Voces Novae

Requiem Notes

Requiem aeternam from Missa pro defunctis

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.
Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison.

Grant them rest eternal, Lord our God, we pray to thee: and light perpetual shine on them forever.
Thou, Lord, art worshiped in Sion: thy praises shall ever be sung in all Jerusalem.
O hear us; O Lord, hear thy faithful servants prayer; to thee shall all mortal flesh return.
Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison.

Out of the deep Psalm 130

Out of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice.
O let thine ears consider well: the voice of my complaint.
If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss: O Lord, who may abide it?
For there is mercy with thee: therefore shalt thou be feared.
I look for the Lord; my soul doth wait for him: in his word is my trust.
My soul fleeth unto the Lord; before the morning watch, I say, before the morning watch.
O Israel, trust in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy: and with him is plenteous redemption.
And he shall redeem Israel: from all his sins.

Pie Jesu from “Dies Irae”, Missa pro defunctis

Pie Jesu Domine, dona eis requiem.
Pie Jesu Domine, dona is sempiternam requiem.

Blessed Jesu, Lord I pray, in thy mercy grant them rest.
Lord our God, we pray thee, grant them everlasting rest.

Sanctus Missa pro defunctis

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua.
Hosanna in excelsis.
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini
Hosanna in excelsis.

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and majesty.
Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord our God:
Hosanna in the highest.

Agnus Dei Missa pro defunctis;
Burial Service, 1662 Book of Common Prayer

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem.

Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world: in thy mercy, grant them rest.

Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live,
and is full of misery. He cometh up, and is cut down like a flower; he fleeth as it were a shadow.
In the midst of life we are in death: of whom may we seek for succour?
I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.

The Lord is my shepherd Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd: therefore can I lack nothing.
He shall feed me in a green pasture: and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort.
He shall convert my soul: and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness, for his Name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me.
Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me:
thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.
But thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Lux aeternA Burial Service; Missa pro defunctis

I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me,
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, for they rest from their labours: even so saith the Spirit.

Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine: cum sanctis tuis in aeternum, quia pius es.
Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine: et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Light eternal shine upon them, Lord, we pray: with saints and angels ever dwelling, for thy mercy's sake, may they rest in peace.
Grant them rest eternal, Lord our God, we pray to thee: and light perpetual shine on them for ever.

The Family’s Program Notes

We appreciate Voces Novae allowing the Heller family to choose the pieces for the second half of the concert. These songs were selected because of the memories surrounding them. All of these were pieces we listened to during Frank’s final days. Voces Novae was played nonstop because the music soothed him. We are honored that we could be a part of choosing these songs for “Memories.”

All That Hath Life and Breath - April chose this piece. If you knew Frank this is a song that you were sure to hear or sing, whether in his church choir, Voces Novae, Louisville Youth Choir or just as a listener. This song encompasses the harmonies, rounds, and imagery he was made of and tried to make us all aware of wrapped into one remarkable piece. As he would say close your eyes and don't just hear the music, feel it, let it pour over you. This is one of few pieces we listened to in his last days and one that no matter the time, place, or environment that will always take most of us back to a memory of him. Please just close your eyes and allow this song to take you to one of those times!

The Road Not Taken - this piece was chosen by Jennifer. Voces Novae sang this song during her time in the ensemble, and she recalls the following: “I was at a bit of a crossroads myself during this season and one night, my dad, used this poem as a way to guide me. I think I may have still taken the road travelled most, since I was a creature of habit, but over time I finally headed his advice and took the road less travelled. I wish he was here to see how far I finally made it.”

Hark I Hear the Harps Eternal - this piece was chosen as a staple of Voces Novae. It was a piece that was sung in the first concert Voces Novae had and appeared from time to time. It is an upbeat celebratory piece that encompasses the joyful personality of Frank.

Amazing Grace - this was one of Frank’s favorite hymns. It was one of the rare pieces that he would “willingly” sing in public when asked. The rendition of this hymn is truly beautiful, and a piece that he would have loved to conduct with this ensemble.

Deep River - this piece was chosen because it is one of the pieces that we listened to during our final moments with him and remembered the array of emotions we were given by both him as a director and the Voces Novae ensemble.

I'm Goin’ Up a Yonder- this piece was chosen by all three girls, Jennifer, Shannon, and April. “This piece was one that Dan Stokes did with the youth choir of Christ Church, every year after our choir retreats and missions. It was the closing song of our concerts each time. Our Dad, Frank, was a guest conductor for these retreats, and made a point to be there each year that one of us was in the choir. He would lead the piece for the youth choir on the Sunday morning of our return, right here in Christ Church United Methodist. It is a memory that will stay with us forever, and just like those moments, it is the only way he would want to say goodbye by "Goin’ up a Yonder."

Notes from the Family

I cannot think of a better way to sum up Frank’s life than a celebration of song. He sang in choirs at Harvey Browne Presbyterian, Waggener High School, Louisville Youth Choir, and University of Louisville Choir. He conducted choirs at Harvey Browne Presbyterian, Highland Presbyterian, University of Louisville Chorale and The Louisville Youth Choir. Frank will be remembered for his love of Creative Motion. He not only conducted but gave the singers and audience the emotion along with the notes. Frank touched many lives with his gift and will live on through all of us and music.

Donna

I am beyond blessed to have been able to call him my dad. He was a bundle of energy that could not and would not be tamed. He had a way to make everyone feel seen and loved no matter who they were, or how briefly he may have known them. He brought an energy and emotion to music that would leave you speechless and wanting more. He is missed every day, but he will always be remembered when the music plays.

Jennifer

Frank (Dad) meant so much to so many people it is hard to imagine most days that he is not here. I know we all have stories to share of times with Frank - maybe your stories are happy, sad, frustrating, hilarious, or perhaps even a bit strange, but I am sure they were filled with energy, laughter and, of course, tie-dye. He had a talent not just in music, but for seeing the best in people and always expected people to live up to those standards. He also had a knack for creating lasting impressions, and I only wish more of us could get a few more moments with him today - to hear his laugh, make fun of him crying at Disney movies, or just to chat… miss and love you, dad.

Shannon

What can I say about this man, Frank Heller III, my father, my confidant, man I looked up to? He was a Renaissance man and taught me how music can cover every facet of life. He left most of us with the gift of music and memories of fellowship, community, and outreaching to the less fortunate. Thank you for empowering me and standing by so many of us in our times of darkness and woes and showing us how to let our light shine through. I love you and miss you more every day and hope I'm letting my light shine as you taught me.