SNAP

Program Notes 

Wanting Memories

I think on the things that made me laugh, made me dance, made me sing.

Loss and grief are inevitable emotions in life. These moments often force us to reflect on our past, looking for objects, stories and memories to help us remember. Though grief is often synonymous with sadness, Barnwell’s setting is an encouraging reminder for us to remember those we have lost, and acknowledge how they’ve changed and influenced our lives.

Autumn

I saw old autumn in the misty morn
Stand shadowless like silence listening to silence
For no lonely bird would sing into his hollow ear from woods forlorn.

The metaphor of Autumn is used throughout this piece to think of the transitions of life. Often, one longs for summer and days of youth. This piece closes with sitting next to someone with a sense of stillness and closure. 

Northwest Passage 

How then am I so different
From the first men through this way?
Like them, I left a settled life
I threw it all away
To seek a Northwest Passage
At the call of many men
To find there but the road back home again

It is without question that the journey to the Northwest Passage was fraught with bitter cold and moments of isolation. Aside from that connection to the themes of SNAP, Rogers’s re-telling of the story also includes a reflection on change, and more specifically, the failure that sometimes follows. 

Hymn of Acxiom

Leave your life open. you don't have to hide.
Someone is gathering every crumb you drop, these
Mindless decisions and moments you long forgot.

In these modern connected times, true privacy, and perhaps true isolation, is almost inconceivable. Vienna Teng’s lyrics center around the Acxiom Corporation: a database marketing company that has detailed entries for more than 190 million people and 126 million households in the U.S., and about 500 million active consumers worldwide.

Invictus 

I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul 

The very famous poem “Invictus” was written by William Ernest Henley in 1875. Henley had lost his left leg, at the age of 16 due to complications from Tuberculosis, and in early 1873 was told he would lose his other leg as well. Later that year, Henley met a surgeon who was able to save his leg. The verses to this poem were written in response to this life-altering moment, while he recovered in hospital. Throughout this piece, you will hear the determination juxtaposed against the feeling of spiraling out of control. As the piece comes to a peak in the phrase “I am the master of my fate”, a sense of calm overtakes the music, closing with great peace. 

I Won’t Forget

Abundant blessings we have had!
A journey I’m not worthy of.
Thank you. I will never forget.

The resulting restrictions from the recent pandemic prevented a lot of people from processing loneliness, loss and grief. We recognize that everyone’s experience with this is unique and personal, and invite you to process this piece in your own way. 

Winter Winds

Was it Love or fear of the cold that led us through the night? 
For every kiss your beauty trumped my doubt
And my head told my heart let love grow, but my heart told my head this time no. 

Winter Winds is a folk-rock tune by the band, Mumford & Sons. This piece talks of the isolation one feels when the head and the heart are not in agreement. As this piece tells the story of a person contemplating whether to follow their head or their heart, the music effectively creates a sparse, cold environment that guides our way through the struggles they are faced with. 

Pseudo-Yoik 

Inspired by Lapland folk music, the text of Pseudo-Yoik has no meaning, rather aims to be fun and party-like. Hear us explore different tone colours, and varying complex harmonies and rhythms as we explore the music of the Sami people.  Enjoy the warmth that can be felt from gathering together on a cold winter's day!

That Lonesome Road 

Carry on
Never run feeling sorry for yourself
It doesn’t save you from your troubled mind. 

The feeling of loneliness can overwhelm the strongest of people, but in this piece, you are encouraged to stop running from troubles that you face. 

The Conversion of Saul 

Caedite, vexate, ligate vinculis!   Saul! Murder, harass, bind into chains! Saul!

Vinculis, condemnate vexate! Chain, prosecute and harass!

Why do you persecute me, Saul?
Why, why, why?
Fall down on your knees, turn hatred into love.
Turn darkness into light.
Bow down, Saul! Bow down, Saul!
Saul, Saul, Saul.

Not everyone gets to experience the change of heart that Saul experiences on the road to Damascus, and even fewer experience a major change with the help of some higher power; however, change is almost always inevitable in life. Whether it’s changing careers, moving homes, or switching up which cereal you buy, the process of change always involves evaluating where you are and reflecting on where you want to be. 

With or Without You 

Through the storm, we reached the shore. 
You gave it all but I want more
And I’m waiting for you. 
With or without you. 

In this U2 song, singers explore how we long to thrive in an environment with other people, but realize it is not always possible. How much of ourselves do we pour into relationships that are not reciprocated, and how do we learn to move on even though we will lose lots in the process. 

Sogno di Volare 

Una volta che avrai Once you have taken flight,
Spiccato il volo, deciderai You'll decide,
Sguardo verso il ciel saprai: Gaze towards the sky, you'll know that
Lì a casa il cuore sentirai. That is where your heart will feel at home.

Change can both be necessary, and terrifying. Sometimes all we need is to take one step of courage. These lyrics, attributed to Leonardo Da Vinci, illustrate the adventure that often follows change in our lives. We hope that this final piece fills you with a sense of wonder and adventure. 

Much like those who ventured to find the Northwest Passage, sometimes when we go on an adventure we find ourselves right back home.
We invite you to come along with us back to where our hearts feel at home, in our next concert CRACKLE: An exploration of fire, warmth, light, love and community.

Ecco Singers 

Jorrel Camuyong, Artistic Director
Roberta Velarde, Artistic Director 
Kim Lapatha, Collaborative Pianist

String Quartet

Edvanny Silva Burns
Magdalena Milovanovic
Thomas Roberts
Emily Rutkevich