MAKE OUR GARDEN GROW
Spring 2025 Children’s Chorus of Washington
Director’s Notes
Treble Ensemble, Young Men’s Ensemble, Young Boy’s Ensemble, Advanced Bel Canto
Opening our final concert of the season, Cherokee Morning Song honors the spiritual roots of the land and its First Peoples. With its powerful message of unity, healing, and guidance, this piece sets the tone for Make Our Garden Grow—a celebration of how deep cultural roots and shared connection help us reach upward and outward. As we reflect on this season’s theme, Roots and Branches, we begin by grounding ourselves in ancestral wisdom and the hope it brings for growth ahead.
Cherokee Morning Song
Arr. Michael Yannette
Native Americans lived all over the eastern United States for thousands of years before they were forced to move west. Arranger Michael Yannette masterfully captures their spirit and their connection to the earth in this arrangement through the use of a Native Flute and text.
I am one spirit with you.
I am one soul within you.
Shine a light up ahead and guide me,
Creator light my path today.
Take the water an heal me.
Bur the fire and reveal me.
Shine a light up ahead and guide me,
Creator light my path today.
Treble Ensemble
E Nānā Kakou I Na Manu
Music by Herb Mahelona (b. 1970) arr. Henry Leck
E Nānā Kakou I Na Manu evokes the sounds of the wind rustling through the Ironwood trees, and the songs of native Hawaiian birds including ‘akia pōluā’au and ‘apapane. This piece commands the listener to stop and simply view the birds flying in the sky: “Be still, be calm as water. They are chirping joyously.” From the composer: this piece is also a call to care for nature, the environment, as well as our cultures, languages, and traditions, which we carry forward with care and responsibility.
The Seedling
Music by Kyle Pederson (b. 1971)
The Seedling tells the story of a small sapling and the wild, wonderful, adventure of growing into a tall tree. Through the rain, sun, shade, and wind, the seedling never feels afraid or alone. With alternating meters and an exciting accompaniment, “Nature’s song, in ray and rain” transforms the seedlings into what they are today: “strong and kind, set to bring joy to the world through each song I sing.”
Treble Ensemble, Concert Chorus, Beginning Bel Canto
Grow Little Tree
Music by Andrea Ramsey (b. 1977)
In Grow Little Tree, Andrea Ramsey offers a tender reflection on the quiet hope, care, and nurturing it takes for both a tree—and a child—to grow strong and resilient. The gentle melody and expressive harmonies invite singers and listeners alike to contemplate the wonder and vulnerability of growing up. In this performance, our youngest singers are joined by older ensembles, a powerful symbol of how growth is sustained through community and connection.
Beginning Bel Canto
I Am Only One
Music by Adolphus Hailstork (b. 1941) Text: Edward Hale
In I Am Only One, composer Adolphus Hailstork sets to music a powerful and timeless message of individual purpose and collective impact. Inspired by the well-known words of poet and reformer Edward Everett Hale, the piece begins with a quiet sense of determination and gradually builds into a bold, resonant affirmation of what one voice can do.
The text reads:
"I am only one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything, but I can do something.
And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do."
Like planting a seed in a garden, every action we take in kindness and courage contributes to something greater. Hailstork’s setting encourages us all to recognize our own power and to use it for good—one note, one voice, one act at a time.
Dance!
Music by Robert Gibson (b. 1950)
Dance by Robert Gibson is a vibrant, rhythm-filled piece that blends singing with step and body percussion—traditions rooted in African American culture. Through stomps, claps, and spoken rhythms, singers use their whole bodies to bring the music to life.
This piece honors cultural traditions that have shaped American music. It reminds us that rhythm lives in all of us, and that music grows stronger when we connect to where it comes from.
Niska Banja
Traditional Serbian Folk Song, arr. Nick Page
Rooted in the vibrant folk traditions of Serbia, Niska Banja is a joyful celebration of a famous spa town known for its healing thermal waters. This energetic arrangement by Nick Page captures the syncopated rhythms and dance-like spirit of Balkan music, inviting singers to engage with a rich cultural heritage through dynamic movement, rhythmic clapping, and spirited vocals.
As part of our season theme, Roots and Branches, this piece reminds us of how music can connect us to cultural roots far beyond our own—expanding our understanding and appreciation of the many traditions that nourish the global choral community. By singing in a new language and embracing a different musical style, our choristers reach outward, growing their own “branches” of experience, connection, and joy.
Text (Serbian):
Niska Banja, topla voda,
za malko, za malko,
ja ću da dođem.
Niska Banja, topla voda,
za malko, za malko,
ja ću da dođem.
English Translation:
Niška Banja, warm water,
In a little while, in a little while,
I will come.
