PRESENT
7:00 PM, Saturday, January 18th, 2020, St. Nicholas Church Brooklyn, NY
IF I LEFT THE ZOO TOUR Choral Chameleon Ensemble Vince Peterson, Founding Artistic Director Singers Kelly Baxter Golding Annie Beliveau Mia Farinelli Matthew Finkel Kameron Ghanavati Jared Graveley Rod Hines Tegan Miller Vince Peterson Molly Rabuffo Matt Robbins Alyssa Venora Artistic Director’s Message Dearest Friends, After 9/11, my father told me that he was sure I’d write a patriotic piece as a response to the terrible events of that day. I assured him that patriotism was “not my style” and that I couldn’t see myself using my music as a platform for that expression. Eventually, he proved (once again) that, in some ways, he knew me better than myself. I wrote a duet for viola and baritone using a text by Mary Elizabeth Frye, “Do not stand at my grave and weep.” The point of it was to assert that even death could not separate us from each other and the love we’d spent a lifetime forging and that when we lose someone important to us, they become closer to us than they could ever be on earth. Then, in what seemed like a flash, I looked up one day and sang it in memory of my Dad at a concert immediately following his passing. The expression, “You never know what you have until it’s gone” comes to mind.
Many people are saying that our country is more polarized than ever. I have friends who threaten to move away and renounce their American citizenship. They use social media platforms to announce that they’re “leaving the zoo.” I also have friends who believe in their very bones that America is in the best shape it’s ever been. Being from California, I have friends and even people in my immediate family who have already taken part in the “mass exodus” from my home state in protest of the changes being made there by a progressive democratic governor. I’ve lived in New York for almost fifteen years, and I feel like a stranger when I visit my hometown of San Francisco. Yet, a piece of my spirit is indelibly linked to that place. It’s part of my DNA, so to speak, just as my being an American. I would not be the same person I am today if I’d grown up in another country. Therefore, if I deny my Americanness, I also reject a significant part of who I am - and I’m not willing to do that because I like myself just as I am! “If I left the zoo,” I’d take a journey and have many rich experiences far different from those that formed me. No matter how I’d try to run away, though, I’d always find myself right there - back where I started. In Lauren Bydalek’s extraordinarily wise words, I’d have “left pieces of my heart all across the world...just to find where I come from.” That’s what this music is about. Preparing to sing it for you has also been a formative, life-affirming experience for us. All of us in the human race are the animals in an ark navigating the thrashing waters in which it still floats. If you call it a zoo sometimes, that’s fine. I call it a family - one where we all have a safe place at the table, weathering the storms of life together. Sincerely, Vince Peterson
PROGRAM What Is Our Life?
Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625)
Prayers from the Ark
Ivor R. Davies (1901-1970)
I. Noah’s Prayer The Prayer of the Little Bird III. The Prayer of the Cat IV. The Prayer of the Mouse V. The Prayer of the Raven VI. The Prayer of the Dove
II.
Save The Country
Laura Nyro, Arr. Billy Childs
Adaptation commissioned for this program in 2019 Adapted by Matt Robbins
Aphorisms of the Zookeeper
Edward Thompson
Commissioned for this program in 2019 I. Alligators II. Bird in Hand III. Talk to Animals
Pieces of My Heart
Lauren Bydalek
Premiered by Choral Chameleon in 2018
Selections from the following: Blackbird
Lennon & McCartney Arr. Daryl Runswick
Hallelujah
Leonard Cohen Arr. Vince Peterson Commissioned by Chanticleer 2015
This concert is performed without intermission.
TEXTS WHAT IS OUR LIFE? Text by Sir Walter Raleigh, 1614 What is our life? A play of passion. Our mirth the music of division. Our mothers’ wombs the ’tiring houses be, Where we are dressed for this short comedy. Heav’n the judicious sharp spectator is, That sits and marks still who doth act amiss. Our graves that hide us from the searching sun Are like drawn curtains when the play is done. Thus march we, playing, to our latest rest, Only we die in earnest, that’s no jest.
