ECMC This Old House Program by Ariel Estrada

November 8 and 14, 2015

GOTHAM PERFORMING ARTS, INC.

TENOR 1 Ben Donahoo Bruce Bergquist Craig Goodwin-Ortiz de Leon Michael Cheffo Shawn-Lin Dzeng Steve Ostrow

TENOR 2 Andrea Farina Ariel Estrada Casey Koh Daniel Greller Edward Angelo Enrique Eric Faris Jack Kirk Phil Oh

BARITONE Anthony Pho Daniel Fiore David Baxter Eric Pulsipher Mark Heflin Michael Fairbairn Neil Fleming Rich Jandron Rodrigo Bola単os Ronald Languedoc Scott Brown Tai Beckles Westley Todd Holiday

BASS Bill Powell Clay Morris Daniel Weinberg Keith Odums James S. Longo Marshall Taylor

Dear Friends, Welcome to ECMC 2.0! We have added this little fall concert this season as a treat and a thank you to all of you who have so generously supported this organization through the years. We are rebuilding and reimagining the ECMC house and this program is a testament to that. I’ve often talked about musical form like a house: new and different ideas may move in and out; inhabitants may change; time may pass; but the structure and strength of the house remains and endures the test of time. Some of these men have been in each other’s musical company for a decade or more. Others have just come in. Each Tuesday night, the house is open and it welcomes people from all over NYC who share a common interest in building and preserving it. We think that is a pretty special and wonderful thing - and it’s something that only music can truly do! I would like to make special mention of our new Composer-In-Residence program and of Kyle Randall, the first to hold its seat. This young artist is, in my opinion, one of the most formidable rising composers of our time and we are so excited to be premiering works by him at all of our concerts this season, beginning tonight with “Shelter Song,” which is a setting of an also-original text by Sam Jack. Welcome Kyle! Tonight, we will honor those members, friends, and family who have gone before us as part of the tapestry that hangs in our house. We invite you to send all your good thoughts and dreams along with ours to them, wherever they may be now. We cannot do this work without your continued support. Your donations help us go above and beyond ticket sales and dues income. They help us to fund things like the CIR program mentioned above, scholarships for members, retreat subsidies, and various community outreach initiatives using music as the vehicle. In short, when you support us, you are not simply supporting the arts, but the community that we share. We appreciate all gifts, large and small! Most of all, we are truly grateful for your presence and your energy here with us tonight. Enjoy the concert! Sincerely, Vince Peterson, Artistic Director

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.. ECMC performance venues are ADA-compliant and wheelchair accessible spaces.

THIS OLD HOUSE Vince Peterson, Artisitc Director | Sean Forte, Assistant Director and Accompanist Sunday, November 8, 2015 - The Church of the Holy Apostles Saturday, November 14, 2015 - Broadway Presbyterian Church

Program Working for the Dawn of Peace Civil War Songs Arranged by Ron Jeffers

Building My House Music by Marisa Michelson | Words by Joshua Cohen

Periti Autem Fulgebunt Music by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy

DĂşlamĂĄn Music by Michael McGlynn Bill Powell and Craig Goodwin-Ortiz de Leon, soloists

Naduri Traditional Georgian work song Ron Languedoc, soloist

Let the River Run Words and Music by Carly Simon | Arranged by Kirby Shaw

Wanting Memories Words and Music by Ysaye M. Barnwell

Working Man Words and Music by Rita MacNeil Westley Holiday, soloist

Hard Times Words and Music by Stephen Collins Foster | Arranged by Willi Zwozdesky

Shelter Song Music by Kyle Randall | Words by Sam Jack Comissioned by the Empire Men’s Chorus, Vince Peterson, director World Premiere

Harambee Words and Music by Robert I. Hugh ❦

Texts & Translations Working for the Dawn of Peace

One wore blue and one wore gray, As they marched along their way, The fife and drum began to play, All on a beautiful mornin’.

Two brothers on their way, One wore blue and one wore gray. Two brothers on their way, One wore blue and one wore gray, As they marched along their way, The fife and drum began to play, All on a beautiful mornin’.

Mournin’, mournin’… Many are the hearts that are weary tonight, Waitin’ for the war to cease, Many are the hopes, the hopes once high and bright That sleep with those at peace. Waitin’ tonight, workin’ tonight, Workin’ that the war might cease! O many are the hearts that are working for the right, Waitin’ for the dawn of peace.

One was gentle, one was kind, One came home, one stayed behind, All on a beautiful mornin’.

