Come Raggio di sol
Der Leierman
Preludios
Brayden Baker Senior Recital
April 18, 2026 7PM HMUS101
Collinsworth School of Performing Arts
Brayden Baker, voice and guitar
Dr. Jennifer Cruz, piano
Program
Classical
Only Us from Dear Evan Hansen
English/Musical Theater
You Are Loved
Above All
Heart Of Worship
I Give You My Heart
One Day (When We All Get to Heaven)
CCM
Antonio Caldara (1670-1736)
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Fernando Obradors (1897-1945)
Benj Pasek (1985)
Rolf Løvland (1955)
Michael W. Smith (1957)
Matt Redman (1974)
Reuben Morgan (1975)
Matt Redman (1974)
This recital is presented under the direction of Professor Stefan Miller in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the B.M. in Music Education.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Brayden Baker is a senior Music Education student at California Baptist University who has been actively involved in both choral and worship music throughout his college career. He performs with the University Choir and Orchestra, where he accompanies the ensemble on acoustic guitar. He is also a member of Camerata and recently toured Italy with the ensemble. In addition to his choral work, Brayden currently serves as the praise and worship leader at Legacy Church in Downey. He is deeply passionate about serving God and encouraging others to seek Him through music and worship. His life verse is Romans 12:1: “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” After graduating, Brayden hopes to use his degree to become a music educator, teaching junior high choral music and inspiring the next generation of musicians.
COLLABORATIVE ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Jennifer Cruz is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Keyboard Collaborative Arts at CBU. A versatile collaborator across campus, she serves as staff pianist for SoPA student recitals, juries, Camerata, and faculty showcases. An international performer and clinician, she holds degrees from Eastmanand a DMAfrom USC, and is dedicated to mentoring students toward sustainable, meaningful musical careers
TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS
Come Raggio di Sol
By Antonio Caldara ENGLISH
As a ray of peaceful sunshine Gleams on the tranquil wave, While deep in the sea’s bosom The tempest lies hidden: So, it may happen that a smile Of contentment blooms upon the lips, While the heart is writhing in secret anguish.
Der Leierman
By Franz Schubert ENGLISH
There, beyond the village, stands a hurdy-gurdy player; with numb fingers he plays as best he can. Barefoot on the ice he totters to and fro, and his little plate remains forever empty. No one wants to listen, no one looks at him, and the dogs growl around the old man. And he lets everything go on as it will; he plays, and his hurdy-gurdy never stops. Strange old man, shall I go with you? Will you turn your hurdy-gurdy to my songs?
Preludios
By Fernando Obradors ENGLISH
Mother, every night outside my window lattice, a youth sings sadly of my coolness: “Love me, maiden, and you shall be blessed before the altar.
Love me, maiden, and you shall be blessed before the altar.”
This sweet tune has such power That hearing it can move me to heartache and to gladness; Tell me how these songs can impart both sadness and joy.
Tell me how these songs can impart both sadness and joy.
“Daughter, what girls like you feel When such songs waft through their windows Is prelude to the greatest Poem in the world.
“Transforming a pure Virgin into the Holy Mother, Sorrows and joys alternating within her, And this poem is, daughter, what has begun outside your window lattice. And this poem is, daughter, what has begun outside your window lattice.”
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my teachers and mentors who have guided me throughout my musical journey at CBU. The faculty here have been like a second family, consistently caring for my well-being and growth. Thank you for challenging me beyond what I thought possible and for continually pointing everything back to God. I am especially grateful to my accompanist, Dr. Cruz, and to Professor Miller for their guidance in shaping this recital. I am also deeply grateful for my family and their constant love and support. Thank you for your sacrifices, encouragement, and for believing in me every step of the way. While many are not supported in pursuing their passions in the arts, I am incredibly grateful that my family has always encouraged me to follow mine and brought me up to use my life for the glorification of God. To my friends, thank you for your encouragement and the ways you’vesupportedmeacademicallyand personally. Iamblessed to besurrounded by people who love God. Kara, thank you for your sacrifices and for quite literally holding my hand through this season; seeing you daily is what I will miss most at CBU. The Lord has truly blessed my time here, and I am grateful for each of you here today.