
Digital program
Program Notes, Texts, and Translations
Personent Hodie, setting by Lara Hoggard
Modern setting of a 14th century hymn, set with carillon bells, antiphonal trumpets, and a choral processional, evoking the feeling of a Medieval liturgical play depicting the Advent.
Let resound today
the voices of children,
joyfully praising
Him who is born to us,
given by most high God,
and conceived in a virginal womb.
He was born into the world,
wrapped in swaddling clothes,
and laid in a manger
in a stable for animals,
the master of the heavens.
The prince of Hell has lost his spoils.
Three Magi came,
they were bearing gifts,
and sought the little one,
following a star,
to worship him,
and offer him gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Let all the junior clerics
and also the boys
sing like angels:
“You have come to the world,
I pour out praises to you.
Therefore, glory to God in the highest!”
O magnum mysterium, Tomás Luis de Victoria
This four-voice motet, composed in 1572, captures the awe of Christ’s birth, reflecting on the mystery of the Nativity with a blend of exultation and reverence. Victoria’s use of rich polyphony and expressive harmonies creates a powerful, contemplative atmosphere, a masterpiece of Renaissance sacred music.
O great mystery,
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the newborn Lord,
lying in a manger!
Blessed is the virgin whose womb
was worthy to bear
the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Alleluia!
O magnum mysterium, Morten Lauridsen
Of this 1994 composition, the composer wrote: “For centuries, composers have been inspired by the beautiful O magnum mysterium text depicting the birth of the newborn King amongst the lowly animals and shepherds. This affirmation of God’s grace to the meek and the adoration of the Blessed Virgin are celebrated in my setting through a quiet song of profound joy.”
O great mystery,
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the newborn Lord,
lying in a manger!
Blessed is the virgin whose womb
was worthy to bear
the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Alleluia!
Christmas Cantata, Daniel Pinkham
Daniel Pinkham’s 1957 Christmas Cantata is a work for chorus, brass, and organ, capturing the spirit of the holiday season with a sense of both grandeur and intimacy. The cantata is structured in three movements, drawing upon texts from the Latin liturgy, including passages from the Psalms and Gospels. Pinkham blends medieval chant-like melodies with modern harmonies, creating a striking balance between ancient and contemporary musical elements. The outer movements are celebratory and rhythmic, highlighting the angelic proclamation of Christ’s birth to the shepherds, while the central movement offers a more contemplative, even cosmic, reflection. The work may be described as a psychological drama, juxtaposing the wonder and joy of the shepherds with the bewilderment with may have accompanied such an unexpected divine manifestation to these simple shepherds.
I. Quem vidistes pastores
Shepherds, tell us your story.
Speak to us!
Again, describe the vision of glory which on earth appeared.
Born for us was Christ Jesus.
We heard the angel chorus
singing praises of the Lord.
Alleluia!
II. O magnum mysterium
O wonderous mystery
that even lowly beasts might behold Him.
Who through the Son of God, a Son of man on earth was born.
Within a manger He did lie.
O blessed virgin most holy,
worthy was thy womb that did carry our Savior Jesus Christ.
III. Gloria in excelsis Deo
Glory to God in the highest
and on earth to men of goodwill peace and love abiding.
O be joyful in the Lord, ye nations.
With gladness serve the Lord, with gladness serve ye Him.
Come before Him, come before His presence,
come unto Him with singing, joy and exultation.
Now know ye: know that the Lord
He is God strong and mighty; He created us and not we ourselves.
Alleluia!
Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming, arr. Jan Sandström
This 1995 arrangement reimagines the traditional 16th century German carol with an innovative choral texture. Sandström retains Michael Praetorius’s original hymn tune but surrounds it with slow, sustained, budding harmonies, creating a layered and atmospheric sound, thus highlighting the carol’s themes of hope and renewal; a rose that blooms even in the cold of winter.
Lo, how a rose e’er blooming
from tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse’s lineage coming,
as men of old have sung.
It came a floweret bright,
amid the cold of winter,
when half spent was the night.
