Visual & Performing Arts

The Origin of “How Can I Keep from Singing On?” by Nancy Matchett

By Paul Rusterholz

Under the title, on the first page of the music, there’s a dedication line: “In memory of soprano Sigrid Mount”.  And there’s a story about how this music came into existence…

Sigrid Mount worked as a librarian, and she loved to sing.  She studied voice at UWL for several years, and she sang soprano with the Choral Union for about five years. On several occasions she was a soprano soloist for one of our concerts.

In January of 2003, with relatively little warning, she discovered that she had cancer, and that it had spread to several places in her body.  She died in May of 2003.  Because singing in the Choral Union had been so important to her, she asked her husband to send any memorial money to the Choral Union. 

A committee of our singers came up with the idea of using the memorial money to sponsor a composition contest. They wanted a “signature piece” in Sig’s honor, that could be sung to open or close one of our concerts each season.  “The text should deal with the love of singing, and perhaps celebrate or honor the true amateur who sings for the joy of it.”  We asked for submissions by Feb. 1 of 2005, and we received 24 entries.  The identity of the composers was not known to the committee as we gathered to sing through and evaluate and rank each submission.

Nancy’s piece was the 1^st place winner, so we were very glad that we had used a “blind” submission process.  We gave the premiere performance on May 1, 2005 at the conclusion of our performance of Mozart’s Requiem, and we sang it each year for the next 6 years. 

On Sept. 7, 2024, we sang it at the Memorial Service for Nancy.

FUNERAL IKOS (1981)
Why these bitter words of the dying,
O brethren, which they utter
as they go hence?

I am parted from my brethren.
All my friends do I abandon,
and go hence.

But whither I go, that understand I not,
neither what shall become of me yonder;
only God who hath summoned me knoweth.

But make commemoration of me with the song:
Alleluia.

But whither now go the souls?
How dwell they now together there?
This mystery have I desired to learn,
but none can impart aright.

Do they call to mind their own people,
as we do them?
Or have they forgotten all those
who mourn them and make the song:
Alleluia.

We go forth on the path eternal,
and as condemned, with downcast faces,
present ouselves before the only God eternal.
Where then is comeliness?
Where then is wealth?
Where then is the glory of this world?
There shall none of these things aid us,
but only to say oft the psalm:
Alleluia.

If thou hast shown mercy
unto man, o man,
that same mercy
shall be shown thee there;
and if on an orphan
thou hast shown compassion,
that same shall there
deliver thee from want.
If in this life
the naked thou hast clothed,
the same shall give thee
shelter there,
and sing the psalm:
Alleluia.

Youth and the beauty of the body
fade at the hour of death,
and the tongue then burneth fiercely,
and the parched throat is inflamed.

The beauty of the eyes is quenched then,
the comeliness of the face all altered,
the shapeliness of the neck destroyed;
And the other parts have become numb,
nor often say:
Alleluia.

With ecstasy are we inflamed
if we but hear
that there is light eternal yonder;
That there is Paradise, wherein
every soul of Righteous Ones rejoiceth.
Let us all, also, enter into Christ,
that all we may cry aloud thus unto God:
Alleluia.

LUX AETERNA (1997)

Introitus
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat eis
Te decet hymnus, Deus, in Sion,
et tibi reddetur votum
in Jerusalem:
Exaudi orationem meam,
ad te omnis caro veniet.
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Rest eternal grant them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine on them.
You are praised, God, in Zion,
And homage will be paid to you
in Jerusalem:
Hear my prayer,
To you all flesh will come.
Rest eternal grant them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine on them.

In Te, Domine, Speravi
Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem
non horruisti Virginis uterum.
Tu devicto mortis aculeo,
aperuisti credentibus regna cœlorum.
Exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis.
Miserere nostri, Domine,
miserere nostri.
Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos
quemadmodum speravimus in te.
In te Domine, speravi:
non confundar in aeternum.

Thou, having delivered mankind,
did not disdain the Virgin’s womb.
Thou overcame the sting of death
and opened to believers the kingdom of heaven.
A light has risen in the darkness for the upright.
Have mercy on us, O Lord,
have mercy on us.
Let thy mercy be upon us, O Lord,
for we have hoped in thee.
In thee, O Lord, I have trusted:
let me never be confounded.

