DSCC Fall Concert Digital Program Book

Dallas Symphony Children’s Chorus Fall Concert November 27, 2022 Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center

A Note from Ellie Lin

Interim Artistic Director of the Dallas Symphony Children’s Chorus

I HAVE DEDICATED my life to working with choirs because I love seeing people experience and express joy by making music together. It’s even more rewarding when I see singers show respect for others unconditionally and take pride in striving for excellence. What better time to start than when they are young?

When I was chosen as a second grader to participate in performing the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah, the excitement I felt still lingers with me today. That exhilarating choral experience and many others that followed, ignited my passion for music and for teaching. Memories of arriving in the U.S. as a 7th grader without speaking a word of English, finding refuge in my middle school choir in an otherwise scary and unfamiliar environment is still fresh in my mind. I am forever grateful for the kindness my choir director showed me. In addition, music is the universal language that helped me make friends then, and now. I want the Dallas Symphony Children’s Chorus to be a place where students from grades 4 to 12 can create such life affirming memories. I want to instill in our students a love for music, build up their confidence, and teach them a sense of teamwork through hands-on learning experiences alongside other talented singers in their age group. Besides proper singing technique, I also plan for music literacy to be incorporated as part of their education. Furthermore, DSCC singers will have the extraordinary opportunity to regularly perform with the worldrenowned Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Nothing can beat firsthand experiences with these best-in-class musicians. It has been widely proven that the impact of music education in developmental learning is beyond music. By creating harmony with other passionate and talented artists at a young age, DSCC singers will find life-long joy in achieving excellence, become compassionate and empathetic individuals who will contribute in the most meaningful ways to their communities throughout their lives.

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Upcoming Performances Winter Concert Sunday, February 26, 2023 | 7:30pm Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center All Choruses Performing

Spring Concert Sunday, April 30, 2023 | 7:30pm Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center All Choruses Performing

Auditions We are excited to hold auditions for students in 4th – 12th grades on Saturday, December 17, 2022.

For more information, please scan the QR code.

Support the Dallas Symphony Children’s Chorus Donations from our supporters help ensure that children may continue their musical growth and work with exceptional directors and ensembles.

For more information, please scan the QR code.

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Dallas Symphony Children’s Chorus Fall Concert NOV 27 SUN | 7:30PM

DALLAS SYMPHONY CHILDREN’S CHORUS

Training Choir

JACKSON HILL Conducts ELLIE LIN Piano

ARR. PHYLLIS WOLFE-WHITE Whatcha Gonna Call that Baby?

MUYI AJAGUNNA SOLOIST ROBYN RANDLE SOLOIST LILA TRAN SOLOIST CATHERINE XUEREB SOLOIST

ARR. MICHAEL RYAN Silent Night ARR. GREG GILPIN Fun, Fun, Fun!

EUNICE KEEM Violin

DALLAS SYMPHONY CHILDREN’S CHORUS

Associate Concertmaster

Symphonic Voices

Marcella Poppen Chair

ELLIE LIN Conducts

LYDIA UMLAUF Violin

HANS GRIM Piano

EMILY LEVIN Harp Principal Harp

Elsa von Seggern Chair

BRITTEN Hodie Christus Natus est (from A Ceremony of Carols) BRITTEN This Little Babe (from A Ceremony of Carols) EMILY LEVIN HARP Program continued on following page 4

ELGAR The Snow EUNICE KEEM VIOLIN LYDIA UMLAUF VIOLIN

JACOB NARVERUD Lunar Lullaby ARR. PETER J. WILHOUSKY Carol of the Bells (with Mixed Ensemble Trebles)

CORY CURVIN Piano

DALLAS SYMPHONY CHILDREN’S CHORUS

BRENT ROSS Oboe

Mixed Ensemble

VICTOR C. JOHNSON Conducts BACH Alleluia from Cantata No. 142 ARR. KYLE PEDERSON Sing We Now of Christmas BRENT ROSS OBOE

ARR. VICTOR C. JOHNSON African Noel ARR. NORMAN LUBOFF Still, Still, Still ARR. JOHN FREDERICK HUDSON I Saw Three Ships

DALLAS SYMPHONY CHILDREN’S CHORUS Combined Choirs

DANIEL FLORIO Percussion Associate Principal Percussion

ARR. EMILY CROCKER Do You Hear What I Hear?

