Choral Chameleon: 2018 Summer Institute Program

Friday, June 29th 2018 at 8pm St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 199 Carroll Street, Brooklyn, NY 1123​1

Vince Peterson, Founding Artistic Director

The Dawn’s Awake* Ve hayah ba-‘acharit hayamim

Forever - is composed of Nows Do not go gentle into that good night

Edward Thompson Lauren Bydalek

Gaude Virgo, Mater Christi

Jeff Brown Nicholas Weininger

Dare You See* Night Song

Kristian Rodriguez

Christopher Thomas Emery

Josquin des Prez

Rebecca Crivello, conductor Come, My Celia from ​Time Pieces

S ​ tephen Chatman

Tegan Miller, conductor Salve Regina

Francis Poulenc

Charles Zotique, conductor Take The A Train

Billy Strayhorn (arr. Steve Zegree)

Tegan Miller, conductor

Intermission

Tota pulchra es

Maurice Duruflé

Emily Joy Sullivan, conductor Geistliches Lied

Johannes Brahms

Emily Joy Sullivan, conductor The Giving Tree Peace/War* Dieu! qu’il la fait bon regarder​ f​ rom ​Trois Chansons

Assaf Gleizner

Daniel Zlatkin Claude Debussy

Rebecca Crivello, conductor dominic has a doll

Vincent

Persichetti Charles Zotique, conductor Qing Yi*

Yangfan Xu

Now I Am Become

Brian Rosen

*with Nathan Plante, trumpet

Institute Students

Composers Brian M. Rosen Yangfan Xu Ed Thompson Jeff Brown Daniel Zlatkin Lauren Bydalek Christopher Thomas Emery Nicholas Weininger Assaf Gleizner Kristian Rodriguez

Conductors Emily Joy Sullivan Tegan Miller Charles Zotique Rebecca Crivello

The Ensemble

Soprano Annie Beliveau Michelle Coladonato Liz Hanna Erika Lloyd

Alto Emily Crowe Jonathan May Suzanne Schwing Brooke Slemmer

Tenor Alex Canovas Alex Guerrero Jacques Joseph Matt Robbins

Bass Scott Brown Nick Canovas Rod Hines Vince Peterson

The Chorus

Soprano Carla Angeloni Nicole Belmont Justice Buckmaster Michelle Coladonato Kate Delaney Catherine DiGennaro Molly Rabuffo Kathryn Squitieri Steph Tuck

Alto Amanda Aldinger Cara Caponi Emily Crowe Becky Fasanello Sarah Fels Nora Prince Boreta Singleton Brooke Slemmer Jessica Wong

Tenor Alex Canovas Matthew Finkel Matthew Ibanez Michael Squitieri

Institute Faculty David Conte Matt Oltman Jeff Parola Vince Peterson Nathan Plante Steve Smith

Bass Bryan Black John Prince Ephraim Swanson-Dusenbury

Note from the President:

This concert closes Choral Chameleon’s tenth season, finishing our first decade doing what we love to do most: helping musicians become their best musical selves. There is a good reason these are Vince Peterson’s favorite eight days of the year and we hope you will feel why during this concert tonight.

The Choral Chameleon Summer Institute, founded eight years ago, was called out by Chorus America as one of the key reasons why Vince Peterson was honored by this year’s Louis Botto Award for Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal. The work that is done here, to nurture the health of the choral art from both the podium and in the score, is meaningful on a national, and international basis.

For the first time, Choral Chameleon’s Chorus has been participating this week as lab choir for our conducting track - it already feels like the most natural thing in the world and we thank our volunteers for the many evenings this week they have dedicated to providing loving feedback to our fellows.

We are thrilled to have you join us here tonight in order to witness the incredible outcomes of the past week and we thank you for supporting these amazing musicians, who have opened themselves up to being their most vulnerable selves, in order to push their comfort-zone.

Thank you for supporting choral music and we invite you to come and celebrate with us heartily after the concert as we raise a toast to our tenth birthday!

Nicole Belmont

Program Notes & Texts The Dawn’s Awake - ​Jeff Brown Text: Otto L. Bohanon

The Dawn's awake!

A flash of smoldering flame and fire Ignites the East. Then, higher, higher, O'er all the sky so gray, forlorn, The torch of gold is borne.

The Dawn's awake!

The dawn of a thousand dreams and thrills.

And music singing in the hills A Påean of eternal spring Voices the new awakening.

The Dawn's awake!

Whispers of pent-up harmonies, With the mingled fragrance of the trees; Faint snatches of half-forgotten song— Fathers! torn and numb,— The boon of light we craved, awaited long, Has come, has come!

