2025KANT Silent Nights Program by Kantorei -Denver

12.06.2025

SATURDAY

12.07.2025

SUNDAY

12.20.2025

SATURDAY

12.21.2025

SILENT NIGHTS

K ANTOREI AT THE HOLIDAYS

With guest, Aaron Larget-Caplan, classical guitar

WHAT SWEETER MUSIC

THE ANGEL GABRIEL

MICHAEL FINK (B. 1954)

DAVID CARNEY (B. 1940)

Matthew Eschliman, tenor; Caleb Heaton, baritone; Martina Richardson, Soprano; Allison Pasternak, mezzo-soprano

SWEET WAS THE SONG

Kaleigh Sutula, mezzo-soprano

O BE JOYFUL

THE RUNE OF HOSPITALITY

THE FRIENDLY BEASTS

John Bartley, baritone; Chelsea Kendall, mezzo-soprano

CIDER MEDITATION*

ALF HOUKOM (B.1935)

JEFFREY VAN (B. 1941)

ALF HOUKOM

ARR. JEFFREY VAN

AARON LARGET-CAPLAN (B. 1978)

Written in March of 2025 for Kantorei, director Joel M. Rinsema; Commissioned by the Hatala Family

Chrissie Graham, soprano; Seth O’Kegley, tenor

SIR CHRISTEMASSE*

Caleb Heaton, baritone; Seth O’Kegley, tenor; Mo Bailey, soprano -- INTERMISSION --

SELECTIONS FOR GUITAR

STOPPING BY WOODS ON A SNOWY EVENING

WINTER BRANCHES*

M. RYAN TAYLOR (B. 1972)

ERIC WHITACRE (B. 1970)

ZANAIDA STEWART ROBLES (B. 1979)

Commissioned by Scott Horowitz and Leah Weinberg for Kantorei (Denver, CO), Joel M. Rinsema, Conductor

CHRISTMAS LULLABY

CHILD OF PEACE

Betsy Thurley, soprano

MANGER DANCE

AWAY IN A MANGER

JEFFREY VAN

WILLIAM J. KIRKPATRICK (1838–1921)

Matthew Eschliman, tenor arr. Jeffrey Van

AWAY IN A MANGER

ATTR. JAMES RAMSEY MURRAY (1841–1905)

Shannon Lemmon-Elrod, soprano arr. Jeffrey Van

SILENT NIGHT FRANZ GRUBER (1787–1863) arr. Jeffrey Van

* World Premiere

KANTOREI’S VISION:

To elevate the human experience through choral excellence

Our Mission:

Kantorei is an inclusive community of volunteer singers that invites audiences to experience the richness and diversity of the choral art form, joyously executed at the highest standard of musical excellence. We are innovators: we responsibly leverage our resources to commission work by living composers, perform music by underrepresented and emerging artists, encourage future talent through educational engagement, and nurture the choral community.

Our Values:

MUSICAL EXCELLENCE – We maintain the highest possible standards. We hold ourselves and each other accountable for putting in the necessary effort. We take on artistic challenges that many choirs cannot. We provide our audiences with unique musical experiences performed with professionalism, accuracy, passion, and finesse. We are a volunteer choir with world-class aspirations and achievements.

INCLUSION – We strive to create a singer community where individuals from all backgrounds and experiences can be their best. We celebrate and perform composers that have been underrepresented in the choral tradition alongside those who have historically enjoyed the spotlight. We amplify voices that should be heard, and seek to bring our voices to new places. We connect diverse audiences through the power of music.

JOY – We make music because it brings us joy and we are passionate about sharing that joy with others. Audiences feel our connection to each other and the music; through our work they experience intellectual and emotional expansion. Sharing this joy with each other and our audiences is a privilege.

COMMUNITY – We provide an opportunity for singers, artists, students, and audiences from many different backgrounds and identities to share in musical experiences that allow us to transcend the world we live in. Our singers show up for each other, both musically and personally. We are in community with the composers who partner with us. We create nurturing relationships with other choirs so we can collectively thrive. We show young and emerging artists what their musical future can look like.

INNOVATION – As an organization, we are never stagnant. We feel a responsibility to use our funding to educate, delight, and amaze, which is evident through every aspect of our work: programming, recordings, concerts, and community impact. We move the art form forward by celebrating the full diversity of modern choral composition, and juxtaposing it with treasured work of the traditional canon. Our audiences can feel the musical past resonating with wisdom in the present, and the present reaching back to seek guidance from the past.

