a winter's journey
TRANSCRIPT
A Winter’s Journey
Quintessence: Choral Artists of the Southwest2 0 1 2 - 2 0 1 3 S E A S O N • M AT T H E W G R E E R , A RT I S T I C D I R E C T O R
Songs of the season,with carols, folk songs,
and music to warm theheart, including music
of Stephen Paulus, OlaGjeilo, Philip Stopfordand others. Featuring as special guests the
Eldorado High SchoolTreble Choir, directed
by Megan Rader.
Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 5pm
Sunday, December 2, 2012 at 3pm
St. Paul Lutheran Church1100 Indian School Rd. NE
St. John's United Methodist Church2626 Arizona St. NE
AABBOOUUTT TTHHEE PPRROOGGRRAAMM
Any successful concert of Christmas music needs to include a mix of the old and the new. This is what audiences expect. It’s not unlike going to see the Rolling Stones*: you’ll put up with hearing new stuff for a while, but at some point they had better get around to playing “Satisfaction.”
This season is so rich, musically speaking. There is such a wealth of familiar texts and tunes that it’s tempting to not venture into new territory at all. But composers keep on composing, thankfully, and much of what they craft for this season seems to be recreations and reimaginings of older, familiar material.
Take “O Magnum Mysterium.” This short medieval Latin poem has been set by scores of composers across the centuries, and it seems to inspire some of the most sublime music they are capable of. I remember the first “O Magnum” I ever heard. My high school choral director played us a recording of the Roger Wagner Chorale singing Daniel Pinkham’s setting, from his 1957 Christmas Cantata. This was like no Christmas music I had ever encountered. It sounded otherworldly to me, haunting and gorgeous and completely captivating. I feel the same way about the “O Magnum Mysterium” we’re singing for you today, a breathtaking new piece by the Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo which features cello. It’s a gift.
There are several other examples of the marriage of ancient and modern on our program. Philip Stopford brings to mind the medieval “Coventry Carol” in his beautiful “Lulla, Lully, Lullay” without ever directly quoting it. And Stephen Paulus’s marvelous “Three Nativity Carols” feature ancient texts paired with modern harmonies, along with the wonderfully evocative accompaniment of harp and oboe.
Our superb guest choir is singing a group of traditional carol settings, and Quintessence will offer some also: John Rutter’s “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day,” Dale Warland’s “Wexford Carol,” Edwin Fissinger’s “Patapan,” and Eric Banks “To Hear the Angels Sing” are all creative and sparkling arrangements of traditional carols. And then there is Jonathan Miller’s unfortunate “Jingle Bells Hallelujah Chorus.” It may be the kind of gift you’d like to return.
Whether or not you hear your favorite carol today, we hope that you’ll find comfort and joy in this mixture of old and new. And what a gift it is to be in a warm room together, experiencing what human voices and spirits can do when they join together. O great and wondrous mystery.
MATTHEW GREER
*Which you can do, by the way, if you’re in New York next weekend. You’re welcome.
PROGRAM Carol (Neighbors, On This Frosty Tide) Joan Morris and William Bolcom
Amy Greer, piano Wexford Carol Irish Carol, arr. Dale Warland
Jerome Jim, flute Ave Maria: A Choral Prayer Jessica Franchi Patapan French Carol, arr. Edwin Fissinger Serenity (O Magnum Mysterium) Ola Gjeilo
Lisa Collins, cello Three Nativity Carols Stephen Paulus
I. The Holly and the Ivy II. This Endris Night III. Wonder Tidings
Claudia Giese, oboe Lynn Gorman DeVelder, harp
INTERMISSION
Deck the Hall Old Welsh Air A La Nanita Nana Traditional Celine West, violinist Rise Up Shepherd and Follow arr. Almond Sarah Spence, soloist Angels We Have Heard on High Traditional Carol We Wish You a Merry Christmas English Folk Song
The Eldorado High School Treble Chorus Megan Rader, director Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day English Carol, arr. John Rutter Emily Shrock, soloist Lynn Gorman DeVelder, harp Lully, Lulla, Lullay Philip Stopford Rebecca Craig, soloist Jingle Bells Hallelujah Chorus James L. Pierpont and G.F. Handel arr. Jonathan Miller To Hear the Angels Sing Eric Banks
Audience members whose phones ring during the performance will receive coal in their stockings for the rest of their lives.
