The Rialto Center for the Arts gratefully acknowledges the support of our sponsors.*
SEASON SPONSORS
*Major funding for this organization is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. This program is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. GCA also receives support from its partner agency – the
COMMUNICATIONS SPONSOR
SEASON
Welcome
to our 22nd Annual Gala Holiday Concert!
This concert has always been one of my favorite annual events at Georgia State University. It is one of the few times that the School of Music is able to showcase over 200 of our amazingly talented students and world-class faculty in one spectacular concert. It has been wonderful to watch this annual concert grow over the years and become one of the most highly anticipated events on campus. Occurring at the beginning of December every year, I like to think of this concert as the Gateway to the Holidays affording a yearly opportunity for the Georgia State community to come together and reflect on the meaning and beauty of the holiday season.
The gift of music is an especially powerful way to celebrate this wonderful season that is often associated with unity, harmony, and collaboration. In this spirit, we are pleased to present a program in collaboration with the very talented singers of the Georgia State University Perimeter College Chorale , the Charles R. Drew Charter School Senior Academy Chorale under the direction of Brock Derringer, and the Atlanta Music Project Senior Youth Choir under the direction of Britney Boykin. We are also thrilled to share the stage with our very special guest, world renowned
Our program contains seasonal favorites as well as some pieces which may be new to you. It is my sincere hope that this wonderful celebration will allow us all, if only for a brief time, to rise above the bustle of the holiday season and participate in the beauty and unifying power of music.
On behalf of the students, faculty and staff of the School of Music, the staff of the beautiful Rialto Center for the Arts, and the entire Georgia State University community, I wish you the happiest of holidays!
Nickitas Demos, Director of the School of Music
Georgia State University School of Music
presents The 22nd Annual
GALA HOLIDAY CONCERT
featuring
Atlanta Music Project Senior Youth Choir , Students and Faculties from the Georgia State University Atlanta & Clarkston campuses, and Charles R. Drew Charter School
Special Guest Artist
JOHN IRVIN
Me Burrito Sabanero
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Georgia State University Jazz Combo
Hugo Blanco (1940-2015)
Hugh Martin (1914-2011)
Ralph Blane (1914-1995)
J. Fred Coots (1897-1985)
Haven Gillespie (1888-1975)
Overture to the Nutcracker
Welcome
Georgia State University Orchestra
Nick Demos
Director of the School of Music
Ah! lève-toi, soleil! from Roméo et Juliette
John Irvin, tenor
Jingle Bells
Feliz Navidad
GSU Percussion Ensemble
Dance of the Flowers from The Nutcracker
Georgia State University Orchestra
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Carol of the Bells
Charles-François Gounod (1818-1893)
James Pierpont (1822-1893)
arr. Stuart Gerber
Jose Feliciano (b.1945)
arr. Don Hannah
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
M. Leontovich & Peter S. Wilhowsky
Atlanta Music Project Senior Youth Choir
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Little Tree
Winter from The Four Seasons
O Holy Night
A Feast of Carols
University Singers
Georgia State University Orchestra
John Irvin
Eric Whitacre (b. 1970)
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Adolphe Adam (1803-1856)
Randol Alan Bass (b. 1953)
The American tenor, John Irvin, originally a pianist, discovered his passion for singing in 2008 where he went on to earn his Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance magna cum laude from Georgia State University (20072010) and Professional Certificate from Boston University’s Opera Institute (2010-2012). He has earned the 2012 Encouragement Award from the Gerda Lissner Foundation and the Irvin Moriarty Encouragement Award for the 2012 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (New England Region). A finalist for the 2012 Sara Tucker study grant, other accomplishments include being a 2012 Liederkranz Foundation I.V.C. finalist, a 2011 MONCA Finalist (New England Region) and earning 2nd place in the 6th annual Peter Elvins Vocal Competition. He recently represented Lyric Opera at the Stella Maris International Voice Competition (2014).
Special Guest Artist
John Irvin
An alumnus of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago, John Irvin covered and performed over twenty roles for Lyric Opera’s mainstage season. Highlights include stepping in as Don Ottavio for the Stars of Lyric Opera at Millennium Park performance, as Lord Percy in the final dress rehearsal of Donizetti’s Anna Bolena, and as Alfred for two performances of Strauss’s Die Fledermaus. In addition to the main stage, he has performed selections from Schubert’s Die Winterreise with artist and director William Kentridge, performed selection of Strauss songs with Civic Orchestra at Symphony Center, and portrayed Ferrando in W.A. Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte, Act 1 with the Grant Park Music Festival. During this time, he also made debuts with Madison Opera (Il barbiere di Siviglia with John DeMain), Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Beyond the Score with Stéphane Denève), Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra (Giuseppe, Verdi’s La Traviata and Don Curzio in W.A. Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro with Gustavo Dudamel) and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (L.v. Beethoven Symphony No. 9 with Sir Andrew Davis).