DANIEL FLORIO PERCUSSION

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DALLAS SYMPHONY CHILDREN’S CHORUS

TRAINING CHOIR

Muyi Ajagunna Anakha Ajith Anna Sofia Anderson Cody James Buen Olivia Cabrales Lenna Clemente Brady Comer Hugo D’Alton Jade Davis Virginia Collette Dede Isabella Detz Santiago Diaz Cameron Douglass Alexandra Dunlap Aaron Gottlieb Saanvi Gunjati Quinn Hopping Jonathan Jin Saanve Kachaeeswaran Michael Li Saamya Malladi Victoria Marquez Mendoz Jyothis Matthew Thanushree Namasivayam Justin Nikolaev Ethan Ocone Neil Pandya Evan Prangnell Elisa Ramirez Robyn Randle Diego Rueda Leal Wolfe Rymer Tia Samanta Gibson Shurley Nabila Stallman Lila Tran Rhea Vinod Alexa Wagner Lilyann Whaley Eli Wilson Johanna Grace Worthley Catherine Xuereb Julia Zhang Lucas Zhang

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SYMPHONIC VOICES Samuel Aleman Miranda Barak Arellano Isabella Armenta Sydney Bonfield Baylee Buen Sydney Carroll Julia Carter Dahnbi Cheung Aishwarya Sara Cijo Zarya Clemente Navya Desai Abhigna Gowda DJ Hamill Lillian Harmeyer Serena Jang Olivia Joseph Tejasvi Kanchanavally Isha Kapoor Barrett Knetsch Katelynn Kowlessar Liliana Kuether Heath Larkin Trinidee Lindsey Violet Lloyd Elaine Lu Samanvitha Mada Alivia Martinez Slone McNutt Courtney Mpita Eva Marie Nelson Iris Nguyen Jubilee Nguyen Arianna Parikh Zahra Rutledge Nicole Sanchez Sabrina Sanchez Kian Sayyid Harper Spellicy Emma Stewart Valentina Tamez Renee Tse Ourania Tsinakis Ianna Wara Idris Wara Chloe Weaver Elim Wong Madison Youngers Katherine Zhang

MIXED ENSEMBLE

Arya Ajith Peter Alamares Maia Anchia Emily Anderson Guru Aroul Mary Berg Jared Chao Isaac Chen Sydney Chien Isabelle Clemente Maria Goretti Correa Jackson Davis Joshua Davis Georgia Grace Dreher Joshua Emmet Nicole Green Ai-Vy Hoang Joanne Jin Jefferson Lee Rabel McNutt Gigi Melucci Isabel Metteauer Chelsea Mpita Marvin Mpita Agustina Victoria Muela Selise Phillips Pratyasha Rath Alex Reich Maryanne Schwalm Maddox Short Aashi Shyam Lainie Siegel Luke Tippetts It’aly Toliver Elisa Vasenden Varsha Vijay Ethan Williams Fay Xu Rose Zhao Annie Zhu

Ellie Lin

Interim Artistic Director of the Dallas Symphony Children’s Chorus Ellie Lin, Interim Artistic Director of the Dallas Symphony Children’s Chorus, is the High School Choir Director at High Point Academy, Artistic Director/Conductor of Great Land Choral Society, and a faculty member at Texas Music Conservatory.

Lin has been working with children and youth choruses for over 25 years.

With the world-renowned Texas Boys Choir, she has served as the Interim Artistic Director, Associate Artistic Director, Conductor, Pianist, and algebra teacher at various times since 1991. Other positions held include Director of the Academy Chorale at Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, Conductor of Pinnacle Choristers, Director of Southwest Christian School High School Choir, Artistic Director/Conductor of Good Earth Singers, Choir Director at Arlington

Chinese Church, and Piano Instructor at University of Charleston in West Virginia. Throughout the years, Lin’s choirs have concertized in Austria, Germany, China, Taiwan, Argentina, and in almost every state in the United States. With Texas Boys Choir, Lin has performed before Presidents, in several CD recordings, on national radio stations, and on TV shows such as CBS This Morning and ABC’s Good Morning America. Furthermore, while Lin was Associate Artistic Director, TBC was invited to perform at national American Choral Directors Association conferences in 2013 and 2017. In October 2017, Lin was nominated on the preliminary ballot for the 60th GRAMMY® Award for Producer of the Year, along with the Texas Boys Choir’s 70th Year CD for the Album of the Year and Best Choral Performance awards.

