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
Melissa Renshaw
Erin Smythe
Lynne Smythe
Katie Thurman
Corinne Chapman
Alexandra Mealia
Melissa Renshaw
Erin Smythe
Lynne Smythe
Katie Thurman
ALTO
Melissa Peters
Tracey Soman
Veronika Sztopa
Margaret Thompson
Suzanne Thorpe
Melissa Peters
Tracey Soman
Veronika Sztopa
Margaret Thompson
Suzanne Thorpe
TENOR
Joe Donahue
Colin Frotten
Jonah Lazar
Don Pyper
Joe Donahue
Colin Frotten
Jonah Lazar
Don Pyper
BASS
Geoffrey Arseneau
Vincent Kong
Dale Miller
Ryan Moilliet
Ben Wright
Geoffrey Arseneau
Vincent Kong
Dale Miller
Ryan Moilliet
Ben Wright
NOVEMBER 12 & 13, 2021- Concert Program
- click each title to read song text -
- click each title to read song text -
SONG FOR ATHENE - JOHN TAVENER
( text: Mother Thekla )
Alleluia, Alleluia
May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest
Alleluia, Alleluia
Remember me O Lord, when you come into your kingdom
Alleluia, Alleluia
Give rest O Lord to your handmaid, who has fallen asleep
Alleluia, Alleluia
The Choir of Saints have found the well-spring of life and door of paradise
Alleluia, Alleluia
Life a shadow and a dream
Alleluia, Alleluia
Weeping at the grave creates the song Alleluia
Come, enjoy rewards and crowns I have prepared for you
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Alleluia
May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest
Alleluia, Alleluia
Remember me O Lord, when you come into your kingdom
Alleluia, Alleluia
Give rest O Lord to your handmaid, who has fallen asleep
Alleluia, Alleluia
The Choir of Saints have found the well-spring of life and door of paradise
Alleluia, Alleluia
Life a shadow and a dream
Alleluia, Alleluia
Weeping at the grave creates the song Alleluia
Come, enjoy rewards and crowns I have prepared for you
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
UBI CARITAS - PAUL MEALOR
LATIN TEXT
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor.
Exsultemus, et in ipso jucundemur.
Timeamus, et amemus Deum vivum.
Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero.
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Simul ergo cum in unum congregamur:
Ne nos mente dividamur, caveamus.
Cessent iurgia maligna, cessent lites.
Et in medio nostri sit Christus Deus.
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Simul quoque cum beatis videamus,
Glorianter vultum tuum, Christe Deus:
Gaudium quod est immensum, atque probum,
Saecula per infinita saeculorum. Amen.
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor.
Exsultemus, et in ipso jucundemur.
Timeamus, et amemus Deum vivum.
Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero.
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Simul ergo cum in unum congregamur:
Ne nos mente dividamur, caveamus.
Cessent iurgia maligna, cessent lites.
Et in medio nostri sit Christus Deus.
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Simul quoque cum beatis videamus,
Glorianter vultum tuum, Christe Deus:
Gaudium quod est immensum, atque probum,
Saecula per infinita saeculorum. Amen.
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Where charity and love are, there God is.
The love of Christ has gathered us into one.
Let us exult, and in Him be joyful.
Let us fear and let us love the living God.
And from a sincere heart let us love each other (and Him).
Where charity and love are, there God is.
Therefore, whensoever we are gathered as one:
Lest we in mind be divided, let us beware.
Let cease malicious quarrels, let strife give way.
And in the midst of us be Christ our God.
Where charity and love are, there God is.
Together also with the blessed may we see,
Gloriously, Thy countenance, O Christ our God:
A joy which is immense, and also approved:
Through infinite ages of ages. Amen.
Where charity and love are, there God is.
The love of Christ has gathered us into one.
Let us exult, and in Him be joyful.
Let us fear and let us love the living God.
And from a sincere heart let us love each other (and Him).
Where charity and love are, there God is.
Therefore, whensoever we are gathered as one:
Lest we in mind be divided, let us beware.
Let cease malicious quarrels, let strife give way.
And in the midst of us be Christ our God.
Where charity and love are, there God is.
Together also with the blessed may we see,
Gloriously, Thy countenance, O Christ our God:
A joy which is immense, and also approved:
Through infinite ages of ages. Amen.
AVE MARIA - MORTEN LAURIDSEN
LATIN TEXT
Ave Maria
Ave Maria gratia plena
Ave Maria dominus tecum
Benedicta tu in mulieribus
Et benedictus fructus ventris tui Jesus
Ave Maria gratia plena
Et benedictus fructus ventris tui Jesus
Sancta Maria Mater Dei
Ora pro nobis peccatoribus
Nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.
Ave Maria
Ave Maria gratia plena
Ave Maria dominus tecum
Benedicta tu in mulieribus
Et benedictus fructus ventris tui Jesus
Ave Maria gratia plena
Et benedictus fructus ventris tui Jesus
Sancta Maria Mater Dei
Ora pro nobis peccatoribus
Nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
O GLADSOME LIGHT - RACHMANINOFF
( text: Russian Orthodox All-Night Vigil Vespers )
RUSSIAN TRANSLITERATION
Svete tikhyi svyatyya slavy, Bezsmertnago, Otsa Nebesnago,
Svyatago Blazhennago, Iisuse Khriste.
Prishedshe na zapad solntsa, videvshe svet vechernii,
poyem Otsa, Syna i Svyatago Dukha, Boga.
Dostoin esi vo vsya vremena pet byti glasi prepodobnymi,
Syne Bozhii, zhivot dayai, temzhe mir Tya slavit.
RUSSIAN TRANSLITERATION
Svete tikhyi svyatyya slavy, Bezsmertnago, Otsa Nebesnago,
Svyatago Blazhennago, Iisuse Khriste.
