JUNIATA CONCERT CHOIR with ALTURAS DUO
Fall Concert Uncharted Waters
Alturas Duo
Carlos Boltes, viola and charango
Scott Hill, guitar
John Bukowski, conductor
Sunday, November 2, 2025
3:00 p.m.
Rosenberger Auditorium
Halbritter Center for the Performing Arts
Repertoire
Alturas Duo
Ventolera Chilean Folk
Por el amor se ve Leo Brouwer (b. 1938)*
Suite Atacama
Preludio Horacio Salinas (b. 1951)
Nubes Pasajeras Ernesto Cavour (1941-2012)
Espejismo Alberto Cumplido (b. 1957)*
La rosa y el volcán Ernesto Cavour
*Commissioned by Alturas Duo
Concert Choir with Alturas Duo
Con amores, la mi madre (c. 1500)
Juan de Anchieta, arr. Bob Chilcott
Todos los bienes del mundo (c. 1500)
Juan del Encina
Alfonsina y el mar (1969/2008)
Ariel Ramírez, arr. Javier Farías
Uncharted Waters, from ALongWalk (2025)
Javier Farías
World Premiere
Commissioned by the Juniata College Concert Choir
Fourteen Angels (2017)
Jeffrey Van
La balada del agua del mar, from Cancionesdelagua (2016)
Ronald Pearl
Amanecer Borincano (1974/2011)
Alberto Carrión, arr. Enrique Bayoán Ríos-Escribano
El cielo canta alegría (1958/2000)
Pablo Sosa, arr. Ed Henderson
Texts and Translations
Con amores, la mi madre
Translation copyright © by Laura Prichard, reprinted with permission from the LiederNet Archive, https://www.lieder.net/
Due to your love, mother, With loving, I fell asleep; While sleeping, I dreamed What was in my waking heart, That love consoled me More than I deserved.
I was lulled to sleep through the favor Of your love given to me lovingly; I was allowed to relax from my pain Through faith which supports me Due to your love, mother, With loving, I fell asleep!
Todos los bienes del mundo
All the possessions of the world pass quickly, and so does their memory, save reputation and glory. Time takes some, fortune and luck others. And in the end comes death, which leaves us with none.
All the possessions of the world pass quickly, and so does their memory, save reputation and glory.
The greatest and best fortune passes quickly, and so does its memory, save reputation and glory. Reputation lives on securely, even should its owner die; The other possessions are but dreams and a certain tomb.
The greatest and best fortune passes quickly, and so does its memory, save reputation and glory.
Alfonsina y el mar
Text by Félix Luna
Translation © Nicholas Mulroy, provided via Oxford International Song Festival (www.oxfordsong.org).
By the soft sand that the sea laps
Her small print will not return One path alone of pain and silence reached The deep water. And one path alone of mute pains reached Up to the foam.
God knows what anguish followed you What old sorrows silenced your voice To lie you down again, lulled by the song Of the sea shells.
The song that the shell sings in the dark depth Of the sea.
You leave, Alfonsina, with your solitude. What new poems were you seeking?
An old voice of wind and salt Breaks your soul and takes it away, And you go towards it, as if in dreams, Asleep, Alfonsina, clothed by the sea.
Five small sirens will take you Along paths of coral and seaweed And dazzling seahorses will whirl Beside you.
And the sea-dwellers soon will Play by your side.
Lower the lamp a little more. Let me sleep in peace, nurse.
And if he calls, don’t tell him I’m here. Tell him Alfonsina won’t be back... And if he calls, don’t ever tell him I’m here. Say I’m gone...
You leave, Alfonsina, with your solitude. What new poems were you seeking?
An old voice of wind and salt
Breaks your soul and takes it away, And you go towards it, as if in dreams, Asleep, Alfonsina, clothed by the sea.
Uncharted Waters
All text for this piece was taken from interviews conducted by Scott Hill with Van Dang in 2019 and 2025 specifically for Uncharted Waters. Van escaped from Vietnam at age 15 in 1979, fleeing by boat with his sister after the fall of Saigon. He currently lives in Connecticut.
I.
II.
Buon Ma Thuot; Nineteen seventy nine.
My parents decided that all the children should leave first, Escaping by boat was our best option, They told us not to worry about them.
My brother, Son, who was on a separate trip, was captured by the police. He was imprisoned and was in bad shape.
It was now my turn.
My mom said to me:
“You have to go”. I was unprepared, and that was the last time I saw her.
She said to me:
“You may lose your life trying to leave, but if you stay here, you’re likely going to lose your life anyway, given the way things are going”.
Vung Tau
It was mid-May
And the weather was very hot.
The ocean was sometimes blue and beautiful, Dark and scary at other times. We were frightened, But trying to be upbeat For each other on our way to Indonesia. We were defenseless.
No one spoke.
We were completely alone.
We had no guns to protect ourselves From thieves and pirates.
