QUINTESSENCE: CHORAL ARTISTS OF THE SOUTHWEST

MATTHEW GREER, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Saturday, December 7, 2013

5pm at St. John’s United Methodist Church

2626 Arizona St NE, ABQ

Sunday, December 8, 2013

3pm at St. John’s United Methodist Church

2626 Arizona St NE, ABQ

Tickets: $15 general, $10 seniors, $5 studentsAvailable at the door or in advance. Order online atwww.quintessence-abq.com 1-505-672-TUNE (8863)Complimentary childcare available.Quintessence is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

ABOUT THE CONCERT

You’ve seen the video of the Bing Crosby/David Bowie Christmas sing-along, right?

It’s one that gets lots of forwards and Facebook posts this time of year. It’s from a 1977 CBS special, and the clip starts with Bing puttering around a large old, festively decorated house, where he’s a guest. The doorbell rings, and it’s David Bowie (if I had a nickel for every time this happened to me . . .), who lives just down the lane, and who’s dropped in during a midafternoon snowstorm. Bing and Bowie chat amiably, they compliment each other’s taste in music, they determine that they’re not so different after all (!) and they wind up around the piano, singing a medley of “Little Drummer Boy” and a song called “Peace on Earth” (a song which – if the crack staff at Wikipedia is to be believed – the producers wrote on the spot when Ziggy Stardust showed up for the gig and refused to sing “Little Drummer Boy”). That’s it.

It’s kitschy, and deeply weird (Bowie drops by “to use the piano.” Really? David Bowie doesn’t own a piano?), but here’s the thing: it kind of works. No amount of kitsch can completely obscure the artistry of these two pros, and the sound they make together is, quite simply, lovely. I looked the video up this weekend for the sole purpose of making fun of it in this space (to make a point, of course), and instead I just ended up watching it three times and being moved by it. I do not want to admit this to anyone, but it’s the truth.

The point I was originally going to make is this: a successful holiday choral concert has to be a mix of the old and the new. Audiences (and choirs, to be honest) want music in this time of year that is in some sense familiar.

Composers make a lot of hay out of re-outfitting old Christmas material into new clothes. This is really great fun – I think choruses in particular love to learn a new setting of a old carol -- but the best arrangements are those that don’t try to make the carol into something it’s not. There’s always the danger that new arrangements, in trying too hard to be inventive, will end up like many unfortunate musical artifacts from the 1970s. (“Wouldn’t it be a great idea to do a medley of “Silent Night,” “O Come O Come Emmanuel” and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” for middle school voices, and score it for electric guitar, bari sax and amplified viola, with optional mouth percussion?” The answer, for those of you playing at home, is NO. It would not be a great idea.)

So: we offer several wonderful carol arrangements on this concert, including two gorgeous new settings by Ola Gjeilo; older settings by Robert DeCormier, Shaw and Parker, Roger Wagner and others; and a wonderfully catchy, energetic arrangement of the ancient “In dulci jubilo” by Matthew Culloton.

And then there’s some fantastic, non-carol-based stuff: Eric Whitacre’s “little tree,” a virtuosic setting of the poignant Christmas poem by e.e. cummings; Morten Lauridsen’s exquisite “Sure On This Shining Night,” from which our concert gets its title (Please ignore the fact that the James Agee poem is actually about a summer night, and just go with it, OK? Pretend you’re in New Zealand.); and Lauridsen’s breathtaking “O Magnum Mysterium,” perhaps the best-loved and most-performed choral piece composed in the last 20 years.

We have loved preparing this music, and can’t wait to share it with you. And, as many – but not all – members of our chorus skew in age toward midlife or later, we are thrilled to be joined in this performance by a superb choir of teenagers: the Upper School Chorus from Sandia Prep, directed by Quintessence member Shelly Andes. They are the Bowie to our Bing.

MATTHEW GREER

Never miss an update from Quintessence- visit us at www.quintessence-abq.com and like us on Facebook! We are hearing auditions for tenors and basses. Positive attitude, music reading ability and strong choral

background are required. If you are interested in scheduling an audition, please contact our executive director at info@quintessence-abq.com.

