Description
“A Fire in Winter” was commissioned to be the opening piece for the 2019 televised Christmas Concert by the University of St. Thomas School of Music ensembles. Four soprano soloists surround the audience in the opening section, full of wonder and awe. But it soon transitions into joyful and buoyant music led by the instrumentalists, and closes with fantastic flourish.
Performed by the St. Thomas University Choirs, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and String Orchestra, under the direction of Matthew George.
Perusal Scores
Instrumentation
Piccolo
2 Flutes
Oboe
English Horn
3 Clarinets in B♭
Bass Clarinet
Soprano Saxophone
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
2 Bassoons
4 Horns in F
3 Trumpets in B♭
3 Trombones
Euphonium
Tuba
2 Percussionists
4 Soprano Soloists (surrounding audience)
SATB div choir
STRINGS
Text
Here in the winter dark
our ministry is flame.
We light this candle for comfort.
When you are lost,
we will build the signal fire,
a towering blaze of welcome.
When you are broken,
a hearthfire to mend a scattered heart.
When you are hungry,
living embers will bring you bread.
We are found,
we are whole,
we are fed by fire.
Angels fan these flames
so your way may
be lit by joy.
~ Brian Newhouse (2019)