Denton Homeschool Orchestra Christmas Concert 2024
December 12, 2024, 7:00 PM
The Recital Hall at the University of North Texas
415 Avenue C, Denton, TX 76201
Director: Carma Needham
Program
Beginner Ensemble:
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A collection of folk songs:
Hot Cross Buns
Mary Had a Little Lamb
Twinkle Twinkle
This Old Man
Frere Jacques
Jingle Bells
Members:
Violins:
Ella Bennion, Layla Benson, Bethany Harrison, Sarah Harrison, Kinsley Hodges, Sebastian A Los, Camdyn Martino, Landon McGinnis, Brooklyn Merkley, Sterling Morgan, Eliza J Oliver, Glorianna Oliver, Aiden Schilhab, Charlie Rose Singleton, Cecily Yarbrough, George Yen
Violas:
Mary Kate Harrison, Macy Jane Oliver, Caris Singleton, Fiona Turner, Caleb Yen, Norah Yen
Cellos:
James Ellis, Johnny Ellis, Gabby Harrison, Jacob Merkley, Clara Oliver, Haven B Yarbrough
– Intermission –
Intermediate/Advanced Ensemble:
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Amazing Grace
John Newton, arr. Christian Morris
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
Johann Sebastian Bach
Oogway Ascends
Hans Zimmer & John Powell, arr. Carma Needham
Members:
Violin: Clara Whitworth
Viola: Emmett Fish
Cello: Hyrum Packer
Piano: Selah Brock
Program Notes:
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Fun Facts about Twinkle Twinkle Little Star–
-The tune is from an old French melody dating back as early as 1760.
-The lyrics come from a poem that actually have 5 stanzas, though only the 1st is commonly known.
-The same melody is used for “Baa, Baa Black Sheep,” the “Alphabet Song,” as well as Mozart’s famous “12 Variations”
-In chapter 7 of Lewis Carroll’s famous Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter recites a parody called “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Bat.”
Amazing Grace
Poet John Newton first penned the lyrics to this beloved song as part of his New Year’s Sermon of 1773, in his position as curate of Olney, Buckinghamshire, England. But he wasn’t always so devoted in his religious feeling. Quite the opposite, in fact.
In his early life, he held no particular religious views. A sailor by trade, Newton denounced faith entirely at the influence of a shipmate. After some willful disobedience, he was pressed into service with the Royal Navy, which he later deserted to pursue a love interest.
He thereafter became involved in the Atlantic slave trade. As a member of the crew, he raised so much trouble that he was imprisoned at sea, sometimes being chained to the slaves they transported, and after one incident was deprived of food until he nearly starved. He was known by one of his captains of one of the most profane men the captain had ever known, and being a sailor — that is saying something!
In 1748, a turbulent storm nearly dashed his ship to pieces. Some of the crew were swept overboard from where Newton had stood only moments before. He called out to God for salvation. This is the moment regarded as his spiritual conversion.
It would be another 25 years before the words to “Amazing Grace” would take shape. The 2014 film Freedom tells the story of this hymn’s incredible origin. Incidentally, Newton became an abolitionist in his later years.
The words were set to many tunes over the following decades, and it wasn’t until 1835 that it took the melody we know it by today.
Since then, it has been recorded thousands and times and sung countless many times more. It is universally recognized among English speakers and loved the world over.
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
Did you know this song wasn’t originally written by Johann Sebastian Bach? The tune was first written in 1642 by Johann Schop–the slower melody that you’ll hear from the violin. The text was penned in 1661 by Martin Janus, but the famous triplet melody you’ll hear from the piano was all Bach’s creation, added in 1723. This harmonization has brought Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring into the popular regard that has carried it through the centuries.
Originally written as a 19 stanza poem in German, the two stanzas of text (6 and 17) used by Bach translate into these praising and worshipful lines:
Blest am I, that I have Jesus!
O how tightly I cling to him,
so that he delights my heart
when I am sick and sad.
I have Jesus, who loves me
and gives himself to me as my own;
ah, therefore I will not let go of Jesus,
even if my heart is breaking.
Jesus shall remain my joy,
my heart’s comfort and sap;
Jesus shall fend off all sorrow.
He is the strength of my life,
the delight and sun of my eyes,
the treasure and wonder of my soul;
therefore I will not let Jesus go
out of my heart and sight.
What a perfect message for Christmas. Merry Christmas, y’all.
Oogway Ascends
This is a selection of movie music from the popular Kung Fu Panda. This song is depicts Oogway, the turtle master, delivering his final words of wisdom before departing this life.
The piece begins with the sound of a soft but ominous breeze rolling in, portrayed by the low tones of the cello.
Beginning with rich sounds of the viola, each instrument takes a turn with the main theme. The violin takes the sound higher, and then the piano higher still. As the emotional ethos builds, the texture thickens and volume swells.
As Oogway gives his final counsel, he is transformed into a swirl of delicate peach blossom petals and carried away on the wind. You’ll hear the final notes of the theme passed through the instruments again, this time lower and lower, until — as the breeze blew in — the cello carries the final notes out.
Written primarily by Hans Zimmer, who also composed the music for the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, the Christian Bale Batman trilogy, Dune parts 1 & 2, and many others, Oogway Ascends originally featured the erhu, a traditional Chinese instrument. It has just two strings, sits on the lap, and is played with a bow.
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