Ve hayah ba-‘acharit hayamim​ - Nicholas Weininger Text from Micah 4:1-6 Ve hayah ba-'acharit hayamim yihyeh Har beit Adonai nachon be rosh heharim Ve halchu goyim rabim ve amru: Lechu ve na'aleh al har Adonai ve al beit elohei Ya'akov.

Ve chitetu charvoteihem le-'itim va chanitoteihem le mazmerot.

Lo yisu goy al goy cherev ve lo yilmedun od milchamah.

Ve yashvu ish tachat gafno ve tachat te'enato ve ein macharid.

Bayom hahu ne'um Adonai: Osfah hatzoleah ve hanidachah akabetzah ve asher hareoti Ve samti et hatzoleah li sherit ve hanahala'ah le goy atzum.

And it will happen in days to come [that] the mountain of the house of God shall be established at the top of the mountains and many peoples shall flock to it and say: Come and let us go up to the mountain of God and to the house of our Lord of Jacob.

And they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation shall not lift up sword against nation and they shall study war no more.

And they shall dwell each one under his own vine and under his own fig tree and no one shall make them afraid.

In that day, saith the Lord: I will gather to me the lame one, and I will gather in the outcast, and the one I have done harm, And I will make that lame one into a remnant, and the one cast far out into a mighty nation.

Dare You See - E ​ dward Thompson Text: Emily Dickinson

Dare you see a soul at the white heat?

Then crouch within the door.

Red is the fire's common tint; But when the vivid ore

Has sated flame's conditions, Its quivering substance plays Without a color but the light Of unanointed Blaze.

Least village has its blacksmith, Whose anvil's even din Stands symbol for the finer forge That soundless tugs within,

Refining these impatient ores With hammer, and with blaze, Until the designated light Repudiate the Forge.

Forever - is composed of Nows - L ​ auren Bydalek Text: Emily Dickinson

Forever – is composed of Nows – ‘Tis not a different time – Except for Infiniteness – And Latitude of Home –

From this – experienced Here – Remove the Dates – to These – Let Months dissolve in further Months – And Years – exhale in Years –

Without Debate – or Pause – Or Celebrated Days – No different Our Years would be From Anno Dominies –

Night Song - ​Kristian Rodriguez Text: Nafisa

Something is happening inside me, an accidental thinking of words.

A light that dances upon my tongue, even if it wanders past my wrongs.

My light will never be accidental, even if it dances me to the right.

Of your light, a lucent kiss of hope, a hope that can never fade.

And in my dreams, you lead the way, to the something happening inside me.

Do not go gentle into that good night​ - Christopher Thomas Emery Text: Dylan Thomas*

Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

*Text used with full permissions from the estate of Dylan Thomas

Gaude Virgo, Mater Christi​ - Josquin Des Prez Gaude, virgo mater Christi, Quae per aurem concepisti, Gabriele nuntio.

Rejoice, virgin mother of Christ who hast conceived by ear, with Gabriel as messenger.

Gaude, quia Deo plena Peperisti sine poena, Cum pudoris lilio.

Rejoice, for full of God thou gavest birth without pain, with the lily of purity.

Gaude, quia tui nati Quem dolebas mortem pati, Fulget resurrectio.

Rejoice, for the resurrection of thy Son now shines, whose death thou mourned,

Gaude Christo ascendente, Et in coelum te vidente, Motu fertur proprio.

Rejoice, as Christ ascends, and, in thy sight, is carried into heaven by his own strength.

Gaude que post ipsum scandis, Et est honor tibi grandis, In caeli palatio.

Rejoice, thou who riseth after him and to whom great honor is due in the palace of heaven,

Ubi fructus ventris tui, Nobis detur per te frui, In perenni gaudio.

Alleluia.

Where the fruit of thy womb is granted us, through thee, to enjoy in eternal rejoicing.

Alleluia. *translation by Dr. William Mahrt

Come, my Celia from T ​ ime Pieces - ​Stephen Chatman Text - Ben Jonson

Come, my Celia, let us prove, While we can, the sports of love; Time will not be ours forever; He at length our good will sever.

Spend not then his gifts in vain.

Suns that set may rise again; But if once we lose this light, ’Tis with us perpetual night.

Why should we defer our joys?

Fame and rumor are but toys.

Cannot we delude the eyes Of a few poor household spies, Or his easier ears beguile, So removèd by our wile? ’Tis no sin love’s fruit to steal; But the sweet thefts to reveal,

To be taken, to be seen, These have crimes accounted been.

Salve Regina​ - Francis Poulenc Text: Trad. Marian Hymn Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiæ, vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve.

Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevæ, Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle.

