"All Together We Are Love" presented by the Pensacola Children's Chorus

Pensacola Children’s Chorus All Together We Are Love

American Choral Directors Association

2024 Southern Region Conference February 22, 2024

LOUISVILLE, KY

Program Ikan Kekek

Traditional Malaysian Children’s Song, arr. Tracy Wong Gracie Slocum, soloist

All Together We Are Love

Music and lyrics by Katerina Gimon

Čhaŋté Wašté Hokšíla

Traditional Lakota Lullaby, arr. Linthicum-Blackhorse

Excuse Me, I Don’t Understand

Music by Ivo Antognini Original French Text by Josiane Haas, adapted for English by Eric Nelson

River

Lyrics adapted from Hopi Elders (ca. 2000) and poetry by Edward Everett Hale (1822–1909) Music by Joan Szymko Sydney Ferris, soloist

Be the Bridge

Music and lyrics by Kyle Pederson World Premiere

Ikan Kekek

Traditional Malaysian Children’s Song, arr. Tracy Wong

Cypress CP1618

At first, “Ikan Kekek” might appear to be a simple folksong about a fish; however, important life lessons are hidden under its playful surface. This song features a light, cheerful, and repetitive melody that has been passed down through generations through the oral tradition. A Malaysian form of poetry (called a pantun) provides the lyrical structure whereby four lines are interpreted in two parts: the first two lines are figurative (in this case, two types of fish), and the latter two provide the song’s underlying meaning or significance. In the case of “Ikan Kekek,” the song jokes that inherent beauty does not always equate to inherent grace, and that wisdom cannot be earned by the lazy.

Translation Refrain: Iloi, iloi, ilai, ilai

(vocables)

Ikan kekek mak Ikan gemala mak Sung cantic sayangku amboi Tapi ketawa mengilaingilai

Pony-fish Croaker fish My dear is very beautiful But her laugh is loud

Ikan kekek mak Ikan gemala mak Kalau a dik nak jadi pandai Mari belajar janganlah

Pony-fish Croaker fish If you want to be wise Come learn, don’t be lazy

Tenang air di laut Sampan golek mudik ke tanjung Hati terkenang mulut tersenyum Budi yang baik rasa dijunjung

The sea is calm The boat floats toward the bluff The heart recalls, the mouth smiles Kindness is always encouraged 3

Program Notes All Together We Are Love

Music and lyrics by Katerina Gimon

Cypress CP1614

This playful, a cappella piece—complete with aleatoric passages, weaving vocal lines, range extremities, and quasibeatboxing—gives way to a simple message: when hearts beat as one, despite our successes and shortcomings, we can make this world a more vibrant and beautiful place to be.

Čhaŋté Wašté Hokšíla (My Kind-Hearted Boy)

Traditional Lakota Lullaby, arr. Linthicum-Blackhorse

Mark Foster 01201810

In creating this hauntingly beautiful setting of a traditional Lakota lullaby, Dr. William Linthicum-Blackhorse has built upon the legacy of Lakota elders who embraced the importance of recording, analyzing, translating, and transcribing songs that define the collective identity of the Teton Lakota-Sioux tribe of the Oċet̄ I Ṡak̄ owiƞ (meaning “seven council fires,” the proper name for the Sioux people). This Hok̄ ṡik̄ ilowaƞp̄ i (or “children’s lullaby”) breaks from the typical Lakota song structure which is usually characterized by a short opening “lead” that is then repeated once before the main theme begins. Instead, Čhaŋté Wašté Hokšíla opens with an elongated chorus that is repeated and developed throughout the song. It is possible that the lullaby took this form as a result of a parent attempting to lull a baby to sleep by drawing out the soothing melody.

Dr. Blackhorse shared that shortly after starting to write the piece—a lullaby, no less—a mass shooting occured at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022. As someone with deep connections with Texas, he chose to continue composing in such a way that allowed his emotions to pour into the music while also maintaining the innocence of the original melody. The piece is dedicated to the victims of the Robb Elementary School mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Their memories are represented at the end of its performance when 21 voices abruptly fall silent, representing the 19 children and 2 teachers whose lives were tragically cut short that day.

Translation Ahí yé, hé yo iyé.

We hé yo iyé.

Ahí yé, hé yo iyéya.

We yeló iyé.

I have brought you here, so that I can speak to you in your language.

I am speaking to you in your language.

I have brought you here, so that you will recognize me.

I am speaking your language.

Čhaŋté wašté hokšíla, Lá kȟé ištíŋma Haŋhépi kiŋ wašté.

We yeló iyé.

My kind-hearted boy, I beg you to fall asleep.

The Night is good.

I am speaking your language.

