About that Choir
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Currently in their 13th season, THAT CHOIR is one of Toronto’s most exciting a cappella ensembles, combining high-calibre performance with storytelling through choral music. Founded in 2008 by Artistic Director Craig Pike, That Choir now draws together twenty auditioned singers with diverse backgrounds in culture, work and study.
Recent appearances include the Toronto AIDS Candlelight Vigil, the City Carol Sing at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, sharing the stage with Sir Christopher Plummer and Louise Pitre as a featured performer at the Shakespeare Globe Centre of Canada’s 25th Anniversary Gala at Casa Loma, a featured performance in Barrie, Ontario with the Georgian Music Series, and feature choir with international touring concerts: Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience, Hans Zimmer Live on Tour 2017 (both at the Air Canada Centre), and The Legend of Zelda Symphony of the Goddesses at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts. Additionally, the choir had their first ever national tour in July 2018, travelling to Newfoundland to participate in Podium, Canada's national choral festival and conference. In May of 2019, they were also featured as guest artists in Ottawa at MusicFest Canada. It is That Choir's goal to share our passion for choral music with the arts community and to inspire audiences both young and young at heart. We endeavour to reach not only the established choral community in Toronto, but to encourage new audiences to experience the art of a cappella choral singing. We look forward to sharing our music with you! |
Meet Craig Pike
Now, in his 13th season as founding Artistic Director and conductor of That Choir, CRAIG PIKE has led the a cappella chamber choir to take second place in the ACCC National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs, numerous first place awards with the Kiwanis Festival, a successful tour and school workshop in Barrie, the recording of their self-titled debut album, a national tour to Newfoundland to attend Podium, and a featured guest appearance at MusicFest Canada.
Craig began his relationship with choral music while singing with the choirs of Holy Heart of Mary High School in St. John’s, Newfoundland under the direction of his mentor Susan Quinn. He would go on to sing with the Memorial University of Newfoundland Chamber Choir and the internationally-acclaimed Quintessential Vocal Ensemble.
In 1996, Craig joined the folk choir at St. Theresa’s Church in St. John’s and by age fifteen had become assistant conductor. In 2002, after studying choral conducting with Dr. Doug Dunsmore at Memorial University, he moved to Halifax where he assumed the position of music director at Canadian Martyrs Church.
Craig’s curiosity in the arts, and specifically acting eventually brought him to his studies at George Brown Theatre School in Toronto. Since graduating in 2007, he has been music director/composer for both the Classical Theatre Project and Gairbraid Theatre Company. His work as an actor has brought him to the Shaw Festival of Canada, Neptune Theatre in Halifax, and Tarragon Theatre in Toronto. His love of text, passion for choral singing, and relationships cultivated through the theatre is what inspired the formation of That Choir.
Craig began his relationship with choral music while singing with the choirs of Holy Heart of Mary High School in St. John’s, Newfoundland under the direction of his mentor Susan Quinn. He would go on to sing with the Memorial University of Newfoundland Chamber Choir and the internationally-acclaimed Quintessential Vocal Ensemble.
In 1996, Craig joined the folk choir at St. Theresa’s Church in St. John’s and by age fifteen had become assistant conductor. In 2002, after studying choral conducting with Dr. Doug Dunsmore at Memorial University, he moved to Halifax where he assumed the position of music director at Canadian Martyrs Church.
Craig’s curiosity in the arts, and specifically acting eventually brought him to his studies at George Brown Theatre School in Toronto. Since graduating in 2007, he has been music director/composer for both the Classical Theatre Project and Gairbraid Theatre Company. His work as an actor has brought him to the Shaw Festival of Canada, Neptune Theatre in Halifax, and Tarragon Theatre in Toronto. His love of text, passion for choral singing, and relationships cultivated through the theatre is what inspired the formation of That Choir.
MEET THE SINGERS
SOPRANO
Corinne Chapman
Alexandra Mealia
Erin Smythe
Lynne Smythe
Katie Thurman
Corinne Chapman
Alexandra Mealia
Erin Smythe
Lynne Smythe
Katie Thurman
ALTO
Susan Bennett
Melissa Peters
Melissa Renshaw
Tracey Soman
Margaret Thompson
Suzanne Thorpe
Susan Bennett
Melissa Peters
Melissa Renshaw
Tracey Soman
Margaret Thompson
Suzanne Thorpe
TENOR
Joe Donahue
Colin Frotten
Jonah Lazar
Don Pyper
Joe Donahue
Colin Frotten
Jonah Lazar
Don Pyper
BASS
Geoffrey Arseneau
Mark Lee
Dale Miller
Ryan Moilliet
Ben Wright
Geoffrey Arseneau
Mark Lee
Dale Miller
Ryan Moilliet
Ben Wright
December 18 & 19, 2021- Concert Program
- click each title to read song text -
- click each title to read song text -
Carol of the Bells - TRADITIONAL
( Ukranian Christmas carol )
Hark! how the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say
"Throw cares away."
Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer
To young and old
Meek and the bold
Ding, dong-y dong
That is their song
With joyful ring
All caroling
One seems to hear
Words of good cheer
From ev'rywhere
Filling the air
O, how they pound
Raising the sound
O'er hill and dale
Telling their tale
Gaily they ring
While people sing
Songs of good cheer
Christmas is here
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
On, on they send
On without end
Their joyful tone
To ev'ry home
Hark! how the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say
"Throw cares away."
Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer
To young and old
Meek and the bold
Ding, dong-y dong
That is their song
With joyful ring
All caroling
One seems to hear
Words of good cheer
From ev'rywhere
Filling the air
O, how they pound
Raising the sound
O'er hill and dale
Telling their tale
Gaily they ring
While people sing
Songs of good cheer
Christmas is here
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
On, on they send
On without end
Their joyful tone
To ev'ry home
STARS - ERIKS EŠENVALDS
( text: Sara Teasdale )
Alone in the night
On a dark hill
With pines around me
Spicy and still,
And a heaven full of stars
Over my head
White and topaz
And misty red;
Myriads with beating
Hearts of fire
The aeons
Cannot vex or tire;
Up the dome of heaven
Like a great hill
I watch them marching
Stately and still.
And I know that I
Am honored to be
Witness
Of so much majesty.
Alone in the night
On a dark hill
With pines around me
Spicy and still,
And a heaven full of stars
Over my head
White and topaz
And misty red;
Myriads with beating
Hearts of fire
The aeons
Cannot vex or tire;
Up the dome of heaven
Like a great hill
I watch them marching
Stately and still.
And I know that I
Am honored to be
Witness
Of so much majesty.
THE THREE KINGS - JONATHAN DOVE
( text: Dorothy L. Sayers )
The first king was very young,
O balow, balow la lay,
With doleful ballads on his tongue,
O balow, balow la lay,
He came bearing a branch of myrrh
Than which no gall is bitterer,
O balow, balow la lay,
Gifts for a baby King, O.
The second king was a man in prime,
O balow, balow la lay,
The solemn priest of a solemn time,
O balow, balow la lay,
With eyes downcast and reverent feet
He brought his incense sad and sweet,
O balow, balow la lay,
Gifts for a baby King, O.
The third king was very old,
O balow, balow la lay,
Both his hands were full of gold,
O balow, balow la lay,
Many a gaud and glittering toy,
Baubles brave for a baby boy,
O balow, balow la lay,
Gifts for a baby King, O.
The first king was very young,
O balow, balow la lay,
With doleful ballads on his tongue,
O balow, balow la lay,
He came bearing a branch of myrrh
Than which no gall is bitterer,
O balow, balow la lay,
Gifts for a baby King, O.
The second king was a man in prime,
O balow, balow la lay,
The solemn priest of a solemn time,
O balow, balow la lay,
With eyes downcast and reverent feet
He brought his incense sad and sweet,
O balow, balow la lay,
Gifts for a baby King, O.
The third king was very old,
O balow, balow la lay,
Both his hands were full of gold,
O balow, balow la lay,
Many a gaud and glittering toy,
Baubles brave for a baby boy,
O balow, balow la lay,
Gifts for a baby King, O.
DING DONG, MERRILY ON HIGH - TRADITIONAL
Ding dong, merrily on high
In heav'n the bells are ringing
Ding, dong! verily the sky
Is riv'n with angel singing
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis
E'en so here below, below
Let steeple bells be swungen
And i-o, i-o, i-o
By priest and people be sungen
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis
Pray you dutifully prime
Your matin chime, ye ringers
May ye beautifully rime
Your evetime song, ye singers
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis.
In heav'n the bells are ringing
Ding, dong! verily the sky
Is riv'n with angel singing
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis
E'en so here below, below
Let steeple bells be swungen
And i-o, i-o, i-o
By priest and people be sungen
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis
Pray you dutifully prime
Your matin chime, ye ringers
May ye beautifully rime
Your evetime song, ye singers
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis.
SLEEP - ERIC WHITACRE
( text: Charles Anthony Silvestri )
The evening hangs beneath the moon
A silver thread on darkened dune
With closing eyes and resting head
I know that sleep is coming soon
Upon my pillow, safe in bed,
A thousand pictures fill my head.
