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TH
A N N I V E R S A RY H O L I DAY CO N C E RT
Susan Bialek Artistic Director
Patricia McKewen Amato Piano
Images Season of the
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7TH 3:00 PM Gordon Center for Performing Arts
3506 Gwynnbrook Ave. Owings Mills
SPEC PRINT AD HERE
39th Anniversary Holiday Concert Sunday, December 7, 2014 at 3:00 PM Gordon Center for Performing Arts Owings Mills, Maryland Susan Bialek, Artistic Director Patricia McKewen Amato, Piano
320 E. Towsontown Blvd. Terrace Level • Towson, MD 21286 410-494-1480 • www.ccmsings.org
Children’s Chorus of Maryland is funded in part by an operating grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive. Funding for the Maryland State Arts Council is also provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
Program design by Kathrine Forster Kuo, katkuo.design@gmail.com Images of the Season: Holiday Concert 2014
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CCM WELCOMES SUSAN BIALEK Children’s Chorus of Maryland is thrilled to welcome Artistic Director Susan Bialek to the CCM family. Susan brings to CCM a combination of 22 years of experience as an elementary and middle school choral music teacher and department head. She was trained as an intern conductor with the Toronto Children’s Chorus, and co-founded and directed Cappella Festiva Treble Choir, a community-based treble choral program for singers ages ten to eighteen. Susan holds a Master of Arts degree in Teaching, Music Education, from Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. She completed the first level of Kodály certification during the summer of 2014 at the esteemed OAKE-endorsed Hartt School of Music. From 1992 to 2014 she served as the Director of Elementary and Middle School Music for the Dutchess Day School in Millbrook, New York. During her tenure she started both choral and instrumental programs at the school, and taught and developed curriculum for general music classes grades 3-8. Past positions as a guest conductor include the Bard Summerscape Festival Youth Opera Chorus; Putnam County School Music Association; The Westchester County School Music Association; and the Hudson Valley Bach Fest Children’s Choir. Susan is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association of Music Educators and the New York State School Music Association. She served as the President of the Dutchess County Music Educators Association from 2012 to 2014. Susan sang in the first alto section of the Cappella Festiva adult chamber choir since 2004. In her free time she enjoys gardening, vegetarian cooking, playing the piano, travel adventures with her husband and quiet moments of silent communication with her two cats, Enzo and Felix. CCM is so fortunate and grateful that our dear, dear Founder Betty Bertaux was able to hand-pick CCM’s new Artistic Director before departing this earth. Susan brings an incredible heart, wonderful musicianship, and exemplary pedagogy to CCM, along with that essential spirit of teamwork and collaboration that keeps CCM thriving. She has taken the helm at a critical time in CCM’s journey, and we marvel at our good fortune every day. Thank you, and welcome to CCM, Susan Bialek! 2
Children’s Chorus of Maryland
From the Artistic Director
Welcome to Children’s Chorus of Maryland’s 39th Annual Holiday Concert, Images of the Season. We are excited to share our program of images—of winter and of holidays and of traditions with all gathered—this afternoon.
For so many, this is a very bittersweet and even difficult concert. It is the first one in our history without CCM’s beloved founder and leader, Betty Bertaux. Despite the presence of profound sadness, these exemplary young singers have worked very hard and with such impressive focus to continue Ms. Betty’s mission and to prepare a beautiful and reflective concert. It is with great love and honor that we dedicate our concerts this season to Miss Betty and all that she worked so tirelessly to create. Students’ memories of classes and rehearsals, and faculty’s memories of in depth conversations about choral pedagogy, repertoire and curriculum sequencing, not to mention how to grow a really good tomato or make homemade apple cider are all equally vivid in the minds of so many. Betty Bertaux was a visionary, scholar, master teacher, composer, gardener, adventurer and humorist. She was the true Renaissance woman. CCM singers, faculty, staff and parents are all so very fortunate to have been influenced by her in so many significant ways. Many of us have favorite memories and traditions, be they sacred or secular, associated with this time of year, made vivid again through familiar seasonal melodies, turns of phrase, images, and even the fragrance of a favorite recipe cooking. We marvel how these seemingly small reminders have the power to bring us immediately in our minds and hearts to the places and people that we hold dear. A masterfully crafted, descriptive poem or piece of prose has the uncanny ability to transport us into someone else’s shoes or experience, someone else’s memory or tradition and even to a time or place to which we have not been. Joined together with a composer’s thoughtful musical interpretation--carefully chosen melodies, harmonies and rhythms--the text takes on yet another layer of expression not possible in any other way, making intensified communication between us possible. “Where words may fail, music speaks” – Hans Christian Andersen. As you read the poems and stories included in this program, please listen for how your initial response to each text is changed or deepened by the composer’s musical decisions about how to set that poem to music to convey its meaning. We balance out this reflective theme of our concert with pieces that are more familiar holiday selections, steeped in history or tradition, such as Personet Hodie or Simu Shemen or that tell stories such as Christmas Dance of the Shepherds and Long Ago. Although a time of very mixed emotion, we couldn’t honor Ms. Betty without a pinch of humor, so we hope you enjoy our twists on Deck the Halls and The Nutcracker to that end. I hope that the collaborations between the authors, poets and composers represented in our program this season take you on a tour of images and vignettes, both familiar and new, through this beautiful winter holiday season. Thank you so much for joining us. —Susan Bialek Images of the Season: Holiday Concert 2014
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10 Seasons of CCM – in style and with Grace…congrats!
