PRESENTS
VINCE PETERSON, FOUNDING DIRECTOR Saturday, April 12, 2014, 8:00 pm John Street Methodist Church 44 John Street New York, NY
Sunday, April 13, 2014, 5:00 pm St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 199 Carroll Street Brooklyn, NY
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Welcome one and all to Raindance! This spring, something new is in the air here at Choral Chameleon. Our family is growing and positive changes are afoot. We are beginning to understand much more about the place of this important company of singers in the world. Raindance is about many things for me, but the most important of them are renewal, regeneration, and rituals surrounding the natural cycle of life. I know it sounds really deep, but if I were to put it in black and white, doing this concert is about having the slate wiped clean and starting fresh every once in awhile. Most of us have felt at one time or another that we’ve been dealt a bad hand when a good hand would have been more convenient. Sometimes, people get so inundated with bad hands that the only thing left to do is to reboot and regenerate from the ground up. The reality, however, is that the earth does this constantly — year after year. Therefore, the metaphorical answers to our self‐perceived plights are always right under our noses — observable before our eyes in the world around us. If music can play a role in our understanding of all of this, then I’m sure that what you will hear in this concert falls in line with that. We consider it our honor and our privilege to bring it to you this weekend. The rain, although often wet and cold and bothersome, is something to celebrate because it wipes the slate clean and gives us a fresh start over and over again. Likewise, after every winter must come spring. So we are always able to look forward to something brighter, warmer, and newer in our lives. Thanks for being here. We really appreciate it! As ever, Vince Peterson
RAINDANCE
Spring Rain
Chen Yi (b. 1953)
Tien Kung Lok Sui
arr. Philip Lawson (b. 1957)
Look to This Day
Doug McConnell (2005)
You Will Reap What You Sow
Pepper Choplin (2012)
soloist: Michelle Colodonato
Love
Edward Elgar (1857‐1934)
Beautiful City
Stephen Schwartz (b. 1948)
Cloudburst
Eric Whitacre (b. 1970) soloists: Emma Teitelbaum, Kirsten Wood
INTERMISSION Now is the Month of Maying
Thomas Morley (1557‐1602)
You are the New Day
arr. Peter Knight (1917‐1985)
Giver *+
Liz Hannah (b. 1988)
Rain *+
arr. John Prince (b. 1961)
Blessed Be the Flower That Triumphs
Elizabeth Alexander (b. 1962)
soloists: Shana Barone, Brandon Beachamp, Kathryn Squitieri
arr. Philip Lawson
Hsiao Cheng Gu She Diu Diu Tang
Home
Charlie Smalls, arr. Beck and Spresser
+ World Premiere * Commissioned by Choral Chameleon
PERFORMERS
Chameleonic Tenor Brandon Beachamp Alex Canovas Evan Crawford Marcelo Pereira Jaime Piedra Jeff Walton Bass Alan Ahles Dusty Francis Jared Leavitt John Prince Garrett Scholberg Michael Squitieri
Alto Shana Barone Cara Caponi Rose Couchon Mara Dratfield Erin Greenawald Kate Kostelc Donna Lee Catherine Olsson Boreta Singleton Emma Teitelbaum Angela Travins
Soprano Nicole Belmont Tiffany Anne Chiang Michelle Coladonato Alyssa Frank Soyoun Lim Diana Russo Kathryn Squitieri Parade Stone Traci Tournoux Amy Waschenfelder Kirsten W0od Jessica Wong
Vince Peterson, Founding Director and Conductor Alex Canovas and Evan Crawford, Associate Conductors
TEXTS & TRANSLATIONS
Spring Rain
Happy rain comes in time, When spring is in its prime. With night breeze it will fall, and quietly moisten all. Clouds darken wild roads, Light brightens a little boat. Saturated at dawn, with flowers blooming the town. text: Du Fu (712‐770) , trans. Chen Yi
Chen Yi (b. 1953)
Tien Kung Lok Sui
tien kung (a) lok sui (a) a moi (a) dai den tso mo loi to hang sui bien hang sui (a) ching yo ching ng e tai te sui chung e chiu loi chiu hi kon do (a) a moi (a) zing yiu zing tsing chong am siong m gam kong chiang mo na moi nyin (a) siong oi tui sung (a) nan ya nan text: Du Fu (712‐770) , trans. Chen Yi
Look to This Day
arr. Philip Lawson (b. 1957) The rain is falling from the sky. A girl wearing a straw hat arrives at the riverside. The river is clean and clear. There are fish swimming about in the water. A boy sees the beautiful girl. He secretly desires her, but doesn’t dare tell her. The boy doesn’t have a matchmaker. So for them to be a couple would be very difficult.
