["Deck the Halls" by Thomas Oliphant]
- choir: ♪ Deck the halls with boughs of holly ♪
♪ Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪
♪ 'Tis the season to be jolly ♪
♪ Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪
♪ Don we now our gay apparel ♪
♪ Fa-la-la, la-la-la ♪
♪ La-la-la ♪
♪ Troll the ancient ♪
♪ Yuletide carol ♪
♪ Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪
♪ See the blazing yule before us ♪
♪ Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪
♪ Strike the harp and join the chorus ♪
♪ Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪
♪ Follow me in merry measure ♪
♪ Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la ♪
♪ While I tell of yuletide treasure ♪
♪ Fa-la-la-la-la ♪
♪ La-la-la-la ♪
- Hello, I'm John DeMain, and I'd like to welcome you
to A Virtual Madison Symphony Christmas.
This year, the holidays are unlike any we've ever known,
and while we can't yet present
the full Madison Symphony Orchestra
and massed choruses in the spectacle
that has become a Madison Christmas tradition,
we have created some sparkling performances
of holiday favorites to put you in the spirit of the season.
Let's go now to Overture Hall, where Greg Zelek
and the magnificent overture concert organ
will get things started in rousing fashion
before Madison Opera favorite Emily Secor
and Metropolitan Opera bass baritone Kyle Ketelsen
join Greg for selections from Handel's "Messiah."
["Prelude on Joy to the World" by George Frideric Handel/ Lowell Mason]
[rousing organ music]
♪ ♪
["He Shall Feed His Flock" from Messiah by George Frideric Handel]
[reverent organ music]
- ♪ He shall feed His flock ♪
♪ Like a shepherd ♪
♪ And He shall ♪
♪ Gather the lambs ♪
♪ With His arm ♪
♪ ♪
♪ He shall feed His flock ♪
♪ Like a shepherd ♪
♪ And He shall ♪
♪ Gather the lambs ♪
♪ With His arm ♪
♪ ♪
♪ And carry them ♪
♪ In His bosom ♪
♪ And gently lead those ♪
♪ That are with young ♪
♪ And gently lead those ♪
♪ That are with young ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Come unto Him ♪
♪ All ye that labor ♪
♪ Come unto Him ♪
♪ Ye that are heavy-laden ♪
♪ And He will give you rest ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Come unto Him ♪
♪ All ye that labor ♪
♪ Come unto Him ♪
♪ Ye that are heavy-laden ♪
♪ And He will give you rest ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Take His yoke upon you ♪
♪ And learn of Him ♪
♪ For He is meek ♪
♪ And lowly of heart ♪
♪ And ye shall find rest ♪
♪ Unto your souls ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Take His yoke upon you ♪
♪ And learn of Him ♪
♪ For He is meek ♪
♪ And lowly of heart ♪
♪ And ye shall find rest ♪
♪ Unto your souls ♪
♪ ♪
["But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming" from Messiah by George Frideric Handel]
[dramatic organ music] - ♪ Thus saith the Lord ♪
♪ The Lord of hosts ♪
♪ "Yet once a little while ♪
♪ "And I will shake ♪
♪ "The heavens and the earth ♪
♪ "The sea and the dry land ♪
♪ "And I will shake ♪
♪ "All nations and shake the heavens ♪
♪ "The earth, the sea ♪
♪ "The dry land ♪
♪ "All the nations ♪
♪ "And shake ♪
♪ "And the desire ♪
♪ "Of all nations shall come ♪
♪ ♪
♪ "The Lord whom ye seek ♪
♪ "Shall suddenly come to His temple ♪
♪ "Even the messenger of the covenant ♪
♪ "Whom ye delight in ♪
♪ Behold, He shall come" ♪
♪ Saith the Lord of hosts ♪
♪ ♪
♪ But who may abide ♪
♪ The day of His coming ♪
♪ ♪
♪ And who shall stand ♪
♪ When He appeareth ♪
♪ Who shall stand ♪
♪ When He appeareth ♪
♪ ♪
♪ But who may abide ♪
♪ The day of His coming ♪
♪ ♪
♪ And who shall stand ♪
♪ When He appeareth ♪
♪ ♪
♪ And who shall stand ♪
♪ When He ♪
♪ Appeareth ♪
♪ When He ♪
♪ Appeareth ♪
♪ ♪
♪ For He is like a refiner's fire ♪
♪ For He is like ♪
♪ A refiner's fire ♪
♪ Who shall stand when He appeareth ♪
♪ For He is like ♪
♪ A refiner's fire ♪
♪ For He is like ♪
♪ A refiner's fire ♪
♪ And who shall stand when He ♪
♪ Appeareth ♪
♪ But who may abide ♪
♪ The day of His coming ♪
♪ ♪
♪ And who shall stand ♪
♪ When He appeareth ♪
♪ ♪
♪ When He ♪
♪ Appeareth ♪
♪ ♪
♪ For He is like ♪
♪ A refiner's fire ♪
♪ Like a refiner's fire ♪
♪ And who shall stand when He ♪
♪ When He appeareth ♪
♪ And who shall stand ♪
♪ When He appeareth ♪
♪ For He is like ♪
♪ A refiner's fire ♪
♪ And who shall stand when He appeareth ♪
♪ When He appeareth ♪
♪ For He is like ♪
♪ A refiner's ♪
♪ Fire ♪
♪ For He is like ♪
♪ A refiner's ♪
♪ Fire ♪
♪ ♪
- Every year, the Madison Youth Choirs
are a big part of our Christmas celebration.