Praised for his “golden sound” and “elegant wit,” John Irvin is fast establishing himself in a diverse array of repertoire, from the obscure early romantic works of Méhul to the delightful comedies and epic tragedies of Rossini. Last season, at Lyric Opera of Chicago’s highly anticipated world premiere of Lopez’s Bel Canto, (December 2015-January 2016) John Irvin brought “a handsome tenor voice and talented hands to the production with a searing portrayal of the diva’s doomed accompanist. In the 2015 season at Opera Theatre of St. Louis, he garnered rave reviews for his “irresistibly charming, commanding, clarion tenor” and “virile performance” in the challenging role of Matthew Gurney in a new production of Tobias Picker’s Emmeline. Future engagements include Irvin’s Rossini Opera Festival debut as Cléomène in Le siège de Corinthe and Lucas in the American premiere of Thomas Ades’ The Exterminating Angel at the Metropolitan Opera.
Invited to the Georg Solti Accademia in Italy in April 2016, he was able to continue intensive study of the bel canto tradition with notable artists Barbara Frittoli, Leo Nucci, Silvana Bartoli, and Sir Richard Bonynge. Othere recent asctivities have included: Rodolfo, Puccini’s La Bohème at Theater und Orchester Heidelberg in Germany (April-June 2016; Gad Kadosh, Conductor; Andrea Schwalbach, Director); Lucas (Eduardo, cover) in Ades’ The Exterminating Angel at Salzburger Festspiele (July-August 2016; Thomas Ades, conductor; Tom Cairns, director); Young Singers Project Tour with Salzburger Festspiele & Hantang Culture Development in Shanghai City, China (September 2016); Romeo in C. Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet at Madison Opera (November 2016; John DeMain, conductor; Doug Scholz-Carlson, director); Cléomène in Le Siège de Corinthe at /Rossini Opera Festival (Aug 2017); Tenor soloist in J.S. Bach’s Johannes-Passion (BWV 245) with Ensemble Pygmalion (Director: Raphaël Pichon) at Opéra de Lille and Philharmonie de Paris, France (March 2018); Tenor soloist in Symphonie Fantastique at Opéra de Lille (March 2018); Tenor soloist in W.A. Mozart’s Requiem at Opéra National de Bordeaux (March 2018); Tenor soloist in Requiem et oeuvres maçonniques Royal de Versailles (March 2018).
Photo Credit: Todd Rosenberg
Soprano
Victoria Bachemin
Lashanda Bell
Hope Bradford
Kendyl Crawford
AbijahDeen
Diadra Dorsey
Araya Fontaine
JessicaGonzalez
Charlene Jones
Posy Leftwich
Belinda Lindsey
Kamala Natarajan
Kajal Patel
Renee Presley
LeilaniRichardson
OnexiaThompson
GiselleVillalta
AngelaVu
Savannah Walker
Wanggefei Wu
UNIVERSITY SINGERS
Deanna Joseph, conductor
Jonathan Crutchfield, pianist
MASTER SINGERS
Deanna Joseph, instructor
Jacob Augsten, Keith Harmel, Brooke Joynes, Hye Jeong Kwon, Samuel Potts, Morgan Rubin, and Alexandra Trahan, graduate conducting assistants
Jonathan Crutchfield, pianist
I
Shivalkar
Jon Shingler
Tenor II
Emilio Coirini
Shresth Nair
Amar Ranhotra
CHORAL UNION
Jennifer Sengin, conductor
Bass I
Caleb Both
John Brashears
Keith Harmel
Jun-Nyung Lee Bass II
Anthony A rancio
Jacob Augsten
Hope Bradford, Eugene Dorestal, and Nathan Trivers, graduate assistant conductors
Kyung-Mi Kim, pianist
Alto
Irina Akimova
Sydnee Allen
Katie Blackburn
Allison Burns
Rosa Clay
JessicaClemente
Nilah Coles
Tatyana Dickson
Joselyn Erves
Ibiola Fayemi
Eboni Gilbert
Lee Grant
Dequandra Holmes
Sovathany Houl
Bri’Daija Jones
Pharren Mccarty
KristinMcPherson
Sara Ramirez
NaomiRobinson
Destinee Rouse
Paula Saucedo
Prithika Shankar
Lily Grace Sheram
Benasha Shine
Shira Solomon
Margaret Stewart
Claire Wanjiku
Sa’Maria Winder
Diana Woods
Tenor
Jared Allen
Jacqueline Azar
Josh Barron
Benjamin Bryson
Ricky Callier
Michael Campbell
Eugene Dorestal
Dazavier Hadley
German Hernandez
Tracy Jackson
Emir Knapp
Benjamin Latting
Brian Lee
Kayla McIntyre
Luke Meyer
Cody Phillips
Caleb Rawls
Vincent Reynolds
Omar Ruiz
Andrew Venet
Felipe Villegas
Alex Wittlin
Bass (Richard) Solomon Barnes
Marcus Blair
Quintrell Bray
Pete Brier
AdrianBrooks
William Coombs
Jaylen Denson
Keonta Denson
Benjamin Dickson
Nam Doan
Zane Durfee
Solomon Edmondson
Kyle Haley
Zayne Freshley Bernard Manela Killian McQuain
Payton Scott
Erwing Landazabal
Khari Marquette
Toussaint McFarland-Bragg
Bo McWaters
Ricky Menendez
John Miller
Rey Murat
Landon Oseitutu
Samuel Osorio-Velasquez
Kazuo Ridgeway
