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GREAT BEND CHAMBER CHOIR
MATTHEW MELENDEZ, DIRECTOR
Paula Fendler (b. 1939) | Nursery Rhyme Suite
1. Introduction (Gregorian Chant)
2. Come Hither Little Puppy Dog (Medieval)
3. Betty Botter (Anglican Chant)
4. Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater (Madrigal)
5. Jack and Jill (Baroque)
6. Little Boy Blue (Romantic/Impressionism)
7. Humpty Dumpty (Jazz/Pop)
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Michelle Willis (b. 1986) Mixed Up Mother Goose
Eric Whitacre (b. 1970) Seal Lullaby
Aaron Copland (1900-1990) The Little Horses
Jacob Narverud (b. 1986) Lakeside Lullaby
LipSync Battle
LipSync Battle
Shelton, WA 98584 United States
The Great Bend Lip Sync Battle isn’t just another fundraiser—it’s a full-on, no-holds-barred performance showdown where our community’s bravest (and boldest!) step into the spotlight.
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A musical adventure for curious ears and big imaginations!
Welcome! Today’s concert is an invitation to travel — not by car, train, or airplane, but by music. With the help of Mother Goose and the voices of the Great Bend Chamber Choir, we’re stepping into a musical time machine that carries us hundreds of years into the past and back again, all through songs you may already know.
At the heart of the program is a special work called Nursery Rhyme Suite by Paula Fendler. This seven-movement piece includes narration and uses familiar Mother Goose rhymes to show how Western music has changed over time. Each rhyme is set in a different musical style, so you’ll hear the same idea sound completely different depending on when in history the music is “from.”
The journey begins with music inspired by Gregorian chant — calm, flowing, and ancient, like echoes in a stone cathedral. From there, the music gradually transforms, moving through the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Baroque era, where melodies become more decorative and energetic. As the suite continues, the sound grows warmer and dreamier in the Romantic and Impressionist style, before landing firmly in the present with a jazzy, pop-inspired take on Humpty Dumpty that feels playful, rhythmic, and fun. Throughout the suite, Mother Goose helps guide us, reminding us that stories — and music — are passed down, reshaped, and reimagined by each generation.
After our musical time travel adventure, the program continues with more music inspired by childhood, imagination, and comfort. Mixed Up Mother Goose by Michelle Willis playfully blends familiar rhymes into something new and surprising. Eric Whitacre’s Seal Lullaby, written by Eric Whitacre, is gentle and soothing, like a bedtime story sung by the sea.
The oldest piece on today’s program, The Little Horses by Aaron Copland, offers a tender lullaby that connects us to earlier generations of American music-making. The concert closes with Lakeside Lullaby by Jacob Narverud, a peaceful work that feels like watching the sun settle over quiet water at the end of the day. With the exception of Copland, all of the composers you’ll hear today are living composers, writing music in our own time.
You are invited to be more than just a listener in this performance. As the music changes styles, notice how it makes your body want to move — maybe you feel like swaying, tapping, or sitting very still. Listen for moments when the music sounds old, new, playful, or calm, and imagine what kind of place or time it might come from. Some parts may make you want to giggle, others may feel cozy or mysterious. That’s all part of the adventure.
This concert isn’t about getting the “right” answers. It’s about curiosity, imagination, and discovering how music — just like stories — can travel through time and still belong to us today.