Jubilate Deo – Dan Forrest – COMPLETE – Rivertree Singers & Friends

The soloists’ names in order of appearance: Nikki Eoute, Laura Brundage, Heather Huron

Jubilate Deo (HMB269) is published by Hinshaw Music.

For more information and free rehearsal tracks visit:

From the composer:
Jubilate Deo portrays the global aspect of the traditional Psalm 100 text, “O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands,” by setting it in seven different languages and drawing from a wide spectrum of musical influences. Each movement combines some characteristics of its language-group’s musical culture with the composer’s own musical language. The opening movement sets the ancient liturgical Latin translation of the Psalm in a rather American musical idiom and introduces key musical motives for the work. The second movement sets the “from age to age” portion of the text in Hebrew and Arabic, evoking ancient cultures from the Middle East. The music intentionally intertwines the two languages in a symbolic gesture of unity between these cultures. Movement three, in Mandarin Chinese, is a tranquil setting of the shepherd-sheep metaphor from Psalm 100 and quotes “the Lord is my shepherd” from Psalm 23. The orchestra evokes the sounds of traditional Asian instruments. The fourth movement sets celebratory portions of the text in Zulu and draws from African vocal and drumming traditions. Movement five represents Latin America, setting Spanish text to a folk-song style melody and blending traditional folk instrumental sounds with imitative textures. The sixth movement, “Song of the Earth,” portrays the Earth itself singing—first wordlessly, but eventually finding its own voice— and leads seamlessly into the final movement. The finale unites many of the key themes and cultures from previous movements with other material, both old and new, as all the earth sings as one, “omnis terra, jubilate!”
- Dan Forrest

1. Jubilate Deo… – 0:50

O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands: serve the Lord with gladness, and come before his presence with a song. Be ye sure that the Lord he is God; it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and speak good of his name. For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth from generation to generation. (Psalm 100, Latin Vulgate)

2. Ve adthdor vador (From age to age) – 9:40
Bless his name. For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting, and his truth endures from age to age. (From Psalm 100:4-5, Hebrew and Arabic)

3. Ta cao chang de yang (The sheep of his pasture) – 18:35

It is he that has made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. (From Psalms 100:3 and 23:1, Mandarin Chinese)

4. Ngokujabula! (With great rejoicing!) – 27:15

Shout with triumph to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with joy, come before his presence with singing. Know that the Lord is God! (From Psalm 100:1-3, Zulu)

5. Bendecid su nombre (Bless his name) – 32:27

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise. Be thankful, and bless his name. (Psalm 100:4, Spanish)

6. Song of the Earth – 39:28

Alleluia. (Praise Jehovah - nearly universal transliteration)

7. ...Omnis Terra! – 44:56

Sing for joy, dance in gladness, shout for joy, all the earth!
(Adapted from various English translations)

Commissioned by Henry Leck for the Indianapolis Children’s Choirs, Jubilate Deo was premiered in April 2016 and is Dan Forrest’s largest work to date. The work will receive its Carnegie Hall premiere in March 2017.

Festival Staff
Warren Cook – Artistic Director, Conductor
Jean Cook – Rehearsal Accompanist
Philip Eoute – Festival Producer
Laura Brundage – Assistant to the Director
Kevin Delp – Finance Manager
Nikki Eoute – Orchestra Manager
Caleb Greene – Designer
Joey Hoelscher, Nikki Eoute – Rehearsal Coach
Julianne Brown – Librarian
Nikki Eoute, Kelly Martin – Section Leader
T. J. Ellis, Ryan Martin – Section Leader
Rodney McCarty – Stage Manager
Matthew Steel – Sound Engineer
Bill Kimzey – Video Producer

[jerrera]

As long as there is the miracle of music like this there will always be hope for mankind.

[GrantLeitma]

Music takes us to the depths of the human soul and then takes us to the God of heaven and this universe!

[irenelahaye]

Écoutez ce concert qui emmène l’humanité vers l’universel où la terre entière chante comme un seul homme… Magnifique ❤❤❤ !

[johnclayden]

I can't stop listening to this marvellous, beautiful, uplifting and moving work of pure genius. One of the great choral works of all time and, sung and played with fantastic🎉 enthusiasm by the superb River tree group. Music of epic proportions

[henningvventer]

I can listen to this over and over again. Great comfort during Lock down in Namibia.

[nikkieoute]

This has to be one of the most epic of experiences. It was such an honor to be part of this endeavor! It was a challenge in many ways, but everyone made it look easy! Thanks to Dan for writing such compelling music for us as musicians to academically strive for but spiritually to exalt our God with! I loved every minute of this journey and am thrilled that others get to experience the nations and creation praising our God!

[rtgirl]

No matter how many times I come back to listen to this it never loses it's beauty or epicness! This was an incredible performance to be a part of! Can't wait to sing it again!

[spielsurfer]

1 0:50 Jubilate Deo
2 9:40 Ve adthdor vador
3 18:35 Ta cao chang de yang
4 27:15 Ngokujabula!
5 32:27 Bendecid su nombre
6 39:28 Song of the Earth
7 44:56 ...Omnis Terra!

[bethbarnard]

It was an honor to sing another beautiful composition by Dan Forrest!

[bethanymcgregor]

Absolutely gorgeous! My husband and II sing in the Arlington Master Chorale in Arlington, TX and we are going to perform the 1st movement of this wonderful work at our upcoming concert June 3. So, I've been rehearsing w/ this recording. I decided today to listen to the entire work, and all I can say is WOW! As usual, Dan Forrest delivered on this music beautifully! BRAVO to Mr. Forrest and to the Rivertree Singers and Friends! LOVED IT!

[lanfrancomilletti]

Quando chiuderò gli occhi per l'ultima volta vorrei essere accompagnato dalla sua musica. Grazie Dan ....

[macierogers]

I had the honor of singing this work for the Carnage Hall premiere in NYC this year where I got to meet the composer, who actually accompanied us on piano one of the last days of rehearsal, and Dr. Henry Leck conducted us. It was such an unreal, practically ethereal moment for me as a college student. I was also a soprano solo for the second movement in the East Tennessee premiere. I am blessed by God beyond words can explain.

[MartinMessmer]

Bei 11:00 – die Harfe etwas zu früh mit dem Glissando :-) … Wunderschön gespielt – wunderbare Musik! — *DANKE* dafür … !! —

[michaelmoore]

Such a joy and privilege to be a part of this performance!

[nancysarratt]

During the disturbing times in which we live today, I prefer to find solace in beautiful music . It calms the spirit and gives me hope.

[biomabibleinstituteofthema]

The word "beautiful" seems wholly inadequate to describe this work. The singers captured its heart and orchestra was wonderful. I can't help but think that Heaven will be a little like this work...all creation joining in praising the great Creator and Redeemer!

[EngPheniks]

with great love, from Mizoram, India 🇮🇳👍

[philgolson]

Back here in September of 2021, enthralled, yet again.

[McScott]

This is breathtaking. I had the privilege of singing with the BJU Chorale under Dr. Warren Cook's direction in my college days. It was and still is one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Such a humble, talented, kind man. I really miss singing with a choir of this caliber. I'm super jealous that Dan Forrest's music wasn't around back then. He's right up there with John Rutter in my book. Simply mesmerizing, beautiful music. It's been a long time since a piece of music brought tears to my eyes like this does.

[senoradelvita]

The conductor...wow!!!...I can't stop staring.