Rocky Hill Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
805 Old Main St.,   Rocky Hill, CT 06067   (860) 529-4167
an Open and Affirming church

Easter Music
April 16, 2006

The RHCC Orchestra performed during morning worship on Easter Sunday, 2006. Comprised of 18 members (2 flutes, 2 clarinets, an oboe, 2 trumpets, 2 baritones, 2 trombones, a viola, a cello, a bass, and 4 percussionists), the group performed "Swing Low, Sweet Clarinets" as the Opening Music. This was followed by an original arrangement of "Morning Has Broken", followed by the hymn "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" (joined by the organ), and then the anthem, "In the Garden", another original arrangement. The handbell choir provided the offertory anthem, another arrangement of "Christ the Lord is Risen Today", accompanied by David Lewis on piano.


Jubilate Bell Choir
David Lewis, piano

Notes on "Morning Has Broken":
The piece opens slightly before dawn, first with chirping crickets, gradually joined by awakening birds (including a woodpecker) and other critters - "Nature's Symphony." As the sun is about to appear, a crowing rooster jolts everyone to momentary silence. A triangle ping signifies the sun peeking over the horizon.

The day then unfolds, with gradual fading of the background chatter as the lower instruments provide the melody. Soon, we lose track of the "faunal" undercurrent as the orchestra launches into a fuller orchestration of the hymn's setting in the Pilgrim Hymnal. The afternoon passes and we get a bit jazzier, before slowing down in the evening. As we lose energy, the pace slows with an occasional pause, and we once again begin to notice the chirping undercurrent that was probably there all along, but that we failed to notice amidst the distractions of the day.


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