Doug McConnell (2005)
Look to this day! For it is life, the very life of life. In its brief course lie all the verities and realities of your existence. For yesterday is but a dream, and tomorrow is only a vision; But today, well‐lived, makes Yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope. text: attrib. Kalidasa (c. 400 BCE)
You Will Reap What You Sow What you sow, you will reap, reap what you sow. What you plant in your life will surely grow. And what you grow with love will surely bloom, and the fruit of your labor will come back to you. Do not tire from doing good and never give up when the road gets rough. For one day soon from the good you’ve done a great reward you'll see when the harvest comes.
Pepper Choplin (2012)
What you sow, you will reap, reap what you sow. What you plant in your life will surely keep until you achieve the things you’re striving for, and you’ll taste the joy of your reward. text: Pepper Chopin
Love (Op. 18, No.2)
Edward Elgar (1857‐1934)
Like the rosy northern glow Flushing on a moonless night Where the world is level snow, In my time of outer gloom Thou didst come, a tender lure; Thou, when life was but a tomb, Beamedst pure. Thus I looked to heav’n again, Yearning up with eager eyes, As sunflow’rs after dreary rain Drink the skies. Oh glow on and brighter glow, Let me ever gaze on thee, Lest I lose warm hope and so Cease to be. text: Arthur Maquarie (1874‐1955)
Beautiful City Out of the ruins and rubble Out of the smoke Out of our night of struggle Can we see a ray of hope? One pale thin ray reaching for the day We can build a beautiful city Yes, we can; Yes, we can We can build a beautiful city Not a city of angels But we can build a city of man We may not reach the ending But we can start Slowly but truly mending
Stephen Schwartz (b. 1948)
Brick by brick, heart by heart Now, maybe now We start learning how When your trust is all but shattered When your faith is all but killed You can give up, bitter and battered Or you can slowly start to build A beautiful city Yes, we can; Yes, we can We can build a beautiful city Not a city of angels But finally a city of man. text: Stephen Schwartz
Cloudburst
Eric Whitacre (b. 1970)
El cántaro roto
The broken water‐jar
La lluvia…
The rain…
Ojos de agua de sombra, ojos de agua de pozo ojos de agua de sueño.
Eyes of shadow‐water, eyes of well‐water, eyes of dream‐water.
Soles azules, verdes remolinos, picos de luz que abren astros como granadas.
Blue suns, green whirlwinds, birdbeaks of light pecking open pomegranate stars.
Dime, tierra quemada, no hay agua? hay sólo sangre, solo hay polvo, solo pisadas de pies desnudos sobre la espina?
But tell me, burnt earth, is there no water? Only blood, only dust, only naked footsteps on the thorns?
