1. Central Florida Sacred Concerts
  2. Chapter 3 - Christ Our Salvation
  3. My Song In the Night

Concerts

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My Song In the Night

    T

    here has always been a need for the soothing balm of music. In a world that is constantly bombarded with bad news and chaos from every angle, sacred music transports the listener and performer alike into heavenly realms of joy. Such was the case with the seventh installment of the “Power and Glory of God Through Music” concert series, “My Song in the Night.”

    There can be no greater hope than that offered by Christ by way of His sacrifice for us. We have hope that we are not doomed to die for eternity, because God in His infinite love made provision for our salvation. And all that is required of us is to accept the offering the Lamb of Heaven brings. We live, because of this Lamb, Jesus Christ. We sing joyously, “No More Night!" because Christ is our song in the night.

    The titles of the concert, put into verse:

    Rejoice, all the Earth, and Praise to the Lord,
    O Clap Your Hands, lift voices in accord!
    Sing Psalm 23, for He leads us still—
    The Dream Isaiah Saw fulfills His will.

    From heaven’s height to earth below,
    Proelium raged, yet grace would grow.
    In shadowed night, a sacred light:
    My Song in the Night shines ever bright.

    Redeemer of Israel, mighty to save,
    Amazing Grace flows past the grave.
    There shall be No More Night again—
    no pain, no tears, no hidden sin.

    Jubilate Deo, Earth and sky!
    With Omnis Terra, voices cry:
    To Christ, the Lamb, forever adored,
    our music returns to its Source—our Lord.

     

    Rejoice in Christ with Music

    The concert began with a proclamation of praise: Wilberg’s majestic Praise to the Lord for choir, organ, and orchestra. This opener set a tone of reverence and joy, calling all creation to lift its voice in adoration of the King. The energy was immediate, the harmonies rich, and the message unmistakable: all that hath breath, adore Him!

    Part 1 – Christ Is Our Companion

    Following the opening narration, the program moved into a sequence that explored Christ’s eternal companionship with humanity. Williams’ O Clap Your Hands was a vibrant and celebratory expression of rejoicing in the Lord’s nearness. The mood then shifted with Psalm 23, Courtney’s gentle and moving choral setting of the Shepherd’s Psalm, offering comfort and assurance. The highlight of this section was surely The Dream Isaiah Saw by Glenn L. Rudolph—brass, organ, and choir united to paint a stirring vision of peace and redemption, echoing Isaiah’s prophecy that one day, “the wolf shall dwell with the lamb.”

    Part 2 – Christ Is Our Solace in the Darkness

    This section began with tension and drama as the orchestra presented Proelium, a cinematic piece evoking the war in heaven and the spiritual battles of mortality. Out of this darkness emerged solace. Wilberg’s My Song in the Night provided tender relief—a contemplative, string-accompanied reminder that Christ’s presence is our comfort. Redeemer of Israel, also arranged by Wilberg, brought bold brass and orchestral color to a hymn of hope, while Amazing Grace closed this portion with heartfelt familiarity and triumphant gratitude, its text echoing the promise that Christ’s grace is sufficient and unending.

    Part 3 – Christ Is the Morning Light

    The final section opened with No More Night, arranged by Camp Kirkland, a deeply emotional offering dedicated to those enduring sorrow, loss, and personal darkness. The choir's voices rang with both pain and hope, proclaiming that a dawn is coming when tears will be wiped away forever. Forrest’s Jubilate Deo Song of the Earth and Jubilate Deo Omnis Terra followed—two glorious anthems that escalated the program to its radiant conclusion. With soaring melodies and a full orchestral sound, the concert ended in jubilant unity: All the earth, rejoice in God!

    From beginning to end, this musical offering was not just a concert, but a journey—from creation and fall to redemption and restoration. In every note, the message was clear: Christ is our Companion, our Solace, and our Morning Light. And in His light, we rejoice.

     

    About the Program

    The music program presented on October 21, 2023 is part 1 in the third chapter of the "Power and Glory of God Through Music" concert series. In 2020, chapter two concluded with the concert "Worthy Is the Lamb." This third chapter, staring with part 1, "My Song In the Night," begins the musical journey of hope we share as we look forward to eternal morning, when sin and suffering are no more. Together with several other churches in the area, we are bringing to our audience a grand program of sacred, uplifting, and awe-inspiring music featuring a combined mass choir, orchestra, and organ.

    We are constantly bombarded with news of bad things happening; on the local level, on the national level, on the global level. Music offers a break from that. Specifically, this music program exists for two reasons: to return a musical offering to the Lord, and to provide a brief respite from the constant bombardment of bad things in the world around us.

    It may be noticed that there are no holidays near the program date. This is by design. The goal is to provide a musical oasis, no matter how brief, without the emotional ties to a holiday or event. The program is altruistic in nature; it exists because music and musical opportunities are good as well as fun.

     

    The Director

    William Shortal

    Bill served the First United Methodist Church of Orlando for 23 years as Director of Music and Worship Arts. There he administered a program of 14 ensembles and annually directed two concerts with full orchestra. Prior to Orlando, Bill held similar positions with churches in Fort Myers, FL; Wood River, IL; and Sioux Falls, SD. He holds degrees from Millikin University (BME) and the University of Illinois (MM). Previously, Bill served The Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts as national president and vice-president, as well as president of the Florida chapter.