Born in Taiwan, Lin grew up in Westchester County north of New York City. She studied Choral Conducting with Donald Neuen at the Eastman School of Music, where she received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education and Choral Conducting, with a concentration in piano. In addition to conducting, Lin is a popular piano teacher and collaborative pianist. She is a member if ACDA, TMEA, FWMTA, and a certified Chinese interpreter and translator.

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Texas Music Educators Association Convention in 2011 and 2014 as well as the American Choral Directors Association-Southwest Division conference in March 2016. His professional affiliations include: ACDA, TMEA, NAME, TCDA, ASCAP, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Inc.

Victor C. Johnson DSCC Mixed Ensemble Conductor

Victor C. Johnson, Mixed Ensemble Conductor, is a native of Dallas, Texas, and the School Choral Editor for Sing!, the educational publishing division of Choristers Guild. A prolific composer and arranger, he has over 350 choral works, vocal solo books, and keyboard collections currently in print. Prior to his position at Choristers Guild, from 2000-2018, Victor was a choral director at Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts (FWAFA). At FWAFA, Victor directed the Academy Singers, Academy Men’s Choir and was the Artistic Director of the Singing Girls of Texas and Children’s Choir of Texas.

Victor is in demand as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician for music educators and students throughout the United States. He has conducted All-State and Regional Honor choirs in the US and Canada.

His own choirs have performed at the 8

Jackson Hill DSCC Training Choir Conductor

Jackson Hill, Training Choir Conductor, is a committed advocate for children being actively involved in music and recognizes the immense value it brings to their lives. He has spent the past seven years serving as a choir director, six of those with the Children’s Choir of Texas out of the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts.

His ensembles regularly collaborate with music organizations throughout DFW and continually receive superior ranking at local music festivals. In 2020 he was named “Young Director

of Distinction” by the Texas Choral Directors Association. His choirs have been invited to perform at the Southwest conference of the American Choral Directors Association in 2020 and the National Conference in 2021, and his singers will perform at the 2023 conference of the Texas Music Educators Association.

Jackson received his Bachelor of Music from UT Arlington in 2014 and his Masters of Music in Choral Conducting from Texas State University in 2021. He believes the best educators strive to remain students their entire lives.

Cory Curvin

DSCC Mixed Ensemble Assistant Conductor Cory Curvin, Mixed Ensemble Assistant Conductor, had his public performance premiere at the age of six with his piano rendition of “I’m A Little Teapot”, complete with choreography. A native of Mississippi,

he’s been a collaborative pianist for over thirty years.

Cory is a music educator and choral director in Fort Worth and also maintains an active performance schedule throughout North Texas.

In addition to his directing and accompanying, he enjoys arranging for choir, piano and handbells.

When not in the classroom or performing, Cory works within the music ministry of his church and enjoys road trips, the autumnal holidays, winter sports and collecting Texas historical memorabilia.

Hans Grim

DSCC Symphonic Voices Assistant Conductor Hans Grim, Symphonic Voices Assistant Conductor, is the head choir director for Alvarado High School. He is a vocalist, pianist, and conductor in the DFW area having played or conducted over 50 musical theatre productions in almost every major 9

theatre in this region as well as multiple times for the national tour of Mamma Mia and an east coast tour. As a collaborative pianist, he has played for TMEA region concerts, TCDA clinics, multiple high school and college choir concerts, and musical theatre showcases and cabarets.

He is a frequent collaborator with Ellie Lin, most notably performing in 16 cities across mainland China as a guest pianist for the Texas Boys Choir under her direction. He is currently working on his Master of Music Education at Tarleton State University.

He is married to local actress and teacher, Mary Gilbreath Grim.

Together they have three talented children, Max, Rose, and Maddie.

DSCC Volunteers We would like to thank all our parent volunteers who so generously provide support for our rehearsals and performances.