O Nata Lux
O nata lux de lumine,
Jesu redemptor saeculi,
dignare clemens supplicum
laudes preces que sumere.
Qui carne quondam contegi
dignatus es pro perditis.
Nos membra confer effici,
tui beati corporis.
O born light of light,
Jesus redeemer of the world,
mercifully deem worthy and accept
praises and prayers from your supplicants.
Who once was clothed in the flesh
for those who are lost.
Allow us to become members of
your holy body.

Veni, Sancte Spiritus
Veni, Sancte Spiritus
et emitte cœlitus
lucis tuae radium.
Veni, pater pauperum,
veni, dator munerum,
veni, lumen cordium.
Consolator optime,
dulcis hospes animae,
dulce refrigerium.
In labore requies,
in aestu temperies,
in fletu solatium.
O lux beatissima,
reple cordis intima
Tuorum fidelium.
Sine tuo numine,
nihil est in homine,
nihil est innoxium.
Lava quod est sordidum,
riga quod est aridum,
sana quod est saucium.
Flecte quod est rigidum,
fove quod est frigidum,
rege quod est devium.
Da tuis fidelibus,
in te confidentibus,
sacrum septenarium.
Da virtutis meritum,
da salutis exitum,
da perenne gaudium.

Come, Holy Spirit,
And send from heaven
Your ray of light.
Come, Father of the poor,
Come, giver of gifts,
Come, light of hearts.
The best of Consolers,
Sweet guest of the soul,
Sweet refreshment.
In labor, thou art rest,
In heat, thou art the tempering,
In grief, thou art the consolation.
O light most blessed,
Fill the inmost heart
Of all thy faithful.
Without your grace,
There is nothing in us,
Nothing that is not harmful.
Cleanse what is dirty,
Moisten what is dry,
Heal what is hurt.
Flex what is rigid,
Heat what is frigid,
Correct what goes astray.
Grant to thy faithful,
Those that trust in thee,
Thy sacred seven-fold gifts.
Grant the reward of virtue,
Grant the deliverance of salvation,
Grant joy everlasting.

Agnus Dei – Lux Aeterna
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem sempiternam.
Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine,
cum sanctis tuis in aeternum,
quia pius es.
Requiem aeternum dona eis, Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat eis.
Alleluia. Amen.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant them rest.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant them rest.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant them rest forever.
May eternal light shine on them, Lord,
as with your saints in eternity,
because you are merciful.
Grant them eternal rest, Lord,
and let perpetual light shine on them,
Alleluia. Amen.

HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING ON?
My life goes on in endless song, above earth’s lamentation
I hear the real, though far off hymn that hails a new creation

Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear its music ringing
It sounds an echo in my soul,
How can I keep from singing?

How can I keep from singing? (From singing on)
How can I keep from joining in the song?
When all together now our voices ringing
How can I keep from singing on?

While though the tempest loudly roars
I hear the truth it liveth
And though the darkness round me close
Songs in the night it giveth

No storm can shake my inmost calm

Nancy Valentine Matchett (September 2, 1950 — August 11, 2024) was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, friend, and musician. Born in Chicago, Illinois, her father was a lawyer and her mother an artist. Nancy attended Concordia College, graduating with a degree in music education. She later earned a master’s degree at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, where she met her husband, Andrew. Nancy and Andy began their lives together in Texas, and relocated to La Crosse 1982. Nancy taught first grade at Southern Bluffs Elementary School for many years, and then, from 2004 until her retirement in 2010, served as principal at Hamilton Elementary School. Music was always a focal point of Nancy’s life, starting in early childhood. She nurtured a love of classical and choral music in those around her, including some of her children. At various points in her life, Nancy was an elementary school music teacher, adult choir director, piano accompanist, and faithful singer in various choirs and ensembles, particularly UWL Choral Union. 