Look around you today— You will see many people sporting various CCM pins. The oval, “Sponsor” pins are given to honor those people who have made an extraordinary financial contribution to CCM, of five hundred or more dollars to CCM in any one year. CCM could not exist without their generosity. Some of our volunteers will be wearing pins earned for service far beyond that required of CCM families. Many of these volunteers have given dozens, even hundreds of extra hours to CCM. No concert, no fundraiser, no newsletter, no tour, no CCM event could be produced without the generosity of our volunteers. Finally, you will see many pins proudly worn by our choristers. Every pin represents a period of extraordinary commitment, on the part of the student and the family, to braving the elements, overcoming illness, and laying other opportunities aside, in order to achieve exemplary attendance at CCM’s classes and rehearsals. Good attendance is the backbone of a polished performance, and while perfect and near-perfect attendance isn’t always possible, we honor those students who accomplish it. And look how many have accomplished it again and again! Taken together, CCM’s pins tell the story of a tremendous commitment—of time, effort, funds, determination and talent—all of which come together to produce today’s concert. If you’re reading this program, chances are that some of that commitment has come from you. So thank you, to all who have made today’s concert possible. We couldn’t have done it without you!
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Children’s Chorus of Maryland
2014–2015 Roster Concert Choir Danya Adams Crystal Cheng Campbell DiCarlo Marlo Lacson Rebecca Margolis Zinna Moore
Abigail Pepin Meredith Pepin Eve Plank Jesse Plank Abraham Plimpton Christopher Plimpton
Laney Plimpton Emmy Pratt Sam Schuler Emma Shannon Grace Vaeth Elizabeth Volpe
Edwin Harmon Sophia Justen Giulio Katinis Sophia Kessenich Eli Lehman Kallista Liu Abigail Morris Sara Orlinsky Timothy Pepin
Jeremy Plimpton Michelle Reynoso Morgan Sessa Evan Sheldon India Wiebe Charlotte Zang Zoe Zsebenyi
Megan McCormick Lydia Montcalmo Meredith Moore Eve Moran Mattie Mueller Zoe Niessen Audrey Ort Noelle Plimpton Elijah Polyakov Arion Powell Wilson Pratt Grayden Redwood Kaitlyn Seibel
Pyotr Sergeevykh Leland Shaneybrook Sarah Shodeinde Colette Vannier Finnegan Wagner Malaika Walker Lyla Walter Berlyn Wells-Huber Harrison Wimms Alaya Zsebenyi
Lyric Choir Christian Bechmann Molly Bugg Caroline Cook Madison Cote Kierstin Cummings Julija DeVance La’Mya Flowers Julia Gaevsky Emily Georgiou
Treble Choir Marlena Althouse Joey Blank Morgen Christian Anna Fugelso Marin Harris Calleigh Johnson Sevil Kallam Olivia Kasperski Zoe Kazanzides Kennedy Kirkland Dennis Kupchenko Natalie Labrique Evan Macdonald
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Staff Ramona Galey
Christina Owens
Susan Bialek
Meryem Ahmadian
General/Executive Director Artistic Director
Andrea Burgoyne
Marketing Director
Program Coordinator
Operations Director
Faculty Patricia McKewen Amato Piano
Vocal Coach/Accompanist, Towson University Voice Division B.M. Ed., Catholic University of America M.M., University of Houston Certificates in Lieder, Opera, and Chamber Music, American Institute of Musical Studies, Graz, Austria Faculty, American Institute of Musical Studies, Graz, Austria
Susan Bialek
Artistic Director, Teacher – Solfa I
B.A. Music, Vassar College M.A.T., Music Education, Manhattanville College Kodály Certification Level 1, Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford Director of Music, Dutchess Day School, 1992-2014 Co-founder and Director, Cappella Festiva Treble Choir, 2006-2014 President, Dutchess County Music Educators Association, 2012-2014
Amy Cyman
Teacher – J.C.C. Habimah Arts Camp and Culture Club CCM Satellite Programs
B.S. Mu. Ed., Indiana University of Pennsylvania Kodály Certification, Kodály Association of Southern California Music Teacher, Gilman Lower School Board Member, Maryland United Specialists in Kodály 6
Children’s Chorus of Maryland
Nick Holland
Teacher – Beginner II, Intermediate I
Music Teacher, St. Paul’s lower school B.A. Voice Performance, Pacific Lutheran University M. M. Voice Performance with Teacher Certification, University of Michigan Kodály Certification, Texas State University
Len Langrick
Early Childhood Music Department Chair, Teacher—Crickets; Beginner II, Summer Day Camp Coordinator Music Teacher, Indian Creek School B.M.Ed., Western Michigan University M.M., Indiana University Kodály Certification Level III, Silver Lake College Orff-Schulwerk Certification, Level III, West Chester University Musikgarten Certification (early childhood)