Building My House

Children rise make the walls rise Come come arise arise Build to the skies

I am building my house See how it grows Wood and clay, mud and hay And the water water water flows Come come let’s all rise Children rise make the floor rise. Come come arise arise Build to the skies

I am building my house See how it grows Wood and clay, mud and hay And the water water water flows. Come come let’s all rise Children rise make the roof rise Come come arise arise Build to the skies

I am building my house See how it grows Wood and clay, mud and hay And the water water water flows Come come let’s all rise

Let the floor rise, Let the walls rise, Let the roof rise, Let the people rise!

Periti Autem Fulgebunt And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, And they that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever.

Periti autem fulgebunt ut fulgor aethereus, Quique multos reddiderunt justos, erunt stellarum similes, In omnem aeternitatem.

Dúlamán Seaweed A ‘níon mhín ó sin anall na fir shúirí, A mháthair mhín ó cuir na roithléan go dtí mé

Oh gentle daughter, here come the wooing men Oh gentle mother, put the wheels in motion for me

Chorus: Dúlamán, Dúlamán, Dúlamán na binne buí, Dúlamán na binne buí Gaelach Dúlamán, Dúlamán, Dúlamán na farraige, Dúlamán na binne buí Gaelach

Chorus: Seaweed from the yellow cliff, Seaweed from Ireland Seaweed from the ocean, Seaweed from Ireland

Rachaidh mé chun ‘lúir leis a’ dúlamán Gaelach Ceannódh bróga daor’ arsa dúlamán Gaelach

I would go to Niúir with the Irish seaweed “I would buy expensive shoes,” said the Irish seaweed

Chorus:

Bróga breatha dubh’ ar a’ dúlamán Gaelach Bairéad agus triús ar a’ dúlamán Gaelach

The Irish seaweed has beautiful black shoes The stately seaweed has a beret and trousers

Chorus:

Dúlamán, Dúlamán, Dúlamán na binne buí, Dúlamán na binne buí Gaelach

Seaweed from the yellow cliff, Seaweed from Ireland

‘Níon mhín ó sin anall na fir shúirí, A mháthair mhín ó cuir na roithléan go dtí mé

Oh gentle daughter, here come the wooing men Oh gentle mother, put the wheels in motion for me

Chorus:

Chorus

Tá ceann buí (í) óir ar ‘a dúlamán Gaelach Tá dhá (á) chiuais mhaol’ ar a’ dúlamán Maorach

There is a yellow gold head on the Gaelic seaweed There are two blunt ears on the stately seaweed

Chorus:

Dúlamán, Dúlamán, Dúlamán na binne buí Dúlamán na binne buí Gaelach

Seaweed from the yellow cliff, Seaweed from Ireland

Let The River Run Let the river run, Let all the dreamers Wake the nation. Come, the New Jerusalem. Silver cities rise, The morning lights, The streets that lead them, And sirens call them on With a song. It's asking for the taking. Trembling, shaking. Oh, my heart is aching. We're comin’ to the edge, Runnin’ on the water, Comin’ thru the fog, Your sons and daughters.

We the great and small, Stand on a star And blaze a trail of desire Through the darkling dawn.

We're comin’ to the edge, Runnin’ on the water, Comin’ thru the fog, Your sons and daughters.

It's asking for the taking. Come run with me now, The sky is the color of blue You've never even seen In the eyes of love.

Let the river run, Let all the dreamers Wake the nation. Come, the New Jerusalem.

My heart is aching. We're comin’ to the edge, Runnin’ on the water, Comin’ thru the fog, Your sons and daughters. It's asking for the taking. Trembling, shaking. Oh, my heart is aching.

Wanting Memories I think on the things that made me feel so wonderful when I was young. I think on the things that made me laugh , made me dance, made me sing. I think on the things that made me grow into a being full of pride; Think on these things, for they are truth.

I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me To see the beauty in the world through my own eyes. I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me To see the beauty in the world through my own eyes. You used to rock me in the cradle of your arms. You said you'd hold me till the pains of life were gone. You said you'd comfort me in times like these and now I need you, And now I need you... And you are gone.

And I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me To see the beauty in the world through my own eyes. I thought that you were gone, but now I know you're with me. You are the voice that whispers all I need to hear.

So, I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me To see the beauty in the world through my own eyes. Since you've gone and left me, there's been so little beauty, But I know I saw it clearly through your eyes.

I know a "Please", a "Thank you", and a smile will take me far. I know that I am you and you are me, and we are one. I know that who I am is numbered in each grain of sand. I know that I’ve been blessed, Again, and over again, and again, and again.

Now the world outside is such a cold and bitter place. Here inside I have few things that will console. And when I try to hear your voice above the storms of life, Then I remember that I was told.

Yes, I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me To see the beauty in the world through my own eyes. Yes, I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me To see the beauty in the world through my own eyes.

