MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2023 | 7:00 P.M.
Van Cliburn Concert Hall
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, Texas
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2023 | 7:30 P.M.
Stars At Night Ballroom
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center San Antonio, Texas
The Lewisville Independent School District presents the In concert for the Texas Music Educators Association Alexander Carr, Director Nathan Ratliff, Associate Director¡AYÚDAME! (VENEZUELAN PLEA FOR LIFE)
www.composercordero.com
Mírame, (Look at me,) Escúchame. (Listen to me.)
Estoy Sufriendo. (I’m suffering.) No puedo ver, (I cannot see,)
CARLOS CORDERO (B. 1992)
Tengo hambre, (I am hungry,)
Tengo sed, (I am thirsty,)
Estoy Enfermo. (I am sick.)
¡Ayúdame! (Help me!)
When was the last time you were hungry and could not immediately eat? or thirsty and could not find water for hours? This is heartbreaking: to see my country, my family, suffering. I come from Venezuela and I did go through difficult times. Since I could not do much from where I was to help, I decided to fight my pain. I asked myself all the questions and cried while working on my desk, so comfortable yet feeling so guilty and helpless. When was the last time you were sick and could not find the medicine to feel better or even to keep living?
Author: Carlos CorderoGEISTLICHES LIED, OP. 30
Public Domain
Laß dich nur nichts nicht dauren mit Trauren, sei stille, wie Gott es fügt, so sei vergnügt mein Wille! Was willst du heute sorgen auf morgen? Der Eine steht allem für, der gibt auch dir das Deine. Sei nur in allem Handel ohn Wandel, steh feste, was Gott beschleußt, das ist und heißt das Beste. Amen.
JOHANNES BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Ed. Nathan Ratliff
Do not be sorrowful or regretful; Be calm, as God has ordained, and thus my will shall be content. What do you want to worry about from day to day? There is One who stands above all who gives you, too, what is yours. Only be steadfast in all you do, stand firm; what God has decided, that is and must be the best. Amen
Composed in 1856, Geistliches Lied is Brahms’ earliest accompanied choral work. It is a double canon with organ accompaniment, set to a poem by Paul Flemming (1609-1640). In our performance, the organ part has been transcribed for clarinet choir by Nathan Ratliff. We are excited to collaborate with members of the Hebron Wind Symphony, the 2023 TMEA 6A Honor Band.
TAREKITA
Oxford University Press
Esmail composed TāReKi a as a gift for the Urban Voices Project, a choir of people who are currently or have recently experienced homelessness on Skid Row in Los Angeles. In TāReKi a the choir uses syllables to imitate “bols”, the sounds of the tabla. The choir uses hand gestures called mudras; they are the alphabet of Bharatanatyam (a type of classical Indian dance). Each mudra has a specific meaning and channels the dancer’s (or in this case, singer’s) energy to become their most alert and concentrated self.
Music Press Tuskegee Institute, ALA.
Neil A. Kjos Music Co
“As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces. This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like topaz, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not change direction as the creatures went. Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around.”
-Ezekiel 15-18
William Dawson was a composer, choir director, and professor of music at the Tuskegee Institute. He played an integral role in the founding of the music school and developed the Tuskegee choir into a world-renowned touring ensemble. While Dawson was an accomplished composer of chamber music and orchestral works, he is best known for his spiritual arrangements. In Ezekiel Saw de Wheel, Dawson uses voices in twelve-part divisi to recreate the vision of the wheel spinning within a wheel. We would like to extend our thanks to Derrick Brookins and the late Brian Stratton for their guidance in our preparation of this piece.
Hal Leonard Corporation
Words by Henry F Lyte, 1847 Music by William H. Monk, 1861
Abide With Me is a hymn of comfort with origins in Scotland and England. Originally composed by William Henry Monk with text by Henry Francis Lyte, Abide With Me has been sung at the funerals of British monarchs and at football and rugby matches since the 1920s. Hogan’s arrangement, composed shortly before his passing, uses thick texture, large dynamic contrasts, and timely fermatas to draw attention to the meaning of the text.
