This webpage provides links to a series of choral presentations that are similar and sometimes identical to what was sung by the ENC A Cappella Choir in its infancy, starting after WWII in the 1940s and 50s. The founder of the group was Esther Williamson, and during that time, she also served as Dean of Women in Munro Hall. One of her well-known phrases was, “I may be smiling, but I mean it!”
She was then replaced by Greg Larkin in the mid-late 1950s, at which time ENC began an undergraduate major in Music. Greg was also for a time the Youth Group leader in the Wollaston Church of the Nazarene. He was an extremely gifted director, music arranger, and organist.
Greg inherited some of Esther Williamson’s songs, but added up-beat and somewhat more complex arrangements, in some cases his own compositions.
Note: also in the late-50s, Paul Willwerth came to be the Head of the new Music Department. While he took over the Messiah and other large choral works, I don’t think he ever served as director of the A Cappella Choir. However, going into the 60s, ENC had two extremely competent choral directors, each with their own instrument specialties: Greg on the Organ, and Paul on the Trumpet. Yes, indeed, the Messiah performances added The Trumpet Shall Sound once Paul Willwerth was on board.
Note also, that when the Music Major started, in addition to the three people already mentioned – Williamson, Willwerth and Larkin – there were also faculty in “keyboard” instruction (no, NOT electronic), especially Olive Marple and Edith Cove, teaching both piano and organ.
Simple A Cappella Arrangements
Here are some examples of fairly simple pieces from the 50s time period:
A Faithful Shepherd is my Lord (01:36)
Bless the Lord, Oh my soul – Ippolitov-Ivanov (02:40)
Blackburn People’s Choir – Brother James’ Air
Not sure about the following; might have been later.
Salvation is Created – Chesnokov – Te Deum Chamber Choir (03:24)
Perhaps the most favorite piece in that era was a simple arrangement of the hymn “He Hideth My Soul”. In this rendition, after the first verse and chorus, the choir hummed, descending chromatically for enough steps to allow Mrs. Williamson (a contralto) to sing a solo verse and chorus in her range (not in this YouTube version). After the chorus, the choir hummed chromatically ascending, to deliver the final verse and chorus.
He Hideth My Soul (Goliards Chamber Ensemble) (03:60)
More Complex Songs
These next examples are a little more complex arrangements. And these YouTube versions seem to be quite similar to what I remember, with a few slightly different aspects.
O THOU, IN WHOSE PRESENCE – OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY AEOLIANS
Chapel Choir – A Mighty Fortress – Alumni Weekend
Hallelujah Psalm 150 by Louis Lewandowski arranged by Robert Williams (02:40)
trad (arr. Hogan) Didn’t my Lord – University of Houston Moores School Concert Chorale (03:40)
(Note: What is missing in YouTube is the 1960’s version of Joshua Fit The Battle. All the YouTubes with that title clearly have a more “modern” version!)
ENC A Cappella Alumni
There is a YouTube Channel that contains videos and playlists of the Choir, mostly from the 2000s, with a few from the 1990s. It was opened in 2016.
It is likely that over time, additional playlists will be added, perhaps even some from several decades ago.
Not Included
There are a couple more complex pieces performed by the choir in that early era that are not found on YouTube.
And also, what of course is NOT found in YouTube are any of Greg Larkin’s arrangements. Too bad. Maybe recordings of some of those arrangements will be loaded into the ENC A Cappella Alumni YouTube Channel in the future.
Bonus Section – Choral Union
In the early 1950s, it was decided to form a choral group at ENC which would be charged with handling Messiah each December, but also allowed to prepare large choral works for the Spring semester. The “Union” component refered to the combination of vocal groups on campus, including the College Church Choir and the A Cappella Choir, but also inviting people in the Wollaston community who wished to participate.
Here is a partial list of choral works that were performed over the year by the Choral Union. Note incidentally, that the majority of concerts used only piano and/or organ accompaniment; the exception being Messiah, which had a 20-30 musicians-sized orchestra.
The order is random, and incomplete.
Brahms Requiem (at least twice)
Brahms Requiem – with Choral Score
Mendelssohn – Elijah (at least twice)
Mendelssohn’s Elijah, conducted by Ann Howard Jones (2:14:57)
Haydn – Creation
Haydn Die Schoepfung The Creation in English Christopher Hogwood Academy of Ancient Music (1:39:02)
J. S. Bach – Jesu Meine Freude
J.S. Bach – Motet BWV 227 ‘Jesu, meine Freude'(J.S. Bach Foundation) (24:36)
Hanson – Cherubic Hymn
Hanson conducts Hanson – The Cherubic Hymn Op. 37 (12:28)
Ralph Vaughan Williams – Hodie (This Day)
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Hodie (1954) (59:12)
Bruck – Easter Cantata
(Alas – no presence in YouTube!)
Here is a partial list of projects that were rehearsed, but did NOT result in performance:
Walton – Belshazzar’s Feast – Full Orchestral Score and Full Movie DOUBLE SCREEN
GHOSTLIGHT Chorus Randall Thompson – The Peaceable Kingdom (21:08)
J.S. Bach – St Matthew Passion BWV 244 (2:43:16)
Not Sure:
J. S. Bach – Cantata BWV 140 – Wachet auf Ruft uns die Stimme – (J.S. Bach Foundation) (27:57)
There however may be at least audio if not video choral media from ENC other than the A Cappella Choir that will also be loaded into the above noted YouTube Channel in the future.