Lauren McDougle Education Director
Teacher—Beginner I, Intermediate II, Solfa II Music Specialist, Montgomery County Public Schools Faculty, American Kodály Institute B.M. Mus. Ed., Bowling Green State University Orff-Schulwerk Level I, Eastman School of Music M. M. Ed., Kodály Emphasis, Loyola University President-elect, Maryland United Specialists in Kodály
Jennifer Miller
Teacher – Beginner III, Intermediate III, Solfa IV
Choral Director, Loyola Blakefield (1999-2013) Kodály certification, Loyola University B.S. Mus Ed, Towson University M.M.Mus Ed, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Angela Pope
Teacher—Crickets, CCM Coppermine Fieldhouse Satellite Program Music Teacher, Atholton Elementary School B. M. Ed. University of Delaware Student Loyola University, American Kodály Institute
Images of the Season: Holiday Concert 2014
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Crickets™
Music & Play Program Ages 4-6
Once a week, 50 minutes, 12 week sessions SIGN UP NOW TO START IN DECEMBER or JANUARY 320 East Towsontown Blvd., Towson -Saturday Morning Coppermine Fieldhouse, Mt. Washington -Tuesdays & Sundays CHILDREN’S CHORUS OF MARYLAND & SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Register at www.ccmsings.org Call 410-494-1480 or email ccm@ccmsings.org
Write in your support for CCM! When you purchase a Claymore Pen at the CCM Gift Shop (www.ccmsings.org/ccmshop/), you receive a beautiful custom writing instrument…and CCM receives 100% of the profits! Claymore Pens is a side business of Keith May (CCM Board President), who has graciously contributed a selection of his custom quality pens to the CCM Shop. Keith takes great pride in the quality of his work. And because he uses rare woods and high quality acrylic and other interesting material such as deer antler, every piece he creates is unique. All Claymore pens include a custom fitted beautiful solid wood gift/storage box.
Order your Claymore Pen today at www.ccmsings.org/ccmshop!
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Children’s Chorus of Maryland
Board of Directors Keith W. May, President Retired Navy
Ramona Galey, Treasurer CCM General Director
Andrea Burgoyne, Secretary Jack Vaeth, MD CCM Operations Director, Psychiatrist, CCM Alumni Parent CCM Parent Representative
Advisory Board James Glover, Chair Retired financial planner and college professor, CCM Alumni Parent
Patricia McKewen Amato Conductor, Coach & Accompanist, AIMS Institute; Peabody Institute; Brevard Music Festival; Aspen Music Festival; Young Victorian Theatre
Carol Bogash Vice President of Education and Community Engagement, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Herbert Goldman, Esquire Gordon, Feinblatt, Rothman Hoffberger and Hollander, L.L.C.
Fernando Malvar-Ruiz Artistic Director, American BoyChoir
Nancy Grasmick, Ph.D. Retired State Superintendent of Schools, Maryland Department of Education
Dr. Elam Ray Sprenkle Retired Professor of Music History and Theory, Peabody Conservatory
Hilda Perl Goodwin Philanthropist
Edward Polochick Music Director, Concert Artists of Baltimore
Ronald Gretz Artistic Director, Annapolis Opera Company
Barry Tuckwell Conductor, Clinician, Horn Soloist
Thomas Hall Music Director, Baltimore Choral Arts Society
Way to go Calleigh! We are so proud of you! Love, Mommy, Daddy, & Cole
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Get Connected to CCM Online! Visit ccmsings.org, where you’ll find: • All the latest happenings, including performance multimedia and CCM’s newsletters! • Concert recordings and artisan-crafted Claymore Pens at the CCM Shop, where 100% of proceeds benefit our programs!
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Children’s Chorus of Maryland
Concert Volunteers Backstage Helpers Box Office Staff Concert Parents F.I.P.
LuWanna Barber, Kris Moore, Jennifer Seibel, Leslie Wagner, Jen Walter Monica Bernabei, Sasha Harris, Elisa Hartman, Vita Kudryavtseva, Sheri Redwood
Beth Bugg, Amy Côté, Michelle Cummings, Staci Georgiou, Kelly Polyakov, JaNia Ragin
Ray Lacson, Coordinator
Hall Monitoring
Lisa Bechmann, Coordinator
Photography Team
David Cook, Kevin Cummings, Wolfgang Justen, Khalek Kirkland, Angela Pelster-Wiebe, Richard Pelster-Wiebe, Madeline Pepin
Merchandise
Reception Set-up/Clean-up & Riser Crew
Stage Management
Lauren Morris, Coordinator
Quentina Harmon and Yan Jiang, Co-Coordinators
Tim Christian, Anatoly Gaevsky, Tom Harris, Alain Reynoso
Paul Ort, Larry Schuler, Amelia Schuler
Uniforms
Kelly Ort and Theresa Volpe, Co-Coordinators
Music Library
Chris Wells, Coordinator
Webmaster
Amelia Schuler
…And many thanks to those of you who signed on to help after this program went to print!
