Western Reserve Chorale
This concert is made possible by the following sponsors:
Created by Rhona
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Please view our concert program to see details about the performance and all of our corporate supporters.
The Western Reserve Chorale begins its “Season of Joy” with our holiday concert “Joy to the World” on December 8th. The concert will be held at Church of the Saviour, 2537 Lee Rd, Cleveland Hts., OH 44118, at 3:30pm. The concert is free and open to the public. Donations will be gratefully collected at the door and online.
This concert will feature a performance of Vivaldi’s Magnificat, a work which demonstrates the power, intensity, and transcendent experience of works like Bach’s St. Matthew Passion and Handel’s Messiah – but in a much more abbreviated fashion. It is a wonder of choral & orchestral power which brims with light and drama.
The Chorale will also present works by Stanley Hoffman including Haneirot Halalu, a setting of the traditional prayer sung after the lighting of the menorah during Hanukkah, and the celebratory song Kindle the Taper. You will get to hear newer takes on old stand-bys including an exploration of musical genres in Bob Chilcott’s Twelve Days of Christmas and harmonic and rhythmic interpretations in Variations on Jingle Bells by Mark Hayes and Jackson Berkey’s Joy to the World.
Also, at a time when so many people in the world are experiencing hardship, displacement, and war; come hear the powerful message in Karen Marolli’s Hope Waits.
“Hope calls us through the silence. Hope clings like morning dew.
Hope stands amidst the violence. Hope waits for you.”
And we’ll be waiting for you to come and experience the vocal celebration of hope and joy by the 100+ voices of the chorale.
This concert is free to the public. Please consider making a donation to keep Western Reserve Chorale's music available in Northeast Ohio and beyond.
Past Performances
June 2024
Please join us on June 2nd for a concert featuring a broad spectrum of American music. The music is both secular and sacred, has texts of American poets/lyricists, or are settings of other texts by American composers. From traditional spirituals and folk songs, to jazz and modern setting of American poetry, we celebrate the history and beauty of our nation through song.
This concert is made possible by the following sponsors:
Created by Rhona
First Catholic Slovak Ladies Assn.
Please view our concert program to see details about the performance and all of our corporate supporters.
March 2024
These concerts are supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.
Two Live Performances
Friday, March 8th, 7:30 pm
Lakewood United Methodist Church
15700 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
Sunday, March 10th, 3:30 pm
Church of the Saviour
2537 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights
This concert is free to the public. Please consider making a donation to keep Western Reserve Chorale's music available in Northeast Ohio and beyond.
This concert is also made possible by an anonymous donation and the following sponsors:
Created by Rhona
First Catholic Slovak Ladies Assn.
Please view our concert program to see details about the performance and all of our corporate supporters.
On March 8th and 10th, the Western Reserve Chorale will present Brahms’ A German Requiem. The Requiem is about giving comfort to those who are grieving rather than placing focus on the departed. Brahms combined his own selections from the Lutheran German Bible as well as the Apocrypha rather than set the traditional setting of the Latin mass for the dead. These passages deliver a message of spiritual healing rather than one that is particularly religious. The score includes prominent roles for guest soprano and baritone soloists, Marian Vogel and Brian Keith Johnson respectively; and the chamber ensemble arrangement by Joachim Linckelmann maintains much of the integral orchestral timbres while not requiring the forces of a full orchestra.
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The WRC looks forward to presenting this masterwork in its original German to audiences on both east and west sides of Cleveland. Please join us at Lakewood United Methodist Church, Friday, March 8, 7:30pm or Church of the Saviour in Cleveland Heights on Sunday March 10, 3:30pm. These concerts are free, with a free-will donation encouraged to support the WRC’s mission of bringing music to the community.
December 2023
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32nd Annual Holiday Concert
Under the direction of David Gilson, the chorale performs John Rutter’s Gloria and Daniel Pinkham’s Christmas Cantata with Brass and Percussion.
Other works include traditional and newer arrangements of holiday choral favorites.
Please join us as we sing for the first time in our new home at Church of the Saviour or watch from the comfort of your own home.
