APM ManyMoods Program by albanypromusica

The Many Moods of Christmas

DECEMBER 21, 2025 I 3:00PM

TROY SAVINGS BANK MUSIC HALL

José Daniel Flores-Caraballo, Opalka Family Artistic Director

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALBANY PRO MUSICA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dear Friends,

It is with profound gratitude and pride that I welcome you to this 45th anniversary celebration season of Albany Pro Musica, a milestone that honors not only our longevity, but our enduring impact on the Capital Region and beyond. For nearly half a century, Albany Pro Musica has been a beacon of artistic excellence, civic engagement, and cultural vitality.

Through the transformative power of choral music, we have brought to light the deepest dimensions of societal well-being and the human spirit. Our performances have served as more than artistic expressions – they have been acts of community spirit and of hope.

This season we gather not only to reflect on our past, but to illuminate the path forward, as Maestro José Daniel Flores-Caraballo continues in his second decade as the visionary leader of APM. Under his leadership, Albany Pro Musica stands at a unique intersection of artistry and civic purpose. The musicians of the APM organization are not merely performers, they are storytellers, mentors, and stewards of a cultural legacy that uplifts and unites. Whether through our collaborations with regional institutions, our commitment to youth mentorship, or our role as a cultural anchor, APM continues to shape the narrative of what music can mean in our time.

Music, at its core, is a mirror of our shared humanity. It transcends boundaries, speaks across generations, and offers solace in times of uncertainty. In a world that often feels fragmented, Albany Pro Musica reminds us that harmony, be it literally or metaphorically, is possible.

As we celebrate the next chapter with our active engagement and presence during this 45th anniversary season, we do so with renewed purpose, ensuring that our impact continues to resonate across communities and generations. To our singers, supporters, collaborators, and audience members: thank you. Your belief in our mission sustains us. Your presence today and all season long affirms that music matters, and not just in concert halls, but in the heart of our culture.

With admiration and hope,

Marion Terenzio, PhD President, Board of Directors Albany Pro Musica

About Albany Pro Musica

Albany Pro Musica (APM) is the preeminent choral ensemble in New York’s vibrant Capital Region and is renowned for its distinctive artistic style and mastery of a wide range of musical genres. Critically acclaimed for its performances of intimate a cappella pieces and large-scale choral works alike, APM is led by Opalka Family Artistic Director Dr. José Daniel FloresCaraballo and is Chorus-in-Residence at the historic Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. Maestro Flores-Caraballo has led APM since 2014 and has elevated the ensemble through ambitious programming, prestigious national and international collaborations, a renewed commitment to civic and educational engagement, and a bold vision for the future.

Locally and Internationally Celebrated

Albany Pro Musica’s reputation as a world-class chorus attracts large, diverse audiences who encourage newer, bolder projects to satisfy their growing desire for exposure to a rich choral repertoire. It’s also a draw for distinguished guest conductors, soloists, and composers, including composers-in-residence Bradley Ellingboe (2020-2023 seasons) and Ola Gjeilo (2017-2020 seasons) who partner with APM for concerts, premieres, and commissioned works. In addition to long-standing hometown collaborations with the Albany Symphony Orchestra, the Musicians of Ma’alwyck, the Capital District Youth Chorale, and others, APM has developed exciting new relationships with numerous internationally renowned musicians and ensembles, including Canadian Brass, the American String Quartet, The Philadelphia Orchestra, New York City Ballet, Vienna Boys Choir, ACRONYM, the Escher String Quartet, The King’s Singers, the Mostly Modern Orchestra, and the Alturas Duo.

Voices Capturing the Human Spirit at the Intersection of Creativity and Excellence

Albany Pro Musica has been a driving musical force in the Capital Region, the Northeast, and beyond for forty-five years. At the heart of Albany Pro Musica is the vital realization that choral music at its best is not merely entertainment but rather a transformational and emotional experience

for performers and audiences alike. This perspective is reflected in Opalka Family Artistic Director Dr. Flores-Caraballo’s vision for APM, which balances exceptional technical competency, exquisite artistry, and purposeful programming that is relevant and meaningful in today’s society.

Under the leadership of Dr. Flores-Caraballo, APM is continuing to push the boundaries of choral performance in the area, embracing challenging musical programming and innovative new partnerships that elevate the ensemble to new heights. Dr. Flores-Caraballo has laid out a bold plan for APM’s future that includes the premieres of commissioned works; concerts across the northeast; new civic events and partnerships; and expanded educational programming.

Our Season

Albany Pro Musica is composed of 64 to 100 auditioned volunteer singers from several counties and states. Albany Pro Musica offers four series concerts each season, including “Artist Series” concerts which bring worldrenowned artists and ensembles to share the stage with APM; “Masterworks Series” performances of oratorios and other large-scale choral works with orchestra; and an annual Christmas program, which has become a wonderful holiday tradition in the region. Each season is deliberately curated to include classical masterpieces from the choral canon, new compositions from modern and contemporary composers, and popular selections from the worlds of Broadway, traditional and folk music, and more.

Our Commitment to Education

Music education is one of APM’s pillars, and the organization’s educational programs have made a mark on the lives of more than 3,500 young students in the Capital Region and beyond. APM’s annual High School Choral Festival typically brings together hundreds of gifted musicians from regional high schools for an intensive day of rehearsal and performance with Maestro Flores-Caraballo and the festival’s guest conductor.

APM launched the biennial Pro Musica International Choral Festival in 2023, in partnership with the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts at Queen’s University, and the 2025 Festival was held at the University at Albany. The festival is APM’s flagship educational program and provides an opportunity for students from across the United States and Canada to study and perform with world-class musicians and ensembles, and distinguished faculty, including the Festival’s conductor and composer in residence,

Dr. Rollo Dilworth. Generous grant, corporate, and individual support provides full fellowships to all participating students, allowing the Pro Musica International Choral Festival to waive the tuition and room & board fees for every attending student.