Dear Berlyn, You are our Angel of Music. Toi! Toi! Toi! Love, Your Mommies
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Concert Donors List 2014–2015 Season as of November 2014
Children’s Chorus of Maryland wishes to thank the following donors for their generous support of our programs and for their dedication and commitment to our children. We can’t do it without you!
Director’s Circle ($10,000+) JS Plank and DM DiCarlo Family Foundation
Conductor’s Circle ($5,000 - $9,999) Maryland State Arts Council
Benefactors ($2,500 - $4,999) Patti Amato
Patrons ($1,000 - $2,499) This performance is made possible in part through sponsorship of the Baltimore County Executive, County Council and Commission on Arts and Sciences.
Associated Catholic Charities Betty Bertaux Blue Sky Solutions
Andrea Burgoyne Ramona Galey Keith May Helen O’Tell
Wendy Scheinberg TRowe Price Foundation Jack Vaeth Ryan & Leslie Wagner
Sponsors ($500 – $999) Mary Weller
Contributors & Sustainers ($250 – $499) Megan Leah Roberts
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Children’s Chorus of Maryland
Donors ($100 – $249)
Joyce Stevens Brown Heide Grundman Jonathan Jensen Richard Kemper Kathrine & Dennis Kuo
($50 – $99)
Alan Bertaux Drew Bostwick Dr. Josephine Devincenzi Carol McCurdy Dr. Michael C. Meyers
(up to $49)
Kristen Appel Jeri DeVance Kathleen Jackson Yan Jiang
Phyllis H. Miller Mary Riordan Alvaro Muñoz Dorothy Wade Christina Owens John Watt David Page Mr. & Mrs. David A. Power Diane Mezzanotte Diane Moran & Marlene Berman John O’Hara & Carol Baumerich
Ruth & Charles Spivak Carolyn Tancock Noreen Victor Capital One Viridian Energy
Ellen Pepin Alain Reynoso Deborah Stambaugh Barbara Tagg
Christine Wells Judi Wolf Amazon Melaleuca
Music in the Meadow
Summer Day Camp 9am to 12 noon
Date to be confirmed soon For children entering grades K to 2
Camp Fee: $200 Singing Music Crafts Outdoor Scavenger Hunts & More! At Maryland Presbyterian Church 1105 Providence Road, Towson
Register in January 2015
at www.ccmsings.org or call 410-494-1480
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Remembering
Far too soon, but peacefully and in the tender care of people she cherished, our beloved Founder and friend, Betty Bertaux, passed away on Friday, October 10th. All of us who loved her— and there are so many people who did—are reeling, but so grateful to have had her in our lives. Betty Bertaux spent her life making music, in every possible form—as performer, conductor, teacher, composer, creator of curriculum, founder of Children’s Chorus of Maryland & School of Music, and mentor to so many other musicians and teachers. She was a creative force, and she brought that same vital, exuberant energy to everything she did—writing, cooking, traveling, adventuring, and exploring the world. She was always ready to learn something new, tackle the next challenge, and share her discoveries with the people around her. Even after her diagnosis, her friends marveled at the creativity and positive spirit she brought to the treatment process, finding ways to elevate even chemotherapy to an affirming ritual and a kind of art. To her final days, she was always ready with a laugh, greeting everyone with a brilliant smile and a sparkle in her eye, unfailingly gracious and loving, and conscious of the experience she was creating for those around her. Words are not adequate to say how much she will be missed. In 1976, Betty founded the Children’s Chorus of Maryland & School of Music (CCM). Seeking initially to provide her own musically-talented child with a fulfilling choral experience, she started the chorus with only six children, and built the organization into a thriving music conservatory with three performing choruses and ten graded levels of instruction. Now in its 39th year of operation, Children’s Chorus of Maryland has served as a prototype for community children’s choruses and as a beacon in the field of music literacy education. 14
Children’s Chorus of Maryland
Betty Bertaux Colleague and friend Patricia Amato, a pianist and vocal coach at Towson University, who has also been the chorus’ accompanist since 1981, says, “Her living legacy are the children of the Children’s Chorus of Maryland and the continuing generations of children. She had respect for the children and the art of the music that she encouraged them to make. Her former students are all over the country and the world. The effect she had was far-reaching and broad.” In a 1986 interview with the The Evening Sun, Betty said, “A singer has a responsibility to be musically literate just as much as an orchestral member. I thought we needed a children’s choir which offered good choral performance but also a solid program of training. Well, you know how they say, ‘Somebody ought to do this’? I decided I was going to be the one to do this.”
Betty was legendary among her students and colleagues for her combination of academic rigor, lively wit and a playful spirit. A hallmark of her teaching was her ability to convey challenging material and foster high expectations, while also keeping the learning experience light-hearted and joyful. She was adamant that children thrive on high standards, quality music, evocative texts, and respect for their capabilities. CCM faculty member Lauren McDougle sums up Betty’s deep regard for her students, as she recollects the moment that Betty told her, “I know they’re just children, but we must never underestimate the depth of their souls.”