Sunday, December 3rd
3:30 pm
Church of the Saviour
2537 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights
June 2023
From Madrigals to Modern, WRC is delighted to bring you a Choral British Invasion. Come enjoy the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams, John Rutter, Thomas Morley, Edward Elgar and others as they share interpretations of texts written by Shakespeare, Robert Louis Stevenson, Edward Lear, and even Lennon & McCartney.
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Sunday, June 4 - 3:30 pm
Church of the Gesu
2470 Miramar Blvd., University Heights
Click to view on your device.
March 2023
Johann Michael Haydn Requiem in C minor
Jonathan Willcocks From Darkness to Light: A Requiem of Hope
Amanda Powell, soprano Joanne Uniatowski, mezzo-soprano
Brian Skoog, tenor Brian Keith Johnson, baritone
With an orchestra of Northeast Ohio musicians
As we find our world to be in times of pandemic, war, divisiveness, and more; we hope you will join us for "Remembrance and Hope", a concert honoring the sacrifices of veterans who have served in times of war, focusing on the need for all human souls to find hope when faced with the darkest of situations.
Local veterans have provided poetry about their own experiences to include in the program book. We look forward to their, and your, attendance of this special performance.
Sunday, March 12, 2023 - 3:30 pm
Maltz Performing Arts Center map
at Case Western Reserve University
1855 Ansel Rd., Cleveland, OH 44106
Free concert / Suggested donation $20 Parking $7 per vehicle
Remembrance and Hope is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.
WRC would like to thank the singers of Choral Arts Cleveland
for lending their voices to this concert.
Holiday 2022
Join us for Western Reserve Chorale’s 31st Annual Winter Concert. We celebrate the season with a variety of songs from different traditions. Featuring Conrad Susa’s Carols & Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest, the choir will be accompanied by Harp, Guitar, Marimba, & Vibraphone.
Other works include new arrangements of traditional Holiday songs, new Chanukah pieces, and a beautiful Alleluia written in recognition of the tribulations suffered by the people of Ukraine throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
The Digital Program Book includes information about the music, performers, lyrics, and much more.
The PDF version may be downloaded from here.
Spring 2022
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Featuring
The Promethean Quartet
Haig Hovsepian & Megan Lin, violin
Joseph Skerik, viola
Lydia Rhea, cello
and
Joanne Uniatowski, mezzo soprano
Bryan McGucken, tenor
Sara Smith, piano
Andrew Poxon, guitar
This concert is free to the public. Please consider making a donation to keep Western Reserve Chorale's music available to Northeast Ohio and beyond.
The concert recording is available to watch on demand
on our YouTube channel
The Program:
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Aria (de la Suite No 3) by Johann Sebastian Bach Arr. Miguel Astor.
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Sicut locutus est (from Magnificat BWV 243 by Johann Sebastian Bach
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Vier Quartettes, Op. 92 by Johannes Brahms O schöne Nacht! Spatherbst Abendlied Warum?
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Elegischer Gesang by Ludwig van Beethoven
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The Lake Isle by Ola Gjeilo Text from The Lake Isle of Innisfree by W.B. Yeats
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Hard Times by Stephen Foster, Arr. Nick Johnson
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Across the Vast, Eternal Sky by Ola Gjeilo Text by Charles Anthony Silvestri
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At the Hour of Closing by Katie Kring Text by Moshe ibn Ezra, Translated by Peter Cole
With Strings Attached is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.
Holidays 2021
After a season of virtual rehearsals and performances and missing our ability to sing together in person, the members of Western Reserve Chorale have been excited to return to in-person rehearsals (even with masks) and are delighted to invite our audience to join us for a live, in-person and streaming, performance.