La lluvia despierta…
The rain awakens…
Hay que dormir con los ojos abiertos, hay que sonar con les manos, soñemos sueños activos de río buscando su cauce, sueños de sol soñando sus mundos, hay que sonar en voz alta hay que cantar hasta que el canto eche raíces, tronco, ramas, pájaros, Astros hay que desenterrar la palabra perdida, recordar lo que dicen la sangre y la marea, le tierra y el cuerpo, volver al punto de partida… text: Octavio Paz (1914‐1998)
We must sleep with open eyes, we must dream with our hands, we must dream the dreams of a river seeking its course, of the sun dreaming its worlds, we must dream aloud, we must sing till the song puts forth roots, trunk, branches, birds, stars, we must find the lost word, and remember what the blood, the tides, the earth, and the body say, and return to the point of departure... translated by Lysander Kemp
Now is the Month of Maying
Thomas Morley (1557‐1602)
Now is the month of Maying, When merry lads are playing, Fa la la. Each with his bonny lass Upon the greeny grass, Fa la la. The Spring, clad all in gladness, Doth laugh at Winter’s sadness, Fa la la. And to the bagpipe’s sound The nymphs tread out their ground, Fa la la. Fie then! why sit we musing Youth’s sweet delight refusing? Fa la la. Say, dainty nymphs, and speak, Shall we play Barley‐break? Fa la la. text: Thomas Morley
You are the New Day I will love you more than me And more than yesterday If you can but prove to me You are the new day
Send the sun in time for dawn Let the birds all hail the morning Love of life will urge me say You are the new day
When I lay me down at night Knowing we must pay Thoughts occur that this night might Stay yesterday
Thoughts that we as humans small Could slow worlds and end it all Lie around me where they fall Before the new day
One more day when time is running out For everyone Like a breath I knew would come I reach for The new day
Hope is my philosophy Just needs days in which to be Love of life means hope for me Borne on a new day
You are the new day text: John David (b. 1946)
arr. Peter Knight (1917‐1985)
Giver
Liz Hannah (b. 1988)
I saw you first without your leaves, Giver; The record of your upward climb splayed above me like all the love in the world. If anyone understands sleeping and waking, it’s you. text: Liz Hanna (b. 1988)
Rain
arr. John Prince (b. 1961)
When the rain comes they run and hide their heads. They might as well be dead. When the rain comes, when the rain comes. When the sun shines they slip into the shade (When the sun shines). And sip their lemonade. (When the sun shines). When the sun shines, when the sun shines. Rain, I don't mind. Shine, the weather's fine. I can show you that when it starts to rain, (When the Rain comes). Everything's the same. (When the Rain comes). I can show you, I can show you. Rain, I don't mind. Shine, the weather's fine. Can you hear me, that when it rains and shines, (When it Rains and shines.) It's just a state of mind? (When it rains and shines.) Can you hear me, can you hear me? text: John Lennon (1940‐1980)
Blessed Be the Flower That Triumphs Blessed be the flower that triumphs Over the snows, over thorns, over withered stems, Over windswept mountains, deserts cruel and dry. Blessed be the flower that triumphs. Blessed be the flower that triumphs Over the wars, over change, over the centuries, Over the barbed wire fences, soldier’s heavy feet. Blessed be the flower that triumphs. That triumphs over Well‐meaning hands ever gathering,
Elizabeth Alexander (b. 1962)
Over small closed rooms, with their vases hard and cold. Over vain words of priests and poets’ pens, And attempts to domesticate its wild, wild Truth. Blessed be the flower that triumphs Over past, over death, over silences, Enduring beyond iron, beyond tears, beyond severed root, And restoring to all things their joyful smallness. Blessed be the flower that triumphs at last. text: Michael de Vernon Boblett (2007)
Hsiao Cheng Gu She hsiao cheng gu she duo chong man his he le ruo she ni tao hsiao cheng lai shou huo te bie duo tan di tan shuo di shuo hsiao cheng gu she zhen bu tsuo ching ni di pung you I chi lai hsiao cheng lai tzuo ke
arr. Philip Lawson There are many stories in the small town, full of joy and happiness. If you ever come to this small town, you will hear many more. Talk about it; rave about it. The stories of the small town are very enjoyable. Ask your friends to come along and be our guest in the small town.
