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Listen to a RealAudio (G2) stream of a performance of this work by the Camrose Camerata, Joy-Anne Murphy, conductor.
Download an MP3 file of a performance of this work by the Camrose Camerata, Joy-Anne Murphy, conductor.
Download a PDF file of the choral score of this composition. For perusal only -- not printable.
(Photograph of the Ellington High School Vocal Ensemble in the premiere of this work.)
Commissioned by the Ellington High School Vocal Ensemble, Sal Cicciarella, Music Director
The pleasures of music, food and love are "toasted" in Sing On! Based on the familiar text by Col. Henry Heveningham ("If music be the food of love..."), this musical setting adds a few new touches: the clanking of knife-on-glass to set the tempo; a gesture of a toast-celebration as the final cut-off; and playful clusters (perhaps cream puffs!) in the piano accompaniment.
A middle section delights in reordering the words:
If food be the music of love...
if music lovers love food...
if the love of food be music! (which may speak to the gourmets in the audience)
Delicacies, one and all!
This song was composed to honor Sal Cicciarella, Choral Director, and his students, who share in his love of music, food and life. Sal retired in June, 2003, after 36 years of teaching at the Ellington (CT) High School.
Sing On!
Notes by the composer