(ethereal festive music) (ethereal festive music continues) (ethereal festive music fades) - Welcome to WTVP'S Annual High School Choral Showcase.

I'm Jenn Gordon with WTVP and I am delighted you're joining us for these special performances.

Music lifts our spirits and hearts this time of year, particularly when it's performed by young people from right here in our community.

As your local public television station, it is our privilege to connect you with the talented musicians and performers right here in central Illinois.

Tonight we start with a bright and merry performance by the Dunlap High School Madrigal Singers.

The group began as a discussion between parents and a new choral director, Jen Reece, during the summer of 2001.

By the following spring, collaboration between the school and a very determined group of parents had sparked enough interest to hold auditions for the Dunlap High School's First Madrigal Night.

24 years later, students at Dunlap High School continue to build upon this powerful tradition.

Directed by Jen Reece, this group will be performing a lighthearted selection of seasonal works, including "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," arranged by Audrey Snyder, "Riu Riu Chiu" arranged by Mark Burrows, and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," arranged by Arthur Warrell.

Enjoy.

(bright festive music) ♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ And a Happy New Year ♪ Good tidings we bring to you and your kin ♪ ♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ And a Happy New Year ♪ Now, bring us some figgy pudding ♪ ♪ Now, bring us some figgy pudding ♪ ♪ Now, bring us some figgy pudding ♪ ♪ And bring some out here ♪ Good tidings we bring to you and your kin ♪ ♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ And a Happy New Year ♪ We all like our figgy pudding ♪ ♪ We all like our figgy pudding ♪ ♪ We all like our figgy pudding ♪ ♪ So bring some out here ♪ Good tidings we bring to you and your kin ♪ ♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ And a Happy New Year ♪ And we won't go until we get some ♪ ♪ We won't go until we get some ♪ ♪ And we won't go until we get some ♪ ♪ So bring some out here ♪ Good tidings we bring to you and your kin ♪ ♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ And a Happy New Year ♪ A Happy New Year ♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ And a Happy New ♪ Year ♪ Dmm ♪ Dmm Dmm dmm dmm dmm ♪ Dmm ♪ Dmm Dmm dmm dmm dmm ♪ God rest ye merry gentlemen ♪ Let nothing you dismay ♪ Remember, Christ, our Savior ♪ Was born on Christmas day ♪ To save us all from Satan's power ♪ ♪ When we were gone astray ♪ O tidings of comfort and joy ♪ Comfort and joy ♪ O tidings of comfort and joy ♪ Dmm ♪ Dmm Dmm dmm dmm dmm ♪ Dmm ♪ Dmm Dmm dmm dmm dmm ♪ From God our Heavenly Father ♪ A blessed Angel came ♪ And unto certain Shepherds ♪ Brought tidings of the same ♪ How that in Bethlehem was born ♪ ♪ The Son of God by name ♪ O tidings of comfort and joy ♪ Comfort and joy ♪ O tidings of comfort and joy ♪ Dmm ♪ Dmm Dmm dmm dmm dmm ♪ Da and da ♪ O tidings ♪ Of comfort and joy ♪ Comfort and joy ♪ O tidings ♪ Of comfort and joy ♪ Dmm ♪ Dmm Dmm dmm dmm dmm ♪ Comfort and joy ♪ Dmm ♪ Dmm Dmm dmm dmm dmm ♪ Comfort and joy ♪ Dmm ♪ Dmm Dmm dmm dmm dmm ♪ Merry ♪ Gen, gen ♪ Gentlemen ♪ Riu, riu, chiu ♪ Riu, riu, chiu ♪ Riu, riu ♪ Riu, riu, chiu ♪ Riu, riu, chiu ♪ La guarda ribera ♪ Dios guardo el lobo ♪ De nuestra cordera ♪ Dios guardo el lobo ♪ De nuestra cordera ♪ Riu riu chiu ♪ La guarda ribera ♪ Dios guardo el lobo ♪ De nuestra cordera ♪ Dios guardo el lobo ♪ De nuestra cordera ♪ Shepherds in the field were watching fox by night ♪ ♪ Hear the angel chorus of love and light (indistinct) ♪ ♪ Let us lift our voices and let the angels sing ♪ ♪ Riu, riu chiu ♪ La guarda ribera ♪ Dios guardo el lobo ♪ De nuestra cordera ♪ Dios guardo el lobo ♪ De nuestra cordera ♪ See the shepherds go to gather near the manager ♪ ♪ Watching Lord, the child ♪ And protecting Him from danger ♪ ♪ Let us join the shepherds ♪ To guard this place on watch ♪ Now that night is over ♪ A new day has begun ♪ Riu riu chiu ♪ La guarda ribera ♪ Dios guardo el lobo ♪ De nuestra cordera ♪ Dios guardo el lobo ♪ De nuestra cordera ♪ Riu riu chiu ♪ Riu chiu, la guarda ribera ♪ Riu chiu, la guarda ribera ♪ Dios guardo el lobo ♪ De nuestra cordera ♪ Riu riu chiu ♪ La guarda ribera ♪ Dios guardo el lobo ♪ De nuestra cordera ♪ Dios guardo el lobo ♪ De nuestra cordera - There's a long tradition of community choruses and choral groups here in central Illinois.