PRAYERS FROM THE ARK Text by Carmen Bernos de Gasztold, 1947 Translated by Rumer Godden, 1962 1. Noah’s Prayer Lord, what a menagerie! Between Your downpour and these animal cries, One cannot hear oneself think! The days are long, Lord. All this water makes my heart sink. When will the ground cease to rock under my feet? The days are long. Master Raven has not come back. Here is Your dove. Will she find us a twig of hope? The days are long, Lord. Guide Your Ark to safety, some zenith of rest,
Where we can escape at last from this brute slavery. The days are long, Lord. Lead me until I reach the shore of Your covenant. Amen. 2. The Prayer of the Little Bird Dear God, I don’t know how to pray by myself very well, But will You please protect my little nest from wind and rain? Put a great deal of dew on the flowers, many seeds in my way. Make Your blue very high, Your branches lissom. Let Your kind light stay late in the sky And set my heart brimming with such music that I must sing, sing, sing... Please, Lord. Amen. 3. The Prayer of the Cat Lord, I am the cat. It is not exactly that I have something to ask of you! No—I ask nothing of anyone— But, if You have by some chance, in some celestial barn, A little white mouse, or a saucer of milk, I know someone who would relish them. Wouldn’t You like someday to put a curse on the whole race of dogs? If so I should say Amen.
4. The Prayer of the Mouse I am so little and grey, dear God, How can You keep me in mind? Always spied upon, always chased. Nobody ever gives me anything, And I nibble meagrely at life. Why do they reproach me with being a mouse? Who made me but You? I only ask to stay hidden. Give me my hunger’s pittance Safe from the claws of that devil with green eyes. Amen. 5. The Prayer of the Raven I believe, Lord, I believe! It is faith that saves us, You have said it! I believe the world was made for me, Because as it dies I thrive on it. My undertaker’s black is in keeping with my cynical old heart. Raven land is between You And that life down there, for whose end I wait to gratify myself. “Aha!” I cry. “Avant moi le déluge!” What a feast! I shall never go back to the Ark! To the Ark… Oh! let it die in me— This horrible nostalgia. Amen.
6. The Prayer of the Dove The Ark waits, Lord, The Ark waits on Your will, And the sign of your peace. I am the dove, Simple as the sweetness that comes from You. The Ark waits, Lord; It has endured. Let me carry it a sprig of hope and joy, And put, at the heart of its forsakenness, This, in which your love clothes me, Grace immaculate. Amen. SAVE THE COUNTRY Text by Laura Nyro Come on, people Come on, children, Come on down to the glory river Gon’ wash you up Gon’ wash you down Gonna lay the devil down Gonna lay that devil down Come on, people, Come on, children, There’s a king at the glory river And the precious king, he loved the people to sing Babes in the blinking sun sang “we shall overcome” I got fury in my soul Fury’s gonna take me to the glory goal In my mind, I won’t study war no more
Save the people Save the children Save the country We shall overcome We shall overcome We shall overcome someday Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe That we shall overcome some day Come on, people, Sons and mothers, Keep the dream of the two young brothers I’m gonna take that dream and ride that dove We could build a dream with love We could build a dream with love, I know We can build a dream with love APHORISMS OF THE ZOOKEEPER 1. Alligators Text anonymous When I’m up to my neck in alligators all day, Then I remember that my intention was to drain the swamp. 2. Bird in Hand Aphorism Bird in hand is worth two in bush. 3. Talk to Animals Text by A. A. Milne, 1926 Some people talk to animals. Not many listen though. That’s the problem.