Kami Anderson* Antoinette Martinez Ramya Aroul Joseph Martinez Heather Bonfield Rubin Mathew Jessica Carter

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Toby Prangnell Patrick Dunlap Martha Schwalm Dean Harmeyer* Pat Sherwood Carlene Kowlessar Selena Short

Brian Larkin Courtney Spellicy Jessica Larkin Angelica Leal Ventura CaTrina Lindsey Alexis Williams *Lead Chaperones

DSO Musicians

Eunice Keem

Lydia Umlauf

Brent Ross

Daniel Florio

Associate Concertmaster Marcella Poppen Chair

Oboe

Violin

Associate Principal Percussion

Emily Levin

Principal Harp Elsa von Seggern Chair

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Dallas Symphony Children’s Chorus Debut The DSCC performed for the first time on October 22, 2022 in The Way of the Rain. Some of our singers have shared their thoughts about this momentous occasion: “The Way of the Rain was an amazing concert and experience to be a part of.

It was an honor to read my poem at the start of the show!! The Meyerson was super big and cool, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra sounded GREAT!” – Serena Jang (6th grade) “I was very proud to sing with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and be in the presence of the great actor Robert Redford.”

– Valentina Tamez (8th grade) “Our first concert was a truly transformative experience! The atmosphere made me feel nervous and invigorated at the same time.”

– Barrett Knetsch (8th grade)

“I absolutely loved this concert! It was so amazing to be singing with a professional orchestra and to have so many people watching us! The music was beautiful, and I loved practicing it and singing it. I am super excited for our next concert!”

– Violet Lloyd (5th grade) “I felt very accomplished that we were able to pull off our first concert. When I was singing my solo, I figured that staring at a wall and singing to it was less nervewracking than I expected. My family is very impressed with our choir for singing such a long piece.”

– Elim Wong (6th grade) “I really enjoyed being able to perform with the orchestra and see a little bit into how it works. I felt very happy/excited throughout the concert, and my parents both really enjoyed the performance. The Meyerson was very pretty and not only did I enjoy performing there, I also loved just being there.”

– Eva Marie Nelson (7th grade)

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“My family loved it, and I did too. Even when we had to stand for an hour and thirty minutes with no breaks.

I would totally do this again!! The Dallas Symphony Orchestra slays!”

– Baylee Buen (7th grade) “I think singing with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra was an amazing experience and I’m so proud to have been a part of it.

Although my feet hurt a lot afterwards.”

– Chloe Weaver (6th grade) “It was a wonderful experience and we had a great time. I am so excited for our next performance.”

– Idris Wara (8th grade) “Something that I enjoyed was harmonizing with the orchestra. I also felt happy because this was our first DSCC concert.”

– Tejasvi Kanchanavally (7th grade) “My grandma said that we sounded like angels. I loved singing with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and in the Meyerson. Thank you!”

– Julia Carter (4th grade) “It was very exciting to be singing with the DSO and the other parts of the DSCC. I made new friends that are in high school and friends that are in my grade.

This experience was very new to me, but I loved it!”

– Ianna Wara (6th grade) “My dad loved our singing, and my mom was excited that I was finally singing with the orchestra. I hope I can keep enjoying this every year from now on.”

– Zarya Clemente (7th grade)

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“It was fun to sing for the public. I was proud, happy, and totally intrigued by it all.”

– Miranda Barak Arellano (7th grade) “I think we sounded really good! I liked how professional we were on the stage and how we had so many people watching us. I also thought the orchestra sounded really good.”

– Katherine Zhang (7th grade) “This piece was beautiful and I loved the melody. Everyone tried their best! My family and the others are shocked by our talent of singing very high notes (don’t get offended altos).”

– Elaine Lu (7th grade) “I felt very inspired while the music was playing, and during Robert Redford’s speech. It was very moving and beautiful, and I felt much joy.”

– Lillian Harmeyer (5th grade) “I really liked the music. Also, I was able to see Robert Redford.”

– Samuel Aleman (6th grade) “I thought it was very good because I don’t usually sing with that many people watching. So it was a great opportunity to show what we have learned.”

– DJ Hamill (5th grade) “It was a surreal experience unlike anything I have done before. It was truly amazing to watch the piece come to life.”