Our History

Albany Pro Musica was founded in 1981 by University at Albany Distinguished Professor Dr. David Griggs-Janower, who created a community chorus capable of performing at a professional level. He remained the group’s Artistic Director until his death in August 2013. After an extensive national search, Dr. José Daniel Flores-Caraballo succeeded Griggs-Janower in August 2014. Dr. Flores-Caraballo came to Albany Pro Musica with an ambitious vision to build upon the group’s impressive and cherished legacy and elevate APM to be among the best choirs in the nation.

APM has made numerous recordings and was one of only 16 choruses selected for inclusion on the 2005 National Public Radio (NPR) CD Christmas Around the Country. In 2004 APM collaborated with the Albany Symphony Orchestra and composer Michael Torke to record the opera Strawberry Fields for mass distribution. The group has toured nationally and internationally, including to France in honor of the 60th anniversary of D-Day at Omaha Beach, and to the Czech Republic, Spain, and Ireland. In 2023, APM created a professional recording of StarSong by Bradley Ellingboe, with the Mostly Modern Ensemble and tenor Dann Coakwell.

Albany Pro Musica has commissioned numerous works from American composers and performed local and regional premieres of masterpieces such as Bristow’s Oratorio of Daniel and Handel’s Oratorio of Esther. Under the composer-in-residence program launched by Dr. Flores-Caraballo, APM has expanded the group’s library of commissioned works, sponsoring new compositions by celebrated local, national, and international composers including Steven Murray, Donald McCullough, Ola Gjeilo, and Bradley Ellingboe. APM is frequently invited to sing at high-profile events such as gubernatorial inaugurations, civic celebrations, and on stage with visiting artists, including Judy Collins, Kenny Rogers, and Andrea Bocelli. APM continues to introduce local audiences to challenging and bold choral repertoire, including Frank Martin’s a cappella Mass for Double Choir, the New York State premiere of Requiem by Raymond Torres, entire concerts devoted to musical theater, innovative programs including art forms such as visual arts and dance, and powerful multimedia presentations of Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace and Sam Guarnaccia’s Emergent Universe Oratorio.

ALBANY PRO MUSICA

OUR MISSION, VISION, AND CORE VALUES

MISSION I To perform a broad spectrum of quality choral music at the highest levels of artistic excellence that inspires and transforms our audiences and to provide exceptional educational experiences that advance the choral art among new generations of singers.

VISION I Albany Pro Musica will be a leader in the choral arts in New York’s Capital Region, the Northeast and beyond ― bridging cultures, ethnicities, and generations.

CORE VALUES I Perform with excellence — Inspire new generations of singers — Engage expanded and broadly diverse audiences — Operate with integrity — Respect each other and our community

Albany Pro Musica’s mission inspires all that we do. It is at the heart of every rehearsal and concert experience, each selection of musical compositions performed, and every collaboration and partnership. It also provides a foundation for us to build upon as we strive to serve as a leader in choral excellence and choral music appreciation in New York State’s Capital Region, the Northeast, and beyond.

Our vision of excellence and leadership, bridging cultures, ethnicities, and generations, depends on our core values, which we cultivate purposefully:

• Albany Pro Musica aspires to excellence in performance and repertoire, with a demanding rehearsal schedule for singers and a rigorous, uncompromising approach to choral technique that Opalka Family Artistic Director Dr. José Daniel Flores-Caraballo has continued and expanded upon from his predecessor, founding director David Griggs-Janower.

• The ensemble is dedicated to inspiring new generations of singers through numerous educational programs and our continuous recruitment of new, talented singers.

• APM is committed to engaging expanded and broadly diverse audiences through innovative programming, challenging repertoire, an emphasis on inclusivity, and a wide range of musical selections.

• Finally, we actively partner with civic, cultural, and educational organizations and institutions to leverage the talents, passions, and resources of our collaborators and amplify our joined voices for greater impact. APM’s partnerships with the University at Albany (SUNY), where rehearsals and master classes typically take place, and with the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, where the ensemble sits as Chorus-in-Residence, represent two of our most essential relationships.

LETTER FROM THE OPALKA FAMILY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

To see a world in a grain of sand And a heaven in a wild flower, Hold infinity in the palm of your hand And eternity in an hour.

These evocative lines by English poet and painter William Blake were chosen by composer Sam Guarnaccia to close his Emergent Universe Oratorio, a monumental work for chorus, soloists, orator, and orchestra, which opened our summer concert series. Blake’s poem offers spiritual insight into the interconnectedness of the universe, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the vastness of the universe and the divine, and suggesting that these concepts can be found in the smallest, most humble details of life. Throughout his Oratorio, Guarnaccia challenges us to see how “ecological integrity, multi-level justice, and the yearning for peace are not only embodied in the phenomenal patterns and structures of music but empowered by its beauty, and its capacity to slip beneath the analytical mind.”

Music gives us a voice to raise awareness about important issues that affect us all. Choral music in particular is a powerful art form that helps us reflect, and, hopefully, take action to address our communal concerns. As Albany Pro Musica celebrates its 45th season, we’ve chosen this milestone moment to reflect deeply on our relationship with the natural world—a relationship that, like our organization itself, requires careful nurturing, sustained commitment, and a vision that extends far beyond ourselves. Throughout the 2025-2026 season, our programs will explore the urgency of protecting our planet while celebrating the beauty of the natural world around us.

OUR 2025-2026 CONCERT SERIES

Our opening concert, Hear My Heart Sing, illuminates both the beauty of the human voice and the delicate, essential relationship we share with our Earth. With music by Rutter, Paulus, Whitacre, Fauré, Hagenberg, and others, the concert ends with the United States premiere of a work by English composer Bernard Hughes, which gives the concert its name.

Our March concert, A Sacred Place, explores the intersection of love and nature through works by Esenvalds, Boykin, Paulus, Rutter, and others. The Cantus Piano Trio will join the singers of Albany Pro Musica for the New York premiere of Alex Berko’s “Sacred Place,” an ecological service that connects the old with the new, the sacred with the secular, and the individual with their community.