Advanced Bel Canto
Cacao
Music by Toby Young (b. 1990) / Text by Jennifer Thorp (b. 1988)
In Cacao, composer Toby Young brings to life the extraordinary journey of the cacao seed—the source of chocolate—through a playful and imaginative soundscape. Told from the seed’s perspective, the piece celebrates themes of growth, transformation, and the profound connection between nature and culture. The music is richly textured with rainforest-inspired vocal effects, unexpected harmonies, and asymmetrical rhythms that capture the wild, vibrant energy of the natural world.
When I discovered this work, it immediately resonated with our season’s theme and it felt especially fitting for our Advanced Bel Canto middle school singers. Like the cacao seed, our singers are on a journey of becoming—nurtured by their environment, shaped by experience, and blossoming into something new. Through this piece, they explore how music can give voice to the living world around us, reminding us that even the smallest seed holds infinite potential.
Silver Rain
Music by B.E. Boykin | Text by Langston Hughes
In Silver Rain, composer B.E. Boykin sets Langston Hughes’ evocative poetry to music with graceful sensitivity and emotional depth. The poem reflects a quiet longing and reverence for nature, capturing the gentle rhythm of rain and the solace it brings to the soul. Boykin’s setting amplifies the tenderness of Hughes’ words, weaving a lyrical melody with lush harmonies that invite reflection and stillness.
Just as rain nourishes the earth and allows gardens to flourish, Silver Rain speaks to the quiet forces that nurture growth—from within ourselves and from the world around us. Through this music, our singers are reminded of the power of stillness, memory, and the enduring beauty of nature’s cycles.
Take This Gift
Music by Tracy Wong (b. 1983), text by Cherie Chai (b. 1988)
Tracy Wong’s Take This Gift is a joyful celebration of shared song, cultural heritage, and the power of community. Drawing on the playful vocal motif ‘la la li la lay’—a nod to Canggung, a traditional Malay folk song—Wong blends folk elements with contemporary choral writing to create a piece that is both rooted and radiant. The text speaks of connection: to the earth, to our past, and to one another. With imagery of grounded feet and soaring voices, it reminds us that the gifts we inherit—like music—are not meant to be kept, but shared.
Just as trees are grounded by roots and stretch toward the sky with growing branches, Take This Gift honors our cultural and musical foundations while inspiring us to reach outward and upward.
Young Boys Ensemble and Young Men’s Ensemble
Seize the Day from Newsies
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Jack Feldman, Arranged by Roger Emerson
"Seize the Day" is a rousing anthem from Disney’s Newsies, composed by Alan Menken with lyrics by Jack Feldman. Based on the real-life Newsboys Strike of 1899, the musical tells the story of young newspaper sellers in New York City who banded together to demand justice from powerful publishers. The song captures the energy, courage, and unity of youth rising to face adversity—celebrating the bravery it takes to speak out and stand tall.
Performed by CCW’s Young Boys Ensemble and Young Men’s Ensemble, Seize the Day reminds us that meaningful change often begins with young voices raised together in harmony and purpose.
Young Men’s Ensemble
An Earth Song
by Marques L. A. Garrett (b. 1984) Text by Langston Hughes
This setting of Langston Hughes’s text celebrates the joy of new life and the beauty of this earth. The bulk of the song grooves with a driving piano accompaniment while the rising melodies evoke the newness of spring and life. Langston Hughes is known for his insightful, dynamic portrayals of Black life in America from the twenties through the sixties and was important in shaping the artistic contributions of the Harlem Renaissance.
Cindy
Arr. Alice Parker
This traditional North American Folk Song arranged by legendary composer, conductor and teacher Alice Parker was commissioned by Michigan’s Rockford high school’s award-winning men’s group. It premiered in November of 2013.
Concert Chorus and Young Men’s Ensemble
Hlohonolofatsa
(arr. Daniel Jackson) South African Song
Hlohonolofatsa is a vibrant and rhythmic South African Sotho greeting song that is traditionally used as a song of blessing. The title translates roughly to “Bless everything in this world,” and the music radiates joy, unity, and celebration. In this high-energy arrangement by Daniel Jackson, layered rhythms and call-and-response textures create an electrifying communal experience for both singers and audience.
Text and Translation (Sesotho):
Hlohonolofatsa, Hlohonolofatsa,
Hlohonolofatsa, morena
Hlohonolofatsa ka lebitso la jesu
Translation:
Bless everything in the name of Jesus,
Bless everything, Lord,
Bless everything in the name of Jesus.
Chamber Ensemble
Lineage
Music by Andrea Ramsey (b. 1977)
Text by Margaret Walker
Andrea Ramsey’s Lineage is a powerful and evocative setting of Margaret Walker’s poem of the same name, honoring the strength, resilience, and dignity of the women who came before us. The piece reflects on the enduring legacies passed down through generations—legacies of labor, sacrifice, and unshakable will.