In the 1980s, Nancy was the Music Director at English Lutheran Church and, in that capacity, started a handbell Choir and served as Director of the Senior ELC Choir. As a young choir director, and “thinking her choir could do anything,” as she put it, she had them learn Mozart’s Requiem. They rose to the challenge, caught the eye of the Music Department at UW-La Crosse, were recommended to Midwest Productions of New York City, and were invited, along with seven other distinguished church, university, and civic choirs from the Midwest to jointly perform the Mozart Requiem at Carnegie Hall in 1988. 

In 2008, Nancy performed with La Crosse Community Theater in the musical, The Sound of Music as Mother Superior. After retirement from La Crosse School District, Nancy returned to ELC as Senior Choir Director from 2016 to 2018, and when the covid emergency was over she directed the adult choir at the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship in La Crosse for several months. Nancy long believed that music has a special power to unite people. Her presence in the Choral Union will be missed. 

The Choral Union would also like to recognize the passing of the following former members: 

Jeffrey Bruce Stevenson (April 4, 1947 – June 13, 2023) was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, known for his warmth, kindness, and dedication to family, community, and the arts. Jeff found joy in music and dance, regularly singing with the UWL Choral Union and dancing with Nancy at local events, including performances of The Nutcracker with their family. A talented photographer, Jeff captured beautiful landscapes and candid moments with friends and family, a hobby that reflected his appreciation for life’s beauty.

Carolyn Fern Plumb Udell (September 28, 1925 - November 1, 2024) touched countless lives in deeply meaningful ways over her 99 years, whether through family, friends, or the many children she inspired as a devoted music teacher. Carolyn taught grade school music in Sun Prairie, instilling a love of music in her students. For Carolyn, music was a lifelong passion, expressed primarily through her love of and skill on the piano and organ. Starting piano at age seven she played through her final days. Her joy, playfulness, and radiant smile while "tickling the ivories" will be remembered by all who knew her.

By Paul Rusterholz, conductor of the UWL Choral Union from 1989-2011

Nancy Matchett sang in the Choral Union for 14 of the 22 years that I was the conductor. For many of those concerts, most of the vocal soloists came from within the ranks of the choir, and Nancy almost always was eager to audition. Indeed, she would usually go through the music as soon as she got it, and try out various solos, to decide which she was most interested in auditioning for. Then she would work with her voice teacher, listen to recordings, and practice! When the time came to audition, she was always well-prepared, and presented a sensitive and well thought out interpretation of the music.

What follows is a listing of the solos that Nancy sang. Some are solo arias, and some are the soprano part of a vocal quartet. It’s an impressive list, and I’m reminded of how fortunate I was to have Nancy singing in the Choral Union all those years!

Dec. 1997... Bach “Magnificat:” “Quia respexit”
Nov. 1998... Mozart “Mass in C minor:” “Christe eleison”, “Quoniam”, “Benedictus”
Dec. 1999... Haydn “St. Nicholas Mass:” “Benedictus”
Dec. 1999... Rutter “Magnificat:” “Esurientes”

May 2000... Mozart “Solemn Vespers:” “Laudate Dominum”
Dec. 2000... J. Willcocks “Magnificat:” “Et misericordia”
Apr. 2001... Haydn “Lord Nelson Mass:” “Benedictus” and “Agnus Dei”

Dec. 2001... Mozart “Litanies” K. 243: “Agnus Dei”
Nov. 2002... Handel “Messiah:” “Rejoice Greatly”
Dec. 2004... Beethoven “Mass in C:” “Benedictus”

May 2005... Mozart “Requiem:” “Recordare”
May 2006... Vaughan Williams “Dona Nobis Pacem:” “Agnus Dei”
Dec. 2006... Bach “Christmas Oratorio:”

Dec. 2007... Mendelssohn. “Hymn of Praise:” “The Night is Departing”
Nov. 2008... Poulenc “Gloria:” “Domine Deus”
Dec. 2009... Vaughan Williams “Hodie:” “Sweet was the Song”

May 2010... Brahms “German Requiem:” “Ihr habt nun Traurigkeit”
Dec. 2010... Haydn “Harmoniemesse:” “Kyrie” and “Dona Nobis Pacem”