BETTY BERTAUX MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Many have asked how best to honor Betty, and no gift could be more meaningful than a gift to the scholarship fund of Children’s Chorus of Maryland, the organization she birthed and loved and nurtured for most of 40 years. If you wish to make a contribution to Betty’s scholarship fund, please visit our website at www.ccmsings.org and choose “Remembering Betty”.
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Program
Susan Bialek, Conductor Patricia McKewen Amato, Piano
Concert Choir And the Angels Sang
Linda Spevacek
Velvet Shoes Text by Eleanor Wylie
Louise Murchison Evans
Lyric and Treble Choirs The Sleigh Text by Ivor Tchervanox
Richard Kountz
Winter Changes Text by Emily Claire Forsythe, grade 5
David Brunner
Treble Choir The Christmas Star
Southern Folk Carol Arranged by Isabel Carley
Orff ensemble accompaniment, Solfa IV class
The Birds Text by Hilaire Belloc
Eleanor Daley
Interlude I Wonder as I Wander
Appalachian Carol Arranged by Jeanine Yeager
Patti McKewen Amato, piano
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Children’s Chorus of Maryland
Lyric Choir Christmas Dance of the Shepherds English text: Elisabeth Lockwood Pat-a-Pan
Zoltan Kodรกly Burgundian Carol Arranged by Clare Grundman
Drew Bostwick, snare drum Leslie Seid Margolis and Melo Jean Vaeth, flute
Long Ago
Carlisle Floyd
Personet Hodie
Arranged by Betty Bertaux Drew Bostwick, tenor drum Leslie Seid Margolis, flute Charm City Bronze Handbell Ensemble
Fifteen Minute Intermission Concert and Lyric Choirs Simu Shemen
Traditional Hebrew Arranged by David Eddelman
Time of Snow
Bob Chilcott
Interlude God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Arranged by Sandra Eithun
Charm City Bronze Handbell Ensemble Beau Lochte, director
Concert Choir Riu Riu Chiu
Anonymous Spanish Carol Drew Bostwick, drum
Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening Text by Robert Frost
Ruth Artman
Charm City Bronze Handbell Ensemble continued on page 16
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CONCERT PROGRAM continued from page 17
Deck the Halls
Arranged by James McKelvey
Lux Aeterna
Michelle Roueche
Campbell DiCarlo, Rebecca Margolis & Grace Vaeth, soloists
Nutcracker Jingles Text by James Pierpont
Peter I. Tchaikovsky Arranged by Chuck Bridwell
Interlude Jingle Bells
Arranged by Jeanine Yeager Patti McKewen Amato, piano
Combined Choirs Nun, Gimel, Hei, Shin Text by Michael Kobovy and Judith Shatin
Judith Shatin
Solfa IV Class Special Tribute to Miss Betty
Text and Arrangement by
To Music
Betty Bertaux
Combined Choirs In Memory of Betty Bertaux: How Can I Keep from Singing
Arranged by Robert Hugh
Please join us for a light reception in the lobby immediately following the concert.
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Children’s Chorus of Maryland
texts & translations And the Angels Sang
Music by Linda Spevacek
Angels on high sing “Gloria, Gloria in excelsis!” Spreading good news across the land,“Gloria in excelsis!”
Hear their songs break forth through valleys and hills and mountains Hear the music echo and ring while spreading news to all nations!
Velvet Shoes Let us walk in the white snow in a soundless space; With footsteps quiet and slow, At a tranquil pace under veils of white lace. I shall go shod in silk, and you in wool White as a white cow’s milk, more beautiful than the breast of a gull.
We shall walk through the still town in a windless peace; We shall step upon white down, upon silver fleece, upon softer than these. We shall walk in velvet shoes; Wherever we go silence will fall like dews. On white silence below, We shall walk in the snow.
The Sleigh Lightly flying o’er the snow with a hey, ha ha ha ho ha ho! With sleigh bells ringing, gaily singing, Merrily we go!
All the world a blanket white of snow so cold and crisp and light, With sharp winds blowing, we are going onward through the night, Hey – a – oh- la! continued on page 20
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TEXTS & TRANSLATIONS continued from page 19
Winter Changes I used to think on winter days Some very unusual things. Like the birds that fly south Were happy hearts floating lively on wings.
And the icicles upon my door Were sparkled glass that rose from the floor. The snow that made no sound When it hit your roof, Was glitt’ring cotton piled up in a poof.
I thought there were angels talking to me from above, When it was my mother whispering her love. And the crackling fire that was so hot and wild, Was the love that my parents gave me as a child. I used to believe in these little things But now I know it was my imagination on wings. But on winter nights when the snow is laying white, I believe in these things and close my eyes tight. For it is not how old you are, not even you But it’s your whisp’ring heart that makes it all true.