There's a special beauty in youthful voices
at Christmastime,
so perfectly matched to the wonder
that enthralled us all when we were their ages.
For this program, director Mike Ross
has created a special version
of John Denver's timeless "Peace Carol,"
created with the young singers
performing their parts individually at home
and blended into a lovely ensemble
so perfect for the message of the holidays.
["Away in a Manger" playing]
♪ ♪
[soft piano music]
♪ ♪
all: ♪ The garment of life ♪
♪ Be it tattered and torn ♪
♪ The cloak of the soldier ♪
♪ Is weathered and worn ♪
♪ But what child is this ♪
♪ That was poverty-born ♪
♪ The peace of Christmas Day ♪
♪ The branch that bears ♪
♪ The bright holly ♪
♪ The dove that rests ♪
♪ In yonder tree ♪
♪ The light that shines ♪
♪ For all to see ♪
♪ The peace of Christmas Day ♪
♪ ♪
♪ The hope that has slumbered ♪
♪ For 2,000 years ♪
♪ The promise that silenced ♪
♪ A thousand fears ♪
♪ A faith that can hobble ♪
♪ An ocean of tears ♪
♪ The peace of Christmas Day ♪
♪ The branch that bears ♪
♪ The bright holly ♪
♪ The dove that rests ♪
♪ In yonder tree ♪
♪ The light that shines ♪
♪ For all to see ♪
♪ The peace of Christmas Day ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Add all the grief ♪
♪ That people may bear ♪
♪ Total the strife ♪
♪ And the troubles and care ♪
♪ Put them in columns ♪
♪ And leave them right there ♪
♪ The peace of Christmas Day ♪
♪ The branch that bears ♪
♪ The bright holly ♪
♪ The dove that rests ♪
♪ In yonder tree ♪
♪ The light that shines ♪
♪ For all to see ♪
♪ The peace of Christmas Day ♪
♪ The branch that bears ♪
♪ The bright holly ♪
♪ The dove that rests ♪
♪ In yonder tree ♪
♪ The light that shines ♪
♪ For all to see ♪
♪ The peace of Christmas Day ♪
♪ The peace ♪
♪ Of Christmas Day ♪
["Postlude sur un Noel" ("Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella)" by Denis Bedard]
[bright organ music]
♪ ♪
["I heard the bells on Christmas Day" by Henry Longfellow and John Calkin]
[wintry music]
- ♪ I heard the bells ♪
♪ On Christmas Day ♪
♪ Their old familiar carols play ♪
♪ And wild and sweet ♪
♪ The words repeat ♪
♪ Of peace on Earth ♪
♪ Goodwill to men ♪
♪ ♪
♪ I thought how ♪
♪ As the day had come ♪
♪ The belfries ♪
♪ Of all Christendom ♪
♪ Had rolled along ♪
♪ The unbroken song ♪
♪ Of peace on Earth ♪
♪ Goodwill to men ♪
♪ ♪
♪ And in despair ♪
♪ I bowed my head ♪
♪ "There is no peace on Earth," I said ♪
♪ "For hate is strong ♪
♪ "And mocks the song ♪
♪ "Of peace on Earth ♪
♪ Goodwill to men" ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Till ringing, singing ♪
♪ On its way ♪
♪ The world revolved ♪
♪ From night to day ♪
♪ A voice, a chime ♪
♪ A chant sublime ♪
♪ Of peace on Earth ♪
♪ Goodwill to men ♪
♪ Peace on Earth ♪
♪ Goodwill ♪
♪ To men ♪
♪ ♪
["O Holy Night" by Adolphe Adam]
[solemn music]
- ♪ O holy night ♪
♪ The stars are brightly shining ♪
♪ It is the night ♪
♪ Of our dear Savior's birth ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Long lay the world ♪
♪ In sin and error pining ♪
♪ Till He appeared ♪
♪ And the soul felt its worth ♪
♪ A thrill of hope ♪
♪ The weary world rejoices ♪
♪ For yonder breaks ♪
♪ A new and glorious morn ♪
♪ Fall on your knees ♪
♪ Oh, hear ♪
♪ The angel voices ♪
