Programme notes

TRAD. SHAKER TUNE (ARR. TOH BAN SHENG, BOB CHILCOTT) A Simple Gift Medley

Elder Joseph Brackett from Alfred Shaker Village is widely credited as the author of the 1848 Shaker hymn "Simple Gifts." Before Aaron Copland utilized the melody in the 1944 premiere of Martha Graham's ballet Appalachian Spring, the song was largely unknown outside of Shaker settlements. In his initial collection of Old American Songs for voice and piano, which was later orchestrated, Copland utilized "Simple Gifts" a second time in 1950.

Years later, English songwriter Sydney Carter adapted the original American Shaker tune and lyrics for his hymn "Lord of the Dance" published and copyrighted in 1963. You may also recognise this tune from Barack Obama’s inauguration, arranged for the occasion by John Williams and played by a group of eminent musicians including Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma.

We present the original set of lyrics in an arrangement by our Artistic Director Toh Ban Sheng, and a Christmas Text arranged by Bob Chilcott. 

Original text:

'Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free

'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained,

To bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed,

To turn, turn will be our delight,

Till by turning, turning we come ’round right.

Christmas text:

In the gift we deliver, in the gift we receive,

is the living spirit Mary did conceive,

the royal gift of love incandescent flame

Is given to all mankind in His name.

Joy, joy, it is our true delight

To give and receive on this wondrous night.

A boy child to Mary is born

And His light will shine on beyond the dawn.

JOHN RUTTER What Sweeter Music? (Soloist: Chan Wei En)

Rutter (b. 1945) is probably the best known choral composer and editor in Britain today. After teaching for several years at Clare College, Cambridge, he founded the Cambridge Singers as a professional recording ensemble and now splits his time between conducting and composition.

The gorgeous What Sweeter Music? (1988) was composed for the King's College Choir for performance during the festival's Nine Lessons and Carols, broadcast worldwide on Christmas Eve. The text was written by seventeenth century poet Robert Herrick. Rutter said, ‘… [this was] the first opportunity I had to put pen to paper for the choir in my long and friendly association with King’s College. I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to write for the slot in the service immediately after reading about the journey of the Wise Men—the chance to highlight in the text the idea of the gifts that we can bring.’

What sweeter music can we bring
Than a carol, for to sing
The birth of this our heavenly King?
Awake the voice, awake the string

Dark and dull night, fly hence away
And give the honour to this day
That sees December turned to May

Why does the chilling winter's morn
Smile like a field beset with corn?
Or smell like a meadow newly-shorn
Thus, on the sudden come and see

The cause, why things thus fragrant be
'Tis He is born, whose quickening birth
Gives life and lustre, public mirth
To Heaven and the under earth

We see Him come, and know him ours
Who with His sunshine and His showers
Turns all the patient ground to flowers

The darling of the world is come
And fit it is, we find a room
To welcome Him, to welcome Him
And all of heart of all the house here is the heart

Which we will give Him and bequeath
This holly and this ivy wreath
To do Him honour, who's our King
And Lord of all this revelling

What sweeter music can we bring
Than a carol, for to sing
The birth of this our heavenly King?

FRANCIS POULENC Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël

1. O magnum mysterium

2. Quem vidistis pastores dicite

3. Videntes stellam

4. Hodie Christus natus est

Four episodes from the Christmas tale are depicted in these magnificent miniatures. The most serious of the lot is O magnum mysterium, which begins mysteriously, as the name suggests, and grows in intensity into the final repetition of the theme. The text and setting highlight the divine mystery of the Virgin birth.

Two demands are made of the shepherds in the Quem vidistis, and Poulenc sets them in two different ways. First, the people ask the shepherds, "Who have you seen?" It sounds tentative and accompanied by searching quavers. Then, the direct demand: "Speak... and proclaim the birth of Christ". This is declamatory in style: a metaphorical trumpet blast fit for the announcing angels.

The crystalline refrain of Videntes stellam conjures a serene, starlit night through which the Magi walk with growing excitement. This builds to a beautiful climax as they enter the stable and give the baby Jesus his gifts, while the stars continues to shine outside.

In the concluding motet, Hodie Christus natus est, the faithful express joy at the arrival of the Saviour (baby Jesus) by singing "Gloria in excelsis Deo" (glory to God in the highest). The disjunct melodies and dotted rhythms create a celebratory atmosphere (and a technical challenge!).

I. O magnum mysterium

O magnum mysterium et admirabile sacramentum,

ut animalia viderent Dominum natum

jacentem in praesepio.

Beata virgo cujus viscera meruerunt portare

Dominum Christum!

