The work is a lyrical setting of Longfellow’s text, often dividing the choir into eight parts. It is suitable for advanced high school or college choirs. Published by Pavane Publishing, exclusively distributed by Hal Leonard.

Instrumentation

SATB chorus and piano

Text

The work takes its text from H.W. Longfellow’s poem The Day Is Done (excerpts):

The day is done, and the darkness
Falls from the wings of Night,
As a feather is wafted downward
From an eagle in his flight.

Come, read to me some poem,
Some simple and heartfelt lay,
That shall soothe this restless feeling,
And banish the thoughts of day.

Such songs have power to quiet
The restless pulse of care,
And come like the benediction
That follows after prayer.

Then read from the treasured volume
The poem of thy choice,
And lend to the rhyme of the poet
The beauty of thy voice.

And the night shall be filled with music,
And the cares, that infest the day,
Shall fold their tents,
And silently steal away.

Duration

4:30

Composition Date and Commission

Composed 2005
Commissioned by Richard Messenger and the Irvine High School Chorale, and premiered by them at Carnegie Hall in April 2005.

View Performance History

— Premiered by the Irvine High School Chorale, Richard Messenger, conductor, at Carnegie Hall, New York City, April 3, 2005, and performed at Concordia University, Irvine, April 7, 2005
— Published by Pavane Publishing (distributed by Hal Leonard Corporation), January 2006
— Multiple performances by various high school choirs since 2006
— Performed by the Vanderbilt University Symphonic Choir, David Childs, conductor, November 29, 2006
— Performed at the Illinois American Choral Directors Association Summer Retreat, Bloomington, Illinois, July 2007
— Performed at the American Choral Directors Association Southern Division Convention, Louisville, March 6, 2008
— Conducted by Richard Messenger at the California ACDA Summer Conference, July 2013
— Performed by the Dorian Vocal Festival Massed Choir (1,100 singers), Jennaya Robison, conductor, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, January 16, 2017

Boyer: And the night shall be filled with music

Irvine High School Chorale
Richard Messenger, Conductor

Richard Messenger and the Irvine High School Chorale
Richard Messenger_IHSC