PIECES OF MY HEART Text by Lauren Bydalek
BLACKBIRD Text by Lennon & McCartney
I have left pieces of my heart All across the world And I have been working my whole life Just to leave where I've come from
Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take these broken wings and learn to fly All your life You were only waiting for this moment to arise
Searching for answers To the questions I didn't know Craving freedom From the black and white routine Some have the path fall before them Some are caught, entangled Venturing to make a way In a journey not foreseen And now that I've wandered a distance away I don't even know where I'd go Besides the places that I've been Or the one the I call home Taking for granted The wide open spaces Ignoring the sky Brimming with kaleidoscope sunsets I have left pieces of my heart All across the world But they're not left in the places I've been They're with the people I've met
Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take these sunken eyes and learn to see All your life You were only waiting for this moment to be free Blackbird, fly Blackbird, fly Into the light of a dark, black night
HALLELUJAH Text by Leonard Cohen I heard there was a secret chord That David played, and it pleased the Lord But you don’t really care for music, do you? Well, it goes like this, the fourth, the fifth, The minor fall, the major lift, The baffled king composing Hallelujah! Your faith was strong but you needed proof You saw her bathing on the roof Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you She tied you to her kitchen chair, She broke your throne and cut your hair And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah!
Well, there was a time you let me know What’s really going on below But now you never show that to me, do you? But remember when I moved in you, The holy dove was moving too, And every breath we drew was Hallelujah? I did my best; it wasn’t much I couldn’t feel; I tried to touch I’ve told the truth; I didn’t come to fool you And even though it all went wrong, I’ll stand before the Lord of Song With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah
BIOS Choral Chameleon Ensemble The core of Choral Chameleon, the Ensemble, represent the best combination of musicianship and diversity of musical backgrounds in NYC. They are fearless pioneers in the world of new choral music and adventurous programming, and they are honored to bring Choral Chameleon’s signature experience to audiences beyond the City. The Ensemble has been described as ‘stellar’ by National Sawdust Log, and in a recent performance of Philip Glass’ Madrigal Opera, the New York Times described the performance as ‘weightless...the music unfolded in contemplative beauty, with the juxtaposition of the instruments’ throaty individuality and the even-tempered coolness of the voices’. Founded in New York in 2008 by Artistic Director Vince Peterson, Choral Chameleon has expanded to encompass a semi-professional Chorus of 50+ and an annual week-long Summer Institute for composers and conductors. Choral Chameleon is known for championing new music for voices, programming multiple musical genres together and for frequently presenting programs with non-traditional staging. In its first 12.5 Seasons, the choirs have premiered over 170 original compositions and arrangements to date. The culture of the organization marries informality, loving support, and joyful curiosity, with the expectation of solidly technical musicianship, constant learning and openness towards the unexpected. Examiner.com said of the ensemble: “It is…a great credit to the musicians of Choral Chameleon and especially their director, Vince Peterson, that the group can so superbly and aptly tackle new works of varying aesthetic proclivities, perform each idiomatically, and yet not compromise its particular sound…” Honors include: ★ 2018 Chorus America Louis Botto Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Zeal (awarded to Founding Artistic Director Vince Peterson) ★ 2017-2018 Group in Residence at National Sawdust ★ 2015 Chorus America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming Follow us @choralchameleon on Instagram & Twitter, /choralchameleon on Facebook, and choralchameleon.com.
Founding Artistic Director, Vince Peterson is a known choral music influencer in the United States. His 20-year career as a composer, conductor, and keyboardist spans the worlds of choruses, theater, liturgy, and music education. He has received critical acclaim and numerous awards and honors including a prestigious 2015 ASCAP Adventurous Programming Award. He has commissioned and premiered over 200 choral and theater works to date. Under his leadership, Choral Chameleon was named the first vocal ensemble in residence at National Sawdust. His own compositions have been commissioned frequently by notable groups, including eight popular choral arrangements for the multi-Grammy® award-winning ensemble Chanticleer. The New York Times called Peterson "authoritative beyond his… years," and The San Francisco Chronicle called his work “...hard to top.” He holds degrees in Music Composition and Choral Conducting from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Mannes College of Music in New York City. In 2018, he received The Louis Botto Award for Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal from Chorus America, an honor he shares with only 15 of the most influential choral conductors in the United States.
Performers Kelly Baxter Golding has experience in styles ranging from original notation chant to new music, but her passion is for small ensemble singing and the early repertoire, particularly Renaissance and Baroque. A native of Canada, Kelly spent many years studying in Japan, and was a member of Tokyo’s Bach Collegium Japan (Masaaki Suzuki) when it launched its acclaimed cantata recording series. She is proud to be a founding member of Choral Chameleon.