Eia, ergo, advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte; Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.

O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria.

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, Our life, our sweetness and our hope.

To thee do we cry, Poor banished children of Eve; To thee do we send up our sighs, Mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.

Turn then, most gracious advocate, Thine eyes of mercy toward us; And after this our exile, Show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Take The A Train​ - Billy Strayhorn, arr. Steve Zegree You must take the A Train To go to Sugar Hill way up in Harlem If you miss the A Train You'll find you've missed the quickest way to Harlem Hurry, get on, now, it's coming Listen to those rails a-thrumming (All Aboard!)

Get on the A Train Soon you will be on Sugar Hill in Harlem

Tota pulchra es - M ​ aurice Duruflé Text: Trad. Catholic Prayer

Tota pulchra es, Maria.

You are all beautiful, Mary,

Et macula originalis non est in Te.

and the original stain [spot] (of sin) is not in you.

Tu gloria Ierusalem.

You are the glory of Jerusalem,

Tu laetitia Israel.

you are the joy of Israel,

Tu honorificentia populi nostri.

you give honour to our people.

Tu advocata peccatorum.

You are an advocate of sinners.

O Maria, O Maria.

O Mary,

Virgo prudentissima.

Virgin most intelligent,

Mater clementissima.

Mother most merciful.

Ora pro nobis.

Pray for us,

Intercede pro nobis.

Plead for us,

Ad Dominum Iesum Christum.

To the Lord Jesus Christ.

Geistliches Lied​ - Johannes Brahms Text: Paul Flemming Laß dich nur nichts nicht dauren mit Trauren, sei stille, wie Gott es fügt, so sei vergnügt mein Wille!

Do not be sorrowful or regretful; Be calm, as God has ordained, and thus my will shall be content.

Was willst du heute sorgen auf morgen?

Der Eine steht allem für, der gibt auch dir das Deine.

What do you want to worry about from day to day?

There is One who stands above all who gives you, too, what is yours.

Sei nur in allem Handel ohn Wandel, steh feste, was Gott beschleußt, das ist und heißt das Beste.

Amen

Only be steadfast in all you do, stand firm; what God has decided, that is and must be the best.

Amen

The Giving Tree​ - Assaf Gleizner Text: Shel Silverstein

Peace/War - ​Daniel Zlatkin (Music and Text) "My composition is a bizarre nightmare. A chorus expresses statements of peace and war, but at various moments is interrupted by more sinister musical gestures; a trumpet, representing Death, acts as an interlocutor in the work.

Nothing is stable for long. I was inspired to write this work from the tension and uncertainty of the world order in 2018."

peace war

peace and war

fighting your battles to win the war fighting your battles to win wars we fight your battles to win we they fight your battles to win the war

peace war

peace and war

fighting your battles to win the war fighting your battles to win wars we fight your battles to win they we fight your battles to win the war

peace War Dieu! qu’il la fait bon regarder​ f​ rom ​Trois Chansons - C ​ laude Debussy Text: Charles, Duc d'Orléans

Dieu! qu'il la fait bon regarder La gracieuse bonne et belle;

Pour les grans biens que sont en elle Chascun est prest de la loüer.

Qui se pourroit d'elle lasser?

Tousjours sa beauté renouvelle.

Dieu! qu'il la fait bon regarder La gracieuse bonne et belle!

Par de ça ne de là, la mer Ne scay dame ne damoiselle Qui soit en tous bien parfais telle.

C'est ung songe que d'i penser: Dieu! qu'il la fait bon regarder!

dominic has a doll - ​Vincent Persichetti dominic has

a doll wired to the radiator of his ZOOM DOOM

icecoalwood truck a

wistful little clown whom somebody buried

upsidedown in an ashbarrel so

of course dominic took him home

& mrs dominic washed his sweet

dirty face & mended his bright torn trousers(quite

as if he were really her &

she but)& so that

’s how dominic has a doll

& every now & then my wonderful friend dominic depaola

gives me a most tremendous hug

knowing i feel that

we & worlds

are less alive than dolls &

dream

Qing Yi​ - Yangfan Xu

This piece is based on three excerpts of Qingyi singing from Chinese opera.

The Qingyi are the Prima Donnas, or “leading ladies,” of Chinese traditional opera. Their roles showcase colorful female characters from diverse backgrounds—they may be rich or poor, young or middle age, valiant and celebrated, or shamed and victimized.

The hallmark of Qingyi singing is the piercing vocal quality of a very high-pitched, nasal tone.