I thought a baby on board was going to die so I began to steal water so he wouldn’t cry. If I was caught, the crew would have killed me. I would have to fight the older boys for food if we got lost, But I was ready to do it to help us both survive. By the seventh day, I thought it was over. We hadn’t seen land since we left. No food, water and almost no fuel.
I thought, “This is it, this is where I die”. Then, the rescue ship arrived. One boat that had a massive area to cover, and they found us. It was a miracle.
(The ocean was sometimes blue and beautiful, Dark and scary at other times.)
III.
Pulau Galang
Eight days after we escaped, We reached Galang, a wild island Where the United Nations built a refugee camp. We lived in barracks With no real privacy. We tried to learn English But didn’t get too far. There was no way To let our family know Where we were and that we were safe. People were still trying To get out of Vietnam, And we never thought About going back home. There was no way To let our family know Where we were and that we were safe.
My parents stayed behind to save us, risking losing their children while we risked dying, Because nothing good comes without risk. Freedom is worth risking your life for.
You have to almost die to realize what your life is worth; it’s physical. No fear, no oppression — I escaped and was free. My sister and I, though young, could now take care of our family. I changed from a child to an adult in a very short time. Freedom is amazing.
Fourteen Angels
Old German evening prayer
When at night I go to sleep, Fourteen angels watch do keep; Two my head are guarding, Two my feet are guiding, Two are on my right hand, Two are on my left hand, Two who cover me, Two who wake me, And two who sing me into the heavenly paradise.
La balada del agua del mar
Text by Federico García Lorca
The Seawater Ballad
The sea smiles in the distance. Teeth of foam, lips of sky.
What do you sell, oh young, troubled woman with breasts bared?
I sell, sir, the water of the seas.
What do you carry, oh dark youth, blended with your blood?
I carry, sir, the water of the seas.
These briny tears, where do they come from, mother?
I weep, sir, the water of the seas.
Dear heart, from where is this grave bitterness born?
Bitter indeed is the water of the seas.
The sea smiles in the distance. Teeth of foam, lips of sky.
Amanecer Borincano
Borincano Dawn/Puerto Rican Sunrise
I am the morning light that illuminates new paths, that floods the hills, the farmers’ paths.
I am the fruit of the future the seed of tomorrow, sown in the purest manure of my borincana land.
I am a fisherman of dreams, seeking a sea of foam, of conch shells and sands, of mermaids and sea mist.
Of stars and horizons, my fortune is made.
I am the navigating gull and astronaut of the moon.
I am the yeast of bread that feeds the hope of the Puerto Rican, of my homeland’s awakening.
I carry borinqueña blood.
I am the child of the palm trees,
of the fields and the rivers, and coquí frog’s song, of valleys and coffee plantations, of sugarcane, sugar, and pineapple, of guava, stone walls, of coconut pudding and maví.
*Borincano and its variants come from Borinquen or Borikén, the indigenous Taíno name for Puerto Rico.
El cielo canta alegría
Heaven is singing for joy, Alleluia! Because in your life and mine
Shines the glory of God. Alleluia!
Heaven is singing for joy, Alleluia!
Because your life and mine
Are one in the love of God. Alleluia!
Heaven is singing for joy, Alleluia!
For your life and mine
Will always proclaim the Lord. Alleluia!
ALTURAS DUO
Praised by The Washington Post as playing with “marvelous virtuosity,” Alturas Duo is recognized as one of the most engaging ensembles performing in the chamber music world today.
Alturas Duo has won numerous awards ranging from First Prize at the New England International Chamber Music Competition, the CMA/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, to the 2020 World Folk Vision popular vote award and jury selection for best Latin Music Band.
Their quest for new musical experiences has led Alturas Duo to exciting collaborations with artists and ensembles as diverse as guitarist and composer Horacio Salinas, charango virtuoso Ernesto Cavour, Argentine bandoneón legend and Piazzolla bandmate Daniel Binelli, Cuarteto Latinoamericano, Callisto Quartet, Voce Choir, the Washington Choral Arts Society, the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, and East Coast Contemporary Ballet.
Alturas Duo works regularly with composers to broaden the repertoire and expand their musical possibilities. This has led to 60+ additions to the repertoire featuring the guitar, viola, and/or charango in chamber music settings as well as works for the choral and orchestral worlds. Collaborations with composers include Leo Brouwer, Ronald Pearl, David Macbride, Javier Farías, and Raimundo Penaforte to name a few.
Alturas Duo has performed in venues and for presenters such as Carnegie Hall, Symphony Space, Merkin Hall, the Smithsonian Institute, the Historic Asolo Theater, Le Petit Trianon (CA), La Maison de Mai (Paris), the International Viola Congress, La Guitarra California, and Music Mountain.
Alturas Duo has been recorded for release on the Brioso, Con Brio, and Ravello Records (PARMA) labels in addition to its collaboration with Joseph Holt and the Choral Arts Society of Washington for an award-winning release of a collection of works by the celebrated Argentinian composer Ariel Ramírez, including Misa Criolla, for Naxos.