This Luminous Earth, in May, features Albany Pro Musica and Orchestra Pro Musica in a program of introspection, grief, hope, and redemption. The performance will include Jake Runestad’s EMMY®-Award winning Earth Symphony, a ground-breaking choral symphony that imagines Earth’s hope for humanity, her discovery of its power, her ruination at its hands, her lament at its loss, and her recovery. APM will also present Lux Aeterna, Morten Lauridsen’s sublime, light-filled requiem, as we close this momentous season.

In the middle of this environmental arc is The Many Moods of Christmas, Albany Pro Musica’s beloved holiday concert with chorus and full symphony orchestra, bringing the light of the Christmas season to the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.

BEYOND THE CONCERT HALL

Education and mentorship—as vital to APM’s future as environmental stewardship is to our planet’s—have always been central to who we are. This commitment came alive during the second Pro Musica International Choral Festival, held at the University at Albany on July 13-19. At this festival we convened more than 250 students, faculty, and artists from 22 states and provinces across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. This year, the theme of our Festival connected directly to the theme of our new season: environmental stewardship, urging us to listen more carefully to the planet that sustains us. Additionally, this season APM will hold its 26th annual High School Choral Festival on February 14 at the University at Albany.

During this 45th anniversary season, we also celebrate our collaborations with regional and internationally renowned artistic partners: APM performed Holst’s The Planets and Verdi’s Requiem with The Philadelphia Orchestra at SPAC this summer, and—as if the planets were aligned! — repeated Holst’s marvelous work in November, with the Albany Symphony Orchestra.

This ambitious season is only possible with the exceptional artistry of my colleagues of APM’s chorus and orchestra, and the extraordinary support of our Board of Directors, Council of Advisors, and our generous patrons and donors. I am most grateful.

Dr. José Daniel Flores-Caraballo Opalka Family Artistic Director

ALBANY PRO MUSICA PRESENTS THE MANY MOODS OF CHRISTMAS

December 21, 2025 at 3:00pm

Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

ALBANY PRO MUSICA & ORCHESTRA PRO MUSICA

JOSÉ DANIEL FLORES-CARABALLO,

Opalka Family Artistic Director

Support for our 2025-2026 season comes from our marquee season underwriters

Christine and George R. Hearst III

Ellen Jabbur

Chet and Karen Opalka

Wayne A. Senitta, Jr. and Daniel Washington

William Tuthill and Gregory Anderson

Michael and Linda Wolff

Additional season support provided by James and Joanne Darcy Crum

The Kiwi Foundation, a division of Opalka Philanthropies

Anonymous, in memory of Robert A. Chase

Albert De Salvo, in memory of Susan Thompson

Michael and Margery Whiteman

Support for this concert provided by Karl Moschner and Hannelore Wilfert

David and Nancy Wagner

James M. Gaughan and Keith C. Lee

E. Stewart Jones, Jr. and Kimberly Sanger Jones

John and Joyce Carver

This event is being professionally recorded, photographed, and filmed for archival and promotional purposes. Please silence all electronic devices.

PROGRAM

Kentaro Sato

Distant Echoes: A Christmas Prelude (2017) (b. 1981)

Morten Lauridsen O Magnum Mysterium (1994) (b. 1943)

Traditional Carol O Come, All Ye Faithful (1961) arr. David Willcocks

Audience is invited to join on first and last verses. Lyrics found on page 12

George Frideric Handel For Unto Us a Child is Born from ‘Messiah’ (1741) (1685-1759)

Traditional Mi Yimalel (2025) arr. Ryan James Brandau

Traditional Still, Still, Still & Silent Night (2018) Franz Gruber arr. Ryan James Brandau (1787-1863)

Audience is invited to join as indicated by conductor. Lyrics found on page 13

Robert Shaw

The Many Moods of Christmas, Suite 2 (1963) (1916-1999)

Robert Russell Bennett O Sanctissima (1894-1981) Joy to the World Away in a Manger Fum Fum Fum March of the Kings

Audience is invited to join on ‘Joy to the World’ as indicated by the conductor. Lyrics found on page 13

Quinn Mason

Christmas Eve Festivities (2020) (b. 1996)

Jerry Herman

We Need a Little Christmas from ‘Mame’ (1966) (1931-2019) arr. Robert Wendell

James Lord Pierpont

Jingle Bells (2019) (1822-1893) arr. Ryan James Brandau

Audience is invited to join. Lyrics found on page 14

Traditional A Musicological Journey Through the Twelve Days of Christmas (1991) arr. Craig Courtney

Mel Tormé

The Christmas Song (1962) (1925-1999) arr. Bob Lowden Robert Wells (1922-1998)

Donald McCullough

Sitting Under the Mistletoe (2016) (b. 1957) Commissioned by Albany Pro Musica in 2016.

Irving Berlin

White Christmas (1995) (1888-1889)

arr. Mac Huff & John Moss

Audience is invited to join as indicated by conductor. Lyrics found on page 15

Leroy Anderson

Sleigh Ride (2003) (1908-1975) arr. Mark Brymer

O Magnum Mysterium

Gregorian Chant

O magnum mysterium, et admirabile sacramentum, ut animalia viderent Dominum natum, iacentem in praesepio!

Beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt portare Dominum Iesum Christum. Alleluia!

Translation:

O great mystery and wonderful sacrament; That the animals should see the newborn Lord lying in a manger. O blessed Virgin whose womb was worthy to bear the Lord Christ Jesus. Alleluia.

Oh Come, All Ye Faithful*

Text by John Francis Wade

O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant; O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem. Come and behold Him born the King of angels:

O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

God of God, light of light; Lo, he abhors not the virgin’s womb. Very God begotten, not created: O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation; Sing all ye citizens of heaven above, Glory to God in the highest: O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning, Jesu, to thee be glory giv’n; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

For Unto Us a Child is Born

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Mi Yimalel

Traditional Hebrew

Mi yimalel gvurot Yisrael, Otan mi yimne?

Hen be’chol dor yakum ha’gibor Goel ha’am.

Shma!