Emma Morris, director of Metamora Township High School, Madrigal Singers is part of that tradition as a third generation choral conductor.

Emma's grandfather, Mike Morris, started the magical dinners at Limestone Community High School several decades ago.

And now Emma continues the tradition of teaching acapella music, four part harmonization and musical storytelling in Metamora at the high school that she herself graduated from.

Performing "Masters in this Hall," arranged by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw, "The Road Home," adapted by Stephen Paulus and "Good King Wenceslas," arranged by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw.

Please enjoy the Metamora Township High School Madrigal Singers.

(bright festive music) ♪ Masters in this hall ♪ Hear ye news today ♪ Brought from over seas ♪ And ever you I pray ♪ Nowell, nowell, nowell ♪ Nowell, sing we clear ♪ Holpen all the folk on Earth ♪ Born the Son of God so dear ♪ Nowell, nowell, nowell ♪ Nowell, sing we loud ♪ God today hath poor folk raised ♪ ♪ And cast a-down the proud ♪ Going o'er the hills ♪ Through the milk-white snow ♪ Heard I ewes bleat ♪ While the wind did blow ♪ Then to Bethlem town ♪ We went two and two ♪ And in a sorry place ♪ We heard the oxen low ♪ Nowell, nowell, nowell ♪ Nowell sing we clear ♪ Holpen are all folk on Earth ♪ Born is God's Son so dear ♪ Nowell, nowell, nowell ♪ Nowell sing we loud ♪ God today hath poor folk raised ♪ ♪ And cast a-down the proud ♪ Therein did we see ♪ A sweet and goodly may ♪ And a fair old man ♪ Upon the straw she lay ♪ Nowell ♪ And a little child ♪ On her arm had she ♪ Nowell ♪ Wot ye who this is ♪ Said the hinds to me ♪ Nowell, nowell, nowell ♪ Nowell sing we clear ♪ Holpen are all folk on Earth ♪ Born is God's Son so dear ♪ Nowell, nowell, nowell ♪ Nowell sing we loud ♪ God today hath poor folk raised ♪ ♪ And cast a-down the proud ♪ This is Christ the Lord ♪ Masters be ye glad ♪ Christmas is come in ♪ And no folk should be sad ♪ Nowell, nowell, nowell ♪ Nowell sing we clear ♪ Holpen are all folk on Earth ♪ Born is God's Son so dear ♪ Nowell, nowell, nowell ♪ Nowell sing we loud ♪ God today hath poor folk raised ♪ ♪ And cast a-down the proud ♪ Good King Wenceslas looked out ♪ ♪ On the feast of Stephen ♪ When the snow lay round about ♪ ♪ Deep and crisp and even ♪ Brightly shone the moon that night ♪ ♪ Though the frost was cruel ♪ When a poor man came in sight ♪ ♪ Gath'ring winter fuel ♪ Hither, page, and stand by me ♪ ♪ If thou know'st it, telling ♪ Yonder peasant, who is he ♪ Where and what his dwelling ♪ Sire, he lives a good league hence ♪ ♪ Underneath the mountain ♪ Right against the forest fence ♪ ♪ By Saint Agnes fountain ♪ Bring me flesh, and bring me wine ♪ ♪ Bring me pine logs hither ♪ Thou and I will see him dine ♪ When we bear them thither ♪ Page and monarch, forth they went ♪ ♪ Forth they went together ♪ Through the rude wind's wild lament ♪ ♪ And the bitter weather ♪ Sire, the night is darker now ♪ ♪ The wind blows stronger ♪ Fails my heart, I know not how ♪ ♪ I can go no longer ♪ Mark my footsteps, good my page ♪ ♪ Tread thou in them boldly ♪ Thou shalt find the winter's rage ♪ ♪ Freeze thy blood less coldly ♪ In his master's steps he trod ♪ ♪ Where the snow lay dented ♪ Heat was in the very sod ♪ Which the saint had printed ♪ Therefore, Christian men, be sure ♪ ♪ Wealth or rank possessing ♪ Ye who now will bless the poor ♪ ♪ Shall yourselves find blessing ♪ ♪ Ooo ooo ooo ooo ♪ Ooo ooo ♪ Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ♪ Tell me, where is the road ♪ I can call my own ♪ That I left ♪ That I lost ♪ So long ago ♪ All these years ♪ I have wandered ♪ Oh, when ♪ Will I know ♪ There's a way ♪ There's a road ♪ That will lead ♪ Me home ♪ Ooo ooo ooo ooo ♪ Ooo ooo ♪ Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ♪ After wind ♪ After rain ♪ When the dark ♪ Is done ♪ As I wake ♪ From a dream ♪ In the gold ♪ Of day ♪ Through the air ♪ There's a calling ♪ From far ♪ Away ♪ There's a voice ♪ I can hear ♪ That will lead ♪ Me home ♪ Ooo ooo ooo ooo ♪ Ooo ooo ♪ Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ♪ Rise up ♪ Follow me ♪ Come away ♪ Is the call ♪ With love ♪ In your heart ♪ As the only song ♪ There is no ♪ Such beauty ♪ As where you belong ♪ Rise up ♪ Follow me ♪ I will lead you home ♪ Ooo ooo ooo ooo ♪ Ooo ooo ♪ Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo - The Washington Community High School Madrigal Singers directed by Dr.

