Cypress Lake Vocal Department

The performance is from the 2011 Florida Vocal Association District Music Performance Assessment.

This is a performance from the 2011 Florida Vocal Association District Music Performance Assessment.

This performance is from the Florida Vocal Association District Music Performance Assessment.

This is the premier performance of this piece by Z. Randall Stroope at the 2008 FVA District MPA. The piece was commissioned by the Cypress Lake Center for the Arts Vocal Department in the winter of 2007 to honor the memory of the three fathers that passed away during a 6 week span in the fall of 2007.

Dr. Stroope graciously accepted our commission and then made the piece even more special by using text from his own father who had lost both of his parents when he was a small child.

During the fall of 2007, three members of the Cypress Lake Center for the Arts Vocal Department lost their fathers. All three men were full of spirit and humor and lived life to the fullest. Robert Watt, the father of senior Cheyanne Watt, lost his three month battle with brain cancer on August 29th. Rob Watt was a fun-loving man who was a friend to everyone that ever met him. On October 4th, John Kelley, father of junior Breanna Kelley, was vacationing with family in Hawaii and passed away after receiving an incorrect prescription from his doctor. John Kelley was an adventurous soul who visited all 50 states and never missed an opportunity to share his latest joke. Kenneth Dozier, the father of sophomore Kendra Dozier, suffered a stroke at work on November 12th. Kenneth Dozier had a child-like love for life and always played like one of the kids.

This has been a powerfully emotional time for these students and their families. In order to help process our deep sense of loss, we commissioned this piece inspired by our desire to celebrate and honor the lives of these fathers. We hope you will help us transcend our sorrow while we observe the spirit of humanity in this music.

The text of the piece:
Inside the doorway, fleeting mem'ries burn,
And fragile silence speaks at ev'ry turn
Remember me as I remember you
The muted laughter that our eyes once knew,
Out of his strength I now have life,
Out of his tears I now have joy,
And out of his soul I now see God,
Heart sing softly, softly to me

May nothing harm dissuade the journey's end,
To silent fields where frost has never been
There midnight and noon flow in a sea of light
Drenched by the spray of wisdom and delight.
Out of his strength I now have life,
Out of his tears I now have joy,
And out of his soul I now see God,
Heart sing softly, softly to me.

Heaven fills my lamp with oil
And lights a window of my sould.
Cling to my fire in silence or storm.
And let my heart once more
If only for awhile
Walk the same bright earth with him,
Ev'ning beguile
Out of this strenth I now have life,
Out of his tears I now have joy.
Out of his soul I now see God
Heart, sing softly
Heart, sing softly
Softly to me.

The accompanist for this piece was senior Danielle Barnes.

This is the 2008 FVA District MPA performance by the Cypress Chorale. This is a delightful piece based upon a poem by James Leigh Hunt. The poet reflects on a fleeting moment in a manner at once lighthearted and poignant. The "Jenny" of the poem was Jane Welsh Carlyle, wife of fellow writer Thomas Carlyle, who upon hearing from Hunt about his recovery from a long illness, uncharacteristically leaped up and kissed him. The poem's narrator avoids bitterness by reflecting on something bright and memorable that happened to him, which in its way overshadows the more mundane miseries attendant on much of his life. Witty and defiant, the poet asserts that whatever else might have occurred, he mattered when Jenny kissed him.

The accompanist on this piece is senior, Danielle Barnes.

This performance by Intermezzo was at the 2008 FVA District MPA.

This is a combination of two folk songs: The Water is Wide and I Gave My Love.

The accompanist for this performance was senior Danielle Barnes.

This performance is from the 2008 FVA District MPA.

This hopeful piece talks of a time in which there will no longer be fences.

The Text:

The day the universe was born,
Mountains rose and starts were torn
From the wo-ven cloth of time,
And there were no fences.

Boundaries were not in the plan
For sky and ocean, earth and man,
Freedom's only ours to share
When there are no fences.

In photographs from far in space,
Earth and oceans have their place,
A graceful blanket, blue and green,
And there are no fences.

But man forgot somewhere in time,
The earth's not yours, or theirs, or mine,
And for children yet to be,
There must be no fences.

Borders, Boundries, Walls and Wire,
Burn a soul,
Burn a soul,
Burn a soul
With freedoms fire hope is born
When we decide there shall be no fences.

Today's the day we can decide
To mend the fabric we divide,
A seamless cloth of you and me,
Without any fences!

Borders, Boundries, Walls and Wire
Burn a soul with freedom's fire,
Hope is born when we decide
There shall be no fences!

