John Burge

Commissioner: Amabile Youth Singers, John Barron and Brenda Zadorsky, Music Directors

Premiere: Amabile Youth Singers, John Barron, conductor, London, Ontario, December 6, 2005

Duration: As a processional approximately 4' 30" and as a recessional approximately 3' 00"

Program Note: John Burge's Noel, for equal voice choir and tubular bells, was composed for the Amabile Youth Singers in 2005.  The Amabile organization is based in London, Ontari, and at the time was directed by John Barron and Brenda Zadorsky.  Their choirs have repeatedly won national and International awards and have performed around the world.  In previous years the Amabile Youth Singers have provided John Burge with wonderful performances of his music and this piece is written in appreciation of their dedication and expertise.

Noel is designed to be performed as a processional and recessional for the Advent season perhaps being sung at the beginning and end of a Christmas concert or service.  As a listener, there is something quite magical about hearing a choir first singing softly in the distance, and then, as the singers gradually approach, having the music become louder and more audible.  It is the same effect that Benjamin Britten created so effectively in the out sections of his Ceremony of Carols.  To further capture the feeling of spaciousness that a sung processional can create, choirs are encouraged to do a circuit of the performance space before moving into their places.  A repeated passage has be indicated in the score to accommodate a procession in a particularly large performing venue or for the entrance of a large choir.  The music's character of cellebration is further heightened by the use of tubular bells but an effective performance is still possible with a piano or organ accompaniment.

Interesting Observation: John Burge originally conceived of this piece as being accompanied by either tubular bells, piano OR organ but the recorded performance here uses organ AND tubular bells to great effect.  The Tubular Bell part is included on the back pages of the choral score and could be divided easily between two sets of Tubular Bells is available.  In short, the bell-like accompaniment could be played by a number of different instruments.  In some ways though, this piece needs to be experienced LIVE as no recording will capture the changing aural perspective of an approaching and departing choir.

To purchase the score: please see Boosey and Hawkes