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Program Notes Excuse Me, I Don’t Understand

Music by Ivo Antognini Original French Text by Josiane Haas, adapted for English by Eric Nelson

Walton WW1837

The voice of this piece is that of a school-age child innocently inquiring about the contradictions they observe between the lessons they are learning from the adults in their life and the harsh realities of the world around them. They learn in school that our planet has an abundance of natural resources, so they do not understand why there are people with nothing, starving in the cold. They are taught about the importance of a healthy work-life balance, so it makes no sense to them when they see parents struggling to get by, forced to prioritize work over spending time with their children. The piece ends with the child’s grandmother echoing feelings of confusion and disappointment with the ways of the world, highlighting the fact that while we may never be able to use reason or logic to explain society’s shortcomings, we can continue to question and challenge things that are not right for as long as we live. This piece’s gentle, unembellished melodic lines reflect the endearing naïveté and uncorrupted curiosity of a child.

River

Joan Szymko Music JS-059

Lyrics adapted from Hopi Elders (ca. 2000) and poetry by Edward Everett Hale (1822–1909) Music by Joan Szymko

A torrent of voices opens this piece: There is a river flowing very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid, like they are being torn apart. They’ll try to hold on to the shore. In a world where quarrel and conflict are all around us, it’s understandable that a natural instinct is to cling to what is familiar or safe. These rapids are calmed by a melody of simple hope and personal empowerment—I am only one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something, and what I can do I should do. Starting with one voice and growing to many, this message reminds us that we have strength as individuals to effect change, and that when we work together, change can be amplified. Let go of the shore! See who is there with you and celebrate! We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

Be the Bridge

Manuscript

Music and lyrics by Kyle Pederson Commissioned and premiered by the Pensacola Children’s Chorus on February 22, 2024 for the American Choral Directors Association

With each passing day, it seems that television news cycles and social media feeds are flooded with increasing ire and discord. When divisiveness is ever present, it’s difficult to fathom how peace, equity, and justice could ever become reality. Be the Bridge responds with a call to action: to reach across the divides we find in our lives; to envision life in another’s shoes; and to take restorative action. Most of all, it asks each of us to look inward: Where does your bridge lead to? Perhaps when we truly seek common ground, we can begin to build a better tomorrow.

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A Message from the Board of Directors On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus, it is my distinct pleasure to congratulate our singers on their invitation to perform the opening concert for the 2024 Southern Region Conference of the American Choral Directors Association in Louisville, Kentucky. This honor embodies PCC’s 34-year commitment to using music and performance to develop assured, confident singers and empowered young leaders.

Thanks to the vision and leadership of our Artistic & Executive Director, Alex Gartner, PCC leads 14 unique choirs in 6 different locations across Northwest Florida and Southwest Alabama. Thanks to the support of the City of Pensacola, the Escambia Children’s Trust, and numerous community partners, we are able to ensure that all children, especially those with greatest need, have free and affordable access to our impactful music education programs.

Being a member of PCC is a life changing opportunity for our 300 members. From first grade through twelfth grade, each singer is empowered to realize their full potential both as a musician and as a contributor to our community. Our singers apply lessons learned through music in leadership roles both in PCC and in their 60+ represented schools. Their passion for community building and efforts to effect positive change ensures a bright future for us all.

Performing at the Southern Region ACDA Conference is a distinguished honor, and I am proud to be a part of this outstanding organization. I wish the members of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus all the best as they share their dedication to music and their PCC spirit with the ACDA community.

Sheila Dunn, DM President, Board of Directors, Pensacola Children’s Chorus Professor of Voice, Dr. Grier Williams School of Music, University of West Florida

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Choraliers Vera Kate Bell

Vivi Fernandez

Caroline Kelson

Hannah Raley

Michaela Bermudez

Sydney Ferris

Rinah Kilmer

Lilly Remington

Beatrice Bunnell

Emilie Funck

Ava Lane

Layke Richmond

Ellie Caldwell

Liv Gammon

Aubrey Leger

Rylee Rogers

Lily Campbell

Marz Green

Angie Martin

Gracie Slocum

Maya Chavan

Lilly Haims

Meridien Mathison

Anna Stersic

Ainsley Cramblet

Sydnie Hedtke

Jocelyn Mayeux

McKenzie Taylor

Riley Crites

Hayleigh Hill

Amelia Mesa

Brennan Uslan

Amelia Cruit

KK Honeycutt

Dani Newman

Gabriella Webb

Peyton Dykes

Zoey Jefferson

Chloe Odom

Elise Welch

Grace English

Grace Kellams

Miley Owens

Shaelyn Wilkerson

Choraliers is an unauditioned treble ensemble comprised of singers in grades 9–12. It is one of 9 choral ensembles for school-aged youth that meet at PCC’s downtown Pensacola campus.

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Our Team Alex Gartner is the Artistic & Executive Director of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus. An accomplished composer, conductor, and clinician, Gartner and his choirs have performed and presented at esteemed venues across the United States and the world. He is the co-author of The Business of Choir (GIA Publications). Gartner is a member of the ACDA National Standing Committee for Advocacy and Collaboration and was the former Southern Region R&R Chair for children’s and youth choirs.

He holds music education degrees from the University of Florida and the University of Cincinnati and a certificate in arts and culture strategy from the University of Pennsylvania.