Diu Diu Tang
diu, diu diu…. Drip, drip, drip…. huei chia gia kao i to a ma i to The train is coming (chugga‐chugga) diu ai yu bong kang lai through the tunnel. bong kang ei tsui i to The water droplets from the roof diu diu diu tang (drip, drip, plop, chugga‐chugga) i to a ma i to diu a i to di lou lai are falling down. Texts: Hakka and Mandarin Chinese folk songs
Home
Charlie Smalls, arr. Beck and Spresser
When I think of home I think of a place where there’s love overflowing I wish I was home I wish I was back there with the things I been knowing Wind that makes the tall trees bend into leaning Suddenly the raindrops that fall have a meaning Sprinklin’ the scene, makes it all clean
Suddenly my world has changed its face But I still know where I’m going I have had my mind spun around in space And yet I’ve watched it growing If you're list’ning God Please don't make it hard to know If we should believe the things that we see Tell us, should we run away Should we try and stay Or would it be better just to let things be? Living here, in this brand new world Might be a fantasy But it taught me to love So it’s real, real to me And I’ve learned That we must look inside Our hearts to find A world full of love Like yours and mine There’s no place like home! text: Charlie Smalls (1943‐1987)
VINCE PETERSON, FOUNDING DIRECTOR
Vince Peterson is a Brooklyn‐based composer, conductor, and keyboardist. He is the founder of the critically‐acclaimed vocal ensemble Choral Chameleon, which is now in its sixth year, and which has made significant strides in modern choral music. In 2012, he founded Chameleonic. The New York Times called Peterson “authoritative beyond his years,” and The Brooklyn Eagle praised his concert programming as “a stunning symphony of the spiritual and secular”, while hailing him as a solo performer “with depth and vigor” who “provided a universal context which resonated with his audience.” Commissioners and distinguished performers of his compositions include Cantori New York, The Monmouth Civic Chorus, Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts, The San Francisco Arts Education Project, and the multi‐ Grammy® award winning ensemble Chanticleer, among others. His works have been performed in major concert halls including Chicago Symphony Hall, San Francisco's War Memorial Opera House, Bela Bartok National Concert Hall in Budapest, and New York’s own Metropolitan Museum of Art. His arrangement of Tom Waits’ “Temptation"“ was called “hard to top” by the San Francisco Chronicle and was recently performed live on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion”. He was recently named composer‐in‐residence for Ars Musica. Not limiting his work to choral music, Peterson is a seasoned orchestral and musical theater conductor and coach. Productions he has musically directed include The Wiz, Into the Woods (Regional), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Oklahoma!, Little Shop of Horrors, The Last Five Years (San Francisco Premiere), The Light in the Piazza, and Tamar and the River (a | new collaboration between Choral Chameleon and The New York Theater Barn ‐ premiered in March, 2013 as part of Choral Chameleon's fifth anniversary season). He was the original music director of Mac® Award‐
Winner Cait Doyle's critically‐acclaimed show, “Hot Mess in Manhattan”, which famed music director Paul Schaffer called “hilarious, with musical perfection.” In addition to this work, he also serves as Organist and Choirmaster of St. Paul's Carroll Street in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, where he directs a thriving volunteer‐based music program and curates an annual concert series; and the Lycée Français de New York as Director of Primary School Choirs. He holds a BMus in Composition from The San Francisco Conservatory of Music and a double MM in Composition and Choral Conducting from Mannes College of Music in Manhattan. He has also studied abroad in Paris at La Schola Cantorum and L’École Normale de Musique. He has been most fortunate to work with some of today’s foremost composition and conducting teachers, including David Loeb, David Conte, Mark Shapiro, Philip Lasser, Vance George, and his mentor and teacher: celebrated composer Conrad Susa.