SSeelleecctteedd TTeexxttss aanndd TTrraannssllaattiioonnss Ave Maria
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and in the hour of our death. Amen.
O Magnum Mysterium O great mystery, and wonderful sacrament, that animals should see the new‐born Lord, lying in a manger! Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy to bear Christ the Lord. Alleluia!
Three Nativity Carols I. The Holly and The Ivy The holly and the ivy, now both are full well grown, Of all the trees that are in the wood, the holly bears the crown.
Oh, the rising of the sun and the running of the deer, The playing of the merry organ, sweet singing in the choir.
The holly bears a blossom as white as lily flower, And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to be our sweet saviour The holly bears a berry as red as any blood, And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to do poor sinners good. The holly bears a prickle as sharp as any thorn, And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ on Christmas Day in the morn. The holly bears a bark as bitter as any gall, And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ for to redeem us all.
III. Wonder Tidings What tidings bringest thou, messenger, Of Christ His birth this jolly day? A Babe is born of high nature The Prince of Peace that ever shall be. Of heav'n and earth He hath the cure, His lordship is eternity. Such wondrous tidings ye may hear, That man is made now heaven's peer, Whom sin had made but fiendes pray.
A wondrous thing doth now befall, That King that formed star and sun, Heaven and earth and angels all, Now in mankind is new begun. Such wondrous tidings ye may hear, A infant of a single year That hath been e'er and shall be aye.
That lovliest gan greet her Child, “Hail, son, Hail, Brother, Hail, Father dear.” “Hail, Daughter,” He saith, “Hail, Mother mild,” This hailing was on quaint manner. Such wondrous tidings ye may here, That hailing was of so good cheer That mannes pain is turned to play.
II. This Endris Night This endris night I saw a sight, A star as bright as day, And ever among, a maiden sung, "Lullay, by, by, lullay."
This lovely lady sat and sung, And to her child did say, "My son, my brother, my father dear, Why liest thou thus in hay?
The child then spake in his talking And to his mother said, "I am crowned as heaven‐king In crib though I be laid.
"Now, sweet son, since thou art king, Why art thou laid in stall? Why ne thou ordained thy bedding In some great kinge's hall?
"Mary mother, I am thy Child, Though I be laid in stall; For lords and dukes shall worship Me, And so shall kinges all.
"My dear mother, when time it be, Thou take Me up on loft, And set Me then upon thy knee, And handle me full soft.
"And in thy arm thou hill Me warm, And keepe night and day, And if I weep, and may not sleep, Then sing, 'By, by, lullay'."
BBiiooggrraapphhiieess aanndd BBaacckkggrroouunnddss Matthew Greer was appointed Artistic Director of Quintessence in 2009. He also serves as Director of Music and Worship at St. John's United Methodist Church in Albuquerque, where he directs several choirs and oversees a comprehensive music program. At St. John's, he founded the "Music at St. John's" concert series, and "Thursday Evening Musicales," an annual series of recitals benefitting Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless. He was recently among the recipients of Creative Albuquerque's "Creative Bravos" awards for 2012. A native of Kansas City, Greer holds degrees in music and theology from Trinity University and Boston University. He has inside jokes with complete strangers. Cuba imports cigars from him. Mosquitoes refuse to bite him, purely out of respect.
Amy Greer is an active performer, both as a soloist and in collaboration with singers and instrumentalists. She received a Master of Music degree from the University of Missouri‐Kansas City, a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Missouri‐Columbia and is currently working on a graduate degree in Educational Psychology from the University of New Mexico. She has worked with faculty and students at Texas Christian University, Texas Wesleyan University, The Boston Conservatory, and UNM, and performed with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and the Santa Fe Symphony. Recognized for her creative approach to traditional piano lessons, she has maintained successful piano studios in New Mexico, Massachusetts, Texas, and Missouri. A writer and frequent contributor to music journals, she has been a columnist for American Music Teacher magazine. Her teachers have included Jane Allen, Joanne Baker and William Westney. She keeps house for one man, two cats and three feisty betta fish.