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Joy to the World – Jackson Berkey
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In the Bleak Midwinter – Matthew Culloton
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Haneirot Halalu (Meditation on Chanukkah Lights) – Michael Reid Winikoff
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The Cold Demands a Silence – Stephen Chatman
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Angels We have Heard on High – Jackson Berkey
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Undivided – Karen Marrolli
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Light Beyond Shadow – Dan Forrest
Our Community Partners have helped make this program possible
Spring 2021
Art: The Elements of Life by Libby Warren
Western Reserve Chorale is proud to present In Her Voice: Celebrating the Poetry of Women, an online multi-media event. We raise our voices in harmony to the words of women from the mid-nineteenth century to the present. These are songs of hope, gratitude, and comfort that speak to our shared fears and dreams. Teasdale acknowledges that “Each one of us has walked through storm and fled the wolves along the road.” Taylor says to the Star, “Then the traveler in the dark, Thanks you for your tiny spark” Angelou expresses gratitude ‘for your presence during the bright and sunny days, for then we can share that which we have with those who have less” in “Maya’s Prayer for Peace.” We invite you to join us online for this free event of poetry, music, and art. May the words of these women inspire you to hold onto and act upon the “Hope… that perches in the soul.“
​This exciting new program will premiere on Friday, June 4th on our YouTube channel. It will feature all new recordings by the Chorale and original artwork and poetry readings by local students.
Thank you to Laura Skehan's Studio II Art Class for bringing your creativity to this program!
Click the link above to read all of the poetry submitted for this program.
These students have each been awarded a monetary prize from WRC's John M. Roberts Scholarship Fund.
If you would like to donate specifically to this fund please use this link.
Holidays 2020
While our programs are over, you can enjoy some of our holiday music as well as our Virtual Choir recording on our YouTube channel.
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While all of our performances are free to the public, your donations enable us to bring quality choral music to Northeast Ohio and beyond.
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Please contribute what you can and enjoy the music!
Click here to download our Digital Program Book.
Please patronize our sponsors
and let them know you saw their ad
in the WRC Program Book.
Western Reserve Chorale
David Gilson, Artistic Director
Sara Smith, Accompanist
December 8, 2019
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Lauda per la Natività del Signor Ottorino Respighi
(Laud to the Nativity)
Sandra Simon, Angel Natasha Ospina Simmons, Mary
JR Fralick, Shepherd
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Audrey Whartenby, piccolo Kyra Kester, Flute
Danna Sundet, oboe Stefanie Cohn, English Horn
Phillip Austin & Mark DeMio Bassoon
Sara Smith & Melissa Rus, piano
Sir Christèmas William Mathias
Winter Wind Brandon Williams
Bring Us in Good Ale Gustav Holst
Huron Carol Susan LaBarr
Songs of Peace Jeremiah Klarman (arr. David Chase)
1. Hineih Ma Tov 2. Oseh Shalom
​I Saw Three Ships John Rutter
The Chanukah Song Stephen Schwartz (arr. Ryan Nowlin)
Ding Dong Merrily on High David Willcocks
O Little Town of Bethlehem Dan Forrest
Danna Sundet, oboe
Angels We Have Heard on High David Chase
Jingle Bells David Willcocks
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December 2019
Western Reserve Chorale
​David Gilson, Artistic Director
Joanne Poderis, Accompanist
June 2, 2019
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poetry of e.e. cummings
i carry your heart with me David Dickau
sun, moon, stars, rain David Brunner