The Christmas Star Oh long ago, up in the sky a star was shining bright. It led three wisemen from the East to Bethlehem that night, Then suddenly it came to rest above a stable bare and shone its light upon a little baby sleeping there. His cradle was a manger bed, his pillow was the hay; A donkey and a little lamb watched over him that day. His mother rocked him tenderly whenever he would cry And angel voices filled the air to sing a lullaby.
The Birds When Jesus Christ was four years old, The angels brought Him toys of gold, Which no man ever had bought or sold.
And yet with these He would not play. He made Him small foul out of clay, And blessed them til they flew away; Tu Creasti Domine! (You created, Lord) Jesus Christ, Thou child so wise, Bless mine hands and fill mine eyes. And bring my soul to Paradise. 20
Children’s Chorus of Maryland
Christmas Dance of the Shepherds Long I slumbered by sound sleep o’ertaken Strange dreams, comrade, bade me now awaken Hear you not the wondrous tidings told by angels holy How that Jesus now is born and laid in manger lowly
I’ll delay not, there’s no time for wasting Onward now, to Baby Jesus hasting. Brother be thou my companion on the way we’re going While you shepherd lovely music on his pipe is blowing. Look you, Brother we are many more now, Play up Piper, marching on before now! Let us take a little lamb and give it him my brother, Let us sing our sweetest songs to Jesus and his mother.
Stay no longer, now our visit’s ending. Brother, homeward we must now be wending, All these presents we have brought our love for him are shewing, Quickly thank the little Jesus we must now be going. Just one moment let me be delaying, Some more verses I would fain be saying, Kneeling at the lowly manger humbly to adore him, rising then with joyful heart to sing and dance before him!
Pat-a-Pan Willie, go and bring your drum, Robbie get your flute and come! Let us hear the fife and drum, Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan When we hear the fife and drum we will all be frolicsome. We will dance and we will sing, with the joy this day can bring, Let us hear the fife and drum, Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan When we hear the fife and drum, we will make the village hum!
Come enjoy this happy day, we will dance and sing and play! Let us hear the fife and drum, Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan When we hear the fife and drum we will know that joy has come! continued on page 22
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TEXTS & TRANSLATIONS continued from page 21
Long Ago Winds through the olive trees, softly did blow Around little Bethlehem long, long ago. Sheep on the hillside lay whiter than snow; Shepherds were watching them, long, long ago. Then from a happy sky, angels bent low Singing their songs of joy, long, long ago. For in a manger bed, cradled we know, Christ came to Bethlehem long, long ago.
Personet Hodie
Finnish origin; Translation by Philip McCarthy
Personent hodie voces puerulae, laudantes iucunde qui nobis est natus, summo Deo datus, et de virgineo ventre procreatus.
On this day, Youthful voices sing Joyfully praising Him Who was born for us The gift of God Born of a Virgin
Magi tres venerunt, munera offerunt, parvulum inquirunt, stellulam sequendo, ipsum adorando, aurum, thus, et myrrham ei offerendo
Three wise men came, Asking for the Child, Following a star In order to adore Him Offering gold, frankincense and myrrh
In mundo nascitur, pannis involvitur praesepi ponitur stabulo brutorum, rector supernorum. perdidit spolia princeps infernorum.
Omnes clericuli, pariter pueri, cantent ut angeli: advenisti mundo, laudes tibi fundo. ideo gloria in excelsis Deo.
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Unto the world He was born, Wrapped in swaddling clothes, Laid in a manger In an animals’ stable, Our Lord The Prince of Darkness is robbed of his spoils
Let all the clerics And choristers Sing with the angels: “ You have come into the world” I pour forth praises to you. Therefore, “Glory to God in the highest!”
Children’s Chorus of Maryland
Simu Shemen Simu Shemen, zayit; Neirot hadliku, y’hi or babayit. Or lanu! D’ror lanu! Al ken naira, v’al ken nashira Shmona yamim, shirat haor.
Fill the lanterns with oil and set them burning, Come fill the lanterns and set them all ablaze. Let the light shine, in the night time. Now we are dancing in each and ev’ry evening, To celebrate the joyful freedom days.
Time of Snow They journey onward to find their rest Mary and Joseph forever blessed. They travel wearily as they go, The time of winter, the time of snow
It may not have been winter then, That certain night in Bethlehem, But with the beauty of this birth came the renewal of the earth, as a flower that grows, through the melting snows.
A place for shelter they have in mind, A simple stable is all they find. The promise of an angel is all they know, There in the silence lies Mary’s son, The time of winter, the time of snow. A source of wonder for everyone. Within a stable so long ago, The time of winter, the time of snow.
Riu, Riu, Chiu
Spanish Carol; translations borrowed from Gene Keyes and Lisa Theriot
Riu, riu, chiu, la guarda ribera Dios guardo el lobo de nuestra cordera
Este qu’es nascido es el gran mornarca, Christo patriarca de carne vestido; Hanos redimido con se hazer chiquito, Aunqu’era infinito, finite se hiziera
Pues que ya tenemos lo que desseamos Todo juntos vamos presentes el vemos; Todos le daremos nuestra voluntad, Pues a se igualar con el hombre viniera.
