Belmont University School of Music
SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 2024
7:30 PM
MCAFEE CONCERT HALL
Belmont University School of Music presents
Bel Canto & Chorale
Jeffery Ames, conductor
Bel Canto ~ Either Love It, or Hate It
The definitions of love and hate are very simple: Love is passionate or intense affection toward someone or something, and Hate is passionate or severe dislike toward someone or something. What they have in common is their severity, passion, and intensity. In essence, there is nothing more powerful than love or hate on the spectrum. In this program we’ll explore love-hate relationships characterized by extreme ups and downs in personal, societal vices, and spiritual relationships.
Marital Bliss
Cikala le Pong Pong Pakpaknese Traditional Song arr. Ken Steven
Brooke Miller, soloist
“Cikala le Pong Pong” is a folk song from North Sumatra, Indonesia. Today, the song is more commonly performed at wedding celebrations, opening ceremonies, and cultural events in the region. The text describes the elders advising their daughters to behave well and act lady-like, since girls today can be more aggressive than boys.
Marital Discord
Makedonska Humoreska
Todor Skalovski (1909-2004) ed. Kathleen Rodde
The composer revisits a century-old famous Macedonian folk song telling the tale of a married couple’s tempestuous relationship. The passionate and turbulent exchange between the spouses in this folk song is filled with ambiguity. “Hey! We always squabble, we always fight. Is this love? (or, This is love)! Since we got married, we spent all our money. We squandered everything, for heaven’s sake!”
No Fairy Tale Here
Societal Strife
Annie Metherd, speaker
Chris Smallwood, piano
Zanaida Robles (b. 1993)
This song tells of the extraordinary writing and artistry of Ida B. Wells and how she fought racism and oppression through literature. This musical setting is a powerful statement about the responsibility we have to tell the stories of those whose voices have been marginalized. Robyn Watson’s bold, sobering poetry highlights Ida B. Wells as a beacon of truth during a brutal period of our nation’s history.
Community
Always Keep This Close
Chris Smallwood, piano
Zachary J. Moore (b. 1992)
The feeling of community and belonging within a choral ensemble can be unlike none other. This experience is expressed by the poet, Colleen Carhuff, and the composer in a deeply personal way. Carhuff mentioned, “I wanted everyone in the group to know how much it meant for me to be included, to feel like I had a home no matter where I was.” Similarly, Moore shared, “I knew that I wanted to capture the warmth, togetherness and love that is felt within a choir.” This may all sound trivial, but it is truly a moment of vulnerability and gives the audience a glimpse of what it truly means to be in a choir.
Thanksgiving
I Thank You God
Chris Smallwood, piano
Gwyneth Walker (b. 1947)
Gratitude is not always easy to hold. Difficulty lies in both acknowledging our hardships while also being thankful for our blessings. Based on the poem by e. e. Cummings, this song allows us to lift our voices together in hope to communicate praise and gratitude for God, Nature, and the Universe, where the “leaping, greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky” are more vibrant than ever.
Everlasting Love
An Everlasting Love
Lily Chantler, oboe
Chris Smallwood, piano
Jeffery L. Ames* (b. 1969)
This text, based upon Psalm 139, tells each of us that we are wonderfully made; each one of us beautiful and unique. We have been created in a divine image and the Creator is connected to our lives. He looks deep into our hearts, knows everything we do, and before we even speak a word, He knows what we will say. Regardless of our great intentions, we often stray down paths that are not the best for our lives. Yet, God continues to love us, in spite of our own mishaps.
We Sing Glory!
Chris Smallwood, piano
Alex Davidson, bass
Reagan Tipton, cajon
Vanessa Bell Armstrong (b. 1953)
ed./adapt. Jeffery L. Ames*
Chorale ~ Choices, Consequences, and Redemption
This program explores life in a manner in which we all face every single day. Whether it be yielding to temptation and traveling paths we should resist as in the “Daemon irrepit callidus” followed by the reckoning of our mistakes and pleading, “Holy God, have mercy on us.” Sometimes that mercy is not immediate and we must endure the difficulties. Then, there are moans and cries from the soul as felt in “Past Life Melodies.” Eventually, we rise from the abyss to joyfully celebrate as in the “Três Cantos.” And although we may fall into temptation, yet again… and again, we find hope, strength, and unity from our circle of family and friends who work together to redeem our lives. Amid our issues, life is still beautiful.