We dedicate our performance of this piece to the memory of former Hebron Choir President, Nicholas Nair, who tragically passed away while pursuing his passion of meteorology and storm-chasing in April of 2022 at the age of 20. To learn more about Nic and the work being done by the Nair family to help others pursue their passions visit: https://nicholasnairfoundation.com/
Treleven Music and Candid Music Publishing
Arrangements by Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoos
Vocal Arrangements by Liam Robinson
“We Raise Our Cups” is the epilogue of the Tony Award-Winning Musical Hadestown. The cast sings directly to the audience, celebrating the efforts of Orpheus, who “could make you see how the world could be, In spite of the way that it is.” We sing this to honor the educators of TMEA and their student musicians who have pressed on to make music through the unique challenges of the last three years.
Hebron High School opened in the fall of 1999 and is comprised of both a senior high and a 9th grade center serving approximately 3,700 students from the communities of Carrollton, Lewisville, Frisco, Plano, and The Colony. It is one of five comprehensive high schools in Lewisville ISD.
The Hebron High School Choral Department consists of approximately 180 students in seven performing ensembles: A Cappella Choir, Belle Chanson, Concert Treble Choir, Concert Tenor-Bass Choir, Chamber Choir, HawkAppella, and Harmony Show Choir. Hebron choirs have consistently earned UIL Sweepstakes awards and won “Best in Class” honors in such cities as New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego, South Padre Island, San Antonio and Houston. Many members have also been chosen for the Region 2 region choirs.
The A Cappella Choir is the flagship ensemble of the Hebron Choral Department. Students are selected through a three-part audition process. Many choir students are actively involved with other school activities such as Student Council, DECA, baseball, football, basketball, tennis, swimming, water polo, Silver Wings, track, band, orchestra, theatre, the all-school musical, journalism, academic decathlon, National Honor Society, Key Club, and many other organizations, while maintaining a high level of involvement in the choral program. In the choir room, students are challenged daily to work within their ensembles to prepare, perfect and perform varied musical genres to share with our diverse community.
Alexander Carr has served as the Director of Choral Activities at Hebron High School since the fall of 2019. Prior to his appointment at Hebron High School, Mr. Carr taught in Fort Worth ISD, Keller ISD, and Arlington ISD.
Mr. Carr is no stranger to the TMEA stage: In 2014, Mr. Carr founded the Keller ISD 5th and 6th Grade Honor Choir, and after just three years of existence, the Honor Choir performed as an Invited Performing Ensemble at the 2017 Texas Music Educators Association Convention. In addition, he served as the associate conductor for the Keller High School Chanteurs Varsity Treble Choir performance at 2014 Texas Music Educators Association Convention, as well as the 2017 American Choral Directors National Conference.
Mr. Carr holds both a Master of Music and Bachelor of Music Education degrees from Texas Christian University. Mr. Carr has studied with Dr. Eph Ehly, Dr. Sheri Neill, and the late Professor Ronald Shirey. At TCU, he also was as the choral conducting graduate assistant, director of the TCU Men’s Chorus, and the Drum Major of the Horned Frog Marching Band.
Outside of the classroom, Mr. Carr is an active performer and adjudicator in the DFW area. Mr. Carr sings with the Turtle Creek Chorale where he serves as Artistic Associate and co-conductor of the Turtle Creek Chamber Chorus with his partner, Rashaad Calaham. He is also a founding member of the American Prize-winning ensemble Brothers In Song. Since 2008, Mr. Carr has been the Choir Director of Ridglea Christian Church in Fort Worth, Texas. He is an avid TCU supporter. When not rehearsing, you can find him at a TCU game or TCU concert. Mr. Carr maintains memberships in the American Choral Directors Association and Texas Music Educators Association.
Nathan Ratliff has served as the Associate Director of Choral Activities since joining the Hebron High School faculty in January of 2014. He received a Bachelor of Music degree in both Percussion and Piano Performance from the University of Oklahoma and later obtained a Master of Music in Percussion Performance from the University of North Texas. Upon completing his degrees, he taught private percussion lessons in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, along with teaching and arranging for several high school band front ensembles. Mr. Ratliff also spent seven seasons with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps as the Front Ensemble Coordinator from 2009-2015.
