PROGRAM

The Passion of St. Cecilia (2021)

Composer: Mark Buller (b. 1965) - Librettist: Charles Anthony Silvestri (b. 1986)

Commissioned by the Houston Chamber Choir to celebrate its 25th Anniversary.

MOVEMENT I

MOVEMENT II

MOVEMENT III

Overboard (2017)

Composer: Mark Buller - Librettist: Leah Lax (b. 1956)

Commissioned by HGOco, a division of Houston Grand Opera, for the Veterans Songbook Project.

I. THE SEA WINS

II. AFTER THE CAMPS

III. ELEGY WITHOUT END

Special thanks to Charis Smith for providing the bell for Overboard.

Mass in Exile (2023-24) WORLD PREMIERE

Composer: Mark Buller - Librettist: Leah Lax - Bass-Baritone soloist: Timothy Jones

Commissioned by the Houston Chamber Choir.

I. FOR WANT OF REFUGE (Miserere)

II. CREDO IN EXILE

III. PEACEABLE KINGDOM GLORIA

IV. AS WATER FLOWS AWAY (prayer for the government)

V. MERCY (Kyrie)

VI. EARTH SANCTUS: BODY AND BLOOD

[Mariam Heider and Becky Armenta, sopranos; Clipper Hamrick and Lauren Suchy, altos; Justin Shen and Jeffrey Ragsdale, tenors; Rameen Chaharbaghi and Greg Goedecke, basses.]

VII. WHEN ALL ELSE FALLS AWAY (Benedictus)

[Emily Wolfe and Melanie Piché Miller, sopranos.]