O great mystery

and wonderful sacrament,

that the animals should see the newborn Lord

lying in a manger!

O blessed Virgin,

whose womb was worthy to bear

Christ our Lord.

II. Quem vidistis pastores dicite

Quem vidistis pastores dicite

Quem vidistis, pastores?

Dicite, annuntiate nobis: in terris quis apparuit?

Natum vidimus, et choros angelorum collaudantes Dominum.

Dicite quidnam vidistis et annunciate Christi nativitatem.

Who have you seen, shepherds?

Speak: tell us who has appeared on earth.

‘We saw the new-born child

and the Angel choir praising the Lord.’

Then tell what you have seen,

and announce the birth of Christ.

III. Videntes stellam

Videntes stellam Videntes stellam

Magi gavisi sunt gaudio magno

et intrantes domum

obtulerunt Domino

aurum, thus et myrrham.

When they saw the star,

the Magi rejoiced with great gladness:

and entering the dwelling

they offered to the Lord

gold, incense and myrrh.

IV. Hodie Christus natus est

Hodie Christus natus est,

Hodie Salvator apparuit.

Hodie in terra canunt angeli,

laetantur archangeli. Hodie exultant justi,

dicentes : Gloria in excelsis Deo! Alleluia!

Today Christ is born:

today the Saviour has appeared:

today on earth the Angels sing,

Archangels sing their praises: today the just cry out in exultation:

‘Glory to God in the highest. Alleluia.

W. A. MOZART Exsultate, jubilate K. 165 (Soloist: Chan Wei En)

Exsultate, Jubilate, K 165 (Rejoice, Be Glad), is a religious solo motet composed in 1773 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This motet was composed on the third of Mozart and his father Leopold's three concert visits to Italy. Mozart attended the premiere of his brand-new opera Lucio Silla in Milan before the end of 1772. The talented Italian castrato Venanzio Rauzzini, whose strong high voice was much admired, played the lead part in this opera. Hence, Mozart specifically wrote Exsultate, Jubilate for Rauzzini after hearing his voice. As a statement of exultant praise, the soprano voice is frequently used in modern times as it has the ability to soar as if reaching for the sky.

The author's text is filled with excitement and Mozart expertly reflects this upbeat atmosphere with rapid florid melisma and dynamic leaping octaves which often requires the singer to transition from the low register to high register smoothly.

Exsultate, Jubilate,

O vos animae beatae,

Dulcia cantica canendo,

Cantui vestro respondendo,

Psallant aethera cum me.

Rejoice, resound with joy,

O you blessed souls,

Singing sweet songs,

In response to your singing

Let the heavens sing forth with me.

Young Artist Feature

20 Dec: ADOLPHE ADAM O Holy Night (Soloist: Riyan Ballesteros-Pattanayak)

O Holy Night is a well-known Christmas carol with the original title Cantique de Noel. Based on a French poem by Placide Cappeau, it was later set to music by Adolphe Adam. John Sullivan Dwight is the author of the English translation. The song describes Jesus' birth as the ultimate redemptive act of humanity.

O Holy Night!

The stars are brightly shining

It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees

Oh hear the angel voices

Oh night divine

Oh night when Christ was born

Oh night divine

Oh night divine

Truly He taught us to love one another

His law is love and His gospel is peace

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother

And in His name all oppression shall cease

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name

23 Dec: MARK LOWRY & BUDDY GREENE (ARR. MAC HUFF) Mary, Did You Know? (Soloist: Elizabeth Wong)

Over the years, hundreds of singers from many genres have covered this song, making it a modern Christmas classic. Several have made it into the top ten of the R&B and holiday charts on Billboard. The song invites reflection on Mary's relationship with the baby Jesus.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy

Has come to make you new?

This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Will calm the storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy

Has walked where angels trod?

When you kiss your little baby

You kiss the face of God

The blind will see, the deaf will hear

The dead will live again

The lame will leap, the dumb will speak

The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Would one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy

Is heaven's perfect Lamb?

That sleeping child you're holding is the great I Am

PETER GRITTON Follow the Star

Follow that Star is an original composition by Peter Gritton, envisioning the Three Kings’ journey as an a capella jazz standard.

Listen to the ROS singers presenting this work in close-harmony, to depict the Wise Men who Follow That Star to Bethlehem. 

One dark and stormy evening.

Through the wind and rain.

There came a sight worth seeing.

‘Cause it wasn’t gonna happen again;

Three Kings.

They’d seen a bright light in the sky.

Without knowing who, what, when, where, why.

They grabbed their gifts and off they went.

Three Kings.

They don’t know what they do.

Just follow that star.

They had to find the little town.

