This season, we are inviting our community to take part in our music in a very personal way — by sponsoring a song. Do you love a piece we’ll be performing? Your name can go on it!
Every piece we perform represents hours of rehearsal, collaboration with local musicians, and the shared belief that choral music has the power to bring people together. A Sponsor a Song gift helps make that possible.
Here’s how it works:
Sponsor a Song — $100 Your name will be listed in our concert program under a piece you helped bring to life.
Dedicate a Song — $100 Honor or remember someone special with a dedication printed in our program.
Major Song Sponsor — $200 Receive a program listing, verbal recognition at the concert and special thanks for your leadership support.
Your gift directly supports music purchases and licensing, guest instrumentalists, rehearsal and performance expenses and more. Most importantly, it helps us continue offering meaningful choral experiences here in our community.
Here are the options for the Spring 2026 Blue Skies concert. You can hear samples of some by clicking on the links.
1. Blue Skies – Irving Berlin/arr. James Stewart
We are delighted to premiere James Stewart’s spectacular arrangement of Blue Skies in these concerts! Young Irving Berlin was in his 30’s when he wrote the song in 1926. This jazzy arrangement by Solaris’ Composer-in-Residence, will include James at the piano along with our guest artist, Nick Browne on string bass and Andy Gagnon on drum set.
2. Someone to Watch Over Me – George Gershwin/arr. James Stewart*
This lovely ballad expresses longing for someone to lean on and share the good times and the hard times of life. James Stewart’s lyrical setting of this song, written by George Gershwin in 1926, creates a sense of hopeful anticipation that a special someone will appear on the road ahead.
*Major Sponsorship is now taken. $100 slots are open.
3. Moonlight in Vermont – arr. Darmon Meader
A highlight of this concert of jazz favorites includes a stunning arrangement of the classic jazz standard from the 1940s, Moonlight in Vermont! This nostalgic swing ballad is considered by many to be the unofficial Vermont state song.
4. The Blue Bird – Charles Villiers Stanford
The Blue Bird is a late Romantic-period part song written by Charles Villiers Stanford, a classical composer born in Dublin and educated at Cambridge. This lovely a cappella setting of the poem by Mary Elizabeth Coleridge features a lyrical soprano solo and beautifully harmonized choral parts. The title links to Solaris’ recording of this piece.
5. The Pasture – Z. Randall Stroope
Robert Frost’s elegant poetry harkens to a simpler time in this lush choral setting of The Pasture by Randall Stroope. The theme of this poem is birth and renewal in springtime.
6. For the Beauty of the Earth – arr. John Rutter
This joyful choral anthem is based on the 19th-century hymn. It features flowing melodies, varied choral textures, and text painting that evokes nature and divine love. This masterful anthem has connected with singers and congregations all over the globe.
7. Three Songs of Summer – Edvard Grieg/adapt. Hawley Ade
Welcome the Day
One Summer’s Eve
Waterlilies
Edvard Grieg’s brilliant use of folk melodies is evident throughout this charming set of Three Songs of Summer. Together the flowing melodies and warm harmonies paint a picture of a Scandinavian summer evening. It’s a peaceful, intimate scene, reflecting Grieg’s love for Norwegian nature and the music of his homeland.
8. Let Peace and Love Shine Through – Rollo Dilworth
Rollo Dilworth gathered text phrases offered by school children to craft this uplifting gospel arrangement of the beloved spiritual, This Little Light of Mine. This piece carries a hopeful message of peace and unity for all.
9. Two Sets of Two Madrigals
Two traditional Madrigals:
Fyre, Fyre – Thomas Morley
Weep O Mine Eyes – John Bennet
Two Little Jazz Madrigals – Bob Chilcott:
Weep O Mine Eyes
Fire, Fire
These concerts also feature a playful pairing of two well-known Renaissance madrigals Weep O Mine Eyes and Fyre, Fyre with jazzy re-imaginings of the same texts for voices with string bass and drum set by former King’s Singers member, Bob Chilcott.
If one ore more of these pieces speaks to you, we would be honored to recognize your support.