Tweet, tweet, the river keeps As God from the wolf keeps our lamb.
He who is born is a great monarch Christ, our father, clothed in flesh We have redemption from this tiny creation Though infinite, finite he was made.
Now that we possess all that which we desire; Let us all together bring gifts which will inspire. Yo vi mil garcones que andavan cantando, Let us all together give him our willing vow; Por aqui bolando, haziendo mil sones; He has come so as to be mankind’s Diziengo a gascones, “Gloria se a en el equal now. cielo, Y paz en el suelo ques Jesus nasciera!
continued on page 24 Images of the Season: Holiday Concert 2014
Angels by the thousand I saw who were winging; Down to here and now, who a thousand songs were singing. Telling all the people of Jesus at his birth; Glory be in heaven; and also peace on earth. 23
TEXTS & TRANSLATIONS continued from page 23
Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening Whose woods these are I think I know, His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here to watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer to stop without a farm house near, Between the woods and frozen lake, The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake, to ask if there is some mistake, The only other sound’s the sweep of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep.
Deck the Halls Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la… ‘Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la… Don we now our gay apparel, fa la la… Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, fa la la… See the blazing yule before us, fa la la… Strike the harp and join the chorus, fa la la… Follow me in merry measure, fa la la… While I tell of Yuletide treasure, fa la la… Fast away the old year passes fa la la… Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, fa la la… Sing we joyous all together, fa la la… Heedless of the wind and weather, fa la la…
Lux Aeterna Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine cum sanctis tuis in aeternum, quia pius es. Requiem aeternum done eis, Domine, et Lux perpetua luceat eis, cum Sanctus tuis in aeternum, quia pius es.
Let eternal light shine on them, Lord, As with your saints in eternity, Because you are merciful. Grant them eternal rest, Lord, And let perpetual light shine on them, As with your saints in eternity, Because you are merciful.
Nun, Gimel, Hei, Shin
(From Neis gadol hiyah sham, meaning “A great miracle happened there”) Nun, Gimel, Hei, Shin, S’vivon sov, Nun, Gimel, Hei, Shin, L’vivot larov
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Nun, Gimel, Hei, Shin Spin, Dreidl, spin Nun, Gimel, Hei, Shin Plenty of Latkes
Children’s Chorus of Maryland
To Music To singing and to music, To joyful friendship true; To moments filled with happiness, Refreshing each day a new
Refrain: From the valleys and from hilltops, From sea to shining sea, Let earth resound with music, And life the richer be.
Lift ev’ry voice to music, To Love’s expression sing; Let music live in mind and heart, Let joy and laughter ring!
For through this gift to Humankind We each to all belong; It’s music that has joined us In life’s sweet mastersong.
How Can I Keep from Singing My life goes on in endless song Above earth’s lamentation, I hear the real, though far-off hymn That hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife I hear its music ringing, It sounds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing?
While though the tempest loudly roars, I hear the truth, it liveth. And though the darkness ‘round me close, Songs in the night it giveth. No storm can shake my inmost calm, While to that rock I’m clinging. Since love is lord of heaven and earth How can I keep from singing?
When tyrants tremble in their fear and hear their death knell ringing, When friends rejoice both far and near How can I keep from singing? In prison cell and dungeon vile Our thoughts to them are winging, When friends by shame are undefiled How can I keep from singing?
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collaborators
Children’s Chorus of Maryland warmly welcomes our guest performers in this afternoon’s concert. We are grateful for their collaboration and artistry! Pianist Patricia McKewen Amato’s extensive operatic experience includes duties as conductor, coach, and accompanist at the AIMS Institute in Graz, Austria, Brevard Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Peabody Institute, and the Young Victorian Theatre. She served as assistant music director of the Baltimore Opera Company and music director of its touring company; music director/conductor for Annapolis Opera, Maryland Lyric Opera, Brevard Music Festival, Opera Americana, Washington Savoyards, Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, and Rep Stage; and assistant conductor/chorus master for Washington Summer Opera. A versatile pianist, Ms. Amato frequently performs with the Children’s Chorus of Maryland, Annapolis Opera, Annapolis Chorale, Baltimore Choral Arts, Baltimore Symphony, Maryland Symphony, Baltimore Opera, Prince George’s Opera and Philharmonic, and Metropolitan Opera regional competitions. Ms. McKewen Amato is a first place winner in the Houston Chamber Music Society Competition; she recently performed The Carnival of the Animals with the Maryland Symphony Orchestra and Carmina Burana with the Baltimore Choral Arts Society. She made her Lincoln Center conducting debut in 1999 in an all-Charles Loeffler program, subsequently recorded on Koch International. Ms. McKewen Amato is a coach/accompanist for the voice division at Towson University, the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria, and the Children’s Chorus of Maryland. She holds a BM from the Catholic University of America (magna cum laude), a MM from the University of Houston (magna cum laude), and certificates in lieder, opera, and chamber music from The American Institute of Musical Studies, in Graz, Austria. Drew Bostwick (Percussion) is a junior at Loyola Blakefield in Towson, MD. He has been a percussionist since age 8 and is the drummer for local rock band All Rights Reserved. The band has played over 40 shows at many high-profile venues in Baltimore, including the Warped Tour at Merriweather Post Pavilion last summer. He also plays in the Loyola Jazz 26
