thompson
     

  • Directors

    Dan Warren - Instrumental Music
    Jerry King - Arts Director
    Annie Brooks - Middle School Music
    Ethan Mitchell and Mark Noble - Technical
    Karen Proce - Visual Arts

  • Eighth-Grade Choir

    Soprano
    Ryan Byrne
    Silas Hall
    Anne Carter Hutchinson
    Alexandra McClellan
    Lucia Platania
    Avery Roberson
    Virginia Sanders
    Colbie Sansom
    Mae Caroline Strobach
    Olivia Sty
    Charis Tseng
    Evangeline Walsh

    Alto/Tenor
    Nadie Annos
    Jay Cabell
    Quinn Caminati
    Max Dickinson
    Grace Galie
    James Kipp
    Kate McNish
    Lilah Saliba
    Kayla Santugini
    La’Naysia Scott
    Bryce Taylor
    Cana Turner
    Matthew Turner
    Sidney Wright

  • Foundations Band

    Flute
    Alice Bouck
    Emeline Dolch
    Jocelyn Nieto Ralston

    Oboe
    Micah Merrill

    Clarinet
    Annie Cunningham
    Rory Fairchild
    Parker Stutts

    Alto Saxophone
    Dan Krentz
    Josiah Lee
    Jack Ring
    Connor Shumate

    Tenor Saxophone
    Julian Atcho
    Gio Guo-Mottola

    Trumpet
    Caitlin Dickerson
    Emmit Guerreri
    Isaac Jones
    Matthew Killian
    Stuart Ochs
    Annabelle Pickett

    Trombone
    Beau Bartow
    Fielding Lerner
    Baritone
    Noah Chorey
    Luca Nicolette 

    Tuba
    Avery Pritchard

    Percussion
    Sophie Berglund
    Nathan Crum
    Evan Sansom
    Ava Schweiker
    Liam Valladares

  • Intermediate Band

    Flute
    Cate Bryce
    Abigail Drago
    Miranda Holbrook

    Violin
    Eliza Belle Mutter

    Oboe
    Reese Estes

    Clarinet
    Raegan Godwin

    Alto Saxophone
    Will Huffman
    Will Litton
    Lena Sanker

    Trumpet
    Jordan DeBiasse
    Nicholas Gagnon
    Connor Kennedy
    Declan Poindexter
    Sarah Smith

    Trombone
    Jarvis Fishwick
    Matthew Gran
    Jude Noble

    Tuba
    David Dickerson

    Percussion
    Whit Bryant
    Sean Dillon
    Julien Krop
    Quentin Stevens
    Riley Zwiselsberger

  • Readers

    Elsa O'Brien
    Karen Proce
    Abby Remein
    Evie Yniguez

  • Seventh-Grade Choir

    Soprano
    Emeline Anderson
    Lucy Barr
    William Cook
    Chloe Kardell
    Kiley Kotarski
    Corinne Lee
    Avery Royer
    William Mathew
    Gracie Pickett
    Delancey Taliaferro
    Sophie Thompson
    Taylor Watson

    Alto
    Parker Barrett
    Gwyneth Besecker
    Jeb Bloxsom
    West Carr
    Molly Ciesil
    Lachlan Culver
    McKinleigh Dezio
    Wayne Farmer
    Colbie Frazier
    Sophia Griffin
    Greyson Johnson
    Case Kincel
    Lily Lawrence
    Miles Pattie
    Preston Parks
    Grant Smith
    Benjamin Starr
    Ryland Thompson
    Anna Tseng
    Magnus Waldruff

  • Sixth-Grade Choir

    Soprano
    Ann Douglas Bassett
    Catherine Collins
    Amelia Johnson
    Jane Krop
    Lyric Love
    Ann Watson Thomas
    Adrian Will
    Sloane Wright
    Evelynn Yniguez

    Alto
    Ariana Dakolios
    Nina Dillon
    Wynne Frye
    Della Kelley
    Noah Kim
    Andrew Lee
    India Mooney
    Miriam Turner

Special Thanks

Mr. Brad Baggett, Mrs. Nikki Shrader, Mr. Spencer Burton, and Mr. Colin Anderson for their substantial support of the Arts programs at Covenant.

Mr. Greg Porter and the Facilities team for their patient and cheerful practical service.
 
Mr. Jeff Kildea and Mrs. Lydia Warren for program and publicity.

Parent volunteers for providing the meals for our performers.

Faculty and parent volunteer singers for augmenting our final number.

Covenant Business Sponsors: Taylor Associates and Marcela Foshay, Nest Realty



Upcoming Arts Events

  • Live Nativity at the Birdwood Campus | Wednesday, December 11 | 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
  • Caroling C'ville | Tuesday, December 17  | 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  • Christmas Chapel | Wednesday, December 18 | 10:00 a.m.
  • Into the Woods - US Production | March 6, 7, 8 | 7:00 p.m.