Lineage reminds us that we are grounded by those who came before—that our strength, our voice, and our very presence today are the branches extending from their lives and stories. Singing this piece is an act of remembrance, gratitude, and affirmation of the power of our shared human legacy.
Concert Chorus
Song of Miriam
Music by Elaine Hagenberg (b. 1979)
Text by Rabbi Ruth Sohn
Following Andrea Ramsey’s Lineage, which honors the enduring strength passed down from generations past, Elaine Hagenberg’s Song of Miriam offers a deeply personal reflection on what it means to carry that legacy forward—especially in moments of doubt.
Inspired by the biblical figure Miriam, a symbol of leadership and resilience, the piece captures the inner voice of someone navigating uncertainty, questioning her own strength and place in the world. Hagenberg’s setting of Lissa Schwab’s poignant text is both tender and searching, gradually building to a confident affirmation of courage and identity.
Together, Lineage and Song of Miriam trace a powerful emotional arc—from inherited strength to self-discovery. As part of our Roots and Branches season, this pairing invites us to reflect not only on where we come from, but on who we are becoming. It reminds us that growth often includes moments of doubt—and that those moments, too, are part of our strength.
Songs of Hope
Text and Music by Susanna Lindmark (b. 1967)
Composed by Swedish musician and conductor Susanna Lindmark, Songs of Hope is a powerful and evocative piece originally written for female voices. The piece offers moments of reflection and release—anchored in the idea that even in the darkest of times, the human spirit can lift its voice in hope. Songs of Hope reminds us of the strength we draw from our cultural and emotional roots, and the belief that voices raised together can offer comfort, courage, and change.
Concert Chorus and Young Men’s Ensemble
Water Fountain
by Merrill Garbus (b. 1979), arr. for choir
Originally released by experimental pop artist Merrill Garbus under the name tUnE-yArDs, Water Fountain bursts with rhythmic energy, eclectic musical influences from many genres and cultures, layered textures, and sharp social commentary. Inspired in part by the 1985 documentary Poto and Cabengo, the song uses playful language, percussive vocals, and driving beats to address issues of inequality and access to basic needs like clean water and shelter. Beneath the energy, though, is a powerful message: just like ecosystems, communities thrive when people take care of and support one another. This piece invites us to consider how we nourish the world around us.
Class of 2025 - Seniors
Slipping Through My Fingers
by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (ABBA)
Arranged for choir
Tender and nostalgic, Slipping Through My Fingers is a song that beautifully captures the bittersweet passage of time between parents and children. Written by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, it reflects on the fleeting nature of childhood—those quiet, everyday moments that seem to slip away as children grow into their independence.
Chosen by the Class of 2025, this song carries added meaning as we celebrate our graduating choristers. With heartfelt lyrics and a gentle melody, the piece becomes both a reflection and a farewell—acknowledging the growth and transformation of each student, and honoring the relationships that have shaped them along the way. The bonds we form and the memories we make remain deeply rooted. Our seniors now branch outward into new adventures, carrying the music—and love—with them.
Al Shlosha D’varim
Music by Allan Naplan
Hebrew Text:
עַל שְׁלוֹשָׁה דְּבָרִים הָעוֹלָם עוֹמֵד
עַל הָאֱמֶת וְעַל הַדִּין וְעַל הַשָּׁלוֹם
Transliteration:
Al shlosha d’varim ha’olam omed:
Al ha’emet v’al hadin v’al hashalom.
Translation:
The world is sustained by three things:
By truth, by justice, and by peace.
Allan Naplan’s Al Shlosha D’varim has become a cherished anthem of the Children’s Chorus of Washington. This elegant setting of a timeless Hebrew teaching from Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) reflects the core values we hold dear in our community: truth, justice, and peace. Each year, we include this piece in our concerts to honor our tradition and to invite alumni to join us on stage. This moment of reconnection—past and present voices united in harmony—celebrates the lasting impact of music and the strong bonds formed through shared song.
Make Our Garden Grow
*from Candide by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Richard Wilbur
"Make Our Garden Grow" is the powerful finale from Leonard Bernstein’s operetta Candide, a work inspired by Voltaire’s satirical novella. At the end of a long and disillusioning journey, the characters in Candide arrive at a moment of clarity—not in grand adventures or philosophical debates, but in the quiet, steady work of cultivating a meaningful life. The piece expresses the wisdom of choosing hope, love, and community over cynicism.
In the context of this concert and our season theme Roots and Branches, “Make Our Garden Grow” resonates deeply. It reflects the idea that growth—both personal and communal—requires care, resilience, and faith. As the final piece in our program, it serves as both a celebration of the season’s journey and a call to continue the work of cultivating beauty, connection, and joy in the world around us.