Ba’yamim ha’hem ba’zman ha’ze Maccabi moshia u’fode U’v’yameinu kol am Yisrael Yitached yakum ve’yigael!

Translation:

Who can retell the things that befell us, Who can count them?

In every age, a hero or sage Came to our aid.

Hark!

In days of yore in Israel’s ancient land Brave Maccabeus led the faithful band But now all Israel must as one arise Redeem itself through deed and sacrifice.

Still, Still, Still

Austrian Traditional Carol

Still, still, still

One can hear the falling snow

*Audience please join in singing at the conductor’s cue.

For all is hushed, the world is sleeping Holy star its vigil keeping Still, still, still One can hear the falling snow

Sleep, sleep, sleep

’Tis the eve of our savior’s birth

The night is peaceful all around you

Close your eyes, let sleep surround you

Sleep, sleep, sleep

’Tis the eve of our savior’s birth

Dream, dream, dream

Of the joyous day to come

While guardian angels without number

Watch you as you sweetly slumber

Dream, dream, dream

Of the joyous day to come

Dream, dream, dream

Of the joyous day to come

Silent Night*

Text by Joseph Mohr

Silent night! Holy night!

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin mother and child!

Holy infant, so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace!

Silent night! Holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight!

Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!

Christ the Savior is born!

Silent night! Holy night!

Son of God, love’s pure light

Radiant beams from thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth!

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth!

The Many Moods of Christmas, Suite 2

O Sanctissima

Latin Prayer

O Sanctissima! O Piissima! Dulcis Virgo Maria! Mater amata intemerata Ora, ora pro nobis.

Translation:

O most holy, o most loving, sweet Virgin Mary!

Beloved Mother, undefiled, pray for us.

Joy to the World*

Text by Isaac Watts

Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her king. Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing.

He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love.

Away in a Manger

Unknown Author

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the poor Baby awakes But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky

And stay by my cradle to watch lullaby.

Fum, Fum, Fum!

Unknown Author

On December five and twenty, fum, fum, fum! Oh, a Child was born this night so rosy white. Son of Mary, virgin holy in a stable mean and lowly.

On December five and twenty, fum, fum, fum! Comes a most important day.

Let us be gay! Fum, fum, fum!

God will send us days of feasting, fum, fum, fum!

Both in hot months and in cold, for young and old,

When we tell the holy story, ever singing of His glory!

We Need a Little Christmas

Text by Jerry Herman

Haul out the holly

Put up the tree before my spirit falls again

Fill up the stocking

I may be rushing things but deck the halls again now

For we need a little Christmas right this very minute

Candles in the window, carols at the spinet

Yes we need a little Christmas right this very minute

Hasn’t snowed a single flurry, but Santa dear we’re in a hurry

Climb down the chimney

Turn on the brightest string of lights I’ve ever seen

Slice up the fruit cake

It’s time we’ve hung some tinsel on the evergreen bough

For I’ve grown a little leaner, grown a little colder

Grown a little sadder, grown a little older

And I need a little angel sitting on my shoulder

Need a little Christmas now

Haul out the holly

Haven’t we taught you well to live each living day

Fill up the stocking

And even though it’s barely past Thanksgiving day now

Yes we need a little Christmas right this very minute

Candles in the window, carols at the spinet

Yes we need a little Christmas right this very minute

We need a little Christmas now

Jingle bells, jingle bells

Jingle all the way

I’m dreaming of a White Christmas

Deck the halls with boughs of holly.

‘Tis the season to be holly

Fa la la la la

See the blazing yule before us

Strike the harp and join the chorus

So we’ll have a little music, have a little laughter

Have a little singing conducted by our maestro

And we’ll have a little snappy, happy ever after

We need a little Christmas now!

Jingle Bells*

Text by James Lord Pierpont

Dashing through the snow

In a one-horse open sleigh

O’er the fields we go, Laughing all the way

Bells on bobtails ring, making spirits bright

What fun it is to laugh and sing

A sleighing song tonight

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells

Jingle all the way

Oh, what fun it is to ride

In a one-horse open sleigh!

A day or two ago, I thought I’d take a ride, And soon Miss Fanny Bright Was seated by my side; The horse was lean and lank Misfortune seemed his lot

We got into a drifted bank, And then we got upsot.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Unknown Author

Final Verse:

On the twelfth day of Christmas

My true love gave to me

Twelve drummers drumming

Eleven pipers piping

Ten lords a-leaping

Nine ladies dancing

Eight maids a-milking

*Audience please join in singing at the conductor’s cue.

Seven swans a-swimming

Six geese a-laying

Five gold rings!

Four calling birds

Three French hens

Two turtle doves

And a partridge in a pear tree!

Sitting Under the Mistletoe

Text by Walter de la Mare

Sitting under the mistletoe (Pale-green, fairy mistletoe), One last candle burning low, All the sleepy dancers gone, Just one candle burning on, Shadows lurking everywhere: Someone came, and kissed me there.

Tired I was; my head would go Nodding under the mistletoe (Pale-green, fairy mistletoe), No footsteps came, no voice, but only, Just as I sat there, sleepy, lonely, Stooped in the still and shadowy air Lips unseen—and kissed me there.

White Christmas*

Text by Irving Berlin

The sun is shining, the grass is green, The orange and palm trees sway. There’s never been such a day In Beverly Hills, L.A.

But it’s December the twenty-fourth, And I am longing to be up north.

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas

Just like the ones I used to know, Where the treetops glisten, and children listen

To hear sleigh bells in the snow.

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas With every Christmas card I write. May your days be merry and bright, And may all your Christmases be white.

Sleigh Ride

Text by Mitchell Parrish

Just hear those sleigh bells jingle-in’, ringting-tingle-in’, too,

Come on, it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.

Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling “Yoo-hoo.”

Come on, it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.

Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap, let’s go, let’s look at the show.

We’re riding in a wonderland of snow.

Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap, it’s grand just holding your hand.

We’re gliding along with a song of a wintery fairy land.

Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy cozy are we.