PROGRAM

Lo, the Messiah Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (1895-1968) Ríu, Ríu, Chíu Spanish Renaissance Carol

Alfredo Beltrán, Bryan Butler, Laurel Deming, soloists David Irving, percussionist

In dulci jubilo Medieval German Carol, arr. Matthew Culloton (b. 1976) Three Carols, Between Which You Should Not Applaud He Is Born French Carol, arr. Roger Wagner (1914-1992) The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy

West Indian Carol, arr. Robert DeCormier (b. 1922) Deck the Halls

Welsh Carol, arr. Robert Shaw (1918-1999 and Alice Parker (b. 1925) O magnum mysterium (1994) Morten Lauridsen (b. 1943)

INTERMISSION

Where Riches Is Everlastingly Bob Chilcott Sandia Prep and Quintessence

David Irving and Sean Umstead, percussionists Fum, Fum, Fum arr. Parker & Shaw Chanukah Madrigal Fromm Carol of the Bells Leontovich/arr. Wilhousky By the Waters of Babylon Traditional City Called Heaven arr. Poelinitz Lyric Urzetta, soloist Stand Together Papoulis

David Irving, percussionist

The Upper School Chorus from Sandia Preparatory School Shelly Andes, director

Three Carols, Between Which You Should Once Again Not Applaud

Away in a Manger William Kilpatrick, arr. Ola Gjeilo (b. 1978) Rebecca Craig, soloist

Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head Appalachian Carol, arr. Leo Nestor (b. 1948) Megan Rader, soloist

The First Nowell English Carol, arr. Ola Gjeilo Checky Okun, soloist little tree (1996) Eric Whitacre (b. 1970) Sure On This Shining Night (2005) Morten Lauridsen

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Owners of cell phones that ring during the performance will be sent home with a fruitcake.

Selected Texts and Translations

little tree little silent Christmas tree you are so little you are more like a flower who found you in the green forest and were you very sorry to come away? see i will comfort you because you smell so sweetly i will kiss your cool bark and hug you safe and tight just as your mother would, only don't be afraid look the spangles that sleep all the year in a dark box dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine, the balls the chains red and gold the fluffy threads, put up your little arms and i'll give them all to you to hold every finger shall have its ring and there won't be a single place dark or unhappy then when you're quite dressed you'll stand in the window for everyone to see and how they'll stare! oh but you'll be very proud and my little sister and i will take hands and looking up at our beautiful tree we'll dance and sing

"Noel Noel"

- e.e. cummings (1894-1962)

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!

In dulci jubilo With sweet rejoicing now sing and be glad! Our hearts’ delight is lying in a manger and shines like the sun on his mother’s lap. You are the Alpha and Omega. O tiny baby Jesus I so long for you! comfort my soul, O peerless boy; by all your goodness, O prince of glory, draw me to you.

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QQuuiinntteesssseennccee BBooaarrdd ooff DDiirreeccttoorrss President – Dominic Kollasch Vice-President – Dwayne L. Knirk

Treasurer – Jerry Spurlin Choir President – Martin Doviak Tom Crow Allison Davis Elizabeth Drotning Hartwell

O love of the father, O leniency of the son! We were all lost through our sins until you gained for us the joys of heaven: O that we were there! Joys are there as in no other place! There the angels sing a new song

Música Antigua de Albuquerque Music from the Middle Ages & Renaissance

“Marvel Not Joseph”

Dec. 7 & 21 in Albuquerque * Dec. 15 in Santa Fe “Hassler & the German Renaissance” March 2 in Santa Fe * March 8 in Albuquerque

