Noël
for mezzo soloist and women’s chorus - 5:00 - 2023
Credits
Lisa Barone: soloist
Kristen McIntire, Elizabeth McIntire, Alisa Conner: chorus
Keith Kirchoff: piano
Program note
Composed by Keith Kirchoff for Christmas Eve at First Parish in Brookline, this Christmas lullaby is meant to evoke the wonder of the Christmas miracle. The soloist acts as a narrator of the story, while a trio of women's voices represent the angels singing above the manger.
Lyrics
(written by Keith Kirchoff)
In the softest moonlight lies a child,
Mary lulls her baby and gently smiles.
He's lying in a manger on a bed of hay
While angels whisper blessings that blessed Christmas day.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Allelu!
Gentle shepherds gather, sheep in tow,
Looking on in wonder at the sweet tableau.
A star shines overhead for all the world to see.
Angel hosts are singing a sacred symphony.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Allelu!
On this night a virgin mild
In dreamless slumber wraps her child.
Gloria in excelsis!
Gloria! Glory!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Allelu!
In the softest moonlight lies a child,
Mary lulls her baby and gently smiles.
He's lying in a manger on a bed of hay
While angels whisper blessings that blessed Christmas day.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Allelu! Gloria! Gloria! Gloria! Gloria!
Aum: Mediation for a capella chorus
for mixed chorus - variable duration - 2011
Program note
Any number of singers sing a pitch of their choosing until they run out of breath. They then must sing a different pitch that is not being sung by their neighbor. At a point in the middle of the piece, the choir gradually comes together on a single pitch.