“Xing Lu” (On the Way) from “Su “My Gui Ying Gua Shuai”—

“Li Hua Song” (Song of the pear

i Jie”—

Mu Gui Ying is one of the most

flowers) from “Imperial Noble

Su San is a prostitute in the Ming

legendary female generals in

Consort Yang”:

Dynasty accused of murder and

Chinese military history. Here she

Yang Guifei is an Emperor’s

sentenced to prison. Her lover

is about to embark on yet another consort during the Tang Dynasty.

Wang believes fiercely in her

war campaign; she declares her

She tells of the numb, lonely

innocence and finally helps to

absolute confidence in final

existence that is her life as one of

exonerate her before the judge.

victory against the enemy.

the Emperor’s countless wives.

Once free, she roams the streets, telling her story to anyone who will listen.

TEXTS:

苏三起解，行路 Su San Qi Jie, Xing Lu

I'm Su San departing the Hongdong Town

苏三离了洪桐县，将身来在大街前。 Su San Li Liao Hong Tong Xian,

I am in front of the street alone,

Jiang Shen Lai Zai Da Jie Qian

I haven't spoken for my grieved heart

未曾开言我心内惨，过往的君子听我言。 Wei Ceng Kai Yan Wo Xin Nei Can,

Oh people who is passing by,

Guo Wang Di Jun Zi Ting Wo Yan.

would you please listen to me!

哪一位去往南京转与我那三郎把信传。

whoever is dropping by Nanjing Town

(...)Ba Xin Chuan!

Could you take a message to Sanlang, my beloved?

穆桂英挂帅 西皮流水板

The sound of gold percussion and horns evoked my ambitions and broke the gates of heaven.

Mu Gui Ying Gua Shuai

..., my sword can tame a million soldiers!

猛听得金鼓响画角声震，唤起我破天门壮志凌云。

..., 我一剑能挡百万的兵！

Meng Ting De Jin Gu Xiang Hua Jue Sheng Zhen,

Huan Qi Wo Po Tian Men Zhuang Zhi Ling Yun.

(...)

Wo Yi Jian Neng Dang Bai Wan Di Bing!

大唐贵妃，梨花颂

梨花开，春带雨，梨花落，春入泥。

Li Hua Kai, Chun Dai Yu, Li Hua Luo, Chun Ru Ni.

Pear flowers blossom, rain in Spring, Pear flowers

此生只为一人去，道他君王情也痴。

all,

Ci Sheng Zhi Wei Yi Ren Qu, Dao Ta Jun Wang Qing My life is to one person, all my passion and love, for Ye Chi.

the man who is the bearer of all people.

Now I am Become - ​Brian M. Rosen - In memory of Marie ''Reason" Siegenthaler (1988-2018) Text: Interpolated from the Bhagavad Gita by Brian M Rosen

This piece is dedicated to Marie Siegenthaler who was killed in a motorcycle accident a few months ago.

Summary: Arjuna is traveling to battle, along with his cousin and mentor, Krishna. Krishna has been explaining the nature of all things to Arjuna, informing him that Krishna is actually the god of all gods. Arjuna asks Krishna to show him his "universal form". Krishna complies, revealing all of existence contained within his body.

Arjuna is both awestruck and terrified. Krishna explains to Arjuna that in this form he is time, that which ends all things.

(Arjuna asks Krishna to show him his "infinite form")

I seek the beginning I seek the middle I seek the end

Oh source of all there is to know Oh you who opened my eyes Who granted me the power To comprehend The beginning and ending Of all living things

Oh you who binds us to all that exists Who holds the knowledge of all that will be If you believe I am able to see Reveal to me the vision of your infinite self

(Krishna shows his infinite form)

Look now and see eternity A multitude of shapes and colors different and divine All that exists moving and still All you could imagine is manifest in my body

(Arjuna is terrified at the sight)

I see the light of one thousand suns

I see within you everyone With countless arms and endless eyes (​cont.)

The sun the moon All space in between A vision too hard to behold Your mouth of fire and terrible teeth Consuming all living things They tremble in terror And sing of your greatness Their heads smashed between your terrible teeth

A river of people Rushing like moths to their own destruction in your Wide open mouth Your tongue of fire scorching the universe Your blazing eyes fill me with fear and dread

I find no beginning I find no middle I find no end

Tell me who you are I want to understand I cannot comprehend this work

(Krishna comforts Arjuna)

Now I am become time, destroyer of worlds Engaged in the ending of all that is Even without you those who remain to struggle will cease to exist Now they have already died by my hand Now I am become death, destroyer of worlds Engaged in the ending of all that is Be you not afraid yet be not confused At seeing this terrible awful truth, As hard as it is to behold, That only by purest devotion and unswerving love May it be seen

There is no beginning There is no middle There is no end