“Composers A to Z” May 11 in Santa Fe * May 17 in Albuquerque

For information, visit www.MusicaAntigua.org

SOPRANO Anita Amstutz Barbi Cappel

Rebecca Craig Liz Hartwell

*Pauleta Hendrickson Loren Kelly

Ashley Morgan Checky Okun Mika Proctor Megan Rader

ALTO

Shelly Andes Jane Belcher

Mary-Ellin Brooks Laurel Deming Suzi Dressler Amy Greer

*Trish Henning Darci Lobdell

Kelsey O’Herron Stacey Snowden

* Denotes Section Leader

TENOR

*Bryan Butler Alex Klebenow

Theodor Spannagel Darryl Starkes

BASS

Alfredo Beltrán David Cappel

Martin Doviak James Graham

*Daryl Lee Joseph Mitchell

Dwayne Moseley Arnel Oczon John Sitler

ABOUT THE SINGERS Anita Amstutz, ordained pastor, beekeeper, reader and writer, hopes for a whole season of Shining Nights and beautiful memories to all this Christmas season and into the coming year! Barbi Cappel, an instructional design consultant for a pharmacy benefits management company, had such a great time singing last year in her first season with Quintessence that she decided to try it again, just to make sure it wasn't a fluke. Rebecca Craig is a pediatrician at UNM and is looking forward to her first Christmas season as a mom! Liz Hartwell is a family law attorney by day but secretly aspires to be the next von Trapp Family Singers with her husband Seth, 4-year-old daughter Anna, and 7-month-old son Jacob. Pauleta Hendrickson spends most of her day dabbling in various musical pursuits and this time of year these activities include boisterous enjoyment of Christmas music - thankfully this activity is mostly appreciated by her husband, Sean, and their children, Avery and Jared. Loren Kelly is a happy soprano, lucky to sing her second season with Quintessence and share the magic of James Agee and the season in song. Ashley Morgan is a silly soprano, singing since she was a child, and super excited to graduate in the Spring with a Masters in Ninja, er Music. Checky Okun, soprano, loves singing under the baton of Maestro Greer because singing is her outlet from her day job of full-time OB/GYN, Medical Director, and CEO of Women's Specialists of New Mexico. Mika Proctor, wife, mother of 3 daughters and choir director at Lincoln Middle School in Rio Rancho is relishing in her second season singing with Quintessence. Megan Rader enjoys bringing laughter and fun wherever she goes whether it be while she's teaching silly high schoolers how to sing and act, or while kicking it at home watching amazing, highly rated, T.V. programming with her husband Matt, Lucky the dog, and Diva the cat. Shelly Andes directs the choirs at Sandia Prep School; in addition to working with her 6th - 12th grade singers and harmonizing with Quintessence, Shelly also enjoys spreading holiday cheer with The Victorian Caroling Quartet. Jane Belcher recently moved to Albuquerque from her hometown in Maryland and now teaches elementary music in Santa Fe by day and enjoys singing with New Mexico Symphonic Chorus and Quintessence by night. Mary-Ellin Brooks (wife, mother, alto) dedicates this concert to the memory of her dad, who loved Christmas music, and secretly dreams of either singing backup for Annie Lennox or being the fifth member of The Manhattan Transfer. 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 mischief. Suzi Dressler, a Quintessence alto for more years than she has fingers and toes to count, gratefully embraces the blessings of peace, joy, and promise found in the music of this special season. Over the holidays, Trish Henning will be celebrating with her husband and their four cats, and preparing the class she will be teaching at UNM this coming spring term, Musical Acoustics (auditors welcome!). Darci Lobdell has been singing since before she could talk, pursuing voice her whole life singing roles in operas, as the soloist in choral masterpieces, and now teaching music as well, she is enjoying singing with Quintessence this season. Kelsey O’Herron is a UNM student singing in her first season with Quintessence. Stacey Snowden has been a member of Quintessence for over 10 years, has a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from The University of New Mexico, where she met her husband of 12 years, and is a hard working mom of two hilarious little girls. Bryan Butler works as a staff astronomer (working on solar system bodies) and software manager at the Very LargeArray; he has sung or is singing with the groups Cantores Atri Mortis, Quodlibet, Polyphony Voices of New Mexico, and Quintessence. Tenor Alex Klebenow is pleased to wish you all a very wonderful Christmas (or holiday of your choice) season, and hopes that you will enjoy listening to this concert as much as he enjoys performing it, especially since you are the ones who had to buy the ticket (for which he thanks you)! . "Klasse, beeindruckend...", that's what Theodor Spannagel thinks about his year abroad occasionally, well, as a person that graduated in 'versatile cooking - deep frying styles' he is perhaps surprised, and very glad to have encountered so much hospitality in this region, "this was in ABQ" he may think someday. Tenor Darryl Starkes is singing in his first season with Quintessence. Baritone Alfredo Beltrán is a senior vocal performance major at the