♪ O night divine ♪
♪ O night ♪
♪ When Christ was born ♪
♪ O night divine ♪
♪ O night ♪
♪ O 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 ♪
♪ Fall on your knees ♪
♪ Oh, hear ♪
♪ The angel voices ♪
♪ O night divine ♪
♪ O night ♪
♪ When Christ was born ♪
♪ O night ♪
♪ Divine ♪
♪ O night ♪
♪ Divine ♪
♪ ♪
- Christmas is the great winter holiday,
always depicted in the splendor of snow-covered landscapes
and statuesque evergreen trees cloaked in a mantle of white.
But the calming hush
which settles over the winter scene
is sometimes broken by this cheerful clamor
as Greg and I take you for a little sleigh ride.
["Sleigh Ride" by Leroy Anderson]
[bright music]
♪ ♪
What is it about Christmas
that inspires the interior decorator
in all of us-- and not just interior?
The great tradition of elaborate outdoor displays,
from spiritual tableaus to snowmen and reindeer,
expresses a picture of total joy,
so in that spirit, we've created
a virtual living room where Kyle and Emily
can croon some Christmas favorites for us.
["It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" Edward Pola, George Wyle]
- ♪ It's the most wonderful time ♪
♪ Of the year ♪
♪ With the kids jingle belling ♪
♪ And everyone telling you be of good cheer ♪
♪ It's the most wonderful time ♪
♪ Of the year ♪
♪ It's the hap-happiest season ♪
♪ Of all ♪
♪ With those holiday greetings ♪
♪ And gay happy meetings ♪
♪ When friends come to call ♪
♪ It's the hap-happiest season ♪
♪ Of all ♪
♪ There'll be parties for hosting ♪
♪ Marshmallows for toasting ♪
♪ And caroling out in the snow ♪
♪ There'll be scary ghost stories ♪
♪ And tales of the glories ♪
♪ Of Christmases long, long ago ♪
♪ It's the most wonderful time ♪
♪ Of the year ♪
♪ There'll be much mistletoe-ing ♪
♪ And hearts will be glowing ♪
♪ When loved ones are near ♪
♪ It's the most wonderful time ♪
♪ Of the year ♪
♪ ♪
♪ There'll be scary ghost stories ♪
♪ And tales of the glories ♪
♪ Of Christmases long, long ago ♪
♪ ♪
♪ It's the most wonderful time ♪
♪ Of the year ♪
♪ There'll be much mistletoe-ing ♪
♪ And hearts will be glowing ♪
♪ When loved ones are near ♪
♪ It's the most wonderful time ♪
♪ Of the year ♪
["The Christmas Song" by Mel Torme and Robert Wells]
[soft music]
- ♪ 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 reindeer ♪
♪ Really know how to fly ♪
♪ And so I'm offering ♪
♪ This simple phrase ♪
♪ ♪
♪ To kids from 1 to 92 ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Although it's been said ♪
♪ Many times, many ways ♪
♪ Merry Christmas ♪
♪ To you ♪
♪ 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 reindeer ♪
♪ Really know how to fly ♪
♪ And so I'm offering ♪
♪ This simple phrase ♪
♪ To kids from 1 to 92 ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Although it's been said ♪
♪ Many times, many ways ♪
♪ Merry Christmas ♪
♪ To you ♪
♪ ♪
["Winter Wonderland" by Felix Bernard and Richard Smith]
[festive music]
- ♪ Sleigh bells ring ♪
♪ Are you listenin' ♪
- ♪ In the lane ♪
♪ Snow is glistenin' ♪
both: ♪ A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight ♪
♪ Walkin' in a winter wonderland ♪
- ♪ Gone away is the bluebird ♪
- ♪ Here to stay is a new bird ♪
both: ♪ He sings a love song as we go along ♪
♪ Walkin' in a winter wonderland ♪
