THE SINGERS' VAULT

The Singers' Vault: Episode 3.1 Artistic Director Matthew Culloton shares four of his new Christmas works, performed live in concert by The Singers - Minnesota Choral Artists. O Come, O Come Emmanuel (2022) Once In Royal David's City (2021) Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening (2021) Jul, Jul, Strålande Jul (2022)

Timothy Takach takes a surprise turn as guest host, turning the tables on The Singers' Artistic Director (and usual host) Matthew Culloton. The two discuss Culloton's musical upbringing, the role of arts and this choir in today's society, the risks of programming new music, and The Singers' upcoming concert season. Featuring performances of music by Abbie Betinis, Morten Lauridsen, and Ysaye Barnwell.

Artistic Director Matthew Culloton shares a Christmas playlist of carols and original works that he has arranged for The Singers and the House of Hope Motet Choir. All performances are by The Singers, except for What Child is This (the HOH Motet Choir and the Bach Chamber Players). All scores are published by MorningStar Music unless noted: The Sussex Carol (Graphite Publishing) The Holly and the Ivy Infant Holy, Infant Lowly Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day It Came Upon a Midnight Clear In the Bleak Midwinter What Child is This? (manuscript) God’s Mother Be Away in a Manger The Wexford Carol Angels We Have Heard on High In Dulci Jubilo Still, Still, Still Gabriel’s Message Make We Joy Now in this Fest Kling, no klokka O Little Town of Bethlehem We Three Kings Hark! the Herald Angels Sing Playlist: 67:15

Matthew Culloton and soprano Paige Armstrong reflect on the music of Herbert Howells and Kenneth Leighton, as well as on the Christmas season itself. This episode is drawn from the 2014 What Sweeter Music concerts, and includes a tribute from Matthew to composer and friend Stephen Paulus (whose passing came 6 weeks before this concert was given). Program repertoire includes: J.P. Sweelinck: Hodie Christus natus est Herbert Howells: A Spotless Rose Kenneth Leighton: Lully, Lulla, Thou Little Tiny Child Stephen Paulus: Splendid Jewel Stephen Paulus, arr.: Joy to the World Matthew Culloton, arr.: Angels We Have Heard on High All music recorded live in concert and performed by The Singers, Matthew Culloton, conductor.  Learn more at www.singersmca.org.

Matthew Culloton welcomes alto Jess Bandelin to share reflections on how art intersects with life – and in particular, she recalls performing in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy in December 2012. One of the musical balms came through the poetry of e.e. Cummings (“little tree”), captured so poignantly by Steve Heitzig, painting the image of children holding hands and dancing around the Christmas tree – a sad reminder of those lost, but also a hopeful reminder that love conquers all. A world premiere performance is shared from Bob Sieving based on Shakespeare’s text from Hamlet, “So hallowed and so gracious is the time.” Program repertoire includes: Frank Ferko: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (from A Festival of Carols) Holst/Abbie Betinis, arr.: In the Bleakmidwinter Steve Heitzig: little tree Bob Sieving: So hallowed and so gracious is the time (world premiere performance) Stephen Paulus, arr.: The First Noel Incidental music by Aaron David Miller All music recorded live in concert and performed by The Singers, Matthew Culloton, conductor.  Learn more at www.singersmca.org.

Christmas time is here, and Matthew Culloton welcomes baritone and Music Adviser Bryan Blessing back to the vault to discuss their approach to programming Christmas concerts each year. Bryan has chosen some of his favorite works, and we enjoy The Singers' live concert performances of them. Repertoire includes: Jocelyn Hagen: O Come, O Come Emmanuel Francis Poulenc: Quem vidistis, pastores & Videntes stellam (from Four Christmas Motets) Pavel Chesnekov: Salvation is Created Matthew Culloton: In Dulci Jubilo Incidental music by Aaron David Miller, Francis Poulenc, and Matthew Culloton. All music recorded live in concert and performed by The Singers, Matthew Culloton, conductor. Learn more at www.singersmca.org.

Gratitude, Thanksgiving, and The Singers are celebrated by Artistic Director Matthew Culloton and soprano Hannah Armstrong. The Singers’ Vault is relocated to their living room, where they offer their selection of favorites – reminding us all of how much we have to be thankful for, even in these difficult times. Kevin Siegfried: More Love Stephen Paulus: Hymn for America Matthew Culloton, arr.: Down in the River to Pray René Clausen: The Road Not Taken Jocelyn Hagen: Now Our Meeting’s Over Abbie Betinis: Long Time Trav’ling Shawn Kirchner, arr: Angel Band Unclouded Day Shawn Kirchner, arr: Unclouded Day The Singers; Matthew Culloton, Artistic Director Stephen Swanson, piano (Siegfried, Clausen) All tracks recorded live in concert, except Hagen and Betinis

Composer-in-Residence Timothy Takach joins Matthew Culloton to discuss and share a handful of our favorite works of his. Tim offers great insights into his composing process, the commissions and collaborations, and the music itself. Program repertoire includes: 'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime (recorded 2017) A Worshipper and a Man (recorded 2013) Helios, excerpts: Uranus (White Silences); Saturn (Longing for Infinity) (recorded 2019) At Home, excerpts: Good Bones; Together on the Porch (recorded 2019) All performances by The Singers, Matthew Culloton, conductor Featured soloists: Beth Althof, Paige Armstrong, Brad Halbersma, Isaac Lovdahl, Lynette Johnson (Helios); Daniel Fridberg, clarinet and Barbara Leibundguth, flute (At Home)

Melissa Dunphy's American DREAMers was commissioned by Philadelphia community choir PhilHarmonia (Mitos Andaya Hart, Director) to bring to light the stories of immigrants in the wake of anti-immigrant rhetoric during and after the 2016 election. Five texts from five young Americans who were brought to America as children were chosen—Marlene Rangel, Javier Zamora, Janine Joseph, Julia Montejo, and Claudia D. Hernández—and those texts were woven into a multi-movement work that honors their story and inspires hope, empathy, and action. (Note by Melissa Dunphy) Recorded in concert on October 20, 2019 Melissa Dunphy (b. 1980): American DREAMers                                                   Marlene Part 1             Dancing in Buses             Marlene Part 2             More milk, more milk makes it better             Marlene Part 3             #UndocuJoy             Marlene Part 4             #UnitedWeDream For full program notes and texts, click here.