Choral Chameleon: 2013 - Summer Institute Concert Program

THIRD ANNUAL SUMMER INSTITUTE CONCERT Tuesday, June 11, 2013 St. Paul’s Carroll Street Stars, I have seen them fall - Kenji Oh * Hey There, Gypsy - Johannes Brahms Brennan Harris, Conductor In Memoriam - Kevin Cummines * Roses Red Are Blooming - Johannes Brahms Sarah Pinsky, Conductor The Road Not Taken - William Harvey * Those Who Don’t Feel This Love - Erin Mulrooney * Heaven’s Light Streams Bright - Johannes Brahms Tiffany Chiang, Conductor Rhapsody On An Original Theme - Julian Bennett Holmes * INTERMISSION Jesu, Meine Freude - Johann Sebastian Bach I. Jesu, Meine Freude II. Es ist nun nichts Verdammliches III. Unter deinem Schirmen VII. Weg mit allen Schätzen IX. Gute Nacht, o Wesen X. So nun der Geist XI. Weicht, ihr Trauergeister Brennan Harris, Sarah Pinsky, and Tiffany Chiang, Conductors Recurring Dream - Eli Wing * Keep Breathing - Ingrid Michaelson (arr. Michelle Coladonato) * Light Sublime - Jeannette Faber * Math Piece - Adam Matta *

* = World Premiere

Choral Chameleon’s 2013 Summer Institute Students Composers Adam Matta Eli Wing Erin Mulrooney Jeannette Faber Julian Bennett Holmes

Kenji Oh Kevin Cummines Michelle Coladonato William Harvey

Conductors Brennan Harris Sarah Pinsky

Tiffany Chiang

Choral Chameleon’s 2013 Summer Institute Faculty Gates Thomas Jeffrey Parola Michael Weinstein-Reiman

Steve Smith Vance George Vince Peterson

The Singers of Choral Chameleon Soprano Erika Lloyd Liz Hanna Mi Na Shin

Alto Charla Burton Clare Maloney Kelly Baxter Golding

Tenor Evan Crawford Gates Thomas Kevin Rose

Bass Cameron Jones Joseph Bellino Mark Johnson

TEXTS, TRANSLATIONS, AND PROGRAM NOTES Stars, I have seen them fall - Kenji Oh * Composer’s Note: This poem by Alfred Edward Housman (1859-1936) conveys a feeling of helplessness and emptiness with vivid visual images in a pessimistic tone. Because the images are so vivid and beautiful, they make a strong contrast with the poem’s message and tone. And the strong contrast makes the images more beautiful, the message indomitable. I tried to enhance this mutual effect by highlighting those beautiful images and underlining the shadow behind the images. Though my initial impression of the poem was pessimistic beauty, I still see its optimistic side as well. Even while no star is lost at all, we wouldn’t prefer starless dark sky anyway. Even while still the sea is salt, salty ocean is the origin of lives. Houseman left this optimistic possibility and it makes the poem ambiguous, and the ambiguity makes the poem even more beautiful. The harmonic language in this piece has reflection of this ambiguity.

Text: Stars, I have seen them fall, But when they drop and die No star is lost at all From all the star-sown sky.

The toil of all that be Helps not the primal fault; It rains into the sea And still the sea is salt.

Hey There, Gypsy - Johannes Brahms English Version by Vance George Hey there, Gypsy, dig into your strings with passion, Play the pain of love, unfaithful love!

Let your strings lamenting, weeping, sadly trembling, Tears are streaming down my cheeks, Hot tears stream down my cheeks.

In Memoriam - Kevin Cummines * Composer’s Note: Tennyson's line "'Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all" has felt ubiquitous since I was a child, and I'm not sure why. I'm not yet sure I agree. At many points in the last thirteen years I have turned to his collection "In Memoriam", from which this line comes, the way one might turn to a bible: for guidance, to struggle against faith or philosophy, or for comfort. At the start of 2013, I decided to devote the year to making dents in my backlog of projects. For many reasons, a choral collection of select texts from "In Memoriam" felt to me to be the greatest priority. Tonight I am honored by Choral Chameleon's presentation of the first, 12th and final movements of this new work.

Text: I: Prologue, "I hold it true whate'er befall" I hold it true whate'er befall; Behold me for I cannot sleep, I feel it when I sorrow most; 'Tis better to have...

XII: XXVII "I envy not in any moods" I envy not in any moods The captive void of noble rage, The linnet born within the cage, That never knew the summer woods: I envy not the beast that takes His license in the field of time, Unfetter'd by the sense of crime, To whom a conscience never wakes;

Nor what may count itself as blest, The heart that never plighted troth But stagnates in the weeds of sloth, Nor any want-begotten rest.