Program
Temptation
Daemon Irrepit Callidus
György Orbán (b. 1947)
This is one of the most well-known pieces by Orbán. It is musically descriptive with minor seconds, augmented chords, and chromaticism to represent the trickery the Devil uses to deceive and seduce the honorable heart. Although there are three verses of cunningness, the final stanza is always “It is worth less than the heart of Jesus.” The text is taken from a medieval Goliardic source. The Demon sneaks expertly; Tempting the honorable heart; He sets forth trickery amidst praise, song, and dance. However amiably the Demon acts, It is still worth less than the heart of Jesus.
Mercy
Svjati Bože - Holy God
Lisa Milena Simikić (b. 1961)
The Trisagion Hymn (Thrice Holy Hymn) is said at the beginning of most Orthodox services, and takes a prominent position in the Divine Liturgy. With the bombing of Belgrade and Kosovo in 1999, which destroyed schools, hospitals, and 14th and 15th century Serbian Orthodox churches, Simikić was moved to compose this hymn to reflect the pain, sorrow, and sympathy felt by Serbian Americans for the innocent victims in their ancestral homeland. The composer’s family was also directly affected by the destruction and said, “There is so much good in all of us. This prayer is a plea for that within us which is not good.”
Past Life Melodies
Sarah Hopkins (b. 1958)
The melodic ideas of “Past Life Melodies” are simple in structure, but reach deep into the soul of music. Set in three distinct sections, the first melody heard haunted the composer for many years–it was a melody that came to her at moments of extreme emotion. The second melody reflects Hopkins’ considerable interest in music of various world cultures, and specifically, her time of residence in Darwin, Australia where she had much contact with Australian Aboriginal art and music. The third section of the piece utilizes harmonic-overtone singing. The separate harmonic voices weave and dart like golden treads above the earthly drone sustained by the body of the choir.
Celebration
Três Cantos Nativos dos Indios Kraó
Indigenous Song of Brazil arr. Marcos Leite
“Três Cantos Nativos dos Indios Kraó” is freely based on melodies sung by the Kraó tribe of the Amazon forest of northwestern Brazil. The work is divided into three short sections, or cantos. The meaning of the text is unknown and treated by the composer as a group of phonemes.
Home
Rockin’ Jerusalem
Negro Spiritual arr. Damon H. Dandridge
This Negro spiritual is a song of anticipation, freedom and hope. The inclusion of Mary’s name on its own could refer to Mary the mother of Jesus, admonishing her not to weep at the death of her son. The inclusion of Martha in the next line, though, shifts the meaning to the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Either way, the women were similar in that they mourned the death of a loved one and then saw that loved one resurrected. So they should rejoice and ring bells. The scene then moves to Heaven, the New Jerusalem, with the archangels themselves participating in the rejoicing, with “rockin’ and ringin’ dem bells.”
Signs of the JudgMent
Negro Spiritual arr. Mark Butler
Steeped within deep Biblical meaning and imagery, “Signs of the JudgMent” references the second coming of Christ and the judgment that will occur for all souls. The text tells of the warning signs of impending judgment such as, “mountains moving and rocks crying out there’s no hiding place.” The middle section of Butler’s arrangement is one of assurance that we will meet Jesus in the air and He’ll say “Well done my child.” The final warning is, “Better be ready for that great day.”
Unity
Twa Tanbou
Sydney Guillaume (b. 1982)
Sung in French Creole, “Twa Tanbou” is a song expressing the power of unity. The central theme,
as described by the poet Louis-Marie Célestin is as follows, “In order for a team to reach the optimal result, each member must play his or her own part. There is no room for self-obsessed glory; this ultimately brings down the team. True leaders are those who put their team’s collective well-being before themselves.” The text of “Twa Tanbou” uses this philosophy, applied to three drums: the big Boula (the loudest), the smaller Tanbouren (the most beautiful sounding drum) and the little Kata drum, arguing that if everyone works together, there will be beautiful music!