Born on the Navajo Reservation, Jerome Jim is a versatile musician with styles ranging from traditional Native American to the classical flute repertoire. He appeared with the Grand Canyon Music Festival in the world premiere of Guardians of the Grand Canyon by composer Brent Michael Davids. He was featured on the NPR program “Native America Calling.” He has also performed at numerous University of New Mexico public events playing Native American works. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of New Mexico in European Musical Performance in a Cultural Context, a degree that encompasses music, history, art history, literature, and languages. In 2003, he attended the Conservatorium van Amsterdam in Amsterdam, The Netherlands to further musical studies, and while there pursued research on the Early Romantic operatic soprano Giuditta Pasta. His primary flute teachers include Valerie Potter and the late Frank Bowen. In his spare time, Mr. Jim enjoys reading, cooking, eating, listening to very bad electronic music, watching YouTube, and working out. When he is not engaged in frivolous pursuits – such as making music – he likes to teach his two Chihuahuas to do silly tricks and bark endlessly at small children.
Lisa Collins grew up in Albuquerque and has degrees in performance from the University of New Mexico. She is a fully certified teacher of the Suzuki method, and is the Director of Cello at the UNM Lab School Prep program. She is a member of the New Mexico Philharmonic, the Santa Fe Symphony, and various chamber ensembles.
Oboist Claudia Giese studied at UNM and at SUNY Stony Brook, New York where she earned her Masters of Music degree. She worked as a freelance musician in New York City and performed with the Aspen Wind Quintet, Holy Trinity Bach Vespers Series, and New York City Opera National Touring Company. She was principal oboe with the Orquesta Sinfonica del Estado de Mexico in Toluca, Mexico and now lives in Albuquerque where she has an active oboe studio.
Lynn Gorman DeVelder is currently a resident of New Mexico and performs regularly with several ensembles to include Santa Fe Pro Musica, the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, the El Paso Opera, De Profundis, Quintessence: Choral Artists of the Southwest, and Polyphony: Voices of New Mexico. She has been a featured chamber musician for the Placitas Artist Series, the Presidential Chamber Music Series at Macey Center, and Music in Corrales. Ms. Gorman DeVelder was harpist for “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band in Washington, DC, from 1998 to 2003. She is an active teacher and has been faculty for the Masterworks Performing Arts Festival.
Megan Rader, is an Eldorado graduate and is thrilled to now be director of this awesome program! Megan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music. She is currently completing her Master’s Degree in Music Education at the University of New Mexico. Megan was formally the Choir Director at Desert Ridge Middle School, where she also taught Drama and General Music. She has sung with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra Chorus, St. John's United Methodist Church Chancel Choir, and is currently singing with Quintessence: Choral Artists of the Southwest. Megan has a small private voice studio and enjoys spending time with her husband Matt, their dog, Lucky and cat, Diva.
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Anita Amstutz Mary‐Ellin Brooks Bryan Butler* David CappelBarbi Cappel Laurel Deming Tom Crow Andrew ClouseRebecca Craig Suzanne Dressler Alex Klebenow Martin Doviak
Elizabeth Drotning Hartwell Amy Greer Jerry Matthews James GrahamPauleta Hendrickson* Trish Henning* David McGuire Daryl Lee*
Checky Okun Dwayne MoseleyKris Stichman Arnel Oczon* Section Leader John Sitler
AAbboouutt tthhee SSiinnggeerrss:: Anita Amstutz, a local ordained pastor and native of Northeast Ohio who has sung 4‐part hymnody forever from the Mennonite landscape of her childhood, is especially delighted in this Christmas concert and hopes the same for you and yours! Barbi Cappel is an ABQ “almost native” who has been singing choral music since, well…forever, and shamelessly admits to joining the church bell choir 15 years ago solely with the intent of getting closer to the handsome baritone who is now her husband (success!) Rebecca Craig is excited to celebrate this holiday season with her husband, David, and baby‐to‐be!! Elizabeth Drotning Hartwell is a family law attorney, married to tenor extraordinaire Seth Hartwell, and proud mama of Anna Justine and another little singer on the way. Music of the "holy‐days" is one of Pauleta Hendrickson's guilty pleasures which she shares in exuberant joy with children's choirs, her husband, Sean, and their children, Avery and Jared, and anyone else who will listen, including you! For Checky Okun, singing in Quintessence gives her the equilibrium she needs to keep sane in her day job as medical director, CEO, and full time practicing OB/GYN with Women's Specialists of New Mexico. The music selections in this concert recall