the moon is hiding in her hair Mark Burrows
maggie and millie and molly and may Eric Whitacre
flowers of stone / early flowers Vincent Persichetti
in time of daffodils David Dickau
as is the sea marvelous Matthew Lyon Hazzard
Alison Goodman, Soprano
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Sunrise Mass Ola Gjeilo
The Spheres - Sunrise - The City - Identity & Ground
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i carry your heart with me Z. Randall Stroope
Mary Pat Crockford, Soprano Emily Cornelius, Violin
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Sunrise Mass String Orchestra
Violin I: Emily Cornelius Viola: Laura Shuster
Diana Pepelea Mark Heinzen
Leah Burtnett Bonnie Maky
Sarah Page Jaimie Sachay
Violin II: Rachel Huch Cello: Linda Atherton
Rachel Englander Derek Snyder
Leisl Hook-Langmack Rebecca Shasberger
Michael Houff Bass Ann Gilbert
Henry Samuels
June 2019
March 2019
Western Reserve Chorale
David Gilson, Artistic Director
March 24, 2019
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Marian Vogel, Soprano
Joanne Uniatowski, Mezzo-Soprano
JR Fralick, Tenor
Brian Keith Johnson, Baritone
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​ Mass No 6 in G Franz Joseph Haydn
(Missa Sancti Nicholai) 1732-1809
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Mass in C Ludwig van Beethoven
(Messe C-dur) 1770-1827
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Violin I Susan Britton Flute Linda White
Callista Koh Jane Berkner
Rachel Huch Oboe Martin Neubert
Violin II Diana Pepelea Cynthia Warren
Leisl Hook-Langmack Clarinet Amitai Vardi
Rachel Englander Lou Gangale
Viola Laura Shuster Bassoon Philip Austin
Mark Heinzen Ian Hoy
James Rhodes Horn Ken Wadenpfuhl Cello Kent Collier Tom Park
Linda Atherton Trumpet Erik Sundet
Bass Ann Gilbert Heather Zweifel
Timpani Andy Pongracz
December 2018
Western Reserve Chorale
David Gilson, Artistic Director
Joanne Poderis, Accompanist
December 9, 2018
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​Welcome Yule Charles Hubert Hastings Parry
Dixit Maria Hans Leo Hassler
Ecce Panis Angelorum Luc Jakobs
Benedicamus Domino Peter Warlock
Hallelujah, Amen George Frederic Handel
from Judas Maccabeus
Still, Still, Still arr. Luc Jakobs
Here is the Little Door Herbert Howells
Christmas Day in the Morning arr. Roy Ringwald
Greensleeves arr. Bob Chilcott
Gloria from Misa Criolla Ariel Ramrez, arr. Padre Segade
Percussion: Andy Pongracz and Marc Kirschenbaum
Carol from an Irish Cabin Dale Wood
Nancy Paterson, Harp
Magnificat Rob Landes
Wenceslas Bob Chilcott
​Brian Keith Johnson, Wenceslas
Marian Vogel, Page
Trumpet I Eric Sundet Horn Tom Park
Trumpet II Jack Brndiar Tuba Gary Adams
Trombone Eric Rowles Harp Nancy Paterson
Timpani Andy Pongracz
June 2018
Western Reserve Chorale
David Gilson, Artistic Director
Joanne Poderis and Maribeth Katt, Pianists
June 3, 2018
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The God who gave us life Randall Thompson
from The Testament of Freedom
From Old American Folk Song Set Aaron Copeland
Zion's Walls arr. Glenn Koponen
I Bought Me a Cat arr. Irving Fine
At the River arr. R. Wilding-White
Ching-A-Ring-Chaw arr. Irving Fine
Sure on This Shining Night Morten Lauridsen
Hear My Prayer Moses Hogan
My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord Moses Hogan
Stomp Your Foot Aaron Copeland
From The Tender Land
Frostiana (selections) Randall Thompson
A Girl's Garden
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
The Road Not Taken
Peace Like a River Ronald Staheli
Shenendoah James Erb
The Road Home Stephen Paulus
Cindy Mark Wilberg
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March 2018
Western Reserve Chorale
David Gilson, Artistic Director
March 18, 2018
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​ Mass in G Franz Schubert
1797-1828
Marian Vogel, Soprano
JR Fralick, Tenor
Matthew Brennan, Baritone
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Mass of the Children John Rutter
b. 1945
Marian Vogel, Soprano
Matthew Brennan, Baritone
Voices of Harmony