It was not easy to be found.

They had to find the little town.

It was not easy to be found.

They don’t know what they do.

They just follow that star.

Don’t know what to.

Follow that star.

R. L. PEARSALL In Dulci Jubilo

The original melody of "In dulci jubilo" can be traced back to the year 1570. It was then called "A very ancient song for Christmas eve." It was very popular in Germany alike among Protestants and Romanists, and is still in use in those parts of the country where people retain old customs, and it always has a place in the anthem form here presented, in the Christmas music of Westminster Abbey. The original words were written half in Latin and half in German: the latter being translated into English.

In dulci jubilo

Let us our homage shew:

Our heart's joy reclineth

In praesepio;

And like a bright star shineth

Matris in gremio,

Alpha es et O!

O Jesu parvule,

My heart is sore for Thee!

Hear me, I beseech Thee,

O puer optime;

My praying let it reach Thee,

O princeps gloriae.

Trahe me post te.

GUSTAV HOLST In The Bleak Midwinter (Soloist: Susanna Pua)

"In the Bleak Midwinter" is a poem by the English poet Christina Rossetti, commonly performed as a Christmas carol. The poem was published under the title "A Christmas Carol" in the January 1872 issue of Scribner's Monthly, and was first collected in book form in Goblin Market, The Prince's Progress and Other Poems (Macmillan, 1875).

In verse one, Rossetti describes the physical circumstances of the Incarnation in Bethlehem. In verse two, Rossetti contrasts Christ's first and second coming. The third verse dwells on Christ's birth and describes the simple surroundings, in a humble stable and watched by beasts of burden. Rossetti achieves another contrast in the fourth verse, this time between the incorporeal angels attendant at Christ's birth with Mary's ability to render Jesus physical affection. The final verse shifts the description to a more introspective thought process.

In the bleak mid-winter

Frosty wind made moan

Earth stood hard as iron,

Water like a stone;

Snow had fallen, snow on snow,

Snow on snow,

In the bleak mid-winter

Long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold Him

Nor earth sustain,

Heaven and earth shall flee away

When He comes to reign:

In the bleak mid-winter

A stable-place sufficed

The Lord God Almighty —

Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim

Worship night and day,

A breastful of milk

And a mangerful of hay;

Enough for Him, whom Angels

Fall down before,

The ox and ass and camel

Which adore.

Angels and Archangels

May have gathered there,

Cherubim and seraphim

Thronged the air;

But only His Mother

In her maiden bliss

Worshipped the Beloved

With a kiss.

What can I give Him,

Poor as I am? —

If I were a Shepherd

I would bring a lamb;

If I were a Wise Man

I would do my part, —

Yet what I can I give Him, —

Give my heart.

TRAD. UKRAINIAN CAROL (ARR. M LEONTOVICH) Carol of the Bells

"Carol of the Bells" is a popular Christmas carol, with music by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych (written in 1914) and lyrics by Peter J. Wilhousky. The song is based on the Ukrainian folk chant "Shchedryk".

The music is based on a four-note ostinato and is in 3/4 time signature, with the B-flat bell pealing in 6/8 time. The carol is metrically /bistable, and a listener can focus on either measure or switch between them. It has been adapted for many genres, including: classical, metal, jazz, country music, rock, trap, and pop. The piece also features in films, television shows, and parodies.

Hark! how the bells

sweet silver bells

All seem to say

throw cares away.

Christmas is here

bringing good cheer

To young and old

meek and the bold

Ding, dong, ding, dong

that is their song,

With joyful ring

all carolling

One seems to hear

words of good cheer

From everywhere

filling the air

O, how they pound

raising the sound

Oer hill and dale

telling their tale

Gaily they ring

while people sing

Songs of good cheer

Christmas is here!

Merry, merry, merry, merry christmas!

Merry, merry, merry, merry christmas!

On, on they send

on without end

Their joyful tone

to every home

TRAD. IRISH CAROL (ARR. KIRA ZEEMAN RUGEN) Wexford Carol* (Soloists: Joshua Chang, Chan Wei En)

*Singapore premiere

The Wexford Carol, often called the Enniscorthy Carol, was given to honour the Irish county of Wexford. To this day, it is one of the most popular Christmas songs from the Emerald Isle.

The Mixolydian modal melody is a hauntingly beautiful Celtic tune, which was likely passed down orally over the years since the twelfth century. The abrupt changes of meter also keep the music interesting and unexpected. Writers later added the well-known phrase, "Good folks all this Christmas time," in the nineteenth century. From Mary and Joseph's trip to Bethlehem to the visits of the wise men, shepherds, and angels, the narrative relates the story of the Nativity.