Donkey Carol, John Rutter
Renowned English composer John Rutter’s music has been described as “impeccably crafted, melodically rich and entirely infectious” (FM Magazine). Donkey Carol, one of Rutter’s earlier Christmas compositions (1976) suggests through its asymmetric meter the cheerfully lopsided gait of the donkey who bore the Virgin Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem. (Contributions by Andrew Green.)
Donkey riding over the bumpy road,
Carry Mary, all with her heavy load;
Follow Joseph, leading you on your way
Until you find a stable, somewhere to rest and stay.
Donkey watching over the Jesus Child,
See the baby, all with his mother mild,
Hear the angels singing their song on high;
‘Noel, noel, noel,’ their caroling fills the sky.
Donkey resting all in a manger stall,
With the oxen worship the Lord of all.
Hush, he lies asleep on his bed of hay,
While Mary sings so sweetly ‘lulla, lullalay.’
Donkey waking all at the break of day,
See, a new light shining with brightest ray,
Long the weary journey you soon must start,
But you will travel gladly; God will make brave your heart.
Donkey skip for joy as you go your way;
Alleluia, Jesus is born today.
Hark, the bells ring out with their message clear:
Rejoice and sing that Christ out Savior divine is here.
Alleluia, Christ is born today!
The First Noel, arr. Dan Forrest
Originating in Cornwall, southwest England, The First Noel first appeared during the 15th century. The story is told of Cornish citizens singing this carol on street corners outside of churches during the Christmas season. The piece was first published in 1823. Esteemed composer and arranger Dan Forrest published his arrangement of The First Noel in 2009, which has since become a beloved part of the holiday repertoire.
The first Noel, the angels did say,
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields where they lay,
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Noel! Born is the King of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East beyond them far.
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.
Noel! Born is the King of Israel.
Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
That hath made heaven and earth of naught,
And with His blood mankind hath bought.
Noel! Born is the King of Israel.
Christmas Sing-A-Long, arr. Bob Cerulli
I. Joy to the World
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her king!
Let every heart
Prepare him room.
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing!
II. O Come All Ye Faithful
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels
O come, let us adore him
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him
Christ the Lord!
III. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Hark! The herald angels sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King!’
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful, all ye nations rise!
Join the triumph of the skies!
With angelic hosts, proclaim,
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem.’
Hark! The herald angels sing
‘Glory to the newborn King!’
IV. Silent Night
Silent night, holy night.
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon virgin, mother and child.
Holy infant, so tender and mild.
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
O Come, All Ye Faithful, arr. Mack Wilberg
The tune known as Adeste Fidelis dates to a 1743 manuscript containing Latin text and music composed by English musician John Francis Wade. Mack Wilberg, music director of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, and considered to be one of the world’s preeminent composers and arrangers, set this beloved carol in grand fashion for choir and orchestra, with a dramatic organ interlude. Tonight’s arrangement also includes a newly composed handbell part.
O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant!
O come, ye, O come, ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold him,
Born the King of angels.
O come, let us adore him;
O come, let us adore him;
O come, let us adore him,
Christ, the Lord!
Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation;
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God;
Glory in the highest.
O come, let us adore him;
O come, let us adore him;
O come, let us adore him,
Christ, the Lord!
Yea, Lord we greet thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be all glory given.
Son of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing.
O come, let us adore him;
O come, let us adore him;
O come, let us adore him,
Christ, the Lord!
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
Sing for Good
What is Sing for Good?
Sing for Good is Arrowhead Chorale’s community engagement program under which any and all Chorale initiated, community-oriented performances and service projects are housed. The mission of the program is simple, yet powerful: to create harmony in our community through song and service.
Sing for Good Goals:
- Invest in our community through song
- Bring quality music to underserved populations and community members who may otherwise
- not have the opportunity to experience live choral music and it’s life-giving effect
- Volunteer our voices to support community events
- Invest in our community through service
- Donate items and/or funds to meet community needs
- Volunteer our time for community events or service needs
What “good” has Sing for Good done so far?
