Concert Programs

KSCI 2025 Program Download

Conductor Notes

KSCI Repertoire and Note -Chris Maunu Download

The Choristers program today features songs about resilience and self-discovery. The first song, Dies Irae – “Day of Wrath” – is about the end of times, which is often how a day in the life of a teenager can feel. The translation reads: “The day of wrath will break up the world into ash as testified by David and Sybil. How much trembling there will be when the judge comes and strictly examines all things.”The round Be Like the Bird reminds the singers that in times of difficulty they “hath wings.” Every human just wants to be accepted for who they are and Letter from a Girl to the World gives the singers an opportunity to share their own unique voice: their opinions, hopes, and dreams, becoming more comfortable in their own skin. Susan Labarr’s setting of Where the Light Begins compels the singers to see that the power to accept others – and themselves – as well as the kindness the world desperately needs is already within each of them. The singers move directly into Spark of Light, sharing their curiosity and wonder at the world they live in, soaring “on wings swifter than wind.” Their set concludes with JAM! by Tracy Wong, which is essentially saying “Come, let’s go make some music together and sing while passing time! Leave your worries for awhile.”

-Dr. Nicole Mattfeld

The Choral Scholars and Kantorei KC program is divided into two portions. The theme is “Mercy and Redemption.” Our first half set represents the “before.” The state of unrest. Psalm 61, Psalm 51 (the Miserere), and the Conversion of Saul form a powerful arc. Psalm 61 expresses the soul’s desperate cry for refuge—a plea from the edge of despair. Psalm 51 follows as the raw confession of a heart fully aware of its guilt, begging for cleansing and renewal. But first, in the story of Saul’s conversion, we see mercy fully realized. The human capacity to reimagine ourselves.

Then, toward the end of the program, we return to present “the after.” In “For You, I Will Be an Island” we are showing our growth. The strength and purpose that comes from protecting those we love. Finally, “I’ll Fly Away” completes our arc as we are fully self actualized.

-Chris Munce

Translation of the Miserere is below:

Psalm 51 – Miserere (Douay-Rheims Translation)

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy.
And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity.

2 Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me.

4 To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before thee:
that thou mayest be justified in thy words, and mayest overcome when thou art judged.

5 For behold I was conceived in iniquities; and in sins did my mother conceive me.

6 For behold thou hast loved truth:
the uncertain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made manifest to me.

7 Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed:
thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.

8 To my hearing thou shalt give joy and gladness:
and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice.

9 Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

10 Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels.

11 Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.

13 I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted to thee.

14 Deliver me from blood, O God, thou God of my salvation:
and my tongue shall extol thy justice.

15 O Lord, thou wilt open my lips: and my mouth shall declare thy praise.

16 For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it:
with burnt offerings thou wilt not be delighted.

17 A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit:
a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

18 Deal favourably, O Lord, in thy good will with Sion;
that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.

19 Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings:
then shall they lay calves upon thy altar.