Music Notes – Sunday, August 10th:
This Sunday’s musicians are The Multigen Choir* and UUCC Music Director Mike Carney
*Come, Sing a Song with…the Multigen Choir this Sunday!
Attention singers of all ages and experience levels (including those with no experience at all) – you’re invited to sing with the Multigen Choir this Sunday, August 10th. Here are the details:
- Who: Anyone and everyone who wants to sing – all ages are welcome, and no experience is necessary!
- What: Singing two songs during our Animal Blessing Service this Sunday, August 10th.
- When: Meet at 9:45 to learn the songs, then we’ll sing during the service, which begins at 10:15.
- Where: On UUCC’s East Lawn, or in the sanctuary if the weather does not cooperate.
- Why: Because singing together is good for you…and sacred…and fun!
Get in touch with UUCC Music Director Mike Carney if you have any questions. I hope to see you Sunday at 9:45!
Prelude: When the Summer Sun Is Shining – American folk song/Knight
The American hymn tune most commonly known as “Holy Manna” was first published in Columbian Harmony, an 1829 shape-note tune book compiled by William Moore, and the melody is usually attributed to him. Today, the tune appears in nearly every Christian hymnal (its most popular modern lyric setting is “God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens”) and is found in our Singing the Living Tradition hymnal as the melody of #66 “When the Summer Sun Is Shining”, with words by British Unitarian minister and author Sydney Henry Knight.
Song: All Creatures of the Earth and Sky – Traditional German hymn, text by St. Francis of Assisi
“All Creatures of the Earth and Sky” (also known as “All Creatures of Our God and King”) is #203 in our Singing the Living Tradition hymnbook and is also found in hundreds of other hymnals throughout various faith traditions. The hymn has a rich history: “in the year 1225, completely blind and nearing the end of his life, St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) arrived at the Convent of St. Damian to bid goodbye to his dear friend, Sister Clara, the first woman to follow the call of St. Francis and take vows of the Order. Clara built him a small reed hut in the garden of her little monastery. It’s said that at times St. Francis could be heard singing faint melodies from within the hut. It was at a meal with the sisters after having stayed for some time at the monastery that St. Francis wrote his famous text, ‘Canticle of the Sun’ or ‘Song of All Creatures,’ which was translated and paraphrased by William H. Draper (1855-1933) around 1910.” (from hymnary.org) The tune comes from a German Easter hymn titled “Lasst uns erfreuen herzlich sehr” (“Let Us Be Filled with Great Joy”), which dates to at least the 17th century.
Offertory Music: Plight of the Turtles – Class
“Plight of the Turtles” comes from the soundtrack of the critically acclaimed 2013 BBC documentary series Africa. All of the music for that series was written and produced by Sarah Class (b. 1979), an English composer and performer who was described by HMV Classical Reviews as ‘one of Britain’s brightest young musical stars’. Writing in classical, jazz and blended styles, Class has composed for numerous film and TV projects as well as writing and producing in collaboration with other artists and on her own original albums.
Song: A Place in the Choir – Staines
“A Place in the Choir”, also known as “All God’s Critters” is a song by American folk musician Bill Staines (b. 1947), who is still active as a songwriter and touring musician in his native New England. “A Place in the Choir” has been recorded by dozens of artists, including Peter, Paul and Mary, The Browns, and Celtic Thunder.
Postlude: O Brother Sun – Scottish folk melody, adapted text from St. Francis of Assisi
#1066 in our Singing the Journey hymnbook,” O Brother Sun” is based on the “Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon” by St. Francis of Assisi. Sharon Anway adapted the poem into the lyrics found in our hymnbook and set them to the Scottish tune “Ye Banks and Braes”. This musical setting was first performed in October of 2002 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Cedar Falls, IA, where Sharon is director of Music Ministry and Composer-in-Residence, and hosts an annual St. Francis Day service that includes blessing of the animals. (includes material from uua.org)
-Mike Carney, UUCC Music Director