– Madison Youngers (8th grade)

DALLAS SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF EXECUTIVE OFFICE

Kim Noltemy Ross Perot President & CEO Nishi Badhwar Olga & Yuri Anshelevich Manager of Orchestra Personnel Nicole Mendyka Assistant Personnel Manager Quin Phillips Executive Assistant to President & CEO

EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION + SOCIAL IMPACT

Glyne A. Griffith II, DBA, CDP, CSR Vice President of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion + Social Impact

ARTISTIC OPERATIONS + EDUCATION Katie McGuinness Wildenthal Families Vice President of Artistic Operations Ashley Alarcon Young Musicians Manager Tom Brekhus Senior Production + Pops Concerts Manager Jen Guzmán Thomas & Roberta Corbett Director of Education Sarah Hatler Education Manager Stephanie Izaguirre Young Musicians Coordinator Carolyn Jabr Young Strings Manager Emma Jensen Dallas Symphony Children’s Chorus Site Coordinator Todd Joiner Senior Manager of Artistic Administration Nathan Lutz Director of Operations + Education Programs Michael Lysinger Chorus Administrator Paula Olsen Dallas Symphony Children’s Chorus Artistic Manager Micah Ringham Dallas Symphony Children’s Chorus Operations Manager Ben Spagnuolo Artistic Operations Coordinator Roberto Zambrano Artistic Director to the Young Musicians Program

COMMUNICATIONS + MEDIA Denise McGovern Vice President of Communications + Media Sidney Hopkins Communications + Media Manager Analiese White Communications + Media Coordinator

DEVELOPMENT

James Leffler Vice President of Development Tab Boyles Director of Event Planning Jon Ediger Corporate Relations Coordinator Tanner Garrett Manager of Individual Giving Lilian E. Godsey Manager of Donor Stewardship Kim Koenig Events Coordinator Whitney MacDonald Major Gifts Officer Toni Miller, CAP® Director of Individual Giving Alex Small Individual Giving Coordinator Alisa Stone Development Operations Coordinator Mark Valenzuela Development + Board Coordinator Alma Delia Vega, CAPM® Director of Development Operations + Analytics Sarah Whitling Director of Institutional Giving

VOLUNTEER SERVICES

Allison Brodnax Director of Volunteer Services Maliska Haba Manager of Volunteer Services FINANCE Drew Cameron Chief Financial Officer Cecilia Rauschuber Accounts Payable Coordinator Julie Ribeca Accounting Administrator Deanie Sewell Controller Danesha Voss Senior Staff Accountant Heather Yeager Senior Manager Budgeting + Financial Analysis

COMMUNITY RELATIONS, FACILITIES + HUMAN RESOURCES

Debi Peña Chief Administrative Officer Carl Baines Desktop + Systems Administrator Celia Barshop Director of Meyerson Sales + Operations Velyncia Caldwell Senior Lighting Technician Jaz Clayborne Security Supervisor Cameron Conyer Audio Video Specialist Amanda Cook Payroll + Human Resources Manager Suré Eloff Human Resources + Community Liaison Avery Gauthier Audio Technician

Visit dallassymphony.org for employment opportunities.

Kimberly Koniecki Senior Manager of Meyerson Sales + Operations David Lane Director of IT Lamar Livingston Director of Technical Operations Shawn Mahan Lead House Manager Emily McCall Supply + Facilities Coordinator Kyra McGuirk Recruiting & HR Specialist Marissa Mediati Event Operations Manager Grant Ostergard Lighting/Audio Technician Andrew Polansky Lighting Technician Judith Washington Data Quality Associate Roger Willis Assistant House Manager Adrian Zeigler Security Manager

MARKETING + GUEST SERVICES

Kim Burgan Vice President of Sales + Marketing Liz Akop Group Sales Representative Kathryn Barrett Shop Manager and Buyer Jenna Buckley Marketing Associate Eric Burleson Concert Associate Elisa Campos Ticketing Operations Manager Mallory Coulter Director of Digital Marketing Carla Ewing Guest Services Manager Corri Greene Graphic Designer Leigh Hopkins Senior Manager of Digital Marketing Eric Landrum Senior Manager of Partner + Experiential Marketing Alex Moffitt Guest Services Coordinator Vanessa Nates Marketing Associate Danielle Reeves Lead Graphic Designer Sabrina Siggers Group Sales Representative Paul Torres Guest Services Manager Jena Tunnell Director of Ticketing + Guest Services Adam Wallman Manager of Marketing Research + Analytics Stephanie Watson Guest Services Coordinator

As of 11/15/22

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