Letter from the Department
Welcome to this concert presentation by the Music Program in the Department of Performing Arts. We are delighted to have the wonderful support of great families and friends. A very special welcome goes out to our visitors from the community who may not have any affiliation to our students, and simply come to hear spectacular musical performances by these talented student musicians. We hope everyone in our audience is pleased with the musical selections; and proud of the achievement of the students involved.
The students you will hear at this performance are not music majors. They do this for their love of music and dedicate their time and energy to cultivating their passion for this art form. They are as dedicated to their studies and career pursuits as they are to this intrinsic passion they have within them. The program is fortunate to have a bounty of students with this yearning. We would not exist without them!
The Music Program and Department of Performing Arts is dedicated to providing robust opportunities in the performing arts while students are at Drexel. Our goal is to provide a positive and supportive environment for our students. It is our hope that students and audiences alike feel they are represented in the selections being performed. The human connection is most important to us all.
Thank you for attending this performance. Being here is the greatest show of support for the students, the Music Program, and the Department of Performing Arts. Thanks to the dedicated leadership of the faculty ensemble directors and staff, we are pleased to present you with the following program.
Sincerely,
Luke Abruzzo, Music Program Director
Miriam Giguere, PhD, Department Head, Performing Arts
Acknowledgements
The Drexel University Chorus and Chamber Singers would like to thank everyone in the Performing Arts office, especially our fearless leaders Luke Abruzzo, & Dr. Miriam Giguere.
Drexel Performing Arts would like to thank Senior Vice President for Student Success, Dr. Subir Sahu, for his continued support of Performing Arts at Drexel.
About the Ensemble
The Drexel University Chorus is an auditioned, 50-voice group for experienced choral singers which performs music from the Renaissance to today, with and without instrumental accompaniment. The ensemble has a particular goal to present newly-composed works that react to the natural, social, and political worlds in which we live. The ensemble typically performs one major on-campus program at the end of each quarter, with occasional service and off-campus concerts.
Drexel University Chamber Singers is an advanced choral ensemble of 24 singers that are drawn from the University Chorus. The ensemble performs at the University Chorus concerts at the end of each term and may have additional on and off-campus performances. Repertoire is generally drawn from early and modern sources, focusing of Baroque cantatas and the work of living composers.
Performance Scholarships are available for this ensemble. Scholarship auditions are typically held during Accepted Students Weekends in April. Contact the director for audition requirements and scheduling. For more information email Dr. Daniel Spratlan at dms542@drexel.edu
Program
University Chorus and Chamber Singers
Dr. Daniel Spratlan, Conductor
John Conahan
U2, arr. Bob Chilcott (b. 1955)
Thomas Juneau (b. 1977) Traditional,
Thomas Luis da
Ensemble Members
Dr. Daniel Spratlan
Music Director
Soprano
*Molly Angelov
Damini Babu
Hannah Bashore
Emily Daly
Ashleigh Edwards
Alisha Fazal
Sage Kozik
Alyssa Mascuilli
*Gianna Moffa
*Katelyn O’Connor
*Natalie Sager
+*Jessica Urwiler
*Caroline Van Pelt
*Zoë Warren
Hannah Woodbury
Alto
*Sumita Bhattacharyya
Victoria Caracillo
Nicole Childs
+*Kira Daubert
Abby Feinstein
*Seven Finckel
*Lilly Gerard
*Mirella Ionescu
Talia Jones
Madeline Keane
Bethany Lierenz
Sophia Lyons
Ashley Prentice
Nyssa Sharma
*Kayla Thomas
Designations
* Chamber Singers
+Section Leaders
Ensemble Members
Tenor
Cooper Fischbeck
Ryan Flynn
*Stephen Lang
*Michael O’Neill
Alexander Thomas
Danny Vitelli
Bass
*Bea Baxley
*Bobby Challender
Leo Koncos
*Jack McElhenney
+*Jordan Singer
*Ethan Utterback
Alex Yelovich
Designations
* Chamber Singers
+Section Leaders
Dr. Daniel Spratlan
University Chorus and Chamber Singers Conductor
A native of Amherst, Massachusetts, conductor Dr. Daniel Spratlan is active in both the conducting and singing worlds. Dr. Spratlan is currently in his fourth year as Director of Choral Activities at Drexel University in Philadelphia, and his 13th season as Director of Music at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill.