Kaelon Roaché
Travon Simmons
Jelani Smith
Isaiah Spencer
Armis Stokes
Tae Tennyson
Nathan Trivers
Angel Vivaldo
Phu Vu
Thomas Wells
BJ White
Samuel Wilson
Soprano
Hannah Bradley
Asha Brae
Madelynne Hellemn
Tamera Tabb
Kiana Wagner
Wendy Woo
PERIMETER COLLEGE CHORALE
Brian Bonin, director Patrick Hutchison, pianist
Soprano
Jordan Howard
Gabby O’Neal Kate Drueke
Kamea Alleyne
Sydney Berenson
Jayla Smith
Ronin Avila-Archer
Andrew Christian Bodrick
Thomas Fennell
Bishop Glover
Jade Glover
Gabriela Hash
Teasley
SENIOR YOUTH CHOIR, ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT
Brittney Boykin, conductor
Cailey Inman
Anayah Israel Lana Johnson Bobby Jones Zellah Kirkpatrick
London Locke
Vocals
Jessica Clemente Trumpet Callum Blows
Ryan Arrowood
Jonathan Castro
Jae Crocker
Flute
Jill Benway
Floria Kim
Nicole Young
Oboe
Quinten Hansen
Brooke Owen
Clarinet
Rachel Odendahl
Adam Stallings
Bassoon
Ian Horrocks
Emma Mooradian
French Horn
Dennis Korwek
Jessica Macharia Nahri Marks
Jenae McCoy McKenzi McDade-Hill
Jonathan Phillips Mikayla Stewart Makayla Taylor
GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY JAZZ COMBO
Gordon Vernick, director
Saxophone Haniel Mastriani
GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
Stuart Gerber, director
Duncan Curl
Kayla Eckles Nithin Elango
Micah Grate
Alondra Hernandez Lopez
Donald Johnson Aidan Jones Fadila Khaled
UNIVERSITY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Michael Palmer, conductor
The Charles Wurm Distinguished Professor of Orchestral Studies
Matthew Manley
Andrew Sneed
Ethan Watson
Trumpet
Bryan Puga
Tristan Travitz
Lilliana Vergara
Trombone
Tristan Bailey Cathey
Caycee Stallworth
Tuba
Glenn Zekser
Timpani Vianny Flores
Percussion
Josh Chastain
Dawson Ellington
Vinny Flores
Braxton Hall
Joshua Moss
Violin I
Marissa Bago
Elena Delgado
Brian Le
Cameron Richardson -
Concertmaster
Angelina Sidiropoulou
Christopher Thurstone
Elisha Zelman
Violin II
Bryce Bias *
Rowan Jordan
Minwoo Kim
Juliana Pinero
Sarah Platt
Rawan Shurbjy
Deja Small
Viola
Ro Bonilla*
Emanuel Hill, Jr.
Eunice Quartey
Miranda McAfee
Ian Smith
Samiya Sumpter
Patrick Tabeek
Sabrina Viner
Trujillo Imari Welcher
Sedreck Whitaker-Baker
Sole Williams-Brewer
William Mizelle
Xavier Motin
Bryan Wysocki
Cello
Jacob Bower
Chalotte Dennison
Jacob Guidi
Danielle Liburd
Emmanuel Losa
Miles Oden
Double Bass
Christina Gilkes
Joshua Rutherford
Graduate Assistant
Minsoo Kim
Pyeongkang Park
*alumni
ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT (AMP) provides intensive, tuition-free music education for underserved youth right in their neighborhood. AMP’s mission is to empower underserved youth to realize their possibilities through music. In addition to four after-school learning sites providing band, orchestra and choir instruction, AMP’s programs include: the AMP Academy, providing advanced musical training to AMP’s most talented and dedicated students; the AMP Summer Series, a music festival and school; and the AMP Youth Choirs & Orchestras. AMP music ensembles perform more than 50 concerts annually, performing in venues all across Atlanta, from community centers to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. AMP music ensembles have performed alongside international stars such as the Harlem Quartet, electric violinist Lindsey Stirling, pianist Terrence Wilson, soprano Alison Buchanan, rapper Lecrae, R&B singer Monica, and the Imani Winds. AMP musicians can be seen performing with rapper T.I. on NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series. AMP’s young musicians have successfully auditioned for Georgia All-State ensembles, the Atlanta Opera, and have concertized as far away as Los Angeles, Aspen and Mexico City. AMP is a 2019 winner of ArtsATL’s Luminary Award for Arts Education and a 2018 winner of Emory University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award. In 2016 and 2017, the White House named AMP one of the top 50 after-school arts programs in the nation. The 2019-2020 school year will be a milestone year for AMP as it celebrates its tenth year of programming. Founded in 2010, this will be AMP’s first full year in its first ever headquarters space, the AMP Center for Performance and Education. With a 2019-2020 annual operating budget projected at just over $1MM, AMP will serve 350 young musicians.
