Program note

Transforming the lyrics of the classic Scottish hymn by Henry Francis Lyte, Abide With Me explores the darkness of the soul of the Christian while nearing the end of her earthly pilgrimage. The choir is divided evenly into 2 groups of 3 parts each, upper and lower voices. The darkly-colored sonorities of the lower voices are sharply contrasted by the brilliant, tight harmony of the upper voices. Ultimately, the two groups coalesce in a moment of awe-inspired transcendence, meant to draw one's affections upward to God.