Many students and families in LISD are familiar with Mr. Ratliff, as he has been an accompanist in high demand for many years performing with local middle school and high school choirs as well as numerous band students for solo contests. In 2013, he served as the accompanist for the Texas All-State Men’s Choir, and in 2015 he accompanied the Hebron A Cappella Choir in their first TMEA appearance. Mr. Ratliff has performed as a recital accompanist at the University of North Texas, Texas Christian University, and Texas A&M UniversityCommerce. He served as the accompanist for CREDO, Dallas’ Ecumenical Mixed Choir for 2 years, and just this past year began accompanying the Chamber Chorus of the Turtle Creek Chorale.
When not surrounding himself with music, Mr. Ratliff enjoys running anything from a 5k to full marathons. He even ran 43 miles in one day to celebrate his 43rd birthday and then did a 50-mile day in the summer of 2020. All three of his dogs are runners. He also makes glass windchimes and recently started learning to make stained glass windows.
He maintains memberships in the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Choral Directors Association.
Robin Brockway-Nichols taught secondary choral music in Texas for twenty-six years, serving the state teaching organizations in many roles including TMEA Region Vocal Chair, TMEA Region Secretary, All-State Choir Organizer, All-State Choir Accompanist, and TCDA High School Vice-President. Robin has conducted TMEA All-Region Choirs across the state, and in February 2010 the Newman Smith High School A Cappella Choir under her direction performed as an invited choir for the Texas Music Educators’ Association Convention. In “retirement” she is in demand as a dynamic choral clinician and collaborative accompanist.
SARAH BAYLES ARBOR CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL
LUKE FOX CREEK VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL
ELIZABETH MORENO KILLIAN MIDDLE SCHOOL
BRIDGETTE PINEAU KILLIAN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Row 4:
Hannah Anil (12) A, B
Theresa Valenzuela (10)
Sophia Hoehn (11)
Ava Allen (12) A, B
Row 3:
Marissa Kouba (12) A,B,C
Rachel Reeder (11)
Lily Yeatts (12)
Sanjitha Venkata (12)
Row 4
Sophia Woodberry (11)
Tanvi Gupta (10) B
Ella-Nuelle Mesumbe (12) A, B, C
Row 3
Alicia Merchant (12)
Greta Knight (10) A, B, C
Audrey Shin (12) A, B, C
Juliana Bruno (12)
Row 2:
Rena Abraham (11) B
Emma Foughty (12) A, B
Sofia Thomas (12) A, B
Rachel Shepard (12) B
Zainab Javed (10) B
Row 1: Drithi Mahesh (12)
Angel Pham (12)
Sanjana Kalyandurg (11) B
Sydney Carroll (11) A, B
Row 2
Danika Ellis (10)
Autumn McCalla (12) B
Aiyana Glasco-Smart (12) B
Alejandra Guzman (11)
Row 1
Andrea Negrete (10) B
Zane Lee (10) B
Anna Garcia (11) A, B, C
Michelle Doan (12) A, B
KEY: A - Choir Leadership, B - Region 2 All-Region Member, C -TMEA All-State Choir Member
Row 4
Adrian Li (10)
Patrick Smith (12)
Row 3
Benjamin Philip (12)
Kyler Beck (12) A, B
Mateo Berzunza (11)
Row 4
Nick Ballas (12) A, B
Brady Phillips (10)
Max Turman (11) A
Charles Pate (12)
Row 3
Sami Gholmieh (12)
Drew Whatcott (11) B
Tyler Shin (9)
Daniel Crawford (12)
Row 2
Nathan James (9) B
Elijah John (10)
Row 1
Christopher Bertulfo (10) B
John Michael Manon (12) A, B, C
Aaron John (9)
Row 2
Christopher Clausen (12) A, B
Scott Park (12)
Reed Augustine (11)
Timothy Chong (12) B, C
Row 1
Grant Feather (10)
Brandon Ta (11)
Brennan Turman (11) B
Swayam Rath (11) A, B
Not Pictured: Angel Estrada (12) A, Jackson Groves (12) A
KEY: A - Choir Leadership, B - Region 2 All-Region Member, C -TMEA All-State Choir Member
The Lewisville Independent School District (LISD) prides itself on a long-standing tradition of education excellence. Encompassing 127-square miles, LISD is situated 25 miles north of Dallas, TX and serves portions of thirteen municipalities including Argyle, Carrollton, Copper Canyon, Double Oak, Flower Mound, Frisco, Grapevine, Highland Village, Hebron, Lewisville, Plano and The Colony.