We’re snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be.

Let’s take that road before us and sing a chorus or two.

Come on, it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.

There’s a birthday party at the home of Farmer Gray,

It’ll be the perfect ending of a perfect day.

We’ll be singing the songs we love to sing without a single stop.

At the fireplace while we watch the chestnuts pop. Pop! Pop! Pop!

There’s a happy feeling nothing in the world can buy,

When they pass around the coffee and the pumpkin pie.

It’s nearly like a picture print of Currier & Ives, These wonderful things are the things we remember all through our lives!

Just hear those sleigh bells jinglin’ and ringting-ting-glin’.

It’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.

PROGRAM NOTES

OVERVIEW: Christian Advent began on November 24; seasonal advertising began on about November 1. Today’s program (with six works new to APM) once again celebrates the fulfillment of both kinds of anticipation.

Kentaro Sato’s (b. 1981) Distant Echoes: Prelude for Christmas is a mood-setter—warm, atmospheric, mysterious—achieving its appeal through sweeping string lines, szforandi, and mesmerizing repetition: today’s cares dispelled. I hear touches of “Silent Night,” “We Gather Together,” and “Bring a Torch, Jeannette Isabella,” but you may hear something else.

Mary is featured in Morten Lauridsen’s a cappella setting of “O Magnum Mysterium: “Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy to bear the Lord Jesus Christ.” Here, then, Mary is seen as much a vehicle for bringing the divine Jesus to earth as a “biological” mother. We are thus deep into a holy, dual moment.

Reverence gives way to unadulterated joy in “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” an exhortation to mere mortals to whoop with glee that God is “now in flesh appearing.” The thrilling arrangement by Willcocks layers the rising joy with descant, blaring trumpets, and dramatic harmonic shifts.

“For Unto Us a Child Is Born” (from Handel’s Messiah) outlines the entire life of this manger baby, first as a child, then as a mighty power; and the dynamics change accordingly from soft (a sense of wonder) to loud (a sense of joy).

Arranger Ryan James Brandau (b. 1981) has slowed the traditionally lively Hanukkah melody, with words from 1936 by Menashe Rabina, who feared the rise of the Nazis. The anthemic setting thus adds a dimension of seriousness to the plea: “But now all Israel must as one arise, redeem itself through deed and sacrifice.”

Brandau’s artistry is on full display in his a cappella treatment of two Austrian tunes, “Still, Still, Still” and “Silent Night.” The former is a lullaby as a contemporary adult tucks in a child on Christmas Eve, while the latter conjures the actual moment in the stable more than 2,000 years ago. The two stories are finally yoked after a subtle harmonic modulation, and our ears are full of both melodies simultaneously.

Robert Shaw and Robert Russell Bennett made four suites of Christmas carols from a larger work called The Many Moods of Christmas. Suite Two is a microcosm of today’s entire program, with its seamless transitions from the reverential “O Sanctissima” (a prayer to Mary), to the celebratory “Joy to the World,” to the affectionate “Away in a Manger” (note references to the “Pastoral Symphony”), to the martial “Fum, Fum, Fum” (with allusions to holiday eating, merriment, and a commitment to telling the Christmas story).

The second half of the program opens with “Christmas Eve Festivities,” Quinn Mason’s (b. 1996) evocation of exactly what the song’s title says. But perhaps it’s of a bygone time? Hear the bells? Feel the sweep of the sleigh over the snow in the strings? The horse’s trot? Where are we going? Some lively event awaits. People we care about have opened their home to us.

“We Need a Little Christmas,” from Jerry Herman’s (1931-2019) musical Mame, is an upbeat march which might be sung to get out of the doldrums at any time of year. (Of course, sometimes the season itself creates the doldrums, but let’s not think about that!)

Ryan James Brandau is the arranger of “Jingle Bells,” which slyly contains a passing reference to “Joy to the World.”

Take Craig Courtney’s (b. 1954) musical quiz as he counts off “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Do you recognize the musical style or composer he’s referring to as he playfully reconstructs the familiar song? Hint: he moves chronologically from chant through the Medieval motet through the Baroque, the Classical period, Wagner (the nine maids a-milking are not-so-distant cousins of the Rhinemaidens) and concludes with JPS. Very clever!

Bob Lowden’s (1920-1998) subtly tweaks one of the season’s chestnuts, “The Christmas Song,” with the familiar tune passed from violins, to trumpets, to cellos and violas, backed by some gentle jazz beats and ending with a bluesy chord.

Donald McCullough (b. 1957) has this to say about his setting of Walter de la Mare’s poem “Mistletoe”: “The dance of life and the brightness of youth has long ago ebbed and likely his true love has passed away. How else could one sense a kiss so strongly by an invisible presence? It seems to me that only a deep and eternal love between two people could allow such a magical thing to occur. In my musical setting, I sought to create and sustain the sleepy tenderness that seems to permeate the poem. This demands a straightforward and uncluttered approach where the music serves to carry the words while also setting the scene for their meaning and impact to be fully experienced. The final takeaway is simple: if we open our hearts, true love remains, even when we cannot see it.”

Can there be any more popular song about this season than Irving Berlin’s (1888-1989) “White Christmas”? Sing along to the arrangement by Huff & Moss—after, that is, the orchestral introduction and the verse.

Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride.” The lyrics suggest romance (think Winslow Homer’s painting of the same name, at the Clark Institute), not spirituality, but to the degree that the very word “Christmas” in 21st century America conjures up snow, merriment, and gift-giving rather than just a single religious event, this bouncy tune is an apt number to conclude this portion of today’s concert.