QUINTESSENCE PERSONNEL

University of New Mexico, where he studies voice with Dr. Michael Hix, and is a member of the UNM Concert Choir, UNM Recital Choir, and the St. John's United Methodist Chancel Choir. . David Cappel does financial planning and is a lifelong musical hobbyist who hails from the home of 'The Music Man", plays trumpet and has a mean pool game (...we got trouble!). Martin Doviak, a retired CNM math and English instructor, sings with the New Mexico Symphonic Chorus and the UNM University Chorus, is enjoying his fifth season with Quintessence, and loves getting wet, playing tennis, skiing, and running with dogs. Rekindling a life-long love of choral music instilled by his choir director dad, James Graham is ecstatic that -- after three years with Quintessence -- they haven't yet kicked him out. 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. Joseph Mitchell, a current student at UNM and future music educator, believes that choral music is a form of communication which may transcend language, is quintessential of humanity, and forms a link which connects each of us; it is thrilling for him to share this experience with his fellow choir members and all of you. Dwayne Moseley having recently returned to his birth city to enjoy retirement with his spouse, has previously sung in choruses at UNM and Ohio State while a student and while living in Dallas, Denver and Los Angeles and it is a unique privilege to sing with this premier vocal ensemble. Baritone Arnel Oczon decks the halls at Sandia labs, is married to his tuneful musette, Amy Tarnower, and shepherds his three corderas - Claire, Tawny and Jazzy to various soccer tourneys, gym meets and vet appointments. John Sitler is daily energized by teaching – and being taught – religious studies and philosophy at Menaul School, grateful to have re-found his voice making music with Q, and especially glad this concert to join in dulci jubilo with the shining voices from Sandia Prep. Amy Greer is an active performer, both as a soloist and in collaboration with singers and instrumentalists. She holds a Master of Music in piano performance and a Master of Arts in educational psychology. Recognized for her creative approach to traditional piano lessons, she has maintained successful piano studios in New Mexico, Massachusetts, Texas, and Missouri and regularly gives workshops that focus on the psychology of learning through a musician’s lens. A writer and frequent contributor to music journals, she has been a columnist for American Music Teacher magazine. She has performed with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, the Santa Fe Symphony, and the New Mexico Philharmonic. She keeps house and tends a garden for one very cute man, two lazy cats and three feisty betta fish. Matthew Greer was appointed Artistic Director of Quintessence in 2009. He also serves as Director of Music and Worship Arts 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 “Music at St. John’s” concert series, and “Thursday Evening Musicales,” an annual series of benefit concerts for Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless. In recent years, he has conducted performances of Beethoven's Choral Fantasy, Bach's Magnificat, Beethoven's Mass in C Major, Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, and Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace. In addition, Greer has lectured on and conducted the music of Brahms, Bach, Copland, and Barber. In 2012, he was among the recipients of Creative Albuquerque’s Bravos! Awards, honoring artistic innovation, entrepreneurship, and community impact. He has recently served as a guest conductor for the New Mexico Philharmonic and for the UNM Concert Choir. A native of Kansas City, his degrees are from Trinity University and Boston University. He is married to the pianist (O magnum mysterium).

Upper School Chorus, Sandia Preparatory School Shelly Andes, Choral Director

Darby Fegan, Performing Arts Co-Chair & Accompanist B. Steven Albert, Head of School

Singers: Meghan Briley, Matthew Burress, Klara Castillo, Linnea Cheek, Toccoa (Rose) Clark, Christopher (C.J.) Clawson, Gabe Eckenroth, Sebastian (Sebi) Fidalgo, Madison Florance, Tanner Gill, Alan Li, Grace Lill, Tristan MacLean, Patricia McKenzie, Adrian Medina, Catherine (Cat) Mungle, Richard Rattan, Daniel Stell, Lyric Urzetta Shelly Andes is the choir director at Sandia Preparatory School. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Arizona State University. Shelly served as the Choral Vice President of the New Mexico Music Educators Association, and she directs Honor Choirs and adjudicates Solo & Ensemble and Large Group Festivals around the state. She recently retired from APS, after teaching for twenty-six years at Cleveland Middle School and Sandia High School. Shelly serves as musical director for Summer Prep and PLAY Conservatory productions, and she performs with Landmark Musicals. In her spare time, Shelly enjoys traveling, participating in choral workshops, and singing with Quintessence.

