AWAKE!
DECEMBER 2025
Description: J.S. Bach Cantata 140 (Wachet Auf, ruft uns die Stimme) and a Quod-Libet “Mass of Noels” featuring professional soloists and chamber orchestra.
Performances:​ Friday, December 12, 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 13, 3:00 p.m. Collegiate Presbyterian Church.
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LINK TO ACA REHEARSAL VIDEO YOUTUBE PLAYLIST
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STANDING ORDER CHART coming later​
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MUSIC, NOTES, AND PERFORMANCE RECORDINGS
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Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, Cantata 140 (J.S. Bach)​
Performance Recording - there are MANY lovely recordings available out there and fun to compare them!
Rehearsal Recordings
NOTES: The chorus sings in three of the seven movements, with the first movement being the largest project by far, especially for altos, tenors, and basses. ​​Professional and voice major students will be hired for the solo work.
Mvt. 1 - Sopranos stating the chorale melody in long, legato form over complex, counterpoint in the lower voices.
Mvt. 2 - Tenor Recitative
Mvt. 3 - Bass and Soprano Duet
Mvt. 4 - Unison chorale for tenor section and soloists
Mvt. 5 - Bass Recitative
Mvt. 6 - Bass and Soprano Duet
Mvt. 7 - Harmonized SATB statement of the chorale
Quodlibet Mass of Noels
A quodlibet mass is, essentially, a sequencing of separate pieces into a larger, meaningful work. In this case, I am surrounding larger a cappella choral pieces with French Noels from the Baroque period. All of the Noels are composed by Marc-Antoine Charpentier and most are instrumental. The chorus will close the concert with a voicing of his "Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle" ("Bring a torch, Jeannette, Isabella"). The Noels are listed below with recording links so that you have an idea of the concert flow, but will be orchestrated/improvised by our professional chamber players.
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Noel: Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle (Charpentier)
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O Magnum Mysterium from Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël (Francis Poulenc)
​Rehearsal recordings​ - there are several options on YouTube, but nearly all are MIDI or instrumental. Those below are the clearest and simplest that I have found:
NOTES: SATB without splits
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Noel: Vous qui désirez sans fin (Charpentier)
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Sanctus Benedictus (IV) from Missa Hodie Christus Natus Est (Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina)
Sheet Music note - this file was updated on September 1 with a big change of key!
Rehearsal Recordings - the files below are good quality but NOTE that they are whole step down from our key. Also note that the Sanctus and Benedictus files are separated. We are doing both.
​NOTES: This is a double choir work with an unusual split. Be sure to note your part in the Splits document (link at the top of the page). It is possible that our chamber ensemble may play with us at times.
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Noel: Une jeune pucelle (Charpentier)
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Gloria from Mass for Double Choir (Frank Martin)
Performance Recording (with sheet music to follow)
Rehearsal Recordings - there are some free MIDI ones out there that I find very hard to listen to. I recommend purchasing your track from ChoralTracks for $1.99.
​NOTES: This is a double choir work. Our two choral choirs split using our 8-part splits. Choir One is S1/A1/T1/B1 and Choir Two is S2/A2/T2/B2
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Noel: Ou sen vont ces guais bergers (Charpentier)
Performance Recording (just the first piece of this entire recorded concert)
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Noel: Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle (Charpentier)
Sheet Music coming soon
​NOTES: Music for this arrangement has not been located yet, but is essentially a stylized version of the standard hymn arrangement. More details and music to come later in our rehearsal process.
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