I hold it true whate'er befall; I feel it, when I sorrow most; 'Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all.

XIII: L "Be near me when my light is low" Be near me when my light is low, When the blood creeps, and the nerves prick And tingle; and the heart is sick, And all the wheels of Being slow.

Be near me when the sensuous frame Is rack'd with pangs that conquer trust; And Time, a maniac scattering dust, And Life, a Fury slinging flame.

Be near me when my faith is dry, And men the flies of latter spring, That lay their eggs, and sting and sing And weave their petty cells and die.

Be near me when I fade away, To point the term of human strife, And on the low dark verge of life The twilight of eternal day.

Roses Red Are Blooming - Johannes Brahms English Version by Vance George Roses red are blooming They proclaim the spring’s arrival.

Rosy cheeks are glowing; They reveal a young girl’s first love.

Tiny little red bird fly away, fly to the roses.

See, the boy goes to his sweetheart courting.

The Road Not Taken - William Harvey * Composer’s Note: When I first read "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost, I felt a personal connection to his text. "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled..." is a metaphor for subtle, yet complex human emotions about accepting one's decisions in life. As a jazz bassist and arranger, the Choral Chameleon Composer's Institute has been an exciting opportunity to "diverge" away from my typical creative endeavors in instrumental music. Personally, this week has been an inspiring and humbling experience as this is the first time I've actually composed music to text.

Text: Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

Those Who Don’t Feel This Love - Erin Mulrooney * Composer’s Note: In my piece, Those Who Don’t Feel This Love, I gave traditional choral music a more modern sound. The text was originally written by Jellaludin Rumi and speaks to the innocent and uninitiated. For those who have not experienced a force as strong as love, and so are unknowing of its powers, we must let them continue their lives in naivety until they are fortunate enough to encounter love firsthand.

Text: Those who don't feel this love pulling them like a river those who don't drink dawn like a cup of spring water or take sunset like supper those who don't want to change let them sleep...

This Love is beyond the study of theology that old trickery and hypocrisy If you want to improve your mind that way sleep on.

I've given up on my brain I've torn the cloth to shreds and thrown it away.

If you're not completely naked wrap your beautiful robe of words around you and sleep.

Heaven’s Light Streams Bright - Johannes Brahms English Version by Vance George Heaven’s light streams bright and clear Brighter still are your eyes, my dear.

You are my sweetest rose, look into my eyes, That I may bless you for my good luck, my dearest love.

Birdies sing their charming, sweet songs Sweeter still are the songs you sing, my sweetheart sings.

You are my sweetest rose, look into my eyes, That I may bless you for my good luck, my dearest love.

Sunlight kisses the whole earth, Hotter still are your rosy lips, your rosy lips You are my sweetest rose, look into my eyes, That I may bless you for my good luck, my dearest love.

Rhapsody On An Original Theme - Julian Bennett Holmes * Composer’s Note: My Rhapsody on an Original Theme, which I composed over the past month, sets the poem Winter Dusk, by R. K. Munkittrick, a poet and author who lived in the 19th century. The first section introduces the theme of the piece, and each line of the poem is set to a loose variation of that theme. The penultimate variation serves to recapitulate the theme, and then the final variation takes us on an intergalactic voyage to visit the sleeping silver star of the last lines of the poem.

Text: The prospect is bare and white, And the air is crisp and chill; While the ebon wings of night Are spread on the distant hill.

The roar of the stormy sea Seem the dirges shrill and sharp That winter plays on the tree — His wild aeolian harp.

In the pool that darkly creeps In ripples before the gale, A star like a lily sleeps And wiggles its silver tail.

Jesu, Meine Freude - Johann Sebastian Bach I. Jesu, Meine Freude Jesu, meine Freude, Meines Herzens Weide, Jesu, meine Zier, Ach wie lang, ach lange Ist dem Herzen bange Und verlangt nach dir!

Gottes Lamm, mein Bräutigam, Außer dir soll mir auf Erden Nichts sonst Liebers werden.

Jesus, my joy, pasture of my heart, Jesus, my adornment ah how long, how long is my heart filled with anxiety and longing for you!

Lamb of God, my bridegroom, apart from you on the earth there is nothing dearer to me.

II. Es ist nun nichts Verdammliches Unter deinem Schirmen Bin ich vor den Stürmen Aller Feinde frei.

Laß den Satan wittern, Laß den Feind erbittern, Mir steht Jesus bei.