Originally recorded by Jewel, this arrangment features Katie Campbell on the solo and Blake Shelton on Vocal Percussion.

This recording has been selected to appear on the 2008 Best of High School A Cappella Compilation CD.

This song was part of the 2007 competition set and was performed by the group in front of a sold out Lincoln Center audience. It will be available on our upcoming album - Long Overdue

This is the first finished track from the upcoming CD by The A Cappella Group. This track is being submitted for the Best of High School A Cappella. Katie Farrell and Shadoe Valentin are the lead soloists and Blake Shelton is the vocal percussionist.

This is the final of three works based on Alice In Wonderland by Irving Fine. Intermezzo performed this piece at the FVA District MPA. They received straight Superior ratings for this performance.

The beautiful and expressive piece was sung at the FVA District MPA by Intermezzo Women's Choir. They earned straight Superior ratings for this performance.

The piece which features three texts from William Shakespeare in three movements.
I - Mark The Music - indicates the effect of music on one's character.

II - Sweet Harmony - Emphasizes the peacefulness of music.

III - Music, the Food of Love - the treble chorus introduces the two melodies; each is followed by a four-part harmonization by the SATB choir. Both melodies intertwine and end in a unison singing of the text, "play on"

The piece is accompanied by Danielle Barnes on piano, Louie Garofolo on Trumpet and Emily Bumsted on Trumpet.

Omnia Sol goes beyond the obvious subject of a farewell or "song of parting," although it certainly has that as an integral aspect. From a deeper perspective, it is a reflection on the constant passage of events and people in life's continuum, and the human need to anchor words of love and commitment in the hearts of those who have been pillars along life's way. In that manner, the ever-changing chaos of life seems to find a piece of solid ground in the simple assurance that one is hardly alone; rather, life is a mosaic made up of visual images, conversations, laughter, love, sorrow, and experiences too numerous to count - all as a result of one's interaction with other human beings from the moment of birth. One's life has an inseparable kinship with others. The metaphor for that kinship in this piece is "omnia sol" (or "everywhere light" [sun]), and that kinship or light is perpetuated by our daily investing and leaving a bit of ourselves in every soul we encounter. Though we mature and "move on," part of us is "staid' in the hearts and minds of those we chance to meet.

Danielle Barnes is the accompanist on this performance.

The Kyrie and Gloria movements are performed here. David Song and Paul Smith, violin, Christine Sherlock, viola, Phillip Claussen, cello and pianist Sabrina Gruber were the accompanists for the piece.

Notes from the composer -

In Remembrance is in response to the tragic accident that took the lives of Dr. William (Bill) Potts, Becca his daughter, and Anna his youngest daughter on July 4, 2002. Bill was a choral parent and Becca was one of my students during my tenure as Director of Choral Activities at Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, Florida. This piece is written in their memory and dedicated to the surviving members of the immediate family: Jayne, wife and mother; Elisabeth, eldest daughter and sister; Jason, Elisabeth's husband, and Will, only son and brother.

This text also suits the events that have recently occurred in our world. I believe In Remembrance carries a message of healing, peace, and hope applicable to many situations and personal circumstances. This piece reflects my sadness, for I know I will never see the smiling faces of Bill, Becca and Anna Potts again on this Earth. However, this piece also reflects my joy, for I know they are at rest and I will one day see them again in Heaven.

-- Jeffery Ames

Accompanists were Sabrina Gruber, piano and David Song, violin.

This energetic and challenging work is based on a simple latin text.

This Canadian Folk Song tells of the region around the Mira (pronounced Myra) River and the love and foundness the composer has for the memories of the area. It features many soloists. In order, they are Ashley Clemons, Taylor Griffith, Lacey Bourke and Morgan Finerty. Lovely oboe accompaniment is provided by Sam Dawson and the piano is by Sabrina Gruber.

This is a delightful little jazz number for women's voices.

This beautiful setting of a famous text features an oboe accompaniment. The oboe solo is played by sophomore Sam Dawson and piano by Sabrina Gruber.

This classic spiritual by Moses Hogan is performed a cappella.

This lovely little song by Amy Bernon features Intermezzo at their best.

This movement is taken from the masterwork Gloria by Vivaldi.

English Translation:

And peace to His people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, Almighty God and Father;
We worship you, we give you thanks,
We praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Son of the Father.
Lord God, Lamb of God
You take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us;
You are seated at the right hand of the Father, receive our prayer.
For You alone are the Holy One,
You alone are the Lord,
You alone are the Most High Jesus Christ,
With the Holy Spirit in the Glory of God the Father. Amen.
The accompanist is Mary Griffin Seal.