Working Man Chorus:

Chorus: Its a working man l am, And I’ve been down underground, And I swear to God if l ever see the sun Or for any length of time I can hold it in my mind, I never again will go down underground.

At the age of sixty four Oh, he'll greet you at the door And he'll gently lead you by the arm Through the dark recess of the mines Oh, he'll take you back in time And he'll tell you of the hardships that were had.

At the age of sixteen years, Oh, he quarrels with his peers Who vowed they’d never see another one In the dark recess of the mines Where you age before your time And the coal dust lies heavy on your lungs.

Chorus: God, I never again will go down underground

Hard Times Chorus:

Let us pause in life's pleasures and count its many tears, While we all sup sorrow with the poor. There's a song that will linger forever in our ears, “Oh, hard times come again no more!”

There's a pale drooping maiden who toils her life away, With a worn heart whose better days are o'er. Though her voice would be merry, 'tis sighing all the day: “Oh! Hard times come again no more!”

Chorus: 'Tis the song, the sigh of the weary: “Hard Times, hard times, come again no more! Many days you have linger’d around my cabin door, Oh, hard times come again no more!”

Chorus: Tis a sigh that is wafted across the troubled wave, 'Tis a wail that is heard upon the shore 'Tis a dirge that is murmur’d around the lowly grave, “Oh! Hard times come again no more!”

While we seek mirth and beauty and music light and gay, There are frail forms fainting at the door; Though their voices are silent, their pleading looks will say: “Oh, hard times come again no more!”

Shelter Song

I delved into the ground and found a hidden spring; Where’re I laid my head, I could hear its round bells ring.

I built a house of wood, of wood I split by axe, And seasoned slow, to set it in its fixed death, Day by day.

Ring higher than ears can hear. Ring broader than arms can span. Ring beneath our notice and according to higher plans. Ring higher than ears can hear. Ring broader than arms can span.

I built a house of brick, of brick I forged in kilns, And left to dry in rows underneath the searing sun. I built a house of wood, of wood I split by axe, And seasoned slow, to set it in its fixed death, Day by day.

I built a house of brick, of brick I forged in kilns, And left to dry in rows underneath the searing sun.

I built a house of brick, of brick I forged in kilns, And laid to dry in rows underneath the searing sun.

I built a house of stones, of stones the water blessed. Dear friend, unclasp your burden And from all labors, rest

Harambee Let’s Go, Let’s Get It Done Vidole vitano, Kipi bora.

Five fingers, which is the best?

E tuimbe, pamoja

Eh, sing together

Sote, tufanye kazi pamoja

Let us all work together

Harambee

Let’s go, let’s get it done

❦

Vince Peterson is the Artistic Director of Empire City Men’s Chorus, and an award-winning conductor, composer, arranger, and keyboardist. He is the Founder of the celebrated shape-shifting vocal ensemble, Choral Chameleon. His work has been commissioned and performed by reputable ensembles internationally, most notably the multi-Grammy® Award-winning ensemble, Chanticleer. Distinguished performance venues include Chicago Symphony Hall, San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House, Bartok National Concert Hall in Budapest, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Carnegie Hall, among others. Peterson is a tireless champion of living composers and an avid proponent of new choral and theater music. He is responsible for commissioning and premiering over 100 new works to date. Under his leadership, Choral Chameleon won the 2015 ASCAP Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming. This year, he will lead men from both ECMC and Choral Chameleon in the first-ever all-male version of his pivotal choral institute for composers and conductors (founded six years ago). He holds a BMus in Composition from San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he was a pupil of Conrad Susa. He also holds a double MM in Composition and Choral Conducting from Mannes College, The New School for Music in Manhattan, where he studied with new music pioneer conductor, Mark Shapiro. T he New York Times called Peterson "authoritative beyond his… years," and The Brooklyn Eagle praised his work as "a stunning symphony of the spiritual and secular," while hailing him as a solo performer "with depth and vigor" who "provided a universal context which resonated with his audience.” In addition to his work with ECMC and Chameleon, he currently serves as Choirmaster and Organist at St. Paul’s Carroll Street in Brooklyn and as Music Director of Regis High School.

Sean Forte (Assistant Director and Accompanist) has been a pianist since he started taking lessons at 10 years old. He then continued at the University of the Pacific’s Conservatory of Music where he studied with Frank Wiens, Dr. Rex Cooper, and Dr. Sonia Leung. He also extensively studied conducting, voice, diction, and acting through song while at college. He graduated in 2010 with his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance magna cum laude. After living in San Francisco for 3 years teaching, musical directing shows, and performing, he packed up his life and moved across the country to New York City to pursue a career in musical direction for musical theater. He’s been in the city for two years and is thankful for the opportunities that New York has offered him, including working with the Empire City Men’s Chorus. Credits include: Broadway: A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder (Rehearsal pianist). Royal Caribbean Productions (Pianist/Conductor for Cats). Regional: La Cage aux Folles, Seussical, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Cinderella, Sweeney Todd, Rent, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Nine.