childhood Christmases of Kris Stichman, and also the fun of decorating, cookie baking and the happiness of her grandchildren on Christmas Day. MaryEllin Brooks dedicates this concert to her niece, Madeleine, a budding choral singer who turns 12 on December 2. Laurel Deming has been singing with choirs since she was two swinging on the altar rail and has enjoyed singing with Quintessence for many years all for the love and joy of music with a glimmer of that mischief. Suzanne Dressler has found warmth and comfort in the Alto Section of Quintessence for many seasons, but her favorite is winter: what could possibly be more enchanting than music involving firesides, snow, a Mother and her Babe, angels, and Wonder Tidings? Trish Henning and her husband Tony will be spending the holidays at home watching their four cats joyfully knock all of the ornaments off the tree. Bryan Butler works as a staff astronomer (working on solar system bodies) and software manager at the Very Large Array; he has sung or is singing with the groups Cantores Atri Mortis, Quodlibet, Polyphony Voices of New Mexico, and Quintessence. Tom Crow appreciates every opportunity he has to sing with Quintessence, every second he’s given to spend with his beautiful and patient wife and three terrific kids during the holidays, and every measure of the music that fills his life. Alex Klebenow is very happy to be singing in his 2nd season with Quintessence, and thinks that filling his Christmas season with lots of music is the best way to go, and boy is he doing that! Jerry Matthews is giddy to find that he has indeed made "the list" (but will not disclose if it's in the Naughty or Nice column), and is forever grateful for the gifts of love (thanks, Larry!), music, friendship, creativity, employment and last but not least....puppies! David McGuire’s dad still wonders what his son’s degree in music theory and composition has to do with a career in IT, but is glad to see his music‐lesson dollars are still paying off. This is David Cappel’s favorite time of the year because you get to start celebrating Christmas in September by rehearsing the great music of the season. Andrew Clouse is madly in love with Amanda Lind, with whom he celebrated eight years of marriage this past Tuesday. Martin Doviak, a retired CNM math and English instructor, sings with the New Mexico Symphonic Chorus and the UNM University Chorus, is enjoying his fourth season with Quintessence, and loves playing tennis, skiing, and running with dogs. James Graham is a Kansas‐born, Denver‐bred rock 'n roll‐loving single‐father who, having spent more than enough years in the Arizona desert has found a happy medium in Albuquerque where he is ecstatic about re‐connecting with his choral roots in Quintessence, takes one day at a time and refuses to get used to being addressed as sir, not dude. Dr. Daryl Lee, when not singing bass for Quintessence or baritone in the St. John's Chancel Choir, is Principal Lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UNM and part‐time consultant in robotics and virtual reality at Novint Technologies, but he's still not the kind of doctor who can do you any good. Dwayne Moseley is taking singing lessons with Darby Fegan and also sings in the New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus, has previously sung in choruses at UNM and Ohio State while a student and while living in Dallas, Denver and Los Angeles and he considers it a privilege to sing with this premier vocal ensemble. Arnel Oczon is a baritone lobo engineer who works at SNL (not the one in New York), and is married to alto jayhawk physician Amy Tarnower, they have a busy elfin child named Claire who sings carols in the style of early Bob Dylan crossed with Alvin and the chipmunks...Merry Xmas! John Sitler teaches religious studies and history at Menaul School, knows what endris means, and celebrates this occasion to usher in another holiday season as a member of Q.
We are (always) looking for talented, dedicated, funloving and attractive singers! To schedule an audition, please contact Matt Greer at [email protected].
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Music of loss, sorrow and ultimately, hope, featuring works of Herbert Howells, Randall Thompson, Johannes Brahms, and others.
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We separate briefly in order to celebrate our differences, with music for men's chorus, women's chorus, and a happy reunion at the end.
We are deeply grateful to count many individual donors, as well as local businesses like Elixir Boutique Chocolates (see ad on back cover) and Scalo Northern Italian Grill,
among our supporters.
"Scalo Lire," redeemable for fine dining at the restaurant, are still available as special thank you gifts for Quintessence's donors. Director’s Circle donors ($1,000+) will receive a voucher entitling them to 25% off at Scalo for one year. Both Scalo Lire and the 25% cards are available while supplies last, and are
valid for one year from the date marked.
Quintessence is now an EnsembleinResidence at St. John's United Methodist Church.