"By the waters of Babylon we laid down our harps and wept." This bible verse of oppression is the inspiration for this piece. Using modern harmonies, spoken word, chanting and soprano soloist, it is a powerful choral work. The soloist for this performance was Leslie Newport.

Short and powerful describe this intense thrilling piece.

Here is the English translation.

The Demon sneaks expertly
Tempting the honorable heart;
He sets forth trickery amidst praise, song and dance.
However amiably the Demon acts,
It is still worth less than the heart of Jesus.
The Flesh is tempted by sensuality;
Gluttony clings to our senses;
It overgrows, it encroaches, it stretches.

Intermezzo was created in 2003-2004 as a training ground for incoming female singers. It proved to be very successful as the ladies earned their way to state. This Randall Thompson classic was one of the pieces performed at the FVA State MPA.

The accompanist is Richard Bosworth

The text of this piece is by Emily Dickenson, the music is by Eugene Butler.

If you were coming in the fall,
I'd brush the summer by
With half a smile and half a spurn,
As housewives do a fly.
If I could see you in a year,
I'd wind the months in balls,
And put them each in separate drawers,
Until their time befalls.

If only centuries delayed,
I'd count them on my hand,
Subtracting till my fingers dropped
Into Van Diemen's land.

If certain, when this life was out,
That yours and mine should be,
I'd toss it yonder like a rind,
And taste eternity.

But now, all ignorant of the length
Of time's uncertain wing,
It goads me, like the goblin bee,
That will not state its sting.



The accompanist is Richard Bosworth

This is the SSA version of this piece by Canadian composer Brian Tate. The text is from an ancient Sanskrit text and mean Gone, Gone. The piece is about the joy that will be achieved when it is time to go on to another place.

The accompanist is Richard Bosworth

This is a part of a mass by Steven Dobrogosz. These movements feature the jazz influence of the mass. The Kyrie is a very exciting and powerful rhythmic piece. It is contrasted by the slow and beautiful Agnus Dei. The accompanist on this recording is Richard Bosworth.

The powerful and emotional piece uses as its text a poem written by a child at Terezin concentration camp. The piece is constructed in 7/8 time with shifting accents. This helps add to the restlessness of the text. Violinist Nicole Wendl and pianist Richard Bosworth are the instrumentalist on this recording.

The is one of the "standards" of choral literature. The text is taken from the bible and the music is by great american composer Randall Thompson

This spiritual is a choral classic. It features solos by Jarrod Bowen and Mark Davis. Most of the piece is written in 8 parts.

This energetic and exciting piece was the opener for the fall concert on October 3, 2003. Cheryle Naberhaus, the principal French Horn player for the Southwest Florida Symphony, was the Horn soloist.

This short yet delightful piece by Schubert is sung in the original German. The translation of the title is The Dance. The accompanist on this recording is Richard Bosworth.

This stunning piece by Bob Chilcot features accompaniment by handbells. The handbells were played by choir members from their spots in the choir. The close harmonies and moving text make this a memorable piece.

This amazing work by Eric Whitacre uses texts written by his wife and depicts the love they share. This performance is at the FVA State MPA in the spring of 2003. It features sophomore Nicole Wendl on the violin and pianist Richard Bosworth. There are five movements to the piece.

This choral gem by Robert Schumann tells about Gypsy Life. It is sung in German and features solos by Cassie Peck, Chevas Richardson, Michael Chow and Brian Bleiler. The accompanist is Richard Bosworth.

This was the song that redefined the vocal program at Cypress Lake in 2002. The song is about the children living amidst the civil war in Yugoslavia during the early 90s. This performance is from the FVA State MPA. The guys are little shaky at the beginning of the recording, but they manage to pull it together and make it an emotional performance.

Florida composer Paul Basler lends his music to a highly ethereal spanish poem. This piece is sung in Spanish.

The accompanist for this piece is Richard Bosworth

This Moses Hogan spiritual features Cypress Lake's own American Idol finalist Vonzell Solomon on the solo sections. This was recorded during her senior year.

This is a great duet from the musical Closer Than Ever. This was performed in a cabaret in January of 2004

This is an energetic a cappella piece by Rene Clausen. It features an aleatoric section in the middle and a beautiful solo by Ashley Gravatte.

The Canadian Folk Song tells the story of finding a man in a small fishing village. It has insane multimeter time signatures throughout.