A LONG WALK
A LONG WALK is a collection of real-life immigration stories shared by individuals who have entrusted composer Javier Farías and classical guitarist Scott Hill with their personal experiences – stories filled with hope, fear and resilience – as they sought new lives in the United States. Inspired by their narratives, Farías transformed their emotions and journeys into music. Each piece in A Long Walk not only reflects the challenges these individuals faced, but also aims to evoke empathy and connection with the audience, inviting listeners to reflect on the richness and complexity of the immigrant experience.
Today’s performance features the premiere of “Uncharted Waters,” the story of 65-year-old Van, who as a young boy was forced to flee Vietnam when the VietCong launched a guerrilla war, leaving his family penniless.
Personnel
SOPRANO
Lydia Bacher ’28
Environmental Science Bloomsburg, PA
Madeline Cartwright ’28 Biochemistry Sandy Ridge, PA
Luka Donovan ’29
Studio Arts State College, PA
Breanna Ehrlich ’28 Biochemistry/Geology Mays Landing, NJ
Bailey Gordon ’27 Business Management New Egypt, NJ
Eryn Hopkins ’29
Environmental Studies Doylestown, PA
Hailey Houser ’28 Biochemistry Howard, PA
Beck Mensch ’26
Pre-Physician’s Assistant (Biology) with Secondary in Spanish Hazleton, PA
Ashlyn Neiley ’29
Pre-Chiropractic Care (Biology) Wyalusing, PA
Heather Small ’27
Social Work and Communication Lancaster, PA
Claire Smith ’29 Early Childhood Education Harrisburg, PA
Miriam Struble-Hedstrom ’28
Environmental Studies North Manchester, IN
ALTO
Lynden Beinhauer ’28
Wildlife Conservation Ellwood City, PA
Eve Fenstermaker ’27 Biology / Pre-Vet Lebanon, PA
Emilia Lopez ’27 Environmental Science Clifton, NJ
Nina Meadows ’28 Social Work Hollidaysburg, PA
Ellie Parton ’29 Psychology Leander, TX
Jess Riley ’29
Environmental Science Westminster, MD
Skylar Rutherford ’29 Psychology and Social Work Altoona, PA
Mariam Sesay ’29 Managerial Economics Freetown, Sierra Leone
Mia Thornhill ’28
Exercise Science and Kinesiology Rockville, MD
TENOR
Zee Bretz ’28 Geology Pine Grove, PA
Em Perago ’26 Biology York, PA
Niko Ringkauf ’28
Environmental Science Amherst, MA
Jackson Sharpe ’27
Politics and History Harrisonville, PA
Leah Zielinski ’28
Environmental Engineering Pittsburgh, PA
BASS
Holden David ’29
Public Health and Pre-Medicine Binghamton, NY
Shane Frank ’26
Exercise Science and Kinesiology Taylor, PA
Jude Pagliai ’28
Social Work and Political Science Pittsburgh, PA
Finn Thornhill ’26 History Rockville, MD
Josh Trovinger ’27
Environmental Engineering Lebanon, PA
Dominick Watt ’28 Biology Duncansville, PA
Concert Choir
Currently composed of 32 students from the College, the auditioned members of the Concert Choir come from many academic disciplines available at Juniata. Choir members’ dedication and commitment to sharing the beauty of choral music provides meaningful experiences for both singer and listener. With annual spring tours and occasional summer and winter tours, Juniata choirs have presented concerts in notable cathedrals and other significant performing venues on six continents. Recent Concert Choir tours include Costa Rica (2015), Germany (2015), Hungary/Czech Republic (2016), Ireland (2017), Vietnam (2018), Germany/Switzerland/France (2019 and 2022), Morocco (2019), Scotland (2022), Barbados (2023), and the Czech Republic (2025). The Concert Choir plans its Spring 2026 tour to Germany and Luxembourg.
H. Alfred Hockley Concert Choir International Tour Endowment
This endowment (1998) seeks to make international performing experiences uncommonly affordable for Juniata choir members. We are grateful Al Hockley chose to honor his father through this endowment. H. Alfred Hockley was a 1929 graduate of Juniata College and member and manager of the Juniata College Men’s Glee Club. Contributions to the endowment may be made at www.juniata.edu or sent to John Bukowski, 1700 Moore Street, Huntingdon, PA 16652, payable to “Hockley International Choir Tour Endowment.’’
Upcoming Concerts
Rosenberger Auditorium
Halbritter Center for the Performing Arts
Sunday, November 16, 4:00 p.m.
Instrumental Music Concert and “90th Anniversary of Bands at Juniata” Celebration, with special guests, The Juniata College Concert Choir
Thursday, November 20, 7:00 p.m. Jazz Ensemble Concert
Save the Date
Sunday, March 22, 2026, 3:00 p.m.
Concert Choir Germany and Luxembourg Tour Homecoming Concert
Acknowledgment
We thank Dr. Amy Frazier-Yoder, Thornbury Professor of Spanish, for three of the translations printed in this program.
1700 Moore Street Huntingdon, PA 16652
www.juniata.edu/music