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QQuuiinntteesssseennccee BBooaarrdd ooff DDiirreeccttoorrss President – Dominic Kollasch VicePresident – Dwayne L. Knirk Treasurer – Jerry Spurlin Secretary – Bill Cox
Martin Doviak – Choir President Elizabeth Drotning Hartwell Tom Crow Allison Davis Lora Zommer
Visit our website www.quintessenceabq.com! Like us on Facebook!
Visit Scalo online at www.scalonobhill.com
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The Board of Directors and Singers of Quintessence would like to offer their sincerest appreciation for financial support from all the brilliant and generous people listed below. We could not exist without your help. If you don’t see your name listed below, please fill out and return a yellow donor card with your taxdeductible contribution. Please join the Quintessence family and help us share the joy of great music for years and years to come.
Quintessence Annual Fund for our 20122013 Season
Director’s Circle $1,000 and above The Singers of Quintessence Messiah Sing 2012 Participants Anonymous Crow Financial Advisors, Tom and Vicki Crow**
John M. & Brenda Y. DeLaurentis Dr. Estella Gahala‐Lange & Dr. Dale Lange Dr. Aroop Mangalik to my patients Neal D. Shinn & Jerome Jim John and Kristine Stichman**
Benefactors $500$999 Anonymous David Cappel Sean & Pauleta Hendrickson** Dwayne Knirk & Beverly Caplis
Sponsors $250 $499 Anonymous (2) Henry and Jennifer Bohnhoff Jan Bowers Carlton and Mary‐Ellin Brooks** William Cox Elixir Boutique Chocolates, Larry Todd & Tim McNamara
Sponsors – cont. Matt & Amy Greer in honor of the singers of Quintessence Seth Hartwell & Elizabeth Drotning Hartwell Dominic & Karla Kollasch Steve and Julie Kongs Pamela Hodge‐Miller Richard L. and Susan Perry** Beverly A. Rogoff in honor of MaryEllin Brooks Jerry and Marjorie Spurlin
Patrons $100 $249 Anonymous M. Susan Boswell in memory of Shadow John and Sandra Brown Allison Davis Boris A. De Denko William and Christine Drotning Hilario C. Gonzalez, in memory of Sue S. Gonzalez Jeffrey F. and Julia Church‐Hoffman Jerry Matthews & Lawrence P. Horowitt, D.C. Dominic and Karla Kollasch
Patrons – cont. George C. & Mary Novotny, Jr. John Sitler** Don and Gail Taylor Margaret A. Weinbar Lora Zommer
Donors $50 $99 Anonymous Regina Carlow Merrie Courtright Martin Doviak E. Josephine Drummond Larry J. & Julianne Littlefield in memory of George Novotny’s Mother Joseph E. & Helen J. McCanna III Emily D. Moore, Ph.D.
Friends $1$49 Anonymous (2) Ginny Boman Edwin A. & Teresa S. Bryce Camille Carstens Andrew Clouse Margot E. Edwards Gail C. & Tom Hartman Karen K. Schmiege Wendy Orley Frances J. Wright
Quintessence Choral Artists of the Southwest, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) NonProfit Organization and gratefully accept gifts of cash, stocks, bonds, mutual fund shares, real estate or other tangible personal property. Quintessence may also be named the beneficiary of a life insurance policy or charitable trust. All or part of your donation may be taxdeductible. Please contact Tom Crow at 505.243.2281 or [email protected] for further information.
Special thanks to: the pastors and staffs of Immanuel Presbyterian Church, St. Paul Lutheran Church and St. John's United Methodist Church; the New MexiChords for the use of the risers at St. John’s; the Music Guild of New Mexico, Inc.; John Elias; and Tom Crow.
Quintessence Endowment Fund Director’s Circle $1,000 and above Benefactors – $500 $999 Patrons – $100 $250 Dr. and Mrs. Michael Hopkins Roy and Elizabeth Morgan
Dr. and Mrs. Jerone N. Deverman*
In Loving Memory of Jean J. Sherlin*Tesa Mae Chavez Mr. and Mrs. K.W. Gephart
The Quintessence Endowment Fund (established 2000) was created to help ensure a future for Quintessence, and for fine choral arts everywhere.
* foundational contributors ** contributions made via United Way – Designate “Quintessence Choral Artists of the SW”
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