THE PROGRAM
Beati quorum via integra est: qui ambulant in lege Domini.
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. (Psalm CXIX, 1.)
Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae et concepit de Spiritu Sancto.
The Angel of the Lord announced to Mary and she conceived by the Holy Spirit.
Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum, benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus frutus ventris tui, Jesus.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus
Maria dixit: Ecce ancilla Domini Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.
Mary said: Behold the handmaiden of the Lord. Do to me according to your word.
Ave Maria, gratia plena …
Sancta Maria, mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus. Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis nunc et in hora mortis nostre.
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners. Holy Mary, pray for us now and in the hour of our death.
Amen.
Are there anybody here like Mary? Call to my Jesus and he’ll draw neigh. Glory be to my God on high. Are there anybody here like Martha a mourning? Are there anybody here like Thomas a doubting? Are there anybody here like Lazarus a dying? Are there anybody here like Mary?
Shady Grove! Bound for Shady Grove! Used to have an old banjo, the strings were made of twine. The only song that I could play was “Wish That You Were Mine.” Peaches in the summertime, apples in the fall. If I can’t have the one I love, I don’t want none at all! Cheeks as red as the blooming rose, eyes of deepest brown. You’re the darling of my heart. Stay till the sun goes down. Higher in the cherry tree the riper grow the cherries. The sooner you begin to court, the sooner we can marry! When I was in Shady Grove, I heard the pretty bird sing. The next time I’m in Shady Grove I’ll bring a Diamond ring!
O Shenandoah, I long to see you and hear your rolling river, Away, we’re bound away, across the wide Missouri. O Shenandoah, I love your daughter, Away, … Farewell my dear, I’m bound to leave you, Away, … O Shenandoah.
I will love you more than me and more than yesterday if you can but prove to me you are the new day. Send the sun in time for dawn, let the birds all hail the morning. Love of life will urge me say, you are the new day. When I lay me down at night knowing we must pay, thoughts occur that this night might stay yesterday. Thoughts that we as humans small could slow worlds and end it all lie around me where they fall before the new day. One more day when time is running out for everyone, like a breath I knew would come I reach for a new day. Hope is my philosophy, just need days in which to be, love of life means hope for me, borne on a new day. You are the new day.
He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds, as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. Alleluia. (II Samuel XXII 3, 4)
MEN IN BLAQUE
Joseph Huszti, Artistic Director
Andrew Ball, Conductor
Michael Ushino, Conductor
Katie Franklin Ledsinger, Pianist
Andrew Ball, Wendell Ballantyne, Nehemiah Chen, Le Van Do, Seton Fogel, Sebastian Freby, David Gower, Joseph Jamoralin, Edward Johnson, Anthony Kaneaster, Vincent Ko, Peter Lin, C. Michael Liu, Jonathan Liu, Anthony Magturo, Steve Michel, Randal Mixon, Xeno Muller, Richard Paul, Daniel Peterson, Craig Toyota, Michael Ushino.
Also: Zachary Aldana, Elias Berezin, John Byun, Ben Cardullo, Russell Crabtree, Darren Huntting, Ben Johns, Jeff Morris, John Romine.
As we begin our 25th season of making music together, Men in Blaque are grateful for the opportunity to present this program today. Over 300 pieces of literature from a broad range of styles and genres are in our current repertoire. Our eclectic musical tastes include Gregorian chant from the 10th Century, Medieval sacred and secular motets and songs, Renaissance madrigals, masses from the 15th-21st centuries, Broadway show tunes, songs by the Beatles, music written and commissioned by present day composers and collaborations with ensembles presenting major works with orchestra. The ensemble has maintained a membership that includes an age group that spans seven decades. Former members are now music professors, attorneys, business owners, opera singers, performers on Broadway, conductors, actors, dancers, computer specialists, clergy, research scientists, physicians, music historians and a plethora of creative individuals contributing to the health and welfare of our society. An important part of our mission is to represent our best artistic, social, political and individual attributes with like-minded singing ensembles. We are proud to have shared the art of music-making throughout the world. We hope this concert will give our audience some indication of our reason and passion for singing and insight into our purpose for making music together. Our last “live” rehearsal was on March 15, 2020 in this very same venue. Many thanks to Faith Lutheran Church and the Reverend Doctor Richard Paul for allowing us to return to this special place for a common cause.
Plan to return for our 25th Anniversary Alumni Concert Celebration to be held on November 6th, 2022. Over 100 past and present singers will gather to sing some of our favorite selections from the past quarter century.