*School of Music Faculty
Bel Canto Personnel
Alexis Alvarez Commercial Voice Tulsa, OK
Hannah Auer Commercial Voice Seminole, FL
Allyson Avayou Classical Voice Performance Lexington, SC
Isabella Babson Commercial Voice Lansing, NY
Daniela Baker Commercial Voice Sacramento, CA
Ella Beaubien Commercial Voice Barrington, IL
Anna Belt Songwriting | Creative & Entertainment Industries Granville, OH
Savannah Bensing* Music Education Park Ridge, IL
Sophie Brokke Commercial Voice Thousand Oakes, CA
Lauren Brown* Songwriting Searcy, AR
Jessica Brucks Songwriting San Antonio, TX
Carly Bryant Interior Design Romney, IN
Annie Burns Music Therapy Orland Park, IL
Tatianna Burns Songwriting Sandusky, OH
Elyse Butterman Commercial Voice Mansfield, TX
Abriella Camp Music Therapy Cherry Hill, NJ
Rowan Clark Songwriting Fairfax, VA
Gianna Codispoti Commercial Voice West Palm Beach, FL
Brielle Cotter* Commercial Voice Queen Creek, AZ
Katherine Curran Music Business | General Business Oklahoma City, OK
Katie Cushman Commercial Voice Wabasha, MN
Isabella Dawkins Commercial Voice Miami, FL
Aubrey Dittmar Commercial Voice Hanover, PA
Ava Doyle Creative & Entertainment Industries Nashville, TN
Becca Drake Commercial Voice Ashford, CT
Bethany Ducat Worship Leadership Carmel, IN
Alyssa Emerick Commercial Voice Irving, CA
Laurel Fallis Commercial Voice Plympton, MA
Abby France Music Education Downers Grove, IL
Holyn Gaither Music Therapy Zionsville, IN
Katelyn Glass Music Education Friendswood, TX
Lucy Goldberg Commercial Voice Columbia, MO
Bella Hilger Commercial Voice Los Angeles, CA
Caroline Holmes Music Education Plymouth, MA
Kayla Kaser Social Work Denver, CO
Ashlyn Kolbert Music Therapy Clovis, CA
Autumn Langdon Commercial Voice Delanno, MN
Mallory Leno Music Therapy Arlington Heights, IL
Alayna Lepore Music Therapy Aviston, IL
Alissa Luna Economics Freeport, FL
Bella Marquez Commercial Voice Grayson, GA
Melanie Mauldin* Music Education Solon, OH
Keira Maupin Theatre & Drama Minneapolis, MN
Annie Metherd English Chicago, IL
Brooke Miller Music, Musical Theatre Emphasis Laurel, MD
Gretchen Morgan Music Business Jacksonville, FL
Emily Joy Moye Music Therapy Fayetteville, GA
McKenna Munson Music Therapy Layton, UT
Mystique Niles Commercial Music Caledonia, MI
Neely Norris Worship Leadership Athens, GA
Molly O’Hara Music Education Kansas City, MO
Isabel Pack Music Therapy Riverside, CA
Aubrey Page Music Therapy Nashville, TN
Katelynn Palloto Commercial Voice Gwinnett, GA
Ailani Pedroza Commercial Voice Grayslake, IL
Abigal Phillips Music Therapy Tulsa, OK
Becca Pinkston Classical Voice Performance Lees Summit, MO
Rylei Porter Music Business | Spanish Honolulu, HI
Lauren Powell Commercial Voice Tyler, TX
Vaiva Puodziunas Creative & Entertainment Industries Los Angeles, CA
Caroline Raus Music Education Charleston, SC
Gaby Richter Commercial Voice Nashville, TN
Josephine Rutt Commercial Voice Minneapolis, MN
Charlotte Scalzi Music Therapy Virginia Beach, VA
Lainey Seitz Communications Zionsville, IN
Makenna Sherry Songwriting Lakewood, CO
Abby Shields Music Therapy Austin, TX
Grace Shuley Commercial Music Fort Thomas, KY
Isabelle Simonian Music Business Plano, TX
Emma Steinbruner Commercial Voice Colorado Springs, CO
Olivia Terpin Commercial Voice Clinton, NJ
Jacquelyn Therrien Songwriting Merrimack, NH