CHAMELEONIC
The voices of CHAMELEONIC represent all five boroughs of New York City and a beautiful tapestry of cultural and musical backgrounds. Chameleonic was founded to break ground in choral music practice for avocational musicians. It is uniquely co‐led by Artistic Director, Vince Peterson, and an ever‐changing roster of assistant conductors, each of whom give unique and varied perspectives on interpretation, style, and rehearsal tech‐ nique. The group seeks to cultivate seasoned choral singers in the greater NYC area who possess exemplary openness to amalgamated programming and strong singing and music reading techniques. Its concerts, in trademark Choral Chameleon fashion, combine unlimited styles of singing and musical genres to build bridges between the old and the new, the popular and the obscure, the spiritual and the secular. They address real human themes that are relevant to people's lives in this day and age. www.ChoralChameleon.com
OUR MISSION AND VISION Our Mission: The mission of Choral Chameleon is to engage its listeners in a diverse and innovative musical experience through its integrative concert programming and education outreach. Our Vision: PERFORMANCE. Present distinctive musical performances of diverse repertoire combining styles and genres in new and interesting ways, honoring the voice as a unique instrument with a particular ability to reach human beings and transcend divisions of culture, nationality, gender, language, and age. COLLABORATION. Work together in performance with other musicians including choral and instrumental ensembles; and unique types of instrumentalists such as those specializing in music from a certain period or culture. Create new, innovative works with living composers of choral music, through such possible avenues as workshops, festivals, and commissions. EDUCATION. Inspire the next generation of choral singers, conductors, and composers through invitational choral festivals at the high school level; public and private workshops on technique and style; and hands‐on learning opportunities for students of choral conducting and composition. STAFF Vince Peterson, Artistic Director Brandon Beachamp, Chorus Manager Michael Weinstein‐Reiman, Director of Education LEADERSHIP TEAM Alan Ahles Cara Caponi, Fundraising Team Leader Michelle Coladonato, Concert Operations Team Leader Keith Edwards Casey Fabyanski Aaron Miner Michael Aquitieri, Social Media Team Leader Jeffery Thyer, Treasurer Catherine Torrey Traci Tourneaux, Marketing Team Leader ARTISTIC ADVISORY BOARD David Conte, Composer; San Francisco Conservatory of Music Vance George, Music Director Emeritus: San Francisco Symphony Chorus Stephen Goldstine, Consultant; Oakland School of the Arts Emily Keeler, Artistic Director: San Francisco Arts Education Project Bruce MacIntyre, Musicologist; Director: Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music Matthew Oltman, Music Director Emeritus: Chanticleer Conrad Susa, Composer: In Memoriam
THANK YOU Please help change the voice of choral music with a donation to Choral Chameleon. Your generous contribution of any amount helps us commission new music, educate future composers and conductors, challenge avocational singers and continue our innovative programming. Make your donations today at www.ChoralChameleon.com.
Our sincere thanks to the following generous contributors to our 2013 ‐ 2014 Season.