Land acknowledgement

Kantorei honors and acknowledges the Tséstho’e (Cheyenne), hinono’eino’ biito’owu’ (Arapaho), Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute), and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ (Sioux) Tribes, and all of the original Indigenous peoples of the land upon which we rehearse and perform.

PROGRAM NOTES

Program Notes compiled by Sara Michael

Opening Reflections

Michael Fink's What Sweeter Music setting opens the program with a question that resonates throughout the season: what music could be sweeter than that which celebrates hope and renewal? This contemporary composition invites us into a space of contemplation and joy.

With The Angel Gabriel, David Carney brings fresh perspective to the ancient narrative of the Annunciation. His musical treatment balances reverence with accessibility, creating an approachable entry point into sacred storytelling. NorwegianAmerican composer Alf Houkom has contributed significantly to the choral repertoire. Sweet Was the Song exemplifies his ability to craft melodies that feel both timeless and intimate. Jeffrey Van's exuberant setting of O Be Joyful captures the celebratory spirit that defines this season. Van, a prolific contemporary composer, has created extensive works for choral and instrumental ensembles.

Hospitality and Simplicity

We return to Alf Houkom with this setting of The Rune of Hospitality that draws on Celtic traditions of welcoming. The piece reminds us that the season's spirit extends beyond celebration to embrace generosity and openness to others. The traditional carol The Friendly Beasts views the Nativity through the eyes of stable animals, and has charmed audiences for generations. Van's arrangement honors the folk tradition while adding harmonic sophistication. Cider Meditation was written by our guest guitarist, Aaron Larget-Caplan in March of 2025 for Kantorei and director Joel M. Rinsema and was commissioned by the Hatala Family. The composer explains, “Cider Meditation explores the holiday themes of warmth, spiritual inspiration, nostalgia, and charity through accepting and protecting the traveler in our community with whom we share a steaming cup of cider.”

Winter's Beauty

Composer M. Ryan Taylor says, "I first encountered the text of Sir Christemasse in my late teens while singing another setting with a choir I belonged to. The poem struck me as unusual— even a little odd—but it also made an impression. More than a decade later, I rediscovered the text on a wonderful website

dedicated to the ‘Hymns and Carols of Christmas,’ and it immediately drew me in again. At that point in my life I was writing constantly—operas, art songs, song cycles, and choral works—and I was always on the lookout for poetry that invited musical treatment.

"I was captivated by the playful way this medieval text personifies Christmas as a kind of knight, long before our modern Santa existed: bursting in with a jubilant ‘Nowel, Nowel!’ to announce a holy birth, encourage good cheer, and even urge listeners to ‘drink up’ in French. At the same time, I was experimenting with writing for guitar and directing a chamber choir, and those creative threads naturally wove themselves together into this piece. Although I struggled then to find a guitarist who could perform the work as written, I'm delighted that—nearly twenty years later—it is finally receiving a proper premiere with a wonderful choir and accomplished guitarist."

Eric Whitacre, one of today's most performed living composers, sets Robert Frost's beloved poem Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening with his characteristic harmonic lushness. This piece began its life under the title "Sleep" before being published with Frost's original poem title. The music captures the hushed beauty of winter landscape and the pull between journey and rest—that mesmerizing moment of stillness when snow falls silently through dark woods, and the traveler must choose between lingering and moving on.

Winter Branches was commissioned for Kantorei by our own Scott Horowitz and his wife, Leah Weinberg. In their words, “There is a relatively limited repertoire of music that presents choirs with opportunities to celebrate cultural diversity during the winter season. Winter Branches was commissioned from composer Zanaida Robles to help enrich that repertoire. The lyrics, by Margaret Widdemer, invite the audience to consider the beauty of bare trees in winter, and to draw comfort from their strength, wisdom, and resilience throughout the cold season.”

The Jeffrey Van Collection

The program culminates with an extended set from composer Jeffrey Van, whose career has been deeply intertwined with the acclaimed Dale Warland Singers. Van served as a singer and Associate Conductor with this legendary Minnesotabased professional chamber choir, working closely with founder Dale Warland to champion American choral music. This association profoundly shaped Van's compositional voice, as he experienced firsthand the ensemble's commitment to excellence, textual clarity, and the creation of new works. Many of Van's compositions reflect the Dale Warland Singers' aesthetic: sophisticated yet accessible writing that honors both text and singer. His varied approaches to seasonal music demonstrate remarkable versatility.