Program notes by Paul Lamar

ALBANY PRO MUSICA CHORUS

SOPRANO

Rachel Balbi

Martha J. Bond

Tonya Burandt Hansen*

Emma Commisso

Marie Cox

Valerie Donovan

Paige Griggs

Lauren Jurczynski

Nicole Lash

Heather Lessard

Mialisa Lindholm Herron

Katie McNally

Rebecca Monaghan

Sujata Murty

Xinyi Nam

Diane B. Petersen

Emily Peterson

Sandra Schujman

Anna Ustin†

Andrea Wanner

ALTO

Maria Bedo-Calhoun

Marie Bosman

Francesca Caccamo

Carol Christiana

Abigail Cowan-Kuzia*

Darcy Crum Meadows

Clara Eizayaga Allen

Kathryn Farris

Shay Gauthier

Sarah Ploof-Alvarez

Allyson Romero

Meredith Russell Grosshandler

Dharma Sanchez-Flores

Emily Sturman

Irina Tikhonenko

Julie Weston

Ash Williams†

Lisa Wloch

TENOR

Mitch Cohen

Eamon Daley

John Favreau

Caleb Hood

Jacob James*

Mendon Neyerlin

Joel Pattison

Greg Pratt

Wayne Senitta

Eli Thoma

Greg Van Orden

Lincoln Walton

John Xia

BASS

Michael Barren

Ross Brennan*

Peter Christian

Matthew Clemens

Evan DeFilippo

Colin Helie

Jared Hunt

Tom Johnson

Dan Leinung

Howie Lien

John Rodier

Chris Shields

Rex Smith

Brian Wagner

Daniel Washington

Michael Wolff

Section Leader

Music Intern

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Dan Czernecki

Liz Eschen Cacciola

Kelly and Paul Fahey

Robin Fontanelli

Gary Gold

E. Stewart and Kimberly Sanger Jones

Ken Kozak

Trevor Kahlbaugh

Paul Lamar

Steve Murray

Iida Nyman

Thomas O’Dell

Noah Palmer

Michele Susko

Marion Terenzio

Capital CFO+

Hacker Murphy LLC

Lane Press

Primeau Fahey Studios

Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

University at Albany

WMHT Educational

Telecommunications

Flute and Piccolo

Norman Thibodeau

Yvonne Hansbrough

Emily Orr

Oboe and English Horn

Karen Hosmer

Susan Kokernak

Kelly Lockwood

Clarinet

Brett Wery

Julie Taylor

Bassoon

Gerald Lanoue

Sue Daves

William Safford

French Horn

Victor Sungarian

Katy Svatek

Victoria Boell

Jessica Cunningham

* Concertmaster

ORCHESTRA PRO MUSICA

Trumpet

Allyson Keyser

Eric Latini

John Fatuzzo

Trombone

Tim Solinger

Phil Pandori

Dan Cordell

Tuba

Michael Silvagnoli

Timpani & Percussion

Andrew Janack

Rob Sanderl

Matthew Dickson

Alex Atchley

Harp

Karlinda Caldicott

Keyboard

Natalia Shevchuk

Violin 1

Ann-Marie B. Schwartz*

Kathryn Aldous

Jamecyn Morey

Hilary Cumming

Jessica Belflower

Michael Cleveland

Violin 2

Mitsuko Suzuki

Julie Signitzer

Michelle Stewart

Barbara Lapidus

Marla Bracco

Viola

Brittany Zellman

Christine Orio

Beth Moll

Heather Chan Cello

Tara Hanish

André O’Neil

Julian Müller

Anita Balázs

Bass

Evan Runyon

Luke Stence

BIOGRAPHIES

José Daniel Flores-Caraballo

Opalka Family Artistic Director

José Daniel Flores-Caraballo is a widely acclaimed conductor and musical director recognized for his artistry and integrity in stylistic performance of choral literature, his methodical and uncompromising approach to music learning, and his gifts as a patient and inspiring teacher. Dr. Flores-Caraballo brings that unique combination—along with an ambitious and energizing vision—to Albany Pro Musica (APM) as the Opalka Family Artistic Director, a role he has held since 2014.

As a trained organist as well as a celebrated orchestral and choral conductor, Dr. Flores-Caraballo places strong emphasis on technical precision as the fundamental seed from which musical artistry can grow. Dr. FloresCaraballo joined Albany Pro Musica with the goal of building upon the group’s impressive and cherished legacy and elevating APM to be among the best choirs in the nation. Through Dr. Flores-Caraballo’s leadership, APM is pushing the boundaries of choral performance in the area, embracing challenging musical programming, innovative national and international partnerships, and a renewed commitment to civic and educational initiatives. Dr. Flores-Caraballo also serves as Conductor-In-Residence at the University at Albany (SUNY) and Chorus Director for the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Chorus. He has prepared his choirs for prominent orchestral conductors, including Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Bramwell Tovey, Stéphane Dèneve, Kensho Watanabe, Fabio Luisi, and Marin Alsop of The Philadelphia Orchestra, Andrews Sill of the New York City Ballet, David Alan Miller of the Albany Symphony Orchestra, and Anthony Princiotti and Andrew Crust of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Flores-Caraballo came to the Capital Region from Vero Beach, Florida, where he was a musical force for more than a decade. There, he founded and directed three auditioned, community choral groups that transformed the musical landscape in the Treasure Coast: the Atlantic Symphonic Chorus, the Atlantic Schola Cantorum, and the Atlantic Children’s Chorale. A native of Puerto Rico, Dr. Flores-Caraballo served as Dean of Academic Affairs at the Conservatory of Music in San Juan and has led prize-winning school- and church-based choral programs in Puerto Rico and across the mainland United States. He holds a Doctorate in Sacred Music with an emphasis on Choral and Instrumental Conducting from the Graduate Theological Foundation, a Master’s in Choral Conducting and Organ from the University of Illinois, and a Bachelor’s in Music Education and Instrumental Conducting from the Conservatory of Music in San Juan.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of fine food and drinks, dynamic conversation, and inspiring choral performance. This year, we honor the powerful connection between music and storytelling as we present the Dr. Karen R. Hitchcock Award for Championing the Choral Arts to renowned journalist and long-time APM singer and board member, Rex Smith.

Support the music you love, today and into the future.

Tickets are on sale now at: albanypromusica.org/gala.

Sing with Albany Pro Musica! Calling All Tenors and Basses!