Jetta Thompson Songwriting | Creative & Entertainment Industries Southlake, TX
Jules Turknett Commercial Voice Roswell, GA
Victoria Uribe Music Therapy Houston, TX
Isabella Valentin Music Education Kaiserslautern, Germany
Phoebe Vandeman Music Business Los Angeles, CA
Emma Wheelbarger Music Business Moore, OK
Madison Whitbeck Commercial Voice Leesburg, VA
Anna Wiggins Music Education Cookeville, TN
Holly Wiper Commercial Voice Wheaton, IL
Emma Wise Commercial Voice Delta, CO
Kendall Yakshe Commercial Voice Los Angeles, CA
Violet Young Commercial Voice New York, NY
Reagan Zins Music Therapy Newport News, VA
Meghan Zwiercan Undeclared Philadelphia, PA
Alaylah Akins Theatre & Performance Houston, TX
Kate Barr Commercial Voice Geneva, IL
Amelia Bast Music with an Outside Minor Austin, TX
Olivia Bastin Church Music Muscatine, IA
Mason Bates Music Business Fort Worth, TX
David Brackett Commercial Voice Gulf Shores, AL
Tucker Bruinsma Commercial Voice Terre Haute, IN
Emanuelle Brunson Master of Music, Church Music Montgomery, AL
Avery Calvert Commercial Voice Birmingham, AL
Eli Carnes Video Production Indianapolis, IN
Javi Castro Classical Voice Performance Knoxville, TN
Joseph Colaneri Music Composition Jackson, NJ
Sam Cooper Music Business Waco, TX
Abby Ferrell Music Education Topeka, KS
Sarah Grapner Music Education Johns Creek, GA
Grace Greenwood Music Education Mobile, AL
Graham Hamby Media Production Waco, TX
Sarah Hepler* Music Therapy Oliver Springs, TN
Daniel Holcomb Faith & Social Justice Falls Church, VA
Izzy Koehler Classical Voice Performance Columbus, OH
Cameron Lewis Commercial Voice Clinton, MS
Quinn Martin Music Education Omaha, NE
Sage McAndrew Music with an Outside Minor Manassas, VA
Kyle McCurley** Classical Voice Performance | German Toccoa, GA
Finn McGinnis Theatre & Performance Athens, GA
Jaylah McMurtry Classical Voice Performance St. Louis, MO
Amari Miller* Classical Voice Performance Memphis, TN
Catherine Moore Theatre & Performance Charlotte, NC
Calista Morrison Commercial Voice Tiffin, OH
Esther Okai-Tetteh Commercial Voice Nashville, TN
Nic Olivo Commercial Voice Katy, TN
Alisa Osborne Public Health | Music Nashville, TN
Sam Piatt Public Health Waukesha, WI
Skylar Peterson Commercial Voice Wellington, FL
Nate Pylant Music Therapy Newnan, GA
Jessie Quadrini Commercial Voice Indianapolis, IN
Davaja Rivers Creative & Entertainment Industries Memphis, TN
Stella Rockwitz Commercial Voice Alpharetta, GA
Sav Saffold Commercial Voice Tampa, FL
Aidan Schmidtke Music Therapy Omaha, NE
Sheldon Smith Commercial Voice Nashville, TN
Georgiana Stern Commercial Voice Indianapolis, IN
Bray Stratton International Business Austin, TX
Reagan Tipton** Commercial Voice Marietta, GA
Emma Rae Thurow** Public Advocacy Stillman Valley, IL
Ella Tramontina Commercial Voice Marietta, GA
Marcus Ugolini Music Business Ankeny, IA
Kyra Watson Master of Music, Vocal Performance Coldwater, MS
Matthew Wilson Music Business | Songwriting Omaha, NE
Upcoming Concerts and Events
University Singers, Chamber Singers, & String Chamber Orchestra Sunday, April 21, 7:30 p.m.
McAfee Concert Hall
New Music Ensemble Tuesday, April 23, 7:30 p.m.
Massey Concert Hall
Belmont Camerata Monday, April 29, 7:30 p.m.
McAfee Concert Hall
For more information on upcoming concerts and events, please visit www.belmont.edu/cmpa or “like” Belmont University School of Music on Facebook.