$2500 and up Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, Vance George, Alan Ahles, David Glickman, Gilford Forbes, Jacqueline C. Perez, JP Morgan Chase Foundation, Vince & Robyn Caponi
$500 to $1000 Erik Mouthaan, Bruce & Mary MacIntyre, Peter & Bebe Landis, Jessica Wong, Keith Edwards, Pat and Sal Russo, Anonymous (3)
$100 to $500 Ann Harris‐Jacobs, Jeffery R. Thyer, Patricia Newkirk, Catherine Torrey, Lynn Peterson, Mary Speers, Monika Torrey, Cathy Solomon, Matthew Oltman, Tyler W. Sargent, Dr. Prabhat Soni, Maryann Russo, NY Community Hospital Employees, Anonymous (2)
Up to $100 Nancy & James Fernandez, Tiffany Chiang, Bernice Landis, Susan J Feingold, Carol Walker, David Conte, Donald Gergel, Gwen Patterson, Mark Johnson, Maureen C Doyle, The Mulrooney Family, Vinnie Maniscalco, Daphnee Fuentevilla, Astrid CorvinBrittin, Michelle Coladonato, Rita Coladonato, Adam Ward, Alan & Helene Reiffe, Ayumi Okada, Elizabeth Hannah, Emily Keeler, Geri Travins, Ginger Karels‐Cannata, Jeffrey Parola, Katherine Zaffrann, Marni Konner, Matthew Fernandez, Michael Weinstein‐Reiman, Sean Forte, Nell B Archer, Edward Enrique, Jeremy Davidson, Scott Brown, Boreta Singleton, Carla Lother, Sue Ellen Pinnisi, Ginger Gaines, Isabel Morales, Marianna Furio, Victor Morales, Margaret Hagen, Athena Savides, Elizabeth & Brian Bronzino, Paul Rescigno, Grace Caputo, Richard D’Egidio, Eugenia Drolet, Buddy and Teresa Edwards, Arlene Figaro, Judy Kennedy, Joe and Debbie LaSelva, Margaret Lehr, David Tournoux, Cecelia Mullin, Katherine Maffai, Alex Hajjar, Joseph Caputo, Crystal Clark, Elizabeth and Brian Bronzino, Hana Mizuno, KateLynn Plotnick, Deborah Friedson, Dr. Ira Tartack, Jennipher Seccafico, Jane Pelligrini, Emily and Rocco Seccafico, Susan Tabickman, Diana Robertson, HaQuyen Pham, Jamie Ho, Jennifer Giuffre, Katy Erker, Joanne Chin, Arnt Arntzen, Pam Tournoux, Anne Seccafico, Betty Bonano, Johnny Palombo, Maryann and Diana Russo, Roseanne Campagno, Mike and Maryann Siciliano, Susan and Steve Pearl, Pearl‐Martinez Clan, Sarah and Victor Nguyen, Anthony Russo, Anna and Bob Nicks, Miranda Martinez, Rachel and Dan Frank, Ann and Dom Farber, HoM Bay Ridge, Susan D’Auria, James Corletto, Antoinette Bruno, Evan Crawford, Liz Hanna, Lynne and Lou Frank, Nancy Collazo, Nancy and Ira Shankman, Loretta DeLorenzo, Ronald Ruksfeld, Stephanie OKeeffe, Pat Martinez, Pam and Rocky Levkulich, Janet Griffin‐Canovas, Bagel Boy, Steven Crawford, The George Family, Ming and Kin Chiang, Georgina Arntzen, Phil Alongi, Min Y and Ying Chiang, Holly Arntzen and Gwen Jones, Andrea Koos, Nancy Fernandez, Anonymous (17)
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
Taste ‐ Savor the Flavors of Music as Choral Chameleon Teams Up with Rising Celebrity Chef Lish Steiling This multi‐sensory experience will leave your tummy full and your soul nourished. Join us as we pair exquisite works of choral music with a specially designed tasting menu that will catapult your ears and your tastebuds into musical euphoria! Moving from the warm and spicy tones of D‐flat major to the sensual richness of C minor to the bright and sweet tartness of A major, this experience will be a major musical revelation—no pun intended... Plan to make your reservations early! There are a limited number of seats at this table. Saturday, May 17th, 8 pm—Loft 227 227 W 29th St., #4F, Manhattan Sunday, May 18th, 5 pm—St. Paul's Church 199 Carroll St., Brooklyn Tickets available now at www.ChoralChameleon.com
Summer Institute Performance Join Choral Chameleon for this annual concert of cutting‐edge world‐premiere choral works and arrangements by emerging composers, as well as conducting demonstrations by student conductors. This concert is the culmination of our unprecedented 8‐day institute, which brings together student composers and conductors with world‐class faculty from NYC and around the country to plant seeds for choral music and foster true “outside the box” thinking. Friday, June 20th, 8 pm—St. Paul's Church 199 Carroll St., Brooklyn