During the past few months, the vocal and musical ensembles at Alden High School have been working hard on a series of performances for Music in Our Schools month.

The groups, under the direction of Mr. William Larrabee, performed pieces for a virtual concert, which was recorded and produced by WACS News and members of the ATLAS team at Alden High School.

Check out the program below, and enjoy the music!

HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Chorale Blue Shoshone Love Song        Roger Emerson
The text of this melody is based on the translation of a Native American Poem

Fair is the white star of twilight,
and the sky clearer at day’s end;
But she is fairer, and she is dearer.
She, my heart’s friend!

Fair is the white star of twilight,
And the moon roving
To sky’s end;
But she is fairer, more worth loving,
She, my heart’s friend.

Chorale Gold Jambo Rafiki        Victor C. Johnson

This Swahili text of this music translated to English:
Hello, Mr Friend!
Sing With us.
Let your soul rejoice.

At This Table        arr. Mac Huff

At this table, everyone is welcome
At this table, everyone is seen
At this table, everybody matters
No one falls between
At this table, you can say whatever
At this table, you can speak your mind
At this table, everything’s forgiven
There’s enough for everyone
So come as you are
Remember that the door is always open
Yes, come as you are
The perfect gift that you could bring is your heart
So come, come as you are
At this table, there will be no judgement
At this table, mercy has a seat
At this table, we’re all sons and daughters
There’s no place I’d rather be
So come as you are
Remember that the door is always open
Yes, come as you are
The perfect gift that you could bring is your heart
Come, come as you are
Come as you are
At this table, everyone is welcome
At this table, everybody cares
At this table, everybody matters
So come, pull up a chair

Concert Band Blue Down By The Sally Garden        arr. Patrick Roszell

The coupling of this Irish folk song with the compelling poem has been popular for generations. This expressive setting is lyrical in nature and really displays the expressive and somewhat melancholy nature of the endearing melody.

Concert Band Gold Flamingo Road        Steve Hodges

Flamingo Road is a Latin-inspired piece featuring an active percussion section and some catchy themes, each section of the band will take a turn in the driver’s seat. This is just one of the pieces being performed this evening that has been adapted for the unusual and unpredictable ensembles during this year of cohorts and social distancing.

Park Street Voices Blue Old Devil Moon        arr. Mac Huff

This Jazz standard is originally from the 1968 movie “Finian’s Rainbow”
I look at you and suddenly,
Something in your eyes I see,
Soon begins bewitching me.
It’s that old devil moon,
That you stole from the skies.
It’s that old devil moon in your eyes.
You and your glance,
Make this romance,
Too hot to handle.
Stars in the night,
Blazing their light,
Can’t hold a candle,
To your razzle-dazzle.
You’ve got me flyin’ high and wide,
On a magic carpet ride,
Full of butterflies inside.
Wanna cry, wanna croon,
Wanna laugh like a loon.
It’s that old devil moon in your eyes.
Just when I think, I’m,
Free as a dove.
Old devil moon,
Deep in your eyes,
Blinds me with love.
Old devil moon,
Old devil moon.

Piu non si trovano        W.A. Mozart

This trio realized in Italian text, laments the difficulty of finding a faithful companion.

Park Street Voices Gold           In My Life Lennon/McCartney-Emerson

This Beatles classic, here written for four-part harmony, features soloist Aubrey Matthewson

Wind Ensemble Blue Downtown Dash        Nathan Daughtrey

This piece was also reimagined to be performed by fewer players during the pandemic, “Downtown Dash” refers to the composer’s favorite annual 5K run!

Wind Ensemble Gold Cradle Moon        Carl Holmquist

Another rescored “pandemic” piece, this composer took a melody handed down in his family for five generations and created an almost dream-like experience, intertwining melodies like “Away in A Manger” and others to produce a very effective image of a child being rocked, gently resisting, and then finally getting to sleep.