Prishedshe na zapad solntsa, videvshe svet vechernii,
poyem Otsa, Syna i Svyatago Dukha, Boga.
Dostoin esi vo vsya vremena pet byti glasi prepodobnymi,
Syne Bozhii, zhivot dayai, temzhe mir Tya slavit.
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
O Gladsome Light of the holy glory / of the Immortal Father, / heavenly, holy, blessed, O Jesus Christ.
Having Come to sunset / and beholding the evening light, we hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God.
Meet it is at all times that thou be hymned / with fitting voices, O Son of God, thou Giver of Life; wherefore the world doth glorify thee.
O Gladsome Light of the holy glory / of the Immortal Father, / heavenly, holy, blessed, O Jesus Christ.
Having Come to sunset / and beholding the evening light, we hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God.
Meet it is at all times that thou be hymned / with fitting voices, O Son of God, thou Giver of Life; wherefore the world doth glorify thee.
BE MERCIFUL UNTO ME, O GOD - MARK MURPHY
( text: Psalm 56 )
Be merciful unto me, O God, for my soul trusteth in Thee.
Under the shadow of Thy wings shall be my refuge, My soul is ready O God.
Be merciful unto me, O God, for my soul trusteth in Thee.
Be merciful unto me, O God, for my soul trusteth in Thee.
Under the shadow of Thy wings shall be my refuge, My soul is ready O God.
Be merciful unto me, O God, for my soul trusteth in Thee.
LET MY LOVE BE HEARD - JAKE RUNESTAD
( text: 'A Prayer' by Alfred Noyes )
Angels, where you soar
Up to God’s own light
Take my own lost bird
On your hearts tonight;
And as grief once more
Mounts to heaven and sings
Let my love be heard
Whispering in your wings
Angels, where you soar
Up to God’s own light
Take my own lost bird
On your hearts tonight;
And as grief once more
Mounts to heaven and sings
Let my love be heard
Whispering in your wings
WERE YOU THERE - ARR. MIA MAKAROFF
( text: Psalms 13, 119:20 and 96:9 )
How long, oh Lord, wilt Thou forget me forever?
How long will Thou hide Thy face from me?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
How long must l bear pain in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
[Sometimes it causes me to tremble] — my flesh trembles for fear of Thee, and I am afraid of Thy judgements, o Lord.
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
[How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, oh Lord my God.]
Lighten my eyes lest l sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say:
“I have prevailed over him", lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken
[Sometimes it causes me to tremble] — my flesh trembles for fear of Thee, and I am afraid of Thy judgements.
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Were you there when they laid Him in the Tomb?
[But l have trusted in Thy steadfast love. My heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation.]
l will sing to the Lord because He has dealt so bountifully with me.
[Sometimes it causes me to tremble] — worship and tremble before Him all the earth.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
How long, oh Lord, wilt Thou forget me forever?
How long will Thou hide Thy face from me?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
How long must l bear pain in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
[Sometimes it causes me to tremble] — my flesh trembles for fear of Thee, and I am afraid of Thy judgements, o Lord.
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
[How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, oh Lord my God.]
Lighten my eyes lest l sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say:
“I have prevailed over him", lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken
[Sometimes it causes me to tremble] — my flesh trembles for fear of Thee, and I am afraid of Thy judgements.
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Were you there when they laid Him in the Tomb?
[But l have trusted in Thy steadfast love. My heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation.]
l will sing to the Lord because He has dealt so bountifully with me.
[Sometimes it causes me to tremble] — worship and tremble before Him all the earth.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
I CARRY YOUR HEART - ERIC WHITACRE
( text: e.e. cummings )
i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)
i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)
AND SO IT GOES - ARR. BOB CHILCOTT
( text: Billy Joel )
In every heart there is a room
A sanctuary safe and strong
To heal the wounds from lovers past
Until a new one comes along
I spoke to you in cautious tones
You answered me with no pretense
And still I feel I said too much
My silence is my self defense
And every time I've held a rose
It seems I only felt the thorns
And so it goes, and so it goes
And so will you soon I suppose
But if my silence made you leave
Then that would be my worst mistake
So I will share this room with you
And you can have this heart to break
And this is why my eyes are closed
It's just as well for all I've seen
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows
So I would choose to be with you
That's if the choice were mine to make
But you can make decisions too
And you can have this heart to break
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows
In every heart there is a room
A sanctuary safe and strong
To heal the wounds from lovers past
Until a new one comes along
I spoke to you in cautious tones
You answered me with no pretense
And still I feel I said too much
My silence is my self defense
And every time I've held a rose
It seems I only felt the thorns
And so it goes, and so it goes
And so will you soon I suppose
But if my silence made you leave
Then that would be my worst mistake
So I will share this room with you
And you can have this heart to break
And this is why my eyes are closed
It's just as well for all I've seen
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows
So I would choose to be with you
That's if the choice were mine to make
But you can make decisions too
And you can have this heart to break
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows
DANNY BOY - ARR. JOSHUA PACEY
( Text: traditional )
Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side.
The summer's gone, and all the roses falling,
It's you, it's you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow,
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow,
It's I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow,
Oh, Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so!
But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying,
If I am dead, as dead I well may be,
You'll come and find the place where I am lying,
And kneel and say an Ave there for me.
And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me,
And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be,
For you will bend and tell me that you love me,
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me!
Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side.
The summer's gone, and all the roses falling,
It's you, it's you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow,
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow,
It's I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow,
Oh, Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so!
But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying,
If I am dead, as dead I well may be,
You'll come and find the place where I am lying,
And kneel and say an Ave there for me.
And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me,
And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be,
For you will bend and tell me that you love me,
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me!
We hope to see you at That Choir CAROLS on December 18 & 19, 2021!