I cannot sleep, my mind's aflight,
And yet my limbs seem made of lead.
If there are noises in the night,
A frightening shadow, flickering light...
Then I surrender unto sleep,
Where clouds of dream give second sight.
What dreams may come, both dark and deep
Of flying wings and soaring leap
As I surrender unto sleep
As I surrender unto sleep.
The evening hangs beneath the moon
A silver thread on darkened dune
With closing eyes and resting head
I know that sleep is coming soon
Upon my pillow, safe in bed,
A thousand pictures fill my head.
I cannot sleep, my mind's aflight,
And yet my limbs seem made of lead.
If there are noises in the night,
A frightening shadow, flickering light...
Then I surrender unto sleep,
Where clouds of dream give second sight.
What dreams may come, both dark and deep
Of flying wings and soaring leap
As I surrender unto sleep
As I surrender unto sleep.
I SAW THREE SHIPS - ARR. IAN HUMPHRIS
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas day in the morning.
And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day?
And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas day in the morning?
Our Saviour Christ and his lady,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
Our Saviour Christ and his lady,
On Christmas day in the morning.
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas day in the morning.
And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day?
And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas day in the morning?
Our Saviour Christ and his lady,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
Our Saviour Christ and his lady,
On Christmas day in the morning.
THERE IS NO ROSE - STEPHEN CARACCIOLO
There is no rose of such virtue
As is the rose that bare Jesu.
Alleluia.
For in this rose contained was
Heaven and earth in little space,
Res miranda.
By that rose we may well see
There be one God in persons three,
Pares forma.
Leave we all this worldly mirth,
And follow we this joyful birth.
Transeamus.
There is no rose of such virtue
As is the rose that bare Jesu.
Gaudeamus.
As is the rose that bare Jesu.
Alleluia.
For in this rose contained was
Heaven and earth in little space,
Res miranda.
By that rose we may well see
There be one God in persons three,
Pares forma.
Leave we all this worldly mirth,
And follow we this joyful birth.
Transeamus.
There is no rose of such virtue
As is the rose that bare Jesu.
Gaudeamus.
DECK THE HALLS - ARR. NICHOLAS T. VANGELOFF
Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la la la la!
'Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la la la la!
Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la la la la la la!
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, Fa la la la la la la la!
See the blazing yule before us, Fa la la la la la la la!
Strike the harp and join the chorus, Fa la la la la la la la!
Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la la la la la la!
While I tell of Yuletide treasure, Fa la la la la la la la!
Fast away the old year passes, Fa la la la la la la la!
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, Fa la la la la la la la!
Sing we joyous all together! Fa la la la la la la la!
Heedless of the wind and weather, Fa la la la la la la la!
'Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la la la la!
Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la la la la la la!
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, Fa la la la la la la la!
See the blazing yule before us, Fa la la la la la la la!
Strike the harp and join the chorus, Fa la la la la la la la!
Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la la la la la la!
While I tell of Yuletide treasure, Fa la la la la la la la!
Fast away the old year passes, Fa la la la la la la la!
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, Fa la la la la la la la!
Sing we joyous all together! Fa la la la la la la la!
Heedless of the wind and weather, Fa la la la la la la la!
LULLY, LULLA, LULLAY - PHILIP WJ STOPFORD
Lully, lullay, Thou little tiny Child,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
Lullay, thou little tiny Child,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
O sisters too, how may we do,
For to preserve this day
This poor youngling for whom we do sing
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
Herod, the king, in his raging,
Charged he hath this day
His men of might, in his owne sight,
All young children to slay.
That woe is me, poor Child for Thee!
And ever mourn and sigh,
For thy parting neither say nor sing,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
Lullay, thou little tiny Child,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
O sisters too, how may we do,
For to preserve this day
This poor youngling for whom we do sing
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
Herod, the king, in his raging,
Charged he hath this day
His men of might, in his owne sight,
All young children to slay.
That woe is me, poor Child for Thee!
And ever mourn and sigh,
For thy parting neither say nor sing,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
WHAT IS THIS LOVELY FRAGRANCE? - ARR. HEALEY WILLAN
What is this lovely fragrance wafting
Like to the scents of flow’rs in spring?
Shepherds, O tell us, whence such beauty
Hear you not heav’nly caroling?
What is this lovely fragrance wafting
Like to the scents of flow’rs in spring?
What is this light so fair, so tender
Breaking upon our wond’ring eyes?
Never the Morning Star so radiant
Followed his course o’er eastern skies.
What is this light so fair, so tender
Breaking upon our wond’ring eyes
Shepherds, O haste with eager footsteps
Seek the Saviour, born today.