BRIAN BONIN, currently serves as Assistant Chair in Fine Arts and Humanities at Perimeter College, is currently touring as Alidoro in Cinderella with Peach State Opera. He has performed all of the Mozart/DaPonte operas with the company: the title role in Don Giovanni, Guglielmo in Così fan tutte, and Count Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro. Dr. Bonin performed Joseph DeRocher in Dead Man Walking for the Louisiana Concert Movement, with composer Jake Heggie and Sister Helen Prejean in attendance. He also performed with the Lyric Opera Studio of Weimar (Germany), Opéra Louisiane, New Orleans Opera, Opera in the Ozarks, the Aspen Opera Theater Center, the Baisley Powell Elebash Opera Theater and LSU Opera Theater. An avid art song interpreter, he has worked with pianist collaborators Martin Katz and John Keene, American art song interpreter Paul Sperry, spiritual arranger Moses Hogan and singers Christòpheren Nomura and Jennifer Larmore. He and pianist Laura Gordy will be presenting a program in the winter of 2018 at Perimeter College, University of North Georgia, and Lagrange College. Dr. Bonin earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in vocal performance from Louisiana State University and currently serves as Vice President for the Georgia chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
ARTIST PROFILES
BRITTNEY BOYKIN, conductor of the Atlanta Music Project Senior Youth Choir. Brittney Boykin is a composer and concert pianist and a native of Alexandria, Virginia. After graduating from Spelman College in 2011 with a B.A. in Music, Ms. Boykin continued her studies at Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, New Jersey. She continued to compose music during her time at Westminster and was awarded the R & R Young Composition Prize just a few months shy of graduating. In May of 2013, Ms. Boykin graduated from Westminster Choir College with a M.M. in Sacred Music with a concentration in choral studies. Among her professional endeavors, Ms. Boykin has also been featured as the conductor/composerin-residence for the 2017 Harry T. Burleigh Commemorative Spiritual Festival at Tennessee State University. Ms. Boykin’s instrumental and choral works are currently being published and distributed through her own publishing company, Klavia Press. She is currently pursuing a PhD with an emphasis in Music Education from Georgia State University.
W. DWIGHT COLEMAN, artistic director and the Professor of Voice and Coordinator of External Relations in the School of Music at Georgia State University. Mr. Coleman has been the leader of the Harrower Summer Opera Workshop since 1991 and is proud of its development into one of the leading operatic summer training programs in the U.S.A. He has an established international performing career as an award-winning singer, stage director and teacher with experiences in Italy, Germany, Greece, France, Brazil, Austria, Taiwan, China and of course the U.S.A. He was keynote speaker and masterclass clinician at the Shih Chien University International Voice Symposium in Taipei and immediately following the Harrower Workshop, he travels to Greece as Artist-in-Residence for two festivals: the MusicAnatolia College Festival in Thessaloniki and at the Municipal Conservatory of Music in Drama. Mr. Coleman was director of the Georgia State University School of Music from 2007–2013 and coordinator of the voice area and founding Director of Opera studies from 1991–2007. His awards at GSU include the 2007 College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Faculty Award, 2000 Torch of Peace Award for promotion of racial harmony, 2005 Alumni Association Sparks Award and a 2009 Loridans’ Foundation Arts Medal for significant contributions to the cultural life of Atlanta.
JONATHAN CRUTCHFIELD, the collaborative pianist at Georgia State University School of Music has received degrees from Southern Wesleyan University (BA in piano performance); Florida State University (MM in choral conducting performance); and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (DMA in choral conducting). Dr. Crutchfield has served four University music faculties as Director, or Adjunct Director, of Choral Activities. He co-founded and directed the School of Fine Arts in Chattanooga (TN). Jonathan currently serves Morningside Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA as Organist/ Choirmaster. He is a collaborative pianist at Georgia State University, and he serves as collaborative keyboardist for the Atlanta based professional choral ensemble, Coro Vocati. Dr. Crutchfield has accompanied conductors, singers, and instrumentalists throughout the USA and abroad. He has accompanied choirs performing at the divisional and national levels of The American Choral Directors Association’s (ACDA) conventions. He has served as organist for music events in the US and abroad, most notably playing for a mass at the Vatican. His choirs have performed in Austria and the Czech Republic. He is a published composer.
BROCK DERRINGER is the Choral Director at Drew Charter school in Atlanta, GA, where he directs both the Junior and Senior Academy choirs. He completed his M. M. E. at Florida State University in Choral Music Education and Conducting in 2011. He has taught choral music and piano for thirteen years, and is excited for his first year at Drew Charter School. He and his family live in East Lake, and he is an active musician in the Atlanta area.