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Violin I Emily Cornelius Oboe Danna Sundet
Leah Burtnett Cynthia Watson
Violin II Nancy Patterson Clarinet Alix Reinnhardt
Leisl Hook Lou Gangale
Viola Laura Shuster Bassoon Philip Austin
Mark Heinzen Mark DeMio
Cello Kent Collier Horn Ken Wadenpfuhl
Linda Atherton Emily Rapson
Bass Ann Gilbert Trumpet Erik Sundet
Harp Nancy Patrson David Duro
Flute Linda White Percussion Mel Csicsila Jane Berkner Timpani Andy Pongracz
Previous Performances
'Tis a Glorious Season
December 3, 2017
David Gilson, Artistic Director Joanne Poderis, Accompanist
Gloria Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Marian Vogel, soprano
Sandra Ross, mezzo-soprano
Emily Cornelius and Nancy Patterson, violins
Laura Shuster, viola and Linda Atherton, cello
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Flight Song Kim André Arnesen (b. 1980)
Five Hebrew Love Songs Eric Whitacre (b. 1970)
1. Temuná [A picture] 2. Kalá kallá [Light Bride]
3. Lárov [Mostly] 4. Éyze Shéleg [What snow!] 5. Rakút [Tenderness]
Stacia Dearmin, soprano
Love Thy Neighbor (world premiere) Anne C. Wilson (b. 1954)
Beth Zych, soprano
Anne Wilson, piano
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Gloria Tomas Luis de Victoria
from O Quam gloriosum est regnum (1548-1611)
In the Bleak Midwinter Harold Darke (1888-1976) Beth Phillips, soprano & Arlen Overholt, tenor
What Child is This? arr. Howard Helvey (b. 1968)
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas music by Ken Darby
arr. Harry Simeone
Here We Come A-Caroling arr. Josh Sparkman
Jingle Bells arr. Gordon Langford (1930-2017)
A Merry Christmas arr. Arthur Warrell (1883-1939)
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Isn't It Romantic?
June 4, 2017
David Gilson, Artistic Director
Maribeth Katt and Joanne Poderis, Accompanists
Selections from Liebeslieder Waltzes Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
1. Speak Maiden, whom I love
2. The waves crash themselves against the rocks
5. The green hops vine snakes
8. When your gaze rests upon me
9. On Danube’s banks
15. The nightingale sings so sweetly
16. Love is a dark well
18. The bushes are trembling
Two Sacred Songs Anton Bruckner (1824-1896)
Virga Jesse (The Rod of Jesse)
Ave Maria (Hail Mary)
Cantique de Jean Racine Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)
Who Shall Win My Lady Fair? Robert Lucas De Pearsall (1795-1856)
Ständchen (Serenade) Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Men of the Chorale
Margaret Marino and Sandra Simon, Soloists
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Vier Gesänge für Frauenchor (Four Songs) Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
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The harp resounds with wild refrain
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Song from Shakespeare
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The Gardener
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Song of Fingal
Women of the Chorale
Nancy Paterson, Harp
Thomas Park and Nathan Peebles, French Horn
Three Sacred Works Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)
Op. 31, No. 8a and 8b (The Cherubic Hymn)
Bogoroditse Devo, raduisya (God-bearing virgin, rejoice)
Three Part Songs, Op. 18 Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
O happy Eyes
Love
My love Dwelt in a Northern land
Neighbor’s Chorus Jacques Offenbach (1818-1880)
From La Jolie Parfumeuse
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March 12, 2017 March 19, 2017
Mary Queen of Peace Church of the Gesu
David Gilson, Artistic Director Joanne Poderis, Accompanist
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MISSA IN TEMPORI BELLI (Paukenmesse) Joseph Haydn 1732-1809
Kyrie
Gloria
Credo
Sanctus
Benedictus
Agnus Dei
Marian Vogel, Soprano
Sandra Ross, Mezzo-soprano
Timothy Culver, Tenor
Brian Keith Johnson, Baritone
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REQUIEM FOR THE LIVING Dan Forrest b. 1978
Introit – Kyrie
Vanitas Vanitatum
Agnus Dei
Sanctus
Lux Aeterna