Christmas Lullaby is a tender setting that emphasizes the intimate, human dimension of the nativity story. Child of Peace reflects on themes of hope and reconciliation. Manger Dance offers an unexpected joyful perspective that imagines celebration around the humble setting. Van's arrangement of the William J. Kirkpatrick Away in a Manger tune commonly known as "Cradle Song" preserves its gentle character while adding textural interest. The alternate tune attributed to James Ramsey Mueller receives Van's thoughtful treatment, offering audiences the opportunity to hear both beloved melodies associated with these words. Franz Gruber's immortal melody Silent Night closes the program. Van's arrangement honors the simplicity and profound peace of this most beloved of carols, bringing our journey full circle from questioning "what sweeter music" to experiencing the answer in the season's most enduring song.

JOEL M. RINSEMA

Artistic Director

Joel M. Rinsema joined Kantorei in 2014, becoming the second conductor in its history. During his tenure, Kantorei has experienced tremendous audience growth, nearly tripled its budget, and launched an ambitious recording strategy. A frequent collaborator and champion of new works for chorus, Joel has commissioned and premiered works by many of today’s leading composers, including Kim André Arnesen, Mason Bates, René Clausen, Jean Belmont Ford, Ola Gjeilo, Jocelyn Hagen, Mark Hayes, Cecilia McDowall, Sarah Quartel, Jake Runestad, Christopher Tin, and Eric Whitacre.

In the summer of 2022, Joel conducted the Central American premiere of Jake Runestad’s El Último Hilo (The Last Thread) in Guatemala City and Antigua, Guatemala with Kantorei and the Guatemalan choir Vocalis. He returned in May of 2023 to conduct Eric Whitacre’s The Sacred Veil and serves as Artistic Advisor and Principal Guest Conductor of Vocalis

Under Joel’s direction, Kantorei has released two recordings on the Naxos label. Sing, Wearing the Sky: Choral Music of Jake Runestad (2020) was the #3 best-selling classical album on iTunes, reached #4 on the Traditional Classical Billboard Charts, and was in the top ten in both the best-selling classical album and new classical release categories on Amazon. Infinity: Choral Works of Kim André Arnesen (2018) climbed to the #2 best-selling classical album on iTunes, #6 on the Traditional Classical Billboard Charts, and #19 on the overall Classical Billboard charts. The third recording, Song Offerings: Choral Music of Christopher Tin, was released on November 7, 2025, this time on the Decca Gold label. Santa Barbara Music Publishing, Inc. publishes the Joel Rinsema / Kantorei Choral series.

Joel led Kantorei in performances at the 2019 National Convention of the American Choral Directors Association and has prepared Kantorei as the primary chorus for the Aspen Music Festival, with Maestro Robert Spano conducting, in the

summers of 2021, 2022, and 2025. He conducted Kantorei along with the Canadian Brass in December of 2022, and commissioned and prepared Kantorei for the world premiere of the string orchestra version of Eric Whitacre’s The Sacred Veil, conducted by the composer, and guest conducted The Sacred Veil with the Washington (D.C.) Choral Arts Society in May of 2023.

A passionate advocate for the choral art form, Joel frequently consults with choral arts organizations around the country. Because of his leadership in his field, he received the Louis Botto Award for “Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal” from Chorus America, the industry’s advocacy, research, and leadership development organization for choruses, choral leaders, and singers.

Joel is an accomplished conductor of major works for choir and orchestra and was one of eighteen conductors chosen nationally through audition to participate in master classes and workshops presented by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association and Chorus America. As a tenor soloist, Joel performed across the United States as well as in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.

Joel also serves as Director of Music and Technology in Worship at First Plymouth Congregational Church in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado. He was also the North American Choral Promotion Manager for Oxford University Press based in Oxford, England from 2017 to 2020, a tenure during which he worked closely with and represented roster composers John Rutter, Mack Wilberg, Bob Chilcott, Sarah Quartel, Cecilia McDowall, Gabriel Jackson, and Will Todd among others.

He holds music degrees from Arizona State University and Whitworth University and is a member of the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Grammys), and the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).