DEANNA JOSEPH is Associate Professor and Director of Choral Activities at Georgia State University School School of Music where she conducts the University Singers and leads the Master of Music program in choral conducting. In 2015, she was the recipient of the College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Teacher Award. Under Dr. Joseph’s baton, Georgia State University Singers has been invited to perform at two conventions of the American Choral Directors Association. In 2013, the University Singers competed in La Florilège Vocal de Tours, where they placed second overall in the mixed choir category; Joseph was honored with the Prix du chef de choer. Additional honors include an invited performance at the Georgia Music Educators Association annual conference and the North American premiere of David Bintley’s Carmina Burana with the Atlanta Ballet. The choir’s new professional recording, Evening Hymn (Gothic Records), is now available through both compact disc and iTunes.
Artist Profiles
STUART GERBER, Coordinator of Percussion has been involved in a number of world-premiere performances. He gave the world premiere of Karlheinz Stockhausen’s last solo percussion work Himmels-Tür in Italy, and his percussion trio Mittwoch-Formel at the annual Stockhausen-Courses in Kürten, Germany. He has also given the U.S. and Australian premieres of Stockhausen’s duo version ofNasenflügeltanz for percussion and synthesizer, and the US premiere of his solo percussion work Komet. Dr. Gerber has been the faculty percussionist for the Stockhausen-Courses since 2005 and has recorded a number of pieces for the Stockhausen Complete Edition released by the Stockhausen-Verlag. Recent performances include: The White Light Festival at Lincoln Center; Now Festival in Tallinn, Estonia; Chihuahua International Music Festival in Mexico; Gulbenkian Center in Lisbon, Portugal; South Bank Centre in London; Ultraschall Festival in Berlin, Germany; Melbourne Recital Centre, Australia; Spoleto Festival in Charleston; as well as a performance with Stewart Copeland (the legendary drummer for The Police) at the Savannah Music Festival. Dr. Gerber has extensive recording experience and can be heard on Bridge Records, Capstone Records, Telarc, Code Blue Records, Mode Records, Wesleyan University Press, Albany Records and Vienna Modern Masters. Dr. Gerber is a founding member of the Atlanta-based new music group Bent Frequency, performs internationally as one half of the piano-percussion duo Ensemble Sirius, and is regularly heard as extra percussionist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Stuart Gerber received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Oberlin College Conservatory where he studied with Michael Rosen and a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). His teachers at CCM were Allen Otte, Russell Burge, and James Culley of the Percussion Group Cincinnati. He has also done advanced studies at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Hannover, Germany, with professor Andreas Boettger.
KYUNG-MI KIM, collaborative pianist at Georgia State University School of Music received both Doctor of Music and Master of Music degrees in piano performance from Indiana University. She also received master’s and bachelor’s degrees in piano from Ewha Woman’s University in Seoul, Korea. Her major teachers include Jin-Woo Chung and Yoon-Bo Chung in Korea. At Indiana University, she studied with the late Leonard Hokanson , a pupil of legendary pianist Artur Schnabel, Shigeo Neriki, and Evelyne Brancart. She has performed extensively as a solo and collaborative pianist throughout her career. In 1993, she premiered the woodwind quintet by Heinrich von Herxogenberg at Indiana University. She has performed in major recital halls in South Korea, such as the Se-Jong Cultural Center. Ms.Kim served as a collaborative pianist at DePauw University from 1998-2000. Throughout her career, she has performed more than 500 recitals, collaborating with numerous outstanding vocalists and instrumentalists in Asia and throughout the United States. Dr. Kim has played for many summer music programs, masterclasses, and summer opera workshops as a coach. She was invited to be the pianist for the Michael Palmer International Conducting Workshop in 2007 and 2008. She has also been invited to the 2009 American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition to serve as pianist. Recently, Ms. Kim performed in a recital with award winning tenor Russell Thomas, for Atlanta Symphony Orchestra 2014-2015 Artist in Residence series.
MICHAEL PALMER, Charles Thomas Wurm Distinguished Professor of Orchestral Studies, served as associate conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra under Robert Shaw and was the founding music director of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. He has served as guest conductor of the Houston, National, and Denver Symphony Orchestras, and as music director of the Wichita and New Haven Symphony Orchestras. He founded the American Sinfonietta in 1991 and became artistic director of the Bellingham Festival of Music in 1993.
JENNIFER SENGIN is the Associate Director of Choral Activities at Georgia State University where she conducts the Women’s Chorus, Choral Union and teaches conducting, graduate choral literature, undergraduate choral methods, and supervises student teachers. Under her direction, the Women’s Chorus was recently accepted to perform at the Georgia Music Educators Conference in January 2020. In addition, she currently serves as the R&R Chair for Youth and Student Activities on the GA-ACDA Board and as both Faculty and Administrator of the Choral Music Experience for Choral Teacher Education course at Michigan State University. Dr. Sengin is an active guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and presenter. Dr. Sengin has taught courses at Michigan State University and Central Connecticut State University. She has published and contributed to articles in the Choral Journal and Tempo Magazine. Dr. Sengin holds degrees from The College of New Jersey (BM), Ithaca College (MM), and Michigan State University (DMA).