Annie Beliveau is a versatile musician raised in Vermont. She is an avid performer of early and contemporary music, especially in consort and chamber arrangements. She also enjoys directing vocal groups and teaching theory and musicianship. Annie’s compositions have been heard on VPR Classical radio and on the most recent international tour of the Middlebury College Choir. She currently studies traditional Bulgarian singing.
Mia Farinelli is a recent graduate from Stanford University, where she has sung roles like Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus, the Countess in Le nozze di Figaro, and Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni. She is also an accomplished knitter.
Matthew Finkel is originally from metropolitan Detroit. He received his BA from the University of Michigan in 2009 and JD Law from Brooklyn Law School
in 2012. He studied vocal performance with Eugene Branstrom and has been a member of multiple performance groups in Michigan and New York City. Matthew enjoys all genres of choral music and is elated to be performing with Vince Peterson and the talented members of Choral Chameleon.
Kameron Ghanavati is a native of Ocean City, NJ and is an active performer in both the choral and opera scenes and is praised for his stylistic versatility. He studied with renowned tenor Robert Swensen while at Eastman School of Music and developed a passion for both Baroque and New Music during his studies. Kameron has premiered new works with Opera Ithaca, Eastman School of Music, and now Choral Chameleon. He has also been part of various projects that uncover rarely performed works in the operatic oeuvre. When not on the stage, Kameron remains as an advocate for musical outreach in the community.
Jared Graveley is a singer, conductor and arranger who has recently moved to New York City. Before this chapter, Jared spent his time at the University of Connecticut, studying music, and on Cape Cod, directing the professional a cappella group Hyannis Sound.
Rod Hines has a budding career in classical music. He recently completed an M.M. in Vocal Performance from Georgia State University, where he performed the operatic roles of Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, Peter in Hansel and Gretel, and Masetto in Don Giovanni. He was a featured soloist in the opera Silent Night by Kevin Puts, during the 2017-18 season of The Atlanta Opera.
Tegan Miller is a versatile singer as well as a Music Director, Conductor, and Voice Teacher based in NYC. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Kentucky and is currently pursuing her Masters in Choral Conducting from Simpson College. In addition to a lifetime career as a choral singer, Tegan has also toured the country as a musical theatre actress and also enjoys singing and writing silly songs with her husband. Tegan is currently Assistant Conductor of Choral Chameleon.
Molly Rabuffo is a Massachusetts-grown singer based in Brooklyn, NY. She holds a Bachelor of Music degrees from The Hartt School at the University of Hartford in Vocal Performance and Music Management, and currently works in Corporate Sponsorships with the New York Philharmonic. Molly is also a sound healing practitioner and singer/songwriter under the moniker “Maura”. She is an active proponent for using music and sound as a catalyst for self-expression, social commentary, and transformation.
Matt Robbins is a jazz pianist, vocalist, songwriter and graduate of the Manhattan School of Music jazz studies program. Since graduating, he has been active in the NYC area, playing, singing, arranging, and otherwise collaborating with artists of widely varying styles. Discovering Choral Chameleon has been a wonderful opportunity to focus on the joy of ensemble singing. He is so very honored to be involved with this tremendous group of musicians.
Alyssa Venora is a Brooklyn-based singer and graduate of the Neag School of Education of The University of Connecticut. In her time at UCONN, Alyssa performed in a myriad of vocal and instrumental ensembles and worked toward a Master’s in Music Education. She currently teaches elementary general music in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Alyssa is honored to be a member of the Choral Chameleon ensemble and delighted to work in collaboration with such fine musicians.
COMING UP The International Street Cannibals 6:00 PM Saturday, February 15th St. Francis of Paola Church 219 Conselyea Street Brooklyn, NY 11211 The International Street Cannibals play a program of Baroque favorites: including J.S. Bach’ Wedding Cantata and Ich Habe Genug, along with Marcello’s Oboe Concerto in C-minor – featuring soprano soprano, Lynn Norris; baritone, Anthony Turner; and oboist John Frisch.
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@dmpconcertseries, for more info.
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council
This program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.