THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY College of Music presents
Seasonal Celebration Chamber Choir, Michael Hanawalt, director Choral Union, Michael Hanawalt, director Collegians, Kevin Fenton, director Gospel Choir, Marques Jerrell Ruff, director Levana, Annika Stucky, director Tallahassee Community Chorus, Michael Hanawalt, director University Singers, Kevin Fenton, director Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Ramon Cardenas, director Graduate Assistant Directors: Yuliia Billa, Ramon Cardenas, Isiah Maxey Jeremy Moore, Ethan Murphy, Sarita Olson-Gustely, Steven Olson Marques Jerrell Ruff, Ruth Springer, Annika Stucky, and Harold Wright
Sunday, December 3, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. Ruby Diamond Concert Hall
To Ensure An Enjoyable Concert Experience For All… Please refrain from talking, entering, or exiting during performances. Food and drink are prohibited in all concert halls. Recording or broadcasting of the concert by any means, including the use of digital cameras, cell phones, or other devices is expressly forbidden. Please deactivate all portable electronic devices including watches, cell phones, pagers, hand-held gaming devices or other electronic equipment that may distract the audience or performers. Recording Notice: This performance may be recorded. Please note that members of the audience may at times be included in this process. By attending this performance you consent to have your image or likeness appear in any live or recorded video or other transmission or reproduction made in conjunction to the performance. Florida State University provides accommodations for persons with disabilities. Please notify the College of Music at (850) 644-3424 at least five working days prior to a musical event to request accommodation for disability or alternative program format.
PROGRAM Tshela Moya/Ke nna yo Morena
Traditional Sesotho arr. Michael Barrett (b. 1983)
Pour down Holy Spirit, Lord, Messiah, pour down the Holy Spirit Eyes are piercing like bows/spears as they fight for the Lord Here I am. I have arrived. Combined Choirs Kevin Fenton, conductor Isabella Pinilla, Rebecca Smith, Jackson Roberts, soloists Shiloh DeFabia and Myles Baron, percussion Joy To the World
Collegians Kevin Fenton, conductor
Lowell Mason (1792–1872) arr. Dan Forrest (b. 1978)
Judy Arthur and Victoria Coey, piano God Will Give Orders/Sweet Child
Levana Annika Stucky, conductor
Sarah Quartel (b. 1982)
Abigail Fernandez de Castro, cello Mackenzie Selimi, percussion Elizabeth LaJeunesse, piano
Stars Tonight
Levana Ruth Springer, conductor Mackenzie Selimi, percussion Elizabeth LaJeunesse, piano
Judith Harrington (b. 1965)
The Glory of the Father
The Glory Manger
Chamber Choir Steven Olson, conductor
Collegians Harold Wright, conductor
Egil Hovland (1924–2013)
Traditional Spiritual arr. Jon Washburn (b. 1942)
Levi Helton, soloist
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
Sanctus
Choral Union Sarita Olson-Gustely, conductor
Choral Union Steven Olson, conductor
Edith M.G. Reed (1885–1933) arr. Paul Christiansen (1914–1997)
André Thomas (b. 1952)
Marques Jerrell Ruff, soloist Harold Wright, piano; D’Arthur Godwin, bass Javier Laureano-Hernández, drums
In the Bleak Midwinter
Gustav Holst (1874–1934) text by Christina Rossetti (1830–1894) arr. Kinley Lange (b. 1950) University Singers Jeremy Moore, conductor
Audience Sing-A-Long Led by Marcy Stonikas, soprano Judy Arthur, piano White Christmas I’m dreaming of a white Christmas Just like the ones I used to know Where the treetops glisten and children listen To hear sleigh bells in the snow I’m dreaming of a white Christmas With every Christmas card I write May your days be merry and bright And may all your Christmases be white.
Oh What a Pretty Little Baby
Vocal Jazz Marques Jerrell Ruff, conductor
Traditional arr. Joseph Jennings (b. 1954)
Shania Castor, Cassandra Cruz, Izzy Pinilla, soloists Jingle Bells
Vocal Jazz Ramon Cardenas, conductor
James Pierpont (1822–1893) arr. McKay Crockett (b. 1982)
Alejo Rodriguez, soloist
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
University Singers Sarita Olson-Gustely, conductor Shiloh DeFabia, cajón; Victoria Coey, piano
arr. Kyle Pederson (b. 1971)
Audience Sing-A-Long Led by Marcy Stonikas, soprano Judy Arthur, piano Silver Bells City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, Dressed in holiday style In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas Children laughing, people passing, meeting smile after smile And on every street corner you’ll hear Silver bells, Silver bells. It’s Christmas time in the city Ring-a-ling, Hear them ring. Soon it will be Christmas Day Strings of streetlights, even stoplights, blink of bright red and green As the shoppers rush home with their treasures, hear the snow crunch See the kids bunch, this is Santa’s big scene and above all the bustle you’ll hear Silver bells, Silver bells, It’s Christmas time in the city Ring-a-ling, hear them ring, Soon it will be Christmas Day Soon it will be Christmas Day Deck the Halls Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la la la la la ‘Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la la la la la Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la la la la la la la Troll the ancient Yuletide carol. Fa la la la la la la la la See the blazing yule before us, Fa la la la la la la la la Strike thehapr and join the chorus, Fa la la la la la la la la Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la la la la la la la While I tell of Yuletide treasure, Fa la la la la la la la la
Go Tell It on the Mountain
Gospel Choir Marques Jerell Ruff, conductor Edwin Mompremier, piano; D’Arthur Godwin, bass Lawrence Turner, drums
Thomas Whitfield (1954–1992) tr. Brandon Waddles (b. 1988)
Silent Night
Gospel Choir Jeremy Moore, conductor
Joseph Mohr/ Franz Grüber (1792–1848)/(1787–1863) arr. Kirk Franklin (b. 1970)
D’Arthur Godwin, bass; Lawrence Turner, drums Rachel Miller, steelpan Go Where I Send Thee
Chamber Choir Ethan Murphy, conductor
arr. André Thomas (b. 1952)
Dorian Carr, soloist Judy Arthur, piano Gesu Bambino
Still, Still, Still
Marcy Stonikas, soprano Judy Arthur, piano
Tallahassee Community Chorus Isiah Maxey, conductor
Pietro Yon (1886–1943)
Austrian Carol arr. Mack Wilberg (b. 1955)
Judy Arthur and Elizabeth LaJeunesse, piano Here We Come a Wassailing
Tallahassee Community Chorus Yuliia Billa, conductor Judy Arthur, piano
Traditional English Carol arr. John Rutter (b. 1945)
Jesus, What a Wonderful Child
Combined Choirs Michael Hanawalt, conductor
Traditional Spiritual arr. Rollo Dilworth (b. 1970)
D’Arthur Godwin, bass; Javier Laureano-Hernández, drums Judy Arthur, piano
SPECIAL THANKS Special thanks to Michelle McDaniel and the outstanding RDCH production engineers Russell Marsh, Eugene McGuiness, Mike Shapiro, Tabitha Weinstein and Evan Wood for all their outstanding efforts. We thank Megan Mowery for our beautiful publicity artwork and we thank all the members of Tallahassee Community Chorus and Claudia Dew and the Capitol Bells for their lasting participation in this annual celebration of the season. Judy Arthur has been a part of this event every year and we cherish each opportunity we have to hear her play and see her teach.