Low at His feet we lay our treasure,
Heart’s adoration, love for aye. Shepherds,
O haste with eager footsteps
Seek the Saviour, born today.
Like to the scents of flow’rs in spring?
Shepherds, O tell us, whence such beauty
Hear you not heav’nly caroling?
What is this lovely fragrance wafting
Like to the scents of flow’rs in spring?
What is this light so fair, so tender
Breaking upon our wond’ring eyes?
Never the Morning Star so radiant
Followed his course o’er eastern skies.
What is this light so fair, so tender
Breaking upon our wond’ring eyes
Shepherds, O haste with eager footsteps
Seek the Saviour, born today.
Low at His feet we lay our treasure,
Heart’s adoration, love for aye. Shepherds,
O haste with eager footsteps
Seek the Saviour, born today.
A WINTER SUITE FOR CHOIR - DEVIN CROSBY/TOM FETTKE
I. THE WINTER QUEEN
A dancing figure, a gifted lass,
Creates a ballet of silver and glass.
Sparkling icicles like diamond jewels,
cast clear reflections in crystal pools.
Iv'ry trees, frozen lace,
silver seas, classic grace,
crisp afternoons, sapphire nights,
Indigo moons, alabaster whites.
Tranquil lakes with marble sheen,
Brightly enchanting the winter queen;
The winter queen.
II. THE WINTER WITCH
From barren peak and icy crag
storms in a cruel and ruthless hag.
Her bitter face is harsh, yet fair;
turns lakes to ice and forests bare;
And with her bleak and gnarled hand
drives hail and sleet throughout the land.
Her piercing breath is palid grey,
and fiercely blows all life away.
A dancing figure, a gifted lass,
Creates a ballet of silver and glass.
Sparkling icicles like diamond jewels,
cast clear reflections in crystal pools.
Iv'ry trees, frozen lace,
silver seas, classic grace,
crisp afternoons, sapphire nights,
Indigo moons, alabaster whites.
Tranquil lakes with marble sheen,
Brightly enchanting the winter queen;
The winter queen.
II. THE WINTER WITCH
From barren peak and icy crag
storms in a cruel and ruthless hag.
Her bitter face is harsh, yet fair;
turns lakes to ice and forests bare;
And with her bleak and gnarled hand
drives hail and sleet throughout the land.
Her piercing breath is palid grey,
and fiercely blows all life away.
THE HOLLY AND THE IVY - ARR. OLA GJEILO
The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
The rising of the sun
And the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the choir.
The holly bears a blossom,
As white as the lily flower,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
To be our sweet Saviour.
The rising of the sun...
The holly bears a berry,
As red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to do us sinners good.
The rising of the sun...
The holly bears a prickle,
As sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn.
The rising of the sun...
The holly bears a bark,
As bitter as any gall,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.
The rising of the sun...
The holly and the ivy,
Now both are full well grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
When they are both full grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
The rising of the sun
And the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the choir.
The holly bears a blossom,
As white as the lily flower,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
To be our sweet Saviour.
The rising of the sun...
The holly bears a berry,
As red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to do us sinners good.
The rising of the sun...
The holly bears a prickle,
As sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn.
The rising of the sun...
The holly bears a bark,
As bitter as any gall,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.
The rising of the sun...
The holly and the ivy,
Now both are full well grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
CHRISTMAS BELLS (JOY TO THE WORLD) - GORDON YOUNG/LOWELL MASON
( text: Gordon Young and Isaac Watts)
Hark! how the bells on Christmas day
all the golden carols play.
Hear how they ring so loud and clear
on this Christmas morning.
Long ago and far away
humble shepherds came to pray,
came to see the Holy birth so early in the morning.
Come to the manger, see the babe,
in the lowly manger laid.
Come to the stable of the King
on this Christmas morning.
Witness now the Royal birth,
come to save us all on earth,
come to save us one and all upon this Christmas morning,
on this Christmas morning.
Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room;
And heav'n and nature sing.
Hark! how the bells on Christmas day
all the golden carols play.
Hear how they ring so loud and clear
on this Christmas morning.
Long ago and far away
humble shepherds came to pray,
came to see the Holy birth so early in the morning.
Come to the manger, see the babe,
in the lowly manger laid.
Come to the stable of the King
on this Christmas morning.
Witness now the Royal birth,
come to save us all on earth,
come to save us one and all upon this Christmas morning,
on this Christmas morning.
Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room;
And heav'n and nature sing.
We hope to see you at That Choir SINGS ERIC WHITACRE on May 14 & 15, 2022!