Previously, Dr. Spratlan served on the conducting faculties at Haverford College, Temple University, and Rutgers University. Dr. Spratlan earned his DMA in Choral Conducting from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, his MM in Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College, and BA in Music from Earlham College.
An active professional singer, Dr. Spratlan in his 18th season singing with the now four-time Grammy Award-winning choir The Crossing with whom he has recorded over 30 albums. He has performed as a soloist and professional chorister with ensembles such as the New York Choral Artists, Clarion Choir, Philadelphia Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Opera Philadelphia, Piffaro, Tempesta di Mare, San Francisco Symphony, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic in venues such as Carnegie Hall, David Geffen Hall, the Kimmel Center, and Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Texts/Translations
Sleep, sleep tonight, and may your dreams be realized. If the thunder cloud passes rain so let it rain, rain down on him. So let it be.
Lux aeterna
Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine:
cum sanctis tuis in aeternum: quia pius es.
May eternal light shine on them, O Lord with the company of thy saints for ever and ever: for thou art merciful.
Texts/Translations
Wayfaring
Stranger
I am a poor wayfaring stranger, Just traveling through this world of woe, Yet there's no sickness, no toil or danger, In that bright world to which I go.
I'm going there to see my father I'm going there no more to roam;
I'm only going over Jordan, I'm only going over home.
I know dark clouds will gather o'er me I know my way is rough and steep Yet beauteous fields lie just before me Where weary eyes no more shall weep.
I'm going there to see my mother, She said she'd meet me when I come.
I'm only going over Jordan, I'm only going over home.
I'll soon be free from every trial, This form will rest beneath the sod. I'll drop this cross of self denial, And enter in my home with God.
I'm going there to see my Savior, To sing his praises evermore.
I'm only going over Jordan, I'm only going over home.
Texts/Translations
Rise up, my love
Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come.
Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
Officium Defunctorum
Taedet animam meam vitae meae, dimittam adversum me eloquium meum, loquar in amaritudine animae meae.
Dicam Deo: Noli me condemnare: indica mihi, cur me ita iudices.
Numquid bonum tibi videtur, si calumnieris, et opprimas me, opus manuum tuarum, et consilium impiorum adiuves?
Numquid oculi carnei tibi sunt: aut sicut videt homo, et tu vides?
Numquid sicut dies hominis dies tui, et anni tui sicut humana sunt tempora, ut quaeras iniquitatem meam, et peccatum meum scruteris? Et scias, quia nihil impium fecerim, cum sit nemo, qui de manu tua possit eruere.
My soul is weary of my life; I will let go my speech against myself, and express the bitterness in my soul. I shall say to God: Do not condemn me, but show me why Thou judgest me in this manner.
Shall it seem a good thing to Thee to cheapen me and oppress me, the work of Thine own hands, and to support the schemes of the wicked? Are Thine eyes of flesh? Dost Thou even see only as men do? Is Thy life like the life of men, and do Thy years pass like the days of men, that Thou shouldst enquire after my iniquity, and investigate my sins? Surely Thou knowest that I have done no wrong and there is no man that can deliver me from Thy hand.
Texts/Translations
Missa pro defunctis
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetual uceat eis.Te decet hymnus Deus in Sion, et tibi reddetur votum in Jerusalem: exaudi orationem meam, ad te omnis caro veniet.
Introit
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. A hymn, O God, becometh Thee in Sion, and a vow shall be paid to Thee in Jerusalem: give ear to my supplication, unto Thee shall all flesh come.
Kyrie
Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison.
Lord have mercy upon us. Christ have mercy upon us. Lord have mercy upon us.