Children’s Chorus of Maryland
Ensemble, Jazz Combo, and performed the drums in the production of Godspell at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland last August. Charm City Bronze Handbell Ensemble, founded in January 2013 by Artistic Director Beau Lochte, includes both youth and adult ringers from Baltimore city and county. This past summer Charm City Bronze performed The Great Gate of Kiev from the top of the Pagoda at Patterson Park, joined Arsis Handbell Ensemble (Estonia) in concert at Second Presbyterian, and in May live streamed “The Impossible Concert” featuring Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade for solo violin and handbells from the Palm House of Baltimore’s HP Rawlings Conservatory. Charm City Bronze is excited to join the Children’s Chorus of Maryland for this holiday concert! Visit their website at www.charmcitybronze.com. Leslie Seid Margolis (flute) began her flute studies in elementary school. While obtaining a degree in comparative literature at Princeton University, she studied with Jayn Rosenfeld Siegel, and while in law school at Stanford, she had the great fortune to study with Frances Blaisdell. After a hiatus during which work, children, and other pressing aspects of life intervened, Leslie returned to the flute and began studies with Laurie Sokoloff, piccoloist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, with whom she continues to study. Leslie was a founding member of the Baltimore klezmer band Klezzazz, has performed in local lunchtime recitals at Old St. Paul’s and Emmanuel Episcopal churches, and has participated in the Baltimore Symphony Academy. She currently serves as Associate Principal Flutist with the Hunt Valley Symphony Orchestra. When not playing or thinking about music, Leslie is a managing attorney focusing on special education issues at the Maryland Disability Law Center, a nonprofit, public interest law organization that provides legal services to people with disabilities. Her daughter Rebecca is a member of CCM’s Concert Choir. Melo Jean Vaeth (flute) is a CCM-Mom, nurse and flutist for fun — “music should be fun and enjoyable…keeps you upbeat!” Melo has performed with various flute ensembles associated with local colleges as well as Flutopia and her own group the Silvertones; particular enjoyment is had playing the alto and bass flutes in these groups. She also performs with Mood Swings big Band on synthesizer after a transition from vibraphone. She has performed at the White House, the State House and recently at Walker’s Point in Kennebunkport, Maine. But without a doubt, her proudest musical accomplishment is CCM-er Grace Vaeth. continued on page 28
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COLLABORATORS continued from page 27
Erica Feidelseit (Concert Parent Coordinator) is thrilled to be working with CCM again. She is currently studying Theatre Design and Production and Integrated Early Childhood/Special Education at Towson University. Recent management credits include The Fall of the House of Usher: A New Musical (Pallas Theatre Collective); while in america..., Lysistrata, Die Zauberflöte, and Twelfth Night (Towson University); Almost, Maine, and Vanities (Upcounty Theatre).
Finnegan — We are so proud of you! Love Mom, Dad and Collin
Children’s Chorus of Maryland
& School of Music
Over 39 years teaching children to read, write & sing music Welcoming children as young as 5 ½
Auditions start in February for the 2015-16 Music Conservatory Program in Towson RSVP To Attend a Free 2015 Parent Open House March 14 at 9:30am & April 15 at 5:30pm Bring Your Child to a Free Class Demonstration on May 30, 2015. Sign Up Online.
410-494-1480 www.ccmsings.org ccm@ccmsings.org
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Children’s Chorus of Maryland
acknowledgements Children’s Chorus of Maryland wishes to thank: • CCM Parents and community volunteers for their generous service. • CCM Faculty for their excellent instruction, musicianship, and caring respect for children. • The Board of Directors for their time, devotion, and guidance. • Numerous Donors who have faithfully supported CCM’s operation and development.
save the date!
Mark your calendars now for 2015: Saturday, January 10 CCM Classes Resume
Saturday, January 17, 10:00 am - 10:50 am CCM Crickets™ Classes begin in Towson Location Sunday, February 1, 4:00 pm Performance with Bach Concert Series at Christ Lutheran Church at the Inner Harbor
Sunday, May 3, 3:00 pm Spring Concert at Gordon Center for Performing Arts Schedule is subject to change.
Lyla — We love you so much and are so proud of you. Sing your heart out kid! Love, Mom, Dad, and Eden
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head, heart, hands The Waldorf School of Baltimore educates children to think deeply, flexibly, and imaginatively. Integrating dynamic academic learning with visual arts, music, and movement.
Join us for an informative & inspiring tour: Wednesday, December 3, at 8:30am Thursday, December 4, at 10:00am Friday, December 12, at 8:30am Friday, December 12, at 10:00am Register at admissions@twsb.org or 410-367-6808 ext. 202
Discover more:
waldorfschoolofbaltimore.org
#exploreWaldorf