Ob es itzt gleich kracht und blitzt, Ob gleich Sünd und Hölle schrecken: Jesus will mich decken.

Beneath your protection I am free from the attacks of all my enemies.

Let Satan track me down, let my enemy be exasperated – Jesus stands by me.

Even if there is thunder and lightning, even if sin and hell spread terror Jesus will protect me.

III. Unter deinem Schirmen Trotz dem alten Drachen, Trotz des Todes Rachen, Trotz der Furcht darzu!

Tobe, Welt, und springe, Ich steh hier und singe In gar sichrer Ruh. Gottes Macht hält mich in acht; Erd und Abgrund muss verstummen, Ob sie noch so brummen.

I defy the old dragon, I defy the jaws of death, I defy fear as well!

Rage, World, and spring to attack: I stand here and sing in secure peace.

God’s might takes care of me; earth and abyss must fall silent, however much they rumble on.

VII. Weg mit allen Schätzen Weg mit allen Schätzen!

Du bist mein Ergötzen, Jesu, meine Lust!

Weg ihr eitlen Ehren, Ich mag euch nicht hören, Bleibt mir unbewusst!

Elend, Not, Kreuz, Schmach und Tod Soll mich, ob ich viel muss leiden, Nicht von Jesu scheiden.

Away with all treasures!

You are my delight, Jesus, my joy!

Away with empty honours, I’m not going to listen to you, remain unknown to me!

Misery, distress, affliction, disgrace and death, even if I must endure much suffering, will not separate me from Jesus.

IX. Gute Nacht, o Wesen Gute Nacht, o Wesen, Das die Welt erlesen, Mir gefällst du nicht.

Gute Nacht, ihr Sünden, Bleibet weit dahinten, Kommt nicht mehr ans Licht!

Gute Nacht, du Stolz und Pracht!

Dir sei ganz, du Lasterleben, Gute Nacht gegeben.

Good night, existence chosen by the world, you do not please me.

Good night, you sins, stay far behind me.

Come no more to the light!

Good night, pride and splendour, once and for all, sinful existence, I bid you good night.

X. So nun der Geist So nun der Geist des, Der Jesum von den Toten auferwecket hat, In euch wohnet, So wird auch derselbige, Der Jesum von den Toten auferwecket hat, Eure sterbliche Leiber lebendig machen Um des willen, dass sein Geist In euch wohnet.

If the spirit of him who has raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, so will the same one who has raised Jesus from the dead bring life to your mortal bodies, because his spirit dwells in you.

XI. Weicht, ihr Trauergeister Weicht, ihr Trauergeister, Denn mein Freudenmeister, Jesus, tritt herein.

Denen, die Gott lieben, Muß auch ihr Betrüben Lauter Zucker sein.

Duld ich schon hier Spott und Hohn, Dennoch bleibst du auch im Leide, Jesu, meine Freude.

Go away, mournful spirits, for my joyful master, Jesus, now enters in.

For those who love God even their afflictions become pure sweetness.

Even if here I must endure shame and disgrace, even in suffering you remain, Jesus, my joy.

Recurring Dream - Eli Wing * Composer’s Note: Recurring Dream is the title poem of Avra Wing’s book of poetry, published by Pecan Grove Press in 2011 as the grand prize for their National Poetry Chapbook Competition. The text describes a dream that inhabits a place we’ve all been -- stuck in time, in the middle of what feels like the worst mistake you've ever made. Setting the last two stanzas, Eli Wing (Avra’s son) seeks to capture that feeling of frantic stillness and heavy sorrow by maintaining a lack of harmonic stability throughout the entirety of the piece, as well as an almost obsessive repetition of text. Eli wishes to thank the staff of the Choral Chameleon Summer Institute, his fellow students, his wife, Loes, his brother and sister, Alex and Hannah, his father, Michael and especially his mother, for trusting him with this text.

Text: It must be that I did something like this, something that will keep us here, frozen, unmoving, in a place meant for journeys.

But were we to go on? Towards what?

Wakefulness? And where were we before? Another dream?

Or was this our only stop, this scene—your anger, my sabotage— in an unnamed place where connections can’t be made, and it is always night, and we can neither arrive nor depart.

