Participation Programs for Orchestra, Choir and Audiences

Sample Programs

Sing with the Symphony concerts are developed as individual programs uniquely suited to the artistic, educational and cultural needs of the orchestra and its community.

Holiday Celebration, Program I

J.S. Bach/Ormandy Chorale Prelude: From Heav’n Above
choir and audience participation

Stravinsky-Bach Vom Himmel hoch Chorale Variations
selected participation

R. Vaughan Williams Winter from Folksongs of the Four Seasons
full section or selections to feature choir

David Brunner Winter Changes (orchestrated)
short contemporary song with moving text by a child
for choir and orchestra

P. I. Tchaikovsky Suite from The Nutcracker or selected movements
choir, young dancers (optional)

Holiday Celebration, Program II

Otto Nicolai Christmas Overture (based on From Heav’n Above)
choir and audience participation

Benjamin Britten Scene 2 from St. Nicolas
choir, tenor solo, audience participation

Daniel Brewbaker little tree (e.e. cummings) (orchestrated)
short contemporary song about a child
choir and narration

Arthur Honegger Overture and Finale (from Une Cantate de Noel)
based on familiar carols (“Silent Night,” etc.)
choir and audience participation

N. Rimsky-Korsakov Christmas Night (Orchestral Suite)

Inside the World of Music, Program I

Otto Nicolai Overture, Op. 31 (“A Mighty Fortress”)
choir and audience participation

George Bizet Carmen “Chorus of Street Boys”
choir/orchestra

Aaron Copland Variations on a Shaker Melody (“Simple Gifts”)
choir and audience participation

P.I Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4 (4th mvmt: Little Birch Tree)
choir and audience participation

Virgil Thomson Theme and Variations on “Yankee Doodle”
choir and audience participation

Inside the World of Music, Program II

R. Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Greensleeves
choir and audience participation

Benjamin Britten Irish Reel
orchestra only

Frederic Smetana The Bartered Bride
Introduction and Chorus of Village Folk, choir

Antonin Dvorak Symphony No. 9 (2nd mvmt. “Goin’ home”)
choir and audience participation

Aaron Copland Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo (selected)
work songs, cowboy songs, orchestra only

Inside the World of Music, Program III

Stravinsky-Bach Greeting Prelude
“Happy Birthday,” orchestra only

Serge Prokofiev Symphony Suite for Children
“A Summer’s Day,” orchestra only

Roger Quilter “Non Nobis Domine”
choir and audience participation

Benjamin Britten Canadian Carnival, Op. 19 (“Alouette”)
choir and audience participation

Gabriel Faure Pavane
choir

Frederick Delius Appalachia (“Dixie” and “Yankee Doodle”)
choir and audience participation

Songs and Nations

Virgil Thomson Fanfare for France
orchestra only

Robert Kyr Violin Concerto (Variations on “What Wond’rous Love is This”)
Part I and IV, violin solo, choir and
audience participation

Jean Sibelius Finlandia
choir and audience participation

Ernest MacMillan Fantasy on Scottish Themes
orchestra only

Bill Cahn Songs from Gahu
African drumming, dancing, orchestra

Oscar Peterson Hymn to Freedom
w/rhythm section, choir and audience participation

Additional Song-Related Programs

Tribute to Pete Seeger (orchestrated)
Where have all the flowers gone
Lean on Me (We shall overcome)
Turn, Turn, Turn

Sing-a-Song and Symphony

Mahler, Symphony No. 1 (Third Movement)

Main theme of the Allegro taken from the Wayfarer Song “Ging heut’ Morgen ubers Feld.” The Funeral March opens with the well known song “Bruder Martin.” (“Frere Jacques”)

Students, Songs and Symphonies

Brahms, Academic Festival Overture

Based on four jolly student songs used as thematic material:

1) “Landesvater;” 2) “Was kommt dort von der Hoeh’;” 3) “Wir hatten gebauet;” and 4) “Gaudeamus igitur.”

How Song Saved a Nation

Sibelius, Finlandia

Based on Sibelius’ song “Finlandia.”

The music became so popular that it is known as the Finnish National Anthem.

Simple Gifts of Song

Copland, Appalachian Spring

Ballet for Martha Graham based on life in rural America and the singable Shaker song, “Simple Gifts.”

I Like to Sing

Strauss, Aus Italien

Based on Luigi Denza’s “Funiculi faunicula.”

Sing the Little Birch

Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 4 (Fourth Movement)

Based on the Russian folk song “The Birch Tree.”