If you love performing, enjoy being part of a vibrant musical community, and want to sing exceptional choral repertoire, this is your moment. APM is looking for talented and committed tenors and basses to join us for an exciting slate of spring programs.

Auditions will take place on January 5, 2026. Learn more and schedule your audition online at: albanypromusica.org/about/auditions.

ALBANY PRO MUSICA STAFF

OPALKA FAMILY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

José Daniel Flores-Caraballo

ARTISTIC STAFF

Noah Palmer, Assistant Music Director and Accompanist

Tonya Burandt Hansen, Abigail Cowan, Jacob James, Ross Brennan, Section Leaders

Steve Murray, Honorary Composer in Residence

Liz Eschen Cacciola, Visiting Teaching Artist

ADMINISTRATION

Emily Sturman, Executive Director

Jared Shortmeier, Director of Operations

Katie Peterson, Development Manager

Rebecca Monaghan, Audition Coordinator

Dharma Sanchez-Flores, Member Connections Liaison

Ann-Marie Barker Schwartz, Orchestra Contractor

Michele Susko, Roya Consulting, LLC, Development Counsel

Primeau-Fahey & Associates, Marketing and Public Relations

Capital CFO+, Accounting and Business Management

Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Box Office Services

ALBANY PRO MUSICA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Marion Terenzio, President

Jonathan E. Hansen, Vice President

Tom McGuire, Treasurer

Eric Arndt, Secretary

Jeanette Altarriba (emerita)

M. Tracey Brooks

Al De Salvo

James M. Gaughan

William Gibbons

Robert T. Hennes

Christine Hoek

Ellen Jabbur

David Griggs Janower (honorary, in memoriam)

Gwen Krause

Steven E. Lobel (emeritus)

DIRECTORS

Darcy Crum Meadows

Douglas Petersen

Raona Roy

Wayne Senitta

Matthew Shaftel

Rex W. Smith (emeritus)

Margery Whiteman (honorary, in memoriam)

Michael Whiteman (emeritus)

Michael Wolff

Edelgard Wulfert (emerita)

ALBANY PRO MUSICA COUNCIL OF ADVISORS

George R. Hearst III and Chet Opalka, Co-Chairs

Alan Goldberg

E. Stewart Jones, Jr.

Kimberly Sanger Jones

Richard Miller

John Nigro

Karen Opalka

Marcia White

THANK YOU TO OUR 2024-2025 SEASON DONORS!

Listing reflects gifts made between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS

GOLD MAESTRO CIRCLE

($50,000 and above)

Christine and George R. Hearst III

Kiwi Foundation, a division of Opalka Philanthropies

SILVER MAESTRO CIRCLE

($25,000 - $49,999)

Ellen Jabbur

Wayne A. Senitta, Jr. and

Daniel Washington

William Tuthill and Gregory Anderson

MAESTRO CIRCLE

($10,000 - $14,999)

Michael and Margery* Whiteman

Michael and Linda Wolff

PATRON

($5,000 - $9,999)

Dr. Jeanette Altarriba

Albert De Salvo

Dr. Edelgard Wulfert and Mr. Richard Naylor

BENEFACTOR

($2,500 - $4,999)

John and Joyce Carver Anonymous

Hon. James M. Gaughan and Mr. Keith C. Lee

E. Stewart Jones, Jr. and Kimberly Sanger Jones

* Denotes individuals who are now deceased

Gwen Krause and Ross Bennett

Thomas McGuire and Barbara Bradley

Rex Smith and Marion Roach Smith

Dr. Marion Terenzio and Dr. Patricia O’Connor

Dr. David G. Tieman

Dr. David and Mrs. Nancy Wagner

SPONSOR

($1,000 - $2,499)

Eric and Julia Arndt

Wendy Blair

M. Tracey Brooks

Rob and Marlene Bryan

Carol Christiana

Joseph and Linda Farrell

José Daniel Flores-Caraballo and Dharma Sanchez-Flores

Meg Gallien and William Hammond

Jonathan Hansen

Katharine Harris

Robert T. Hennes and Jane Trinidad-Hennes

Christine and Jon Hoek

Paul Hohenberg

Steven and Vivian Lobel

Darcy and Ryan Meadows

Dr. Ronald Musto

Vaughn Nevin

Dr. Havidan Rodriguez and Ms. Rosy Lopez

Raona Roy

Edward Swyer

Norman and Nancy* Tellier

Marcia A. White

Paul Wing

AFFILIATE

($500 - $999)

Jennifer Amstutz

Jeff and Mary Bijur

Charlotte Buchanan

Judith Ciccio

Richard and Dawn Dana

Ben and Linda English

Alan Goldberg

Kenneth Larsen

David and Martha Musser

George M. Nisbet and Jennifer Dorsey

Elizabeth Osthimer and Robert Konigsberg

G. William and Norah Pattison

Daniel and Mary Rutnik

Joanne Scheibly

Sandra Schujman

Hon. Kathy Sheehan and Mr. Robert

Sheehan

Colin Helie and Julie Weston

Russ and Carolyn Wilks

Peter and Lynn Young

FRIEND

($100-$499)