Henry Dyck, Boy Soprano
Timothy Culver, Tenor
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Songs of the Season
December 4, 2016
David Gilson, Artistic Director Joanne Poderis, Accompanist
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Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light J. S. Bach (1685-1750)
David’s Song upon Absalom Anon., c. 1600, ed. James Dearing
Behold the Star William L. Dawson (1899-1990)
Mary Pat Crockford & Rosalyn Gaier, sopranos
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Mary Had a Baby Dawson
Ndubuisi Justine, alto
Even When He is Silent Kim André Arnesen (b. 1980)
To Shorten Winter’s Sadness Thomas Weelkes (1576-1623)
Laudi alla Vergine Maria Guiseppe Verdi (1810-1883)
Sopranos and Altos
Hodie Christus Natus Est G. Pierluigi da Palestrina (1524-1594)
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Betelehemu (Nigerian Carol) arr. Barrington Brooks
Marc Kirschenbaum, Dylan Moffitt, Chris Vandall, percussion
Ding Dong Merrily on High arr. Charles Wood (1866-1926)
Snowflakes Seth Houston
Linda White, flute & Kent Collier, cello
Fantasia on Christmas Carols Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Matthew Brennan, baritone & Kent Collier, cello
Dormi Jesu Arnesen
Mary Pat Crockford & Rosalyn Gaier, sopranos
Hine Matov (Hebrew folk song) arr. Neil Ginsberg (b. 1969)
Linda White, flute
Wassail Song arr. R.V. Williams
Jingle, Bells J. Pierpont (1822-1893)
arr. David Willcocks (1919-2015)
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Of Operas and Operettas
June 5, 2016
David Gilson, Artistic Director
Joanne Poderis, Accompanist
Natasha Ospina Simmons, Guest Soloist
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Hail Poetry W. S. Gilbert (1836-1911)
from Pirates of Penzance or “The Slave of Duty” Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900)
Bell Chorus from Pagliacci Ruggero Leoncavallo (1857-1919)
Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin Richard Wagner (1813-1883)
Bridegroom and Bride from The Gondoliers Gilbert and Sullivan
March of the Toreadors from Carmen Georges Bizet (1838-1875)
Pilgrims Chorus from Tannhäuser Wagner
Dance a Cachucha from The Gondoliers Gilbert and Sullivan
Witches’ Chorus from Macbeth Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)
Triumphal Scene from Aida Verdi
Entr’acte and Chorus “What a joy to be here.…” Johann Strauss II (1825-1899)
from Die Fledermaus
Dido’s Lament and Final Chorus Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
from Dido and Aeneas
Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco Verdi
Huntsmen’s Chorus from Der Freischutz C. M. Weber (1786-1826)
Anvil Chorus from Il Trovatore Verdi
Chorus of Peasant Girls from Eugene Onegin Piotr Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Easter Hymn from Cavalleria Rusticana Pietro Mascagni (1863-1945)
Make Our Garden Grow from Candide Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990)
Classical MASStery
March 13, 2016
David Gilson, Artistic Director
Marian Vogel – Soprano
Sandra Ross – Mezzo-Soprano
Timothy Culver – Tenor
Brian Keith Johnson - Baritone
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Mass in B flat major ‘Theresienmesse’ Joseph Haydn
I. Kyrie (1732-1809)
II. Gloria in excelsis deo
Gratias agimus tibi
Qui tollis
Quoniam tu solus
III. Credo in unum Deum
Et incarnatus est
Et resurrexit
IV. Sanctus
V. Benedictus
VI. Agnus Dei
Dona Nobis Pacem
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Vesperae solennes de confessore K. 339 W. A. Mozart
I. Dixit (1756-1791)
II. Confitebor
III. Beatus vir
IV. Laudate pueri
V. Laudate Dominum
VI. Magnificat
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ORCHESTRA
Violin I Cello Trumpet
Susan Britton Linda Atherton Heather Zweifel
Diana Pepelea Kent Collier Erik Sundet
Leah Burtnett
Bass Trombone
Violin II Ann Gilbert Paul Ferguson
Nancy Patterson Eric Rowles
Callista Koh Clarinet J.C. Sherman
Masha Andreini Amitai Vardi
Alix Reinhardt Bassoon
Viola Mark DeMio
Alexandra Vago Timpani
Laura Shuster Andy Pongracz
Mark Heinzen