On a gloomy Christmas day in 2012, Kira Rugen and Joel Cathcart from Northern Ireland sat down to scribble out, improvise, and write the basic structure of The Wexford Carol’s arrangement. They then recorded a simple recording of this well-known song with Joel playing guitar and Kira singing. Kira chose to construct a choral octavo based on her and Joel's collaboration because she had always adored this recording.

Good people all this Christmas time

Consider well and bear in mind

What our good God for us has done

In sending his beloved son

With Mary holy we should pray

To God with love this Christmas day

In Bethlehem upon that morn

There was a blessed Messiah born

The night before that happy tide

The noble Virgin and her guide

Were long time seeking up and down

To find a lodging in the town

But mark how all things came to pass

From ev’ry door repelled, alas!

As long foretold, their refuge all

Was but an humble oxen stall

Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep

Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep;

To whom God’s angels did appear,

Which put the shepherds in great fear

“Prepare and go, the angel said,

“To Bethlehem, be not afraid;

For there you’ll find, this happy morn,

A princely babe, sweet Jesus born.

ROBERT WELLS & MEL TORMÉ (ARR. ED LOJESKI) The Christmas Song (Soloist: Wong Yang Kai)

The Christmas Song may be full of descriptions of the freezing winter cold, but it was actually written in the blistering summer of 1945. Mel Tormé and Robert Wells were thinking of “cool things” to try to distract themselves from the heat. Songwriter Mel Tormé  would later describe the process as an attempt to “stay cool by thinking cool”. Just 45 minutes later, the song was born. 

A year later, Tormé visited the home of the great singer Nat King Cole to pitch him this song. At the time Nat King Cole was not a household name yet - racial tensions made it hard for him to reach a wider audience because many radio stations did not play music by Black musicians. 

Nat King Cole loved the song and agreed to record two versions of it later that year. Just like that, a Christmas classic was born. The Nat King Cole recording from 1961 was only this year chosen for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." 

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

Jack Frost nipping at your nose

Yuletide carols being sung by a choir

And folks dressed up like Eskimos

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe

Help to make the season bright

Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow

Will find it hard to sleep tonight

They know that Santa's on his way

He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh

And every mother's child is gonna spy

To see if reindeers really know how to fly

And so I'm offering this simple phrase

To kids from one to ninety-two

Although it's been said many times, many ways

Merry Christmas to you

TRAD. ENGLISH TUNE (ARR. IAN HUMPHRIS) The 12 Days of Christmas

Many historians believe the 12 Days of Christmas started out as a French poem, which made its way over to Newcastle, England in the 18th century. The poem tells the story of a list of gifts (many of which are actually food items prepared for a feast) prepared by one’s lover. The 12 Days of Christmas is a cumulative song: as the gift for each day is revealed, it is added on to the string of gifts that had already been revealed on previous days. In fact, the poem used to be the basis for a hugely popular "memory and forfeits" game. While their opponent kept score, the person singing the song had to try to recall what each of the gifts was. The performer was then required to offer their opponent a "forfeit," which frequently included a modest gamble, a present, a mark of affection, or even a kiss, if they were unable to sing the song word-for-word. Children enjoyed playing this game during Twelfth Night celebrations.

Interestingly, the 12 Days of Christmas was not set to music until 1909. The song we know today mostly stems from that version by English composer Frederic Austin. Watch out for The ROS Singers’ very own spin on this song!

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me

A partridge in a pear tree

On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.

The gifts on the other days:

four calling birds

five gold rings

six geese a-laying

seven swans a-swimming

eight maids a-milking

nine ladies dancing

ten lords a-leaping

eleven pipers piping

twelve drummers drumming

TRAD. Medley of Carols - Audience Singalong

Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let Earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing

He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders, of His love

Away in a manger
No crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head

The stars in the bright sky
Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay

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

O come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come and behold him,
born the King of angels.

O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!

Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace,
sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
heav’nly hosts sing, Alleluia!
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!

HUGH BLAINE & RALPH MARTIN (ARR. RYAN BRANDAU) Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is a song written in 1943 by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane and introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 MGM movie-musical Meet Me in St. Louis. In a scene set on Christmas Eve, Judy Garland's character, Esther, sings the song to cheer up her despondent five-year-old sister, Tootie, played by Margaret O'Brien.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Let your heart be light

From now on

Our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Make the Yule-tide gay

From now on

Our troubles will be miles away

Here we are as in olden days

Happy golden days of yore

Faithful friends who are dear to us

Gather near to us once more

Through the years we all will be together

If the fates allow

Hang a shining star upon the highest bough

And have yourself a merry little Christmas now