Music Notes – Sunday, October 23
This Sunday’s musicians are The Chancel Choir, The Multigen Choir, and UUCC Music Director Mike Carney.
Opening Hymn: #188 Come, Come, Whoever You Are – Ungar/Rumi
#188 in our Singing the Living Tradition hymnal, “Come, Come, Whoever You Are” has been a favorite gathering song for many years in thousands of UU worship services and events. The words, welcoming all without condition or exclusion, are from the renowned 13th century poet and mystic Jalal al-Din Rumi (1207-1273). The overlapping round melody was written by poet, musician and UU minister Rev. Dr. Lynn Ungar (b. 1963), who currently serves as minister for lifespan learning and editor of Quest for the Church of the Larger Fellowship.
Centering Music: Trio (III) from Piano Sonata No. 1 – Korngold
Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957) was an Austrian-American composer and conductor. Korngold was a child prodigy, both as a pianist and a composer. He began writing his own music at age 7, and rose to renown with the ballet Der Schneemann (The Snowman), composed when he was just 11 years old. After establishing himself as a well-respected composer of European operas and orchestral music, Korngold moved to the United States and became one of the most influential composers of Hollywood film scores in the 1930s and 40s. His scores famously included A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1934), Anthony Adverse (1936), and The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), the latter two earning Korngold the Academy Award for Best Score. Korngold eventually retired from film scoring and spent the remainder of his career composing in more established classical forms. His Piano Sonata No. 1 was written in 1908, and despite the fact that he was only 11 at the time, the sonata shows the melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic complexity that were central to Korngold’s musical language throughout his career.
Offertory: I Lift My Voice – Ramsey
Dr. Andrea Ramsey (b. 1977) enjoys an international presence as a composer, conductor, scholar and music educator. Before leaping into full time composing and guest conducting, Andrea held positions at The Ohio State University and the University of Colorado Boulder. An award-winning composer with approximately 100 works to date, she believes strongly in the creation of new music. A native of Arkansas, Andrea has experienced in her own life the power of music to provide a sense of community, better understanding of our humanity and rich opportunities for self-discovery. (from andrearamsey.com) Of her 2017 composition “I Lift My Voice”, Dr. Ramsey says: “I was inspired by the line ‘with glad defiance in my throat, I pierce the darkness with a note’ from James Weldon Johnson’s poem, The Gift to Sing, and I created this tune in hopes of acknowledging the power of music and the importance of community in pursuing justice and unity.”
Special Music: How Could Anyone – Roderick
Libby Roderick (b. 1958) is a singer-songwriter and activist from Alaska. Her song “How Could Anyone” (#1053 in Singing the Journey) was written in response to a friend in pain. It has been heard around the world, translated into many languages, and is reprinted in many books. The simple folk tune and words have been embraced by people with many types of pain, from AIDS orphans to cancer survivors and prisoners. The lyrics have been used for healing in many different settings, including churches, hospitals, shelters, rallies, weddings, and funerals. (from uua.org)
Closing Hymn: #168 One More Step – Poley
Canadian UU Composer Joyce Poley (b. 1941) wrote “One More Step” in 1986 and its message of commitment and perseverance still rings true today. “One More Step” is #168 in our Singing the Living Tradition hymnal and is a favorite of many UUs in congregations around the world.
Postlude: Lead with Love – DeMore
Melanie DeMore has traveled the world, was a founding member of the Grammy-nominated vocal ensemble Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir, and is constantly amazed by her life. But nothing is closer to Melanie’s heart than bringing people together wherever she is to experience the healing power of music. Melanie has been a formidable presence onstage at such noted venues as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, international folk music festivals from Europe to Cuba to New Zealand. She has shared the stage with some of the world’s most notable musicians and political activists from Gloria Steinem, Odetta, Pete Seeger, and Judy Collins to Ed Asner, Holly Near, Ronnie Gilbert, and Ani DiFranco. (from melaniedemore.com) Written in 2016, “Lead With Love” is one of Melanie’s best-known songs and is a favorite of her audiences whenever she performs. In the composer’s own words: “I was inspired by the great movements that were started out of the love their people, not out of the hatred of others.” This Sunday, our Multigen Choir will make its triumphant return with this song, meaning anyone and everyone in church that day will be invited to join in the song – don’t miss your chance to sing and celebrate with the UUCC community this Sunday!
-Mike Carney, UUCC Music Director