Wallace Altes

Gayle Anderson and Sidney Fleisher

Suzanne C. Anderson

Judith Arnold

Timothy and Anne Barker

John Bassler

Marlene and Georges Belfort

Heather Benno

John and Phyllis Borel

Dr. Carol Bullard and Mr. Worth Gretter

Crescentia and Bruce Brynolfson

Carol Bullard and Worth Gretter

Gayle Burgess

Holly Cameron

* Denotes individuals who are now deceased

Judith A. Carlson

Sara Carlson

Sarah Clinton

Mitch and Susan Cohen

Anne Marie Couser and William A. Kuchinski

Mary Crangle

Jim Crum and Joanne Darcy Crum

David and Holly Wolff

John DeFilippo and Christine Laberge

Dr. Joyce Diwan

Kevin and Valerie Donovan

Heather W. Drinkwater

Marcia Dudden

Dr. Fredrick and Mrs. Barbara Eames

Seth Edelman

Nancy Fairbanks

RoseAnne Fogarty and Perry Smith

Lynn and William Fox

Linda Fruscione

Jason R Gettinger

Ronald Geuther

Gary and Sandy Gnirrep

Alan Golberg and Karen Lipson

Michael Halloran*

Henry J Hamelin

Leif and Claudie Hartmark

Colin Helie and Julia Weston

Eric and Priscilla Johnson

Hugh Johnson and Tara Shannon

Thomas Johnson

Thomas Johnston and Keith McCauley

P. Susan Jordan

Donna and David Jurczynski

Al and Milly Karoly

Randy Kaufman

Margaret Lamar King

Mark Eamer and Paul Lamar

Dr. Melinda Larsen

Bryan F. LaVigne and Kevin R. Tyle

Maureen Frances Leary

Marvin and Cynthia LeRoy

Francis and Judy Lyman

Kathleen Lyman

Sarah Lyman

Stephen and Ann Lyman

Susan Moyle Lynch and Michael Lynch

William and Gail Madigan

Robert and Carleen Marino

Rev. Ralph and Mrs. Jacqueline Marino

Dr. Janet Marler

Susan Linda Martin

Bonnie McCullough

Suzanne M. Merrill

Diane Mineau

Dr. Judith Mysliborski

Carolyn and Nick Nicolay

John Nigro

Dr. Douglas North and Dr. Ellen Cole

Anne and Thomas* Older

Edwin and Carol Osterhout

* Denotes individuals who are now deceased

MaryKate Owens and Jeff Hall

Richard and Judith Palmer

Bob and Loretta Parsons

Anonymous

Douglas and Diane Petersen

Chris and Carol Pfister

Nancy Pierson and Gary Gold

Pollitzer Giving Fund

David and Kendra Pratt

Cassie M. Prugh

Margaret Randall

Cheryl Reeves and Martha Schultz

C. Michael Reger

Hon. Paul Tonko

George and Gail Richardson

Anne Rosenfeld

Robert and Gail Schwartz

Peggy and Jack Seppi

Ronnye B Shamam

Julie Shapiro

Gary and Kathie Smith

As we celebrate our 45th season, we pause to remember and honor

Dr. David Griggs-Janower, Albany Pro Musica’s Founding Artistic Director and Conductor Emeritus.

His artistry, vision, and devotion to choral music continue to shape who we are today, and we celebrate his enduring legacy and the gift of music he shared with our community.

Miss Jennifer Snyder

Donald Stauffer

Hildegard Steinmann

Lawrence and Audrie Sturman

Emily and David Sturman

Sheila Sullivan

Michele L. Susko and Fardin Sanai

Roger Tippy

Lyle Van Vranken

Jeff Vandeberg

Dr. Lisa Vollendorf

* Denotes individuals who are now deceased

Ann Volpel

Brian Wagner

Lincoln Walton

Lisa J. Wloch

Barbara M. and Michael P. Zavisky

We apologize for any errors or omissions and would be grateful to have them brought to our attention. Please contact giving@ albanypromusica.org with any corrections.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2024-2025 CORPORATE CIRCLE, GALA SPONSORS, AND INSTITUTIONAL DONORS!

$25,000+

New York State Council on the Arts, A State Agency

The University at Albany Foundation

Bader Philanthropies, Inc.**

$10,000 - $24,999

Eddy Senior Living

$5,000 - $9,999

Amidon & Petersen Financials LLC

CDPHP

Community Bank

Howard & Bush Foundation**

J.M. McDonald Foundation, Inc.**

Massry Charitable Foundation Review Foundation**

Upstate Theatre Coalition for a Fairgame**

$2,500 - $4,999

Architecture+

Pioneer

$1,000 - $2,499

Fenimore Asset Management

Monaco Cooper Lamme & Carr, PLLC

Stewart’s Shops*

WITH SUPPORT FROM: Capital Bank

* Sponsors of the Pro Musica on Broadway Gala

** Sponsors of the Pro Musica International Choral Festival

Albany Pro Musica is grateful for the support of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.

WAYS TO SUPPORT ALBANY PRO MUSICA

Did you know? Similar to most arts organizations, APM’s ticket revenue covers only a fraction of the costs to produce our full season. Your support sustains APM’s high level of professional artistry and educational programming, and ensures the continuation of Maestro Flores-Caraballo’s exciting and innovative vision.

Learn about the many ways you can help keep APM singing, this season and for years to come:

ONE-TIME GIFTS

Support APM’s mission with a gift via check or credit card. Contributions can also be made via wire transfer or through Donor Advised Funds.

RECURRING DONATIONS

Setting up a recurring gift is an easy and automatic way to support APM that works for your budget and schedule. You decide how much you would like to give and how often, and the contributions are charged to your credit card on a monthly or quarterly basis.

CORPORATE MATCHING

Double your donation by checking if your employer (or former employer for retirees) will match your contribution! Many companies offer matching gift programs which match charitable contributions made by their employees, retirees, and even spouses.

GIFTS OF STOCK

Contribute appreciated securities, such as stocks and bonds, for potential tax benefits. Please visit our website for detailed instructions for your broker.

RETIREMENT DISTRIBUTION

Make a gift (qualified charitable distribution) directly from your individual retirement account to APM. Talk with your financial advisor to learn more about how to support APM with a qualified charitable distribution, while also deriving a tax benefit.

PLANNED GIVING

Turn your passion for music into a lasting legacy by including APM in your estate plans.

To make a gift to Albany Pro Musica, please scan with your smartphone or visit our website to donate safely online: albanypromusica.org/donate.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please reach out to us!

Emily Sturman / emily@albanypromusica.org / 518-438-6548 ext. 117

Katie Peterson / katie@albanypromusica.org / 518-438-6548 ext. 128

Thank you for your support.

The 2025-2026 season marks Albany Pro Musica’s 45th

We celebrate the singers, board members, volunteers, sponsors, and audience members — past, present, and departed — who have been part of APM’s 45-year history of music-making in our community.

Thank you!