“Engaging with our community both creates harmony and brings joy to everyone involved. Giving and receiving the gift of a musical performance, in particular, creates a synergy of happiness and well-being that is beyond description!” – Susan Masterson, Board President,
Since the program’s launch in the fall of 2022, Sing for Good initiatives have included:
- Free Musical Merriment and Sneak Peek events each fall and spring, with refreshments and sneak peek performances of our concert repertoire for guests from various organizations, including Safe Haven, Trillium Services, Duluth Regional Care Center, MN Adult & Teen Challenge, and more.
- Full Chorale outreach performances at locations like the Benedictine Living Center and Northeast Regional Corrections Center.
- Chamber Singers outreach performances for Benedictine Sisters at the St. Scholastica Monastery, residents of the Benedictine Care Center, and guests of the Union Gospel Mission.
- Chamber Singers community event performances at Bentleyville and Great Hall Marketplace at The Depot.
- Partnering with The Haunted Shack, whose annual event supports CHUM, Coats for Kids, and Special Olympics Area III Trifecta
- “Good Give” donation campaigns to local non-profits each concert cycle, including:
- Damiano Center
- Rural Care and Share Food Shelf
- Union Gospel Mission
- Duluth Harbor Mission
- Safe Haven
- Life House
- Birch Tree Center
- CHUM
- Bethany Crisis Nursery
- Our Angel Tickets program, which allows patrons to purchase and donate tickets, which guests can claim if cost is prohibitive.
How did Sing for Good come to be?
The idea for Sing for Good was born from mere observation. At any given rehearsal, it is obvious this group understands music to have a transcendent power that heals, unifies, rejuvenates, and soothes, and strives for musical excellence in every endeavor. Our singers truly care for each other and our community — support one another in hardships, celebrate life’s joys, and genuinely enjoy each other’s company. To be sure, during the pandemic — a time that was rife with division and the dissolution of arts groups — not only did our group stick together through the pandemic, we emerged with a stronger sense of self and purpose — and with a heightened awareness of the needs in our community that we desire to help meet.
In short, there is a palpable sense of good will, and it felt natural and right to harness that good will and turn it outward, into our community.
And so, we Sing for Good.
How can you help Sing for Good create more harmony?
You can help Arrowhead Chorale spread harmony in our community! Please consider supporting the Arrowhead Chorale through a financial donation or sponsorship, purchasing merch, and purchasing Angel Tickets! Visit our website for more information.
The Chorale
Our mission is to engage and inspire singers and audiences through high-quality performances of diverse, distinctive choral music and unique education opportunities in Northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and surrounding communities.
Click here to learn more about the Arrowhead Chorale (including singer bios)!

strikepoint
Derek Bromme
Artistic Director, Strikepoint

Derek Bromme is the artistic director of Sprikepoint after having been a member of the group since 2014. He currently serves as the director of bands at College of St. Scholastica along with the Benedictine Bronze handbell ensemble, and directs the FUMC choir and the Lake Superior Low Brass Ensemble. In addition to his directing pursuits, Derek enjoys being an active member of the Big Time Jazz Orchestra and Twin Ports Brass quintet. When not engaging in musical endeavors, you can find Derek at home spending time with his husband, Amos, and adorable baby daughter Sonja.
Strikepoint

Strikepoint is a church-based community/professional handbell ensemble. Led by artistic director Dr. Derek Bromme, this eleven-member group performs in a directorless ensemble setting. High school and college students, and community members have joined with selected ringers from the four bell ensembles at Duluth’s First United Methodist Church to provide a consistently high level of musicianship since Strikepoint’s beginnings in 1984.
Annual tours have taken the group throughout the continental U.S. as well as to England, Scotland, Wales, Japan, Hong Kong, Sweden, Canada and Hawaii. They have been the featured performer at numerous area, national and international handbell festivals and symposia. Last summer, Strikepoint was honored to be the sole ensemble representing the United States at the 21st International Symposium in Hamamatsu, Japan.
Strikepoint music has been featured on many local, national, and international radio, television, and online programs, as well as live performances with the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, Arrowhead Chorale, Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra and other professional musical organizations. They have produced nine recordings, and their social media have a large following. Strikepoint is highly regarded in the handbell world as pioneers and innovators, and are considered one of the very top handbell ensembles in the world.