- ♪ In the meadow, we can build a snowman ♪
♪ We'll pretend that he is Parson Brown ♪
- ♪ He'll say, "Are you married?" ♪
♪ We'll say, "No, man ♪
♪ But you can do the job when you're in town" ♪
both: ♪ Later on, we'll conspire ♪
♪ As we dream by the fire ♪
♪ To face unafraid the plans that we've made ♪
♪ Walkin' in a winter wonderland ♪
- ♪ In the meadow, we can build a snowman ♪
♪ And pretend that he's a circus clown ♪
- ♪ We'll have lots of fun with Mr. Snowman ♪
♪ Until the other kiddies knock Him down ♪
both: ♪ When it snows, ain't it thrillin' ♪
♪ Though your nose gets a chillin' ♪
♪ We'll frolic and play the Eskimo way ♪
- ♪ Walkin' in a winter ♪
both: ♪ Walkin' in a winter ♪
♪ Wonderland ♪
- A Madison Symphony Christmas
is never complete without a visit
from the Mount Zion Gospel Choir.
Their inspired and inspiring voices
lift us right out of our seats year after year,
and this year will be no exception,
thanks to the musical magic of directors
Tamera and Leotha Stanley.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Mount Zion Gospel Choir
with a message of hope.
["Christmas Hope" by Leotha Stanley]
[lively music]
- ♪ If all you have is a little seed ♪
♪ You can grow a strong, tall tree ♪
- ♪ Find a little hope just like a seed ♪
- ♪ If all you have is a little light ♪
♪ You can find your way to see ♪
- ♪ You can find your way to see ♪
♪ ♪
- ♪ Love, joy, peace, and happiness ♪
♪ They go together like a hand in glove ♪
- ♪ Ooh, like a hand in glove ♪
- ♪ Put them all together within your heart ♪
♪ And you'll find Christmas hope ♪
♪ That comes from up above ♪
- ♪ That Christmas hope from up above ♪
- ♪ Oh, if you need ♪ - ♪ If you need ♪
- ♪ Some Christmas hope ♪
- ♪ You can find ♪ - ♪ You can find ♪
- ♪ That hope this way ♪ - ♪ Way ♪
- ♪ One silent night ♪ - ♪ One silent night ♪
- ♪ When all was calm ♪ - ♪ When all was calm ♪
- ♪ A child was born ♪ - ♪ A child was born ♪
- ♪ To give us hope each day ♪
- ♪ Now you got a little hope ♪
- ♪ Christmas hope ♪
- ♪ So give a little hope ♪
- ♪ Christmas hope ♪
- ♪ And then spread a little hope ♪
- ♪ Christmas hope ♪
- ♪ Oh, we need a little hope today ♪
- ♪ Christmas hope ♪
♪ If you need ♪ - ♪ If you need ♪
- ♪ Some Christmas hope ♪ - ♪ Some Christmas hope ♪
- ♪ You can find ♪ - ♪ You can find ♪
- ♪ That hope this way ♪ - ♪ Way ♪
- ♪ One silent night ♪ - ♪ One silent night ♪
- ♪ When all was calm ♪ - ♪ When all was calm ♪
- ♪ A child was born ♪ - ♪ A child was born ♪
- ♪ To give us hope each day ♪
- ♪ Now you got a little hope ♪
- ♪ Christmas hope ♪
- ♪ So give a little hope ♪
- ♪ Christmas hope ♪
- ♪ Take some time and spread a little hope ♪
- ♪ Christmas hope ♪
- ♪ Oh, we need a little hope today ♪
- ♪ Christmas hope ♪
all: ♪ Let Christmas hope lift you ♪
♪ Just a little bit higher ♪
- ♪ Higher and higher ♪
all: ♪ Let Christmas hope lift you ♪
♪ Just a little bit higher ♪
- ♪ Higher and higher ♪
all: ♪ Let Christmas hope lift you ♪
♪ Just a little bit higher ♪
- ♪ Higher and higher ♪
all: ♪ Let love, joy, peace, and happiness ♪
♪ Give you Christmas hope ♪
- ♪ Christmas hope ♪ - ♪ Christmas hope ♪
- ♪ Give a little hope ♪ - ♪ Christmas hope ♪
- ♪ And then spread a little hope ♪
- ♪ Christmas hope ♪
- ♪ 'Cause we need a little hope today ♪