GORDON VERNICK is the Professor of Music and Coordinator of Jazz Studies at Georgia State University. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY; a Master of Music from the University of Miami, and a Doctor of Arts from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley. He is a dedicated jazz educator and has served as past president of the Georgia Association of Jazz Educators and chair of the International Association of Jazz Educators Curriculum Committee. He is currently the Director of the Rialto Youth Jazz Orchestra and the musical director of the Rialto Jazz for Kids middle school jazz outreach program. As the director the GSU Faculty Jazztet he has appeared at numerous venues in the Southeast United States including the Atlanta Jazz Festival, the High Museum Jazz Series, the International Association for Jazz Education Conference, and the Jazz Education Network Conference. He has also performed with such world-renown jazz artists as Kenny Werner, Clare Fischer, John Hart, Kevin Hays, Conrad Herwig, Marc Copland, Randy Brecker, Rez Abbasi, and many others. As a clinician/teacher he has served residencies, given master classes, and performed at the Conservatory of San Juan, P.R., the Taipei American School in Taiwan, the Singapore American School, the Bangkok International School, The University of Northern Colorado, Columbia College Chicago, The Conservatory of Bordeaux, the University of Cape Town, South Africa, and the Royal Northern Conservatory of Manchester, U.K. His podcasts, Jazz Insights, have been featured on numerous websites including the New York Times and have been downloaded over 20 million times since May 2009. All 240 podcasts are available at his website jazz-insights.com. His CD, The Strangest Thing, was released on Jbird Records in May 2008 and his most recent CD, Destination, was released in May 2012. He plays Schagerl trumpets and an Adams flugelhorn.
When you donate to the Rialto, you enable us to further enhance and broaden our arts portfolio and educational programming; to maintain and expand the Rialto Series, featuring the best of national and international jazz, world music and dance; and to continue building our educational outreach to high-need public school students throughout Atlanta. With donor categories from $1 to more than $100,000, no amount is too small to contribute! We invite you to become part of the Rialto family, and with your gift, the Rialto will be able to bring the arts to more audiences, more classrooms and transform even more lives.
IMPRESARIO | $25,000+
Anonymous (3)
Bill & Peg Balzer
Mark Becker
Charles Loridans Foundation
The Erroll & Elaine Davis Charitable Foundation
Fulton County Arts Council
The Molly Blank Foundation
Thomas H. & Mabel Dorn Reeder Foundation
VIRTUOSO | $15,000-$24,999 City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs
South Arts, Inc.
MAESTRO | $10,000-$14,999
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation’s Audience Building Roundtable Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
Georgia Council for the Arts
Nancy Nolan & Harold Shumacher
State Farm Mutual
Automobile
Insurance Company
Winnifred Smith O’Dell Fund
BENEFACTOR | $5,000-$9,999
100 Peachtree Property LLC
W. Imara Canady
David Caudill & Julia Bannerman
David & Christine Cofrin
David & Mary Haddow
Naomi M. Kirkman-Bey Jerry & Usha Rackliffe
PRODUCER | $2,500-$4,999 American Endowment Foundation
GeorgiaLink Public Affairs Group
Ray & Mary Maynard
New England Foundation for the Arts
Gloria J. Mims
LEADER | $1,000-$2,499
Richard & Marty Alterman
Anonymous (1)
Ken & Kathy Bernhardt
Tony & Mary Burger
David M. Cheshier
The Coca-Cola Company
Walter Coffey & G. David Sprowl
Sally Atkins Cohen & Rocky Atkins
Christopher D. & Nicole Escobar
Leslie Gordon & Blake Leland
Jo Ann Haden-Miller & Bill Miller
Tammy & Don Hale
Connie & Robert Hawkins
Carl D. Hudson & Jennie Raymond
E. Hyman & Marc
SUSTAINER | $500-$999
TICKETS
Tickets available for purchase by phone at 404-413-9TIX (9849), online at rialto.gsu.edu or in person at the Rialto box office, 80 Forsyth St. NW (corner of Forsyth and Luckie streets).
BOX OFICE HOURS
Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
WEBSITE
Visit rialto.gsu.edu for a complete calendar of events or to purchase tickets 24 hours a day.
REFUNDS & EXCHANGES
All sales are final with no exchanges or refunds.
PARKING
The 100 Peachtree Garage (formerly the Equitable Building parking deck) at the corner of Fairlie and Williams streets, provides official parking for the Rialto Center.
SPECIAL NEEDS
The Rialto Center is fully accessible to patrons with special needs. Wheelchair seating can be reserved in advance. Patrons who are TTY users, hearing impaired, speech disabled or hard of hearing can call us through the Georgia Relay Service at 711. For more information about these services, please call 866-787-6710. You can also email us at rialto@gsu.edu.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
The exit sign closest to your seat shows the shortest route out of the theater. In case of an emergency, please walk to the exit.