The mission statement of LISD is, “Students, Staff, and Community design and implement a learning organization that provides encouraging, innovative experiences every day.” Serving more than 52,000 students, LISD has experienced rapid growth during the past 20 years. The district currently has 41 elementary schools, 15 middle schools, and 5 comprehensive high schools.
Lewisville ISD is committed to educational success through real innovation and limitless opportunities for all our students. Annually, our district receives numerous academic accolades, fine arts, honors, athletic championships, and finance awards, which is a direct reflection of our student and staff commitment.
We are grateful to the Texas Music Educators Association for this invitation to perform for the 2023 Convention.
We wish to express sincere appreciation to the following:
Dr. Lori Rapp - Superintendent of Schools
Amanda Drinkwater - Director of Fine Arts
Michael Valentine - Coordinator of Fine Arts
Pam Dallas and Nichole Gregory - Fine Arts Administrative Assistants
Lewisville ISD Board of Trustees
Tracy Scott Miller, President
Allison Lassahn, Vice President
Katherine Sells, Secretary
Dr. Buddy Bonner
Kristi Hassett
Jenny Proznik
Sheila P. Taylor
Hebron High School Administration
Amy Boughton, Principal of Hebron High School
Amanda Werneke, Principal of Hebron 9
Dr. Jacob Garlinger, Associate Principal Assistant Principals – Dr. Vanessa Zavar, Glen Croll, Brian McCoo, Jacquelyn Kushnir, Marybeth Coen, Richard Sulfstede, Deanna Gerde
Hebron High School Performing Arts Staff
Band: Andy Sealy, Travis Pruitt, Brock Alsaffar, Ben Koch, Chris Josey
Orchestra: Matthew Cautivar, Helen Chang
Theatre: Scott Crew, Chelsey Thornburg, Dean Robertson
Hebron Cluster Staff
Private Voice Teachers: Bruce Fowler and Robin Montgomery
Arbor Creek Middle School: Sarah Bayles
Creek Valley Middle School: Luke Fox
Killian Middle School: Liz Moreno and Bridgette Pineau
Castle Hills Elementary: Tommy Isom
Coyote Ridge Elementary: Jordan Harp
Hebron Valley Elementary: Christine Barnett
Hicks Elementary: Kristen Shepard
Homestead Elementary: Teri Pipitone
Independence Elementary: Diana Taylor
Indian Creek Elementary: Sarah Hamilton
Polser Elementary: Melinda Wilson
The Carr and Ratliff Families
The Hebron 9 and Hebron HS Administration
LISD Fine Arts Director, Amanda Drinkwater
Jesse Cannon II, TMEA Vice-President
Hebron High School Choir Booster Club
The 20-21 and 21-22 Hebron A Cappella Choirs
Rashaad Calaham
Rachel Forester
Adrian Balansay
Dr. Emily Saenz
Carlos Saenz
Dr. Francis Cathlina
Derrick Brookins
Brian Stratton
Melissa Logan
Danny Zelibor
Amy Baumgardner
Jackson Fowers
Kaitlyn Johnson
Toni Ugolini
Amy Fambrough
Lauren Wilemon
Paul Norris
Erik Holmberg
Tanner Wilemon
Casey Carruth
Halley Radebaugh
Clinton Hardy and the TSMS Varsity Treble Choir
Dr. Christopher Aspaas and the TCU Concert Chorale
Andy Sealy and the Hebron Wind Symphony
Stonebriar Homeowners Association
Jackson Groves, Program Design
Dallas Ovalle, Program Design
KO Photo Studio
The HHS Choir Parents and Students
