Michael Runyan, Principal Conductor

Norman Tolk, Co-founder and Conductor Emeritus

 

The 2023 Season – Program Four

Sunday, December 17, at 7 p.m.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Green Hills Chapel

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MICHAEL RUNYAN, Conductor | PAMELA RUNYAN, Accompanist

KATIE HOLDER, Accompanist | RAMONA ROSS, Narrator

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Length of performance is approximately one hour.

 

Traditional Joy to the World

   Arr. Robert Cundick

 

Traditional Sing We Now of Christmas

   Arr. Mark Hayes

 

Michael K. Runyan & Pamela G. Runyan

 *On Hallowed Ground (Shepherds Gather)

   

Henry T. Smart   Angels from the Realms of Glory

   Arr. Dan Forrest

 

Nathan Drew Pope  Think of That Night

Samantha Fedor, Soloist

Katie Holder, Soloist

Matt Gibson, Soloist

 

Traditional  Sing Gloria!

   Arr. Jay Rouse & Camp Kirkland

 

Rob Gardner “The Manger of Bethlehem” from Lamb of God

Adriana Allan, Keoni Brooks, Bella Delahunty, Riley Joffs, Youth Choir

Lori Joffs, Conductor

Michael Runyan, Harmonica

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Pietro A. Yon Gesù Bambino (The Infant Jesus)

Angela Davis, Soloist

 

Traditional I Saw Three Ships

   Arr. Marilyn & Norman Tolk

   Adapt. Michael & Pamela Runyan

 

T. Chemain Evans All My Heart This Night Rejoices

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Chris Eaton & Amy Grant Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song)

   Arr. Lloyd Larson

Janna Landry, Soloist

Lori Joffs, Conductor

Michael Runyan, Harmonica

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Traditional Christmas Carol Audience Sing-along (lyrics below)

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Adolphe C. Adam O Holy Night

   Arr. Jay Rouse

Matt Gibson, Contrabass 

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Christmas Sing-along

The First Noel

The first Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay,
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel!
Born is the King of Israel!

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, good will to men
From heav'n's all-gracious King."
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.

 

Hark, the Herald Angels Sing

Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful, all ye nations, rise;
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem!

Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!

 

O Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.

 

Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful

Oh, come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant!
Oh, come ye, oh come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold him,
Born the King of angels;

Oh, come, let us adore him;
Oh, come, let us adore him;
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ, the Lord.

 

Angels We Have Heard on High

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

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*Tennessee premiere

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Program Notes

 

Tonight’s program includes the Tennessee premiere of On Hallowed Ground (Shepherds Gather) by Michael and Pamela Runyan. The piece begins by suggesting the memory of angelic proclamations to shepherds as they are led to a scene of hushed reverence. The shepherds then catch glimpses of the eternal significance of the tableau before them. We also are drawn in and are asked to consider the significance for us. The image of removing one's shoes when entering a sacred place is taken from the accounts of Moses and Joshua in the Old Testament (Exodus 3:5 and Joshua 5:15). Lyrics are as follows:

 

Shepherds gather to the baby, stirred by tidings borne to men.

Wondrous yearnings burned within and turned their feet to Bethlehem.

Gazing in with awesome wonder, humble hearts are overwhelmed.

But inside sweet peace abides and beckons enter heaven's realm.

 

Remove thy shoes on hallowed ground, let go of doubt and fear.

Come close to see, to hear, to feel, to know the Lord is near.

 

Shepherds stepping from the shadow, hear the prophecies unfold.

Baby crying, Virgin sighing justify the tale of old. 

Then while silent watchmen linger, eyes of faith are opened wide

to see the newborn face transform and shine salvation on mankind.

 

Remove thy shoes on hallowed ground, let go of doubt and fear.

Come close to see, to hear, to feel, to know the Lord is near.

 

Had we gathered with the shepherds would our hearts have yearned within

to set aside our precious pride and welcome hope from Bethlehem?

 

Remove thy shoes on hallowed ground, let go of doubt and fear.

Come close to see, to hear, to feel, to know the Lord is near.

The Lord is here.