ETIQUETTE
Please turn all cellphones and electronic devices to silent operation upon entering the theater. Late-arriving patrons will be seated at the House Manager’s discretion during a pause in the performance. Please refrain from talking during the performance.
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE
We encourage you to share your experience at the Rialto on social media before and after the show using #RialtoATL. Tag us @RialtoCenter.
Please take a few moments to complete a survey after the show. Survery forms are available in the lobby.
CAMERAS/RECORDING DEVICES
The use of cameras or sound/video recording equipment without the written permission of the management is strictly prohibited.
LOST AND FOUND
For items lost or left at the theater, please call the House Manager at 404-413-9844.
MERCHANDISE
The Rialto has items available for purchase at the box office including umbrellas, coffee mugs and more.
RENT THE RIALTO
Our facilities offer the perfect setting for everything from a VIP reception to an unforgettable corporate event. For more information, please contact Jo Costanzo at 404-413-9814 or jcostanzo@gsu.edu.
USHERING
Interested in volunteering as a Rialto usher? Sign up online or call 404-413-9845.
LEGACY CIRCLE
James Ernest Blackmon
Donald S. Gingrich
John and Victoria Haberlen
Charles Knox
Michael Lorton and Gary Youngblood
John and Agnes Nelson
Kay R. Shirley
Chris and Aileen Valianos
Sue Sigmon Williams
MUSIC DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE
($10,000-$49,999)
Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Inc.
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
Mark and Suzanne Sykes
Christopher and Aileen Valianos
Judith Valor
DIRECTOR’S PARTNERS
($5,000-$9,999)
Carole Z. Carreker
Andres and Julie Diaz
Homeward Choir Inc
Rockley Family Foundation, Inc.
CONDUCTOR’S SOCIETY
($1,000-$4,999)
The Atlanta Opera Guild Inc.
Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
John W. Cooledge
Read and Diane Davis
Richard W. Dowdeswell
Donald S. Gingrich
John and Victoria Haberlen
Constantine Kokenes
Bruce and Lorianne Mack
The Presser Foundation
Craig Taylor
Sue S. Williams
Michael Lorton and Gary Youngblood
COMPOSER’S GROUP
($500-$999)
Dwight and Mary Coleman
Georgia Ekonomou
John and Agnes Nelson
Richard and Elizabeth Reaves
Joel and Jean Reeves
Benjamin and Donna Westberry
Norman and Harriet Zoller
PATRONS
($250-$499)
Fred and Elaine Clein
Richard and Terry Croker
Nick J. Demos
Duncan and Julia Gray
Robert and Elisabeth Groth
Thomas N. Guffin
William S. Huie
Thomas and Susan Oder
Guy D. Pfeiffer
Steve and Terri Reece
Randall and Dawn Romig
James Jose and Ann Rollins
William F. Snyder
John and Yee-Wan Stevens
Jenny J. Yang
Carol B. Zepf
ASSOCIATES
($100-$249)
Melanie B. Anderson
Curtis and Nancy Bryant
David Campbell
Elizabeth B. Carter
Maria C. Clark
Denise Curtis
David D’Ambrosio
Mark Lamont and Kathryn Hartgrove
Margaret T. Howell
Barry and Ann Hurford
Clayton and Elizabeth McConnell
Daniel and Thea Marcacci
John and Catherine Mullins
Paul and Pamela Mullins
Malcolm Pittman
Jerry and Usha Rackliffe
Mary L. Rahn
Andrew and Susan Reisner
Laura E. Robinson
Rita B. Steele
Elizabeth D. Sullivan
Lynn and Adelia Thompson
Teresa F. Tucker
Henry and Susan Van Apeldoorn
Daniel and Kathy Wilson
Lynne F. Wright
FRIENDS
(Up to $99)
Anonymous (1)
Judy Benjamin
Jeffrey H. Blanks
Jeanie Robertson and Claire Brown
David W. Brown
Diane B. Champa
Raymond H. Chenault
Gregory R. Coile
Tom and Colleen Dagenhard
Frances C. Emmons
Gwendolyn L. Gable
Robert and Honora Foah
William and Carolen Hansard
Carlos and Barbara Lopez
Russell Pittman
Arolue F. Prater
Jean L. Robertson
Gail Rodriguez
Saxon C. Scarborough
Daniel and Arden Starnes
SunTrust Banks Inc.