Quintessence is an Ensemble-in-residence at St. John’s United Methodist Church

Acknowledgements 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 visit our website to make your tax-deductible contribution, or drop in a basket on your way out today. Please join the Quintessence family and help us share the joy of great music for years and years to come.

Quintessence Annual Fund From October 2012 through November 18, 2013 Director’s Circle - $1,000 and above

The Singers of Quintessence Messiah Sing 2012 Participants Anonymous Crow Financial Advisors,

Tom and Vicki Crow** Elixir Boutique Chocolates, Larry Todd & Tim McNamara Sean & Pauleta Hendrickson** in memory of Bill & Kathy Hegdale Dr. Estella Gahala-Lange & Dr. Dale Lange Linda K. Lewis Dwayne Knirk & Beverly Caplis Neal D. Shinn & Jerome Jim Waddie Schertz Fertig John and Kristine Stichman**

Benefactors - $500-$999

Anonymous William D. Cox John M. & Brenda Y. DeLaurentis Pamela Hodge-Miller Rita Leard Kay S. McMann Richard and Susan Perry** Jerry and Marjorie Spurlin

Sponsors - $250 - $499 Robert Beardsell

Henry and Jennifer Bohnhoff Jan Bowers Carlton and Mary-Ellin Brooks** John and Sandra Brown David & Barbara Cappel M. Susan Corley Allison Davis Bob & Frances Fosnaugh Matt & Amy Greer in honor of the singers of Quintessence

Sponsors – cont. Seth Hartwell & Elizabeth Drotning Hartwell Dominic & Karla Kollasch Dwayne Moseley & Barry Simon George C. & Mary Novotny, Jr. Arnel Oczon & Amy Tarnower in memory of Gerald Tarnower Beverly A. Rogoff in honor of Mary-Ellin Brooks Justin and April Ueland Scott Wilkinson Linda Wolcott

Patrons - $100 - $249 Pam and Jerry Algood Anonymous The Singers of Quintessence in memory of loved ones who have left us M. Susan Boswell in memory of Shadow Steve & Renee C Brodeur Hugh & Kathleen Church Beatrice & John Daniel Wona A. & Dr. Jerone N. Deverman Carol S. & Dan Dolan William and Christine Drotning Jeffrey F. and Julia Church-Hoffman Alf Houkom Jerry Matthews & Lawrence P. Horowitt, D.C.

Steve and Julie Kongs Emily D. Moore

Tina Petersen Leslie Nelson Shultis John Sitler** Don and Gail Taylor Karen L. Urban Betty L. Vortman Dan & Jane Wright Lora Zommer

Donors - $50 - $99 Carla Beauchamp Regina Carlow Camille Carstens Merrie Courtright Ralph Cover Martin Doviak James & Susan Dressler E. Josephine Drummond Gail C. & Tom Hartman Larry J. & Julianne Littlefield in memory of George Novotny’s Mother Joseph E. & Helen J. McCanna III Carol Trelease Michaelene and Bob VonBlomberg Margaret A. Weinbar Arthur L & Carole H Wintheiser

Friends - $1-$49 Dale & Nancy Amend Kathleen B. Austin Randall W. & Esther Mae Moses Bergh Ginny Boman Edwin A. & Teresa S. Bryce Andrew Clouse James A. Creason Don L. & Edith U. Farmer Mary Glazier Hilario C. Gonzalez, in memory of Sue S. Gonzalez Deborah J Ham & John J. Vittal William A. & Marlene G. Kline Matthew & Kelly Jo Kuchar Kelli Lee Janet K. Robertson Karen K. Schmiege Frances J. Wright

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”

Quintessence Choral Artists of the Southwest, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit 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 tax-deductible. Please contact Tom Crow at 505.243.2281 or tom@crowfa.com for further information.

Thank you to these

fine organizations for

their ongoing

support of

Quintessence!

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