Lara Reem join us next for a beautiful selection of mesmerizing works, including "The Glory of the Father," by Egil Hovland, "Sweet was the Song," by Robert H. Young and seasonal favorite, ""Caroling, Caroling," by Wihla Hutsonin and Alfred Burt.

In addition to working with the students at Washington Community High School, Dr.

Reem has directed the Illinois Central College Philharmonic Chorale, the vocal jazz ensemble at Bradley University and the Bradley Community Choir cultivating strong musicianship throughout central Illinois.

And now the Washington Community High School Madrigals directed by Lara Reem.

(bright festive music) ♪ Sweet was the song ♪ The Virgin sang ♪ When she ♪ To Bethlem Juda came ♪ And was deliver'd ♪ Of a Son ♪ That blessed babe ♪ She had to bear ♪ Lul-lee ♪ Lul-lay ♪ Sweet babe, sang she ♪ My Son ♪ My Son ♪ And eke ♪ A Savior born ♪ Who hast vouchsafed ♪ From on high ♪ From on high ♪ Who hast vouchsafed ♪ From on high ♪ To visit ♪ To visit us that were forlorn ♪ ♪ That were ♪ Forlorn ♪ Sweet was the song ♪ The Virgin sang ♪ Lul-lee ♪ Lul-lay ♪ Sweet Babe, sang she ♪ Sweet Babe, sang she ♪ Sweet Babe, sang she ♪ And rocked Him sweetly ♪ Sweetly ♪ On ♪ Her ♪ Knee ♪ The Word was made flesh ♪ And dwelt among us ♪ We beheld the glory ♪ Of the Father ♪ We beheld the glory ♪ Of the Father ♪ Full of grace ♪ And truth ♪ In the beginning ♪ The beginning ♪ Was the Word ♪ The Word was with God ♪ The Word was with God ♪ Was with God ♪ In Him ♪ Was life ♪ Was life ♪ And the life was the light of men ♪ ♪ He came ♪ He came ♪ To His own ♪ To His own ♪ And His own ♪ And His own received him not ♪ The Word was made flesh ♪ And dwelt among us ♪ We beheld the glory ♪ Of the Father ♪ We beheld the glory ♪ Of the Father ♪ Full of grace ♪ And truth ♪ Caroling, caroling, now we go ♪ ♪ Christmas bells are ringing ♪ Caroling, caroling through the snow ♪ ♪ Christmas bells are ringing ♪ Joyous voices, sweet and clear ♪ ♪ Sing the sad of heart to cheer ♪ ♪ Ding, dong, ding, dong ♪ Christmas bells are ringing ♪ Caroling, caroling through the town ♪ ♪ Christmas bells are ringing ♪ Caroling, caroling up and down ♪ ♪ Christmas bells are ringing ♪ Mark ye well the song we sing ♪ ♪ Gladsome tidings now we bring ♪ ♪ Ding, dong, ding, dong ♪ Christmas bells are ringing ♪ Caroling, caroling, near and far ♪ ♪ Christmas bells are ringing ♪ Following, following yonder star ♪ ♪ Christmas bells are ringing ♪ Sing we all this happy morn ♪ Lo, the King of Heav'n is born ♪ ♪ Ding, dong, ding, dong ♪ Christmas bells are ringing - We wanna thank the incredible students and directors who joined us here at the WTVP studio on the beautiful riverfront in downtown Peoria.

And we wanna thank you, our viewers.

Our mission at WTVP is to connect and inspire our community through quality content that educates, informs and entertains.

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From all of us here at the station, we hope that the programs you watch on WTVP will truly be a blessing to you and yours this holiday season.

(bright festive music) (bright festive music continues)