- ♪ Christmas hope ♪
- ♪ Come on, give a little hope ♪
- ♪ Christmas hope ♪
- ♪ Come on, spread a little hope today ♪
- ♪ Christmas hope ♪
- ♪ Oh, we need a little hope today ♪
- ♪ Christmas hope ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Christmas hope ♪
- ♪ Give a little hope ♪
- ♪ Christmas hope ♪
- ♪ Come on, spread a little hope ♪
- ♪ Christmas hope ♪
- ♪ 'Cause we need a little hope today ♪
- ♪ Christmas hope ♪
all: ♪ Let love, joy, peace, and happiness ♪
♪ Give you Christmas hope ♪
- ♪ Yeah ♪
- Now it's your turn to join us at home
in the finale to our Virtual Madison Symphony Christmas.
This is where we all put on our favorite Christmas attire
and lift our voices with Beverly Taylor
and the Madison Symphony Chorus
as we sing along with the whole cast
of our Christmas special.
["Christmas Carol Sing Along" arranged by Dan Goeller]
[dramatic music]
["Angels We Have Heard on High"]
all: ♪ Angels we have heard on high ♪
♪ Sweetly swinging o'er the plains ♪
♪ And the mountains in reply ♪
♪ Echoing their joyous strains ♪
♪ Glo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-oria ♪
♪ In excelsis deo ♪
♪ Gloria, gloria ♪
♪ In excelsis deo ♪
♪ ♪
["Joy to the World"]
♪ 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 heaven and nature sing ♪
♪ ♪
["O Come, All Ye Faithful"]
♪ 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 ♪
♪ Christ the Lord ♪
♪ ♪
["The First Noel"]
♪ The first noel ♪
♪ The angels did say ♪
♪ Was to certain poor shepherds ♪
♪ In fields where they lay ♪
♪ Keeping their sheep ♪
♪ On a cold winter's night ♪
♪ That was so deep ♪
♪ Noel, noel ♪
♪ Born is the King of Israel ♪
♪ ♪
["Silent Night"]
♪ 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 ♪
♪ ♪
["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 angelic hosts proclaim ♪
♪ Christ is born in Bethlehem ♪
♪ Hark, the herald angels sing ♪
♪ Glory to the newborn King ♪
♪ ♪
["Deck the Halls"]
♪ Deck the halls with boughs of holly ♪
♪ Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪
♪ 'Tis the season to be jolly ♪
♪ Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪
♪ Don we now our gay apparel ♪
♪ Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la ♪
♪ Troll the ancient yuletide carol ♪
♪ Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪
♪ ♪
["We Wish You a Merry Christmas"]
♪ We wish you a merry Christmas ♪
♪ And a happy New Year ♪
♪ Good tidings we bring ♪
♪ To you and your kin ♪
♪ Good tidings for Christmas ♪
♪ And a happy New Year ♪
♪ We wish you a merry Christmas ♪
♪ And a happy ♪
♪ New Year ♪
- We hope you've enjoyed our musical Christmas card.
We've certainly enjoyed bringing it to you.
It's so great to be performing again.
Let's look forward to the day, sooner rather than later,
when we can be back in Overture Hall,
the full Madison Symphony Orchestra onstage,
and every seat filled.
In the meantime,
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
["Deck the Halls"] - choir: ♪ Fast away the old year passes ♪
♪ Fa-la-la- la-la ♪
♪ La-la- la-la ♪
♪ Hail the new ♪
♪ Ye lads and lasses ♪
♪ Fa-la-la- la-la ♪
♪ La-la- la-la ♪
♪ Sing we joyous ♪
♪ All together ♪
♪ Fa-la-la, la-la-la ♪
♪ La-la- la ♪
♪ Heedless of the wind ♪
♪ And weather ♪
♪ Fa-la-la-la-la ♪
♪ La-la-la-la ♪