Juliana Joy Child is the Assistant Artistic Director of the Pensacola

Children’s Chorus, where she serves as director and co-director of 9 ensembles. Child has previously served as collaborative pianist for the FMEA elementary all-state chorus and for ACDA reading sessions. She also was the co-coordinator of the Children’s Festival Chorus at the 2022 ACDA Southern Region Conference. Previously, Child worked with the Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers (Ithaca, NY), the Ithaca Children & Youth Chorus, and the Act One Scene 1 musical theatre program (Brockton, MA). She holds degrees in music education and voice from Ithaca College.

Megan Andzulis is the Principal Accompanist of the Pensacola Children’s

Chorus, where she serves as the pianist for 9 ensembles. Andzulis began studying piano at the age of 4, adding other instruments along the way.

This versatility provided her with opportunities to teach and perform in a number of places, both locally and abroad, including music camps in Curaçao and the Bahamas, and performing on keyboard for a jazz combo in Montreal, Quebec. Recently, Andzulis gave masterclasses and performed alongside the Celebration Orchestra in several music schools throughout Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She earned degrees in music performance and music education from Pensacola Christian College.

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Our Team Program & Administrative Leadership

Resident Choir Staff

Juliana Joy Child Assistant Artistic Director

Evelyn Aguirre Assistant Director

Megan Andzulis Principal Accompanist

Brooke Dykes Program Manager

Michael Dennis Choreographer

Stephany Heath Associate Director

Cheyenne Farley Director of Advancement

Garrett Hallbauer Marketing & Communications Manager

Katie Olson Assistant Director

John Purcell Security Specialist

Courtney Johnson Executive Assistant & Office Coordinator

Heidi Siren Costume Designer & Member Services

Lindsay Riddle Choreographer

Isabelle Schrack Musicianship Instructor

Alex Gartner Artistic & Executive Director Miguel Aldahondo Director of Community Programs

Community Program Staff Aaron Adams Associate Accompanist

Production Support Alyssa Bramwell Stage Manager

Lance Brannon Lighting Designer

Dominic Krippes Technical Director

Jeff Jordan Sound Technician

Holley Driver Director, Tri-City Children’s Choir Conrad Weber Co-Director, Atmore Area Youth Choir

Ryan Dean Co-Director, Atmore Area Youth Choir Xochilt Linza Assistant Director, Pensacola SINGS

Board of Directors Officers Sheila Dunn President

Jimmy Stapleton Treasurer

Karla Ent Vice President

Rita Miller Secretary

Members Sri Gupta

Alejandra Ryan

Jessica Hyche

Jerome Shannon

Deborah Moss Noelle Poole

Sherri Hemminghaus Weeks

Andrea Rosenbaum

Lusharon Wiley

Advisory Members Regan Bell Alumni Representative

Evan Martin Family Representative

Brennan Uslan Singer Representative

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About PCC The Pensacola Children’s Chorus (PCC) has been inspiring and transforming the lives of young people for over three decades. Founded in 1990 by renowned composer Allen Pote and his wife, Susan Pote, the Chorus began as a single ensemble under the auspices of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. With growing community interest, the Chorus independently incorporated as a 501(c)3 organization in 1994. Over time, PCC has grown to amass 14 choirs for singers in grades 1–12. Mounting nearly 40 performances each season, PCC’s 300 singers reach an audience of over 25,000 individuals across Northwest Florida and Southwest Alabama.

PCC’s performance style is highly versatile. A unique blend of rigorous and refined choral singing and the showmanship of musical theatre create highly engaging and dynamic concert experiences.

Singers present 3 signature annual concerts: Christmas on the Coast, a holiday-themed concert packed with the sights and sounds of the season; One World, Many Voices, a traditional choral performance that features poignant lyrics and music from around the world; and Showtime, a Broadway-style musical revue.

One World,

Many

Voices

In 2016, Alex Gartner was chosen to succeed founding directors Susan and Allen Pote. Under Gartner’s leadership, PCC has evolved into a multi-program organization. Its downtown-based Resident Choir Program remains the flagship, with 6 core ensembles and 3 elective advanced groups.

Throughout the community, PCC operates 3 choirs in city-funded resource centers and 2 regional groups near the Florida-Alabama line. Local funding partners ensure that these programs are offered tuition-free or as little as $15 per month. ​ PCC’s three decades of accomplishments and milestones are vast, yet none compare with the greatest of all: the thousands of young lives that have been radically transformed through music. At PCC, music is not simply a means of entertainment, but rather a tool that is used to build foundational skills that enable a child to be successful throughout their life. Responsibility, teamwork, accountability, confidence, and empathy—these are the values which are embedded in every facet of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus. Together, they create a safe, inclusive environment where every child can thrive.

Stream the Performance PensacolaSings.org

Sunday, March 3 3:30pm CT

46 E. Chase St. | Pensacola, FL 32502 (850) 434-7760 | PensacolaSings.org