Joel came to Kantorei from the Grammy Award-winning Phoenix Chorale. Throughout his 23-year tenure with the Phoenix Chorale, he served in nearly every capacity with the organization, including his last 15 years as President & CEO and Assistant Conductor. He negotiated an ongoing recording contract with the prestigious U.K.-based Chandos Records, and Phoenix Chorale recordings received a total of eight Grammy nominations and two Grammy awards during his tenure. Joel appears on all Phoenix Chorale recordings and was a soloist on the Grammy Award-winning “Spotless Rose: Hymn to the Virgin Mary.” In addition to his work with the Phoenix Chorale, Joel served as the Director of Music at Church of the Beatitudes United Church of Christ in Phoenix for 15 years, and he was the founding chorus master of the Arizona Musicfest Chorus.

He and his wife Sarah Branton (Choir Director at Cherry Creek High School) and stepson Simon Harrison live in Highlands Ranch, Colorado along with their miniature Dachshund Lucia. They enjoy all that Colorado has to offer outdoors, including camping, fishing, golfing, and snow skiing.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Herman

Kantorei is a Denver-based, choral ensemble comprised of volunteer singers under the direction of Artistic Director Joel M. Rinsema

Formed in 1997 under the leadership of six friends and the artistic direction of Richard Larson (Conductor Emeritus), Kantorei has established itself as one of the nation’s premier choral ensembles. Our choral artists have studied at schools with strong music programs across the United States such as Indiana University, St. Olaf College, Wartburg College, Luther College, Concordia College, and Westminster Choir College. Kantorei’s singers reside throughout the greater Denver area. Some serve as choral music educators, church choir conductors, and vocal instructors. Others are doctors, social workers, optometrists, counselors, clinical psychologists, accountants, realtors – all brought together in weekly rehearsals for shared artistic excellence and community.

Kantorei has performed for major choral conventions across the U.S. and The Aspen Music Festival, toured the world, and has commissioned and premiered new choral works from such renowned composers as Kim André Arnesen, Eric William Barnum, Abbie Betinis, René Clausen, Ola Gjeilo, Jocelyn Hagen, M. Roger Holland, II, Sarah Quartel, Jake Runestad, Christopher Tin, and Eric Whitacre. In the summer of 2022, Kantorei performed the Central American premiere

of Jake Runestad’s “El Último Hilo” in Guatemala City and Antigua, Guatemala, along with Guatemalan choir Vocalis.

Kantorei has released two recordings on the Naxos label. “Sing, Wearing the Sky” (2020) choral music of Jake Runestad reached the #3 best-selling classical album on iTunes, #4 on the Traditional Classical Billboard Charts, and the top ten in both the best-selling classical album and new classical release categories on Amazon. “Infinity: Choral Works of Kim André Arnesen” (2018) climbed to the #2 best-selling classical album on iTunes, #6 on the Traditional Classical Billboard Charts and #19 on the overall Classical Billboard charts. Santa Barbara Music Publishing Inc. publishes the Kantorei Choral series. In early winter 2025, Kantorei once again joined forces with Grammy-winning producers Soundmirror to record choral works of Grammywinning composer Christopher Tin, which was released on November 7, 2025, this time on the Decca Gold label.

Kantorei’s vision is “to elevate the human experience through choral excellence.”

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

“Thank you for the joy you have brought into my life.”

“I've been smiling all day long. I'm so glad I got to experience the beauty of Kantorei's performance. It was truly heartwarming.”

Photo courtesy of Daniel Herman

ARTISTS

Acclaimed international recording and touring guitarist and composer Aaron Larget-Caplan is an exciting and innovative leader in classical music. Noted as a "master guitarist" by Fanfare, and for his “astounding technical proficiency and artistic delicacy” by the Boston Musical Intelligencer, Larget-Caplan has performed throughout the USA, Europe, Russia, and Taiwan, including El Palacio de Linares in Madrid, Spain, Sheremetev Palace in Russia, and Palazzo del Te & Ducale in Mantova, Italy.

At 16 he made his debut at the Tabor Opera House and has since premiered over 120 solo and chamber compositions, soloed with orchestras, directed concert series, created commissioning endeavors, curated and published three anthologies of scores, arranged over 85 solo and chamber works, and brought classical music into schools and communities. A gifted performer and speaker, he is sought for his deft programming of new and standard repertoire, while connecting with audiences with a Bernstein-esque ease.