    The Music

    Mack Wilberg

    Mack Wilberg is a composer, arranger, conductor, choral clinician and the current music director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. His compositions and arrangements are performed and recorded by choral organizations throughout the world. In addition to the many compositions he has written for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, his works have been performed by such artists as Renée Fleming, Frederica von Stade, Bryn Terfel, the King’s Singers, narrators Walter Cronkite and Claire Bloom.

    Works Performed

    • Praise to the Lord
    • Redeemer of Isreal
    • My Song in the Night
    • Amazing Grace

    Dan Forrest

    Dan Forrest has been described as having "an undoubted gift for writing beautiful music….that is truly magical" (NY Concert Review), with works hailed as "magnificent, very cleverly constructed sound sculpture" (Classical Voice), and “superb writing…full of spine-tingling moments” (Salt Lake Tribune). In the last decade, Dan’s music has become well established in the repertoire of choirs in the U.S. and abroad. Dan’s music has received dozens of awards and distinctions, with premieres in major venues around the world. Dan is active as a composer, educator, and pianist.

    Works Performed

    • Jubilate Deo: Song of the Earth
    • Jubilate Deo: Omnis Terra

    Craig Courtney

    Craig Courtney, a native of Indiana, is a pianist and composer. He studied at the University of Cincinnati and the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. While in Salzburg, he directed a church choir and began composing sacred choral music. After catching the attention of John Ness Beck, he became a staff composer and editor at Beckenhorst Press. With over 160 choral octavos, vocal collections, and works for choir and orchestra, Mr. Courtney's compositions showcase his diverse background as a pianist, cellist, vocal coach, and choral director. He now resides in Columbus, Ohio, with his wife and son, directing the choir at The Church at Mill Run.

    Works Performed

    • Psalm 23

    Camp Kirkland

    Camp Kirkland, a Florida State University graduate with music education degrees, taught band at various levels. He played euphonium and trombone in esteemed orchestras and bands. Camp is renowned for reestablishing instrumental music in churches, being the first Instrumental Director at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville. With hundreds of choral and instrumental publications, he remains a leader in church orchestra growth. An in-demand conductor and clinician, Camp is now a freelance composer and arranger residing in Florida with his wife, Fran.

    Works Performed

    • No More Night

    Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Born on October 12, 1872, in Down Ampney, England, Williams was raised in Leith Hill Place and educated at Charterhouse School, the Royal College of Music, and Trinity College, Cambridge. Influenced by Charles Stanford, Hubert Parry, Max Bruch, and Maurice Ravel, he became one of the first to collect folk songs and carols from rural singers. As musical editor of The English Hymnal, he composed popular hymn tunes like "Sine Nomine" and "Down Ampney." His friendship with Gustav Holst played a pivotal role in both composers' development.

    Works Performed

    • O Clap Your Hands

    Glenn L. Rudolph

    Since 1977, Glenn L. Rudolph has been actively involved in choral music in Pittsburgh. He directed church choirs, was a member of the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, and served as a Conducting Assistant to Robert Page. Rudolph joined The Pittsburgh Camerata and worked as a tenor soloist at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral and Temple Rodef Shalom. He graduated with a B.M. in Music Composition from the University of Cincinnati, where he also studied voice. Rudolph later obtained his M.M. in Composition from Duquesne University's Mary Pappert School of Music in 2011, studying with esteemed composers like Paul Cooper and David Stock.

    Works Performed

    • The Dream Isaiah Saw

     

     

    Mark Babienko

    Mark is the producer of "The Power and Glory of God Through Music" concert series. In addition, he is the series' graphic artist, music librarian, website builder, sound engineer, video editor, print designer, and orchestral trumpet player. This year, he's adding the composers hat the collection, by having one of his works performed for the 2023 concert.

    Works Performed

    • Proelium - War In Heaven

     

     

    The Musicians

    The Choir - An Exciting Partnership

    The choir this year is composed of members from the Markham Woods Seventh-day Adventist church in Longwood, First Methodist Church of Orlando, Spring Meadows Seventh-day Adventist church, Forest Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church Choir, members of the Men of Markham Woods men's chorus, the vocal octet Restoration, several out of state choir performers, and numerous friends from the Orlando community and surrounding areas.

    The concert is a unique and exciting opportunity to blend the choral talents of many congregations, and the result is anticipated to produce amazing experiences for both choir singers and audiences alike.

    The Instrumentalists - An Incredible Experience

    The concert this year provides a once-off exciting experience for the instrumentalists. Often an orchestra is composed of an established group. Here we have the blending of several smaller groups, including members of the Orlando Philharmonic, the Markham Woods Brass, Sabbath Strings, and students from Forest Lake Academy, Lake Highland Academy, and numerous friends from the Orlando community and surrounding areas.

    Together with full pipe organ and handbells, the instruments for this years concert promise to deliver a spectacular experience for performers and audience alike.