Gloria C. Trode
Wendy and Allen Venet
Nancy G. Whittenburger
Levon Williams
ADMINISTRATION
Nickitas Demos, Director / Director of Center for Collaborative & International Arts (CENCIA)
Robert J. Ambrose, Director of Recruitment
Richard Clement, Undergraduate Director
Jan Berry Baker, Graduate Director
PERFORMANCE
Ensemble Directors
Robert J. Ambrose, Director of Bands
Carroll Freeman, The Valerie Adams Distinguished Professor of Opera Studies
Deanna Joseph, Coordinator of Ensembles and Conducting / Director of Choral Activities
Michael Palmer, The Charles Thomas Wurm Distinguished Professor of Orchestral Studies
Chester B. Phillips, Associate Director of Bands / Director of Athletic Bands
School
Devin Reid, Assistant Director of Bands
Gordon Vernick, Coordinator of Jazz Studies
WOODWINDS
Sarah Kruser Ambrose, Flute
Jan Berry Baker, Saxophone
Lara Saville Dahl, Coordinator of Woodwinds / Oboe
John Grove, Bassoon
Kenneth Long, Clarinet
Brandyn Taylor, Artist Affiliate, saxophone
BRASS
Brice Andrus, Horn
Eric Bubacz, Tuba/Euphonium
Alexander Freund, Trumpet
Eric Hawkins, Artist Affiliate, Horn
Mark Maliniak, Artist Affiliate, Trumpet
William Mann, Coordinator of Brass / Trombone
Stuart Stephenson, Artist Affiliate, Trumpet
PERCUSSION
Stuart Gerber, Coordinator of Percussion
Victor Pons, Percussion
STRINGS
Emory Clements, Double Bass
Tania Maxwell Clements, Coordinator of Strings /
Associate Director of Recruitment
Joel Dallow, Cello
Luther Enloe, Classical Guitar
Christos Galileas, Violin
Elisabeth Remy Johnson, Harp
JAZZ STUDIES
Kevin Bales, Jazz Improvisation/Jazz Piano
David J. Frackenpohl, Jazz Guitar
Chris Otts, Jazz Saxophone
Robert Boone, Drums
Rita Graham, Artist Affiliate, Jazz Voice
Joe Gransden, Artist Affiliate, Trumpet
David Sanchez, Jazz Saxophone
Billy Thornton, Jazz Bass
Gordon Vernick, Coordinator of Jazz Studies / Trumpet
KEYBOARD STUDIES
Raffi Besalyn, Piano Performance / Chamber Music
Jonathan Crutchfield, Collaborative Pianist
Sergio Gallo, Piano Performance / Pedagogy
Geoffrey J. Haydon, Coordinator of Keyboard Studies / Piano Performance / Jazz Piano
Kyung-Mi Kim, Collaborative Pianist
Jens Korndörfer, Organ
Peter Marshall, Coordinator of Accompanying / Vocal Coach
VOICE PERFORMANCE AND OPERA STUDIES
Richard Clement, Tenor
W. Dwight Coleman, Baritone
Carroll Freeman, The Valerie Adams Distinguished Professor of Opera Studies
Kathryn Hartgrove, Coordinator of Voice / Mezzo-Soprano
Magdalena Moulson, Soprano
Kay Paschal, Soprano
MUSIC EDUCATION
Patrick Freer, Coordinator of Music Education / Choral
John Haberlen, Professor Emeritus
Anita Kumar, Music Education / Instrumental
Michelle Mercier-DeShon, General Music
Martin Norgaard, Associate Coordinator of Music Education / Strings
Jennifer Sengin, Music Education / Choral
Doug Stevens, General Music
COMPOSITION, TECHNOLOGY, AND MUSIC MANAGEMENT
Nickitas Demos, Coordinator of Composition
Scott Keniley, Music Management / Industry / Law
Marc LeMay, Lecturer, Composition
Brent Milam, Composition
Kendall Minter, Music Management / Industry / Law
Hanna Lisa Stefansson, Composition
Al Thrash, Music Management
Robert Scott Thompson, Coordinator of Music Technology / Composition
FOUNDATION STUDIES
History, Literature, and World Music
Francisco Javier Albo, Music Survey / Media Center Coordinator
Marva Carter, Music History and Literature / World Music
Julia Dokter, Music History
Kyle Jenkins, Theory
Tania Maxwell Clements, Music Survey
Lara Saville Dahl, Music Survey
Oliver Greene, World Music / Ethnomusicology
Hanna Lisa Stefansson, Instructor Composition and Music Theory
Marie Sumner Lott, Coordinator of Music History / Literature and World Music
Bram Creighton, Facilities Coordinator / Production Manager
Ella Chamis, Administrative Specialist - Academic
Patrick Dover, Piano Technician
Cole Hankins, Production Assistant
T.C. McConnell, Director of Band Operations
Julinda Norton, Administrative Coordinator to the Director
Gail Rodriguez, Public Relations
The mission of the Georgia State University School of Music is to preserve, promote, and advance humanity’s rich and expanding tradition of artistic music-making through performance, composition, education, and research in accordance with the urban and global initiatives of the University.
Students performing in the Holiday Gala are supported by gifts to the Friends of Music Scholarship Fund. To make a gift, please contact Cindy Forrest at cnforrest@gsu.edu or 404-413-3191. Your generosity makes all the difference. Thank you!
Follow the Georgia State University School of Music online: facebook.com/gsumusic • twitter.com/gsumusic instagram.com/georgiastateschoolofmusic
For a complete list of School of Music events, please visit music.gsu.edu
Rialto Center for the Arts • P.O. Box 2627, Atlanta, GA 30301-2627 404-413-9TIX (9849)
For a complete list of Rialto Center events, please visit rialto.gsu.edu