Kyle Randall (Composer-in-residence) is a composer whose work has been performed across the country and internationally, from such renowned venues as Carnegie Hall to La Schola Cantorum in Paris, and he has worked with prominent groups and conductors around the country. Kyle has also been awarded the Francis Boott Prize for choral composition from Harvard, and is currently a finalist for the prestigious American Prize in composition for the Kyrie of his recent New Gothic Mass. He received degrees in music from Harvard University (BA) and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (MM), and has studied composition with David Garner, Lennie Moore, David Conte, Austin Wintory, Phillip Lasser, and Chaya Czernowin. He is currently composer-in-residence with the Empire City Men's Chorus for FY2016 , and will complete three new pieces for them over the course of this year.

Marisa Michelson is a Jonathan Larson Award winning composer, singer and voice teacher passionate about the human ability to express and communicate through singing/sound-making. Her music has been hailed as mesmerizing, inventive, meaty and unique, rich and distinctive, accessible but never derivative. The music for Marisa’a experimental musical Tamar of the River written with Joshua H. Cohen (Prospect Theatre, off Broadway 2013) was called “exquisite” by The New York Times, and “the most unique and beautiful I’ve heard in musical theater” by Theatremania. The cast album (starring Margo Seibert) was released in September 2014 on Yellow Sound Label and was called “majestically opulent” (Broadway World), “intriguing…full of unbounded inventiveness” (Playbill). Tamar of the River was also produced as a theatrical oratorio by New York Theatre Barn and Choral Chameleon under the direction of Joe Barros and Vince Peterson.

The Empire City Men’s Chorus

Founded in 1993, the Empire City Men’s Chorus celebrates its 23rd year of performances in New York City. ECMC was initially formed by members of the gay community who were interested in creating a male chorus featuring an eclectic multilingual repertoire of predominately classical music. For the past 23 years, the ECMC has consistently presented concerts that boast a wide variety of well-known composers and newly commissioned works with a classical sensibility. Prior to Vince Peterson’s appointment as Artistic Director in the fall of 2014, ECMC has been led under the esteemed batons of Matthew D. Oltman, Christopher Clowdus, Jonathan Babcock, and Donald Messer. Over a relatively short period of time, the ECMC has established an impressive musical history, having performed in some of New York’s most historic spaces. The ECMC has performed for the United Nations Secretary General’s Campaign UNiTE to End Violence Against Women, in Manhattan at Merkin Hall, Carnegie Hall (several times, with Mid-America Productions), Symphony Space, Greenwich House Music School, Saint Bartholomew’s Church, The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Church of the Blessed Sacrament, and Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew. Our guest performers have included opera stars Stephanie Blythe and Margaret Lattimore, Tony Award winning Victoria Clark, and Tony Award - and Drama Desk - nominee Barbara Walsh. Highlights of our seasons include a gala 10th Anniversary concert featuring world premieres of works by 2004 Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Moravec and Adam Silverman, and a jointly produced concert with The Astoria Symphony which included performances of the Brahms Alto Rhapsody, and the performance of Arnold Schönberg’s A Survivor in Warsaw. The ECMC produces at least two major concerts per season. The group has received grants from the New York State Council of the Arts and the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, and is a member of Chorus America. Our members meet seasonally on a weekly basis, and we frequently post upcoming auditions on our web site. We are a diverse group and open to anyone whose musical talents and spirit embellish the current strengths of our chorus members. Please contact us for more information. www. empirecitymenschorus.org 12

DON’T LET THE MUSIC STOP For twenty-three years, the Empire City Men’s Chorus (Gotham Performing Arts) has offered cultural enrichment through music to its members, its audiences, and the greater New York GLBTQ community. The ECMC continues to donate its services to a wide variety of organizations including AIDS research, gay youth programs, community groups, and civil rights causes. By making a tax-deductible contribution to Gotham Performing Arts, Inc., you can lower your tax bill while simultaneously providing vital funds that will enable us to build upon our positive influence in New York. It is gratifying to know that we can count on your generosity when it is needed. We understand how many appeals you must receive each year and we hope you can identify with the significant local needs you will help meet with your contribution to the Empire City Men’s Chorus. Friend Supporter Patron Benefactor Sponsor Visionary Commissioner

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Address please mail your check or money order to: EMPIRE CITY MEN’S CHORUS • PO BOX 1017 • NEW YORK, NY 10185 or for online donations, please visit our website at WWW.EMPIRECITYMENSCHORUS.ORG