Keep Breathing - Ingrid Michaelson (arr. Michelle Coladonato) * Composer’s Note: I chose to arrange "Keep Breathing" by Ingrid Michaelson because the song really moved me from the first time I heard it. I feel like it has such a powerful meaning and it's definitely a song to help anyone get through a tough time in their life. I love how the song constantly repeats the words "all we can do is keep breathing" because it gave me an opportunity musically to emphasize the word breathing every time she repeats it but changing the chord that the choir sings under it. In my arrangement I chose to also chose to add a solo line from another one of Ingrid Michaelson's songs called "breakable" because although the soloist is singing about how fragile we are as human beings the choir is still singing "keep breathing" under it as an encouraging voice, something I think we all need. What I hope people will take from my arrangement is a feeling of encouragement to push forward no matter what they are going through and to always "keep breathing."

Text: The storm is coming but I don't mind People are dying, I close my blinds All that I know is I'm breathing now I want to change the world Instead I sleep I want to believe in more than you and me But all that I know is I'm breathing All I can do is keep breathing All we can do is keep breathing now All that I know is I'm breathing All I can do is keep breathing.

All we can do is keep breathing All we can do is keep breathing now Light Sublime - Jeannette Faber * Composer’s Note: I viewed a YouTube clip of a youth orchestra comprised of young people who literally live in the garbage dumps of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Their musical instruments are made of objects found in the dump--cellos made of oil cans, for example. I was forcibly reminded that, through all the bloodshed, warfare and misery of the human condition there shines the constant ray of light, the light of love, seen in the lives of beacons such as Michelangelo, Martin Luther King, and the children of the dump orchestra. "Now comes a ray of light; piercing the vastness of time, it sweeps through the stars, and sad, shattered souls sing again. Awake my heart, for comes the light of love, the light sublime."

Text: Soft, darkness falls around me, around the earth and through my heart. Thick, the heavy ashes creep into my soul, and dim the silent stars only remembered. Now night, sightless, still in sleep, spreads the darkness in my soul; dark descends. Comes a ray of light, gleaming brighter and stronger! Piercing the vastness of time, it sweeps through the stars, and earth's shattered souls will sing again!

Wake, my heart and sing, for now comes the light, the light of love. Come, light sublime!

Math Piece - Adam Matta * Composer’s Note: Since the early part of my musical career, I have been interested in how chance can inform the composition of a piece of music, and how looping can reiterate and recontextualize a sound or pattern made in a moment of pure improvisation. I purchased a loop pedal in 1998 and began experimenting with vocal layers and beatboxing. As a professional beatboxer, I often find myself pondering the more abstract themes possibly inherent to the art form-- such as mathematics, linguistics, biology-- and have sought to integrate these themes and sounds in this piece, my first attempt at formal vocal composition for a chorus. I am grateful for the support of Choral Chameleon to realize it.

Text: F prime x equals one quarter x to the minus three fourths F(x) = d (sample x +y)/dx, F(x) = d (x +y)/dx Wisdom speaks across time like gravity Bodies in motion tend to stay in opacity Planetary bodies in the heavens of studio A Stars collide on Fountain and Saturn St. Keeping the faith to maintain the proper pathways Maintaining conditions to keep open intuition If I'm on the ten and you're on the freeway Which way does the sun shine when you're collecting royalties Quantum Mechanics is like New York City Particles bumping and grinding in the pit of the nitty gritty Two places at the same time, straphanging on a subway Going uptown, quantum foam define reality Every moment in the city is a moment of uncertainty Heisenberg's principle, grid lock, tick tock, fractal geometry Send it by messenger, hope it arrives at its destiny Two speeds at the same time, setting plans to build a memory

Whether you came to our first concert or this is your first time with us, the board and leadership of Choral Chameleon would like to thank you for your financial support. In addition to the work we have been doing at our Summer Institute, we recently celebrated our fifth anniversary as an organization, which gave us an opportunity to reflect on the past and look to the future with our supporters and friends. In case you’ve missed anything over the years, we’d love to get you up to speed on where we’ve been. In the past five years, Choral Chameleon has: • Performed more than 18 series concerts in venues throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, from churches to theaters to recital halls...even under the bridges in Central Park (an unprecedented event) • Premiered over 50 new works in less than five years • Employed over 40 of NYC's best singers • Sung in more than 10 languages and almost every meter and tempo a piece can be written in • Launched Chameleonic in 2012, our new 32-voice avocational choir, which has performed 2 concerts in the 2012-2013 season • Trained 25 composers and conductors at our institute each June As we look forward, our plans are exciting and ambitious –with several world premieres next season and more of the quality sound and educational outreach that you have come to expect from Choral Chameleon and Chameleonic. However, we need the continued support of generous donors like you to make it happen! Can we count on you to make a donation to Choral Chameleon?

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This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.