A winner of multiple awards, including from the Société Académique Arts-Sciences-Lettres of Paris, France for his trailblazing work in music, he was Musician in Residence at the Banff Centre for the Arts and Creativity, and the first guitarist to be invited for Artist Residency at the John Cage Trust at Bard College. Mr. Larget-Caplan is currently collaborating with composer Vineet Shende of Bowdoin College for his multi-movement choir & guitar

work Pravasa (migration in Sanskrit) and his 12 Carnatic Preludes, After J.S. Bach, a reimagining of Bach preludes from the WellTempered Clavier as if Bach were from South India (Carnatic music). Each prelude is paired with Aaron's arrangement for guitar of Bach's keyboard prelude.

Faculty appointments include the Boston Conservatory at Berklee School of Music and the University of Massachusetts Boston. In 2024, Aaron joined Expanded Education at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. He gives artist residencies, masterclasses, workshops and lectures across the country, including in Canada, Italy and Russia, for the Guitar Foundation of America, 21st Century Guitar Conference, the International Music Fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon, and the Banff Centre for the Creative Arts.

He is a graduate of the New England Conservatory where he studied with David Leisner and Eliot Fisk, and his principal teacher was Dmitry Goryachev. Notable non-guitar coaches include pianists Seymour Bernstein and Stephen Drury.

Larget-Caplan performs on guitars by the French master luthier Olivier Fanton D’Andon and a historic 1957 Manuel Velazquez. He uses Hannabach strings exclusively. Larget-Caplan lives in Boston where he enjoys espresso with his wife, healer and muse, Catherine.

Read his full bio at www.alcguitar.com

Photo courtesy of Paula Morin

THE CHOIR

SOPRANO ALTO TENOR BASS

Mo Bailey

Melissa Clouzet

Beryl Fanslow Wilson

Riley Jayne Gallivan

Chrissie Graham

Heather Gunnerson

Stacie Hanson *

Emma Hartmann

Shannon Lemmon-Elrod

Sara Michael *

Martina Richardson

Alicia Rigsby ◊

Becca Schjodt

Christianna Sullins

Betsy Thurley

Safia Ahmed

Lindsey Aquilina

Lyn Berry-Helmlinger

Sarah Branton *

Desiree Deliz-Morales

Erin Greenfield

Chelsea Kendall

Madison Martindale

Tegan Masoero-Palmer

Melissa Menter

Erin Meyerhoff

Jennifer Moore

Allison Pasternak *

Kaleigh Sutula

Jane Wright

* Section leader ◊ Collaborative Pianist

STAFF MEMBERS

Courtney Huffman Executive Director

Sarah Branton Assistant Conductor

Sara Michael Business Manager

Ximena Wheeler House Manager

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Josh Corwyn President

John Bartley Vice President

MEMBERS AT LARGE

Emily Alexander

Mark Aquilina

Kai Berry-Helmlinger *

Ben Corwyn

Joshua Corwyn

Matthew Eschliman

Mason France

Keith Harrison

Bryce Kennedy

Severin Lier

Samuel Low

Alex Menter

Chad Nelsen

Seth O'Kegley *

Ethan Rossi

Jonathan Von Stroh

John Wright

John Bartley

Max Bixby

Michael Bizzaro *

Michael Boender

Adam Cave

Garth Criswell

Caleb Heaton

Scott Horowitz

Brad Larson

Bryan Lastrella

John Ludwig

Maxwell McKee

John Schaak

Kirk Schjodt *

Griffin Sutherland

Matt Weissenbuehler

Joel M. Rinsema Artistic Director

Richard Larson Artistic Director & Conductor Emeritus

Alicia Rigsby Accompanist, Collaborative Pianist

Desiree Deliz-Morales Treasurer

Melissa Menter Secretary

Judy Bloomberg Schenkein

Matthew Eschliman

Scott Horowitz

Daniel Paredes

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SEASON MEMBERS!

Jennifer Allen & Katherine Justus

Daniel Belonick

Margrit Benton & Mark Nelson

Philip Besancon

Robert Blauvelt & Michael Corrigan

Judy Bloomberg-Schenkein & Ed Schenkein

Leslie & Erin Britton

Rebecca Caldwell

Jim & Joanie Calhoun

Nancy Calkins

Tom Carlock & Richard Schirrmacher

David Carlson & Bonnie Carlson

William & Lisa Chumley

James & Jean Clark

Susan Clasen

Edwin Deliz Rivera

Dwayne Dickerson

Pete & Elizabeth Duke

Burna & David Dunn

Kaye Edwards

Paul & Debbie Edwards

Sharon Erlacher

Paul & Dedra Eschliman

Beverly & Bruce