Gradual
Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. In memoria aeterna erit justus: ab auditione mala non timebit.
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. The just man shall remain in memory everlasting: of ill report he shall not be afraid.
Texts/Translations
Offertory
Domine Iesu Christe, Rex gloriae, libera animas omnium fidelium defunctorum de poenis inferni, et de profundo lacu. Libera eas de ore leonis, ne absorbeat eas tartarus, ne cadant in obscurum: sed signifer Sanctus Michael repraesentet eas in lucem sanctam: Quam olim Abrahae promisisti et semini eius. Hostias et preces tibi, Domine, laudis offerimus: tu suscipe pro animabus illis, quarum hodie memoriam facimus: fac eas, Domine, de morte transire ad vitam. Quam olim Abrahae promisisti et semini eius.
Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory, deliver the souls of all who died in the faith from the pains of hell and from the deep pit. Deliver them from the lion’s mouth, lest the jaws of hell swallow them, lest they fall into everlasting darkness. But let Saint Michael, the leader of hosts, bring them forth into Thy holy light, as Thou promised before to Abraham and to his seed. We offer sacrifice and prayers of praise unto Thee, O Lord: receive them on behalf of those souls whom we remember this day: grant them, O Lord, to pass over from death to life, as Thou promised before to Abraham and to his seed.
Texts/Translations
Sanctus & Benedictus
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth, pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua.
Osanna in excelsis.
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.
Osanna in excelsis.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth, the heavens and the earth are full of Thy glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Agnus Dei I, II & III
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem sempiternam.
Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, grant them rest.
Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, grant them rest.
Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, grant them eternal rest.
Texts/Translations
Communion
Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine, cum sanctis tuis, in aeternum: quia pius es.
Requiem aeternam dona eis
Domine, et lux perpetua luceat
eiscum sanctis tuis in aeternum, quia pius es.
Requiescant in pace. Amen
Let light perpetual shine upon them, O Lord, in the company of Thy saints for evermore; because Thou art merciful.
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them in the company of Thy saints for evermore, because Thou art merciful.
Let them rest in peace. Amen.
Interested in a Music Minor?
Drexel offers four different music minors:
Music: requires 26 credits, including work in Music Theory, History, private lessons, ensemble performance, and 9 credits of music electives.
Music Theory and Composition: aimed at people who are writing their own music or who would like to begin doing so. You will take courses in Music Theory, Arranging, Composition, and Digital Composition, and end with a portfolio of several completed pieces.
Music Performance: requires two years of private lesson studies with our artist faculty culminating in a recital. The Music Program will provide support for the recital venue and accompanist.
Jazz & African-American Music: includes course work in Jazz History, African-American Music, Jazz Theory, private study in Jazz performance, and ensemble work in several ensembles devoted to jazz.
Support Great Performance
Dance, Music, and Theatre are a vital, central part of the Drexel academia and student life. Donations support performing arts ensembles and programs, as well as the operation of our performing arts venues, including the Mandell Theater and URBN Annex Black Box Theater.
Drexel University Department of Performing Arts Staff
Department Head Dr. Miriam Giguere
Program Directors Luke Abruzzo Music
Nick Anselmo Theatre
Jennifer Morley Dance
Administrative Staff
Ellie Ebby Department Assistant
Hannah Burke Department Administrator
Caroline Leipf
Mandell Theater Managing Director
Cece Hill
Performing Arts Graduate Assistant
Liv Shoup
Audience Services Coordinator
Lauren Tracy
Ensemble Production Associate
Production Staff
Paul Jerue
Theatre Production Manager/Black Box Theater Technical Director
Asaki Kuruma
Costume Shop Manager
Chris Totora
Mandell Theater Technical Director
URINETOWN, THE MUSICAL
May 9-10, 2025 | 8:00 PM | Mandell Theater
May 11, 2025 | 2:00 PM | Mandell Theater
May 15-17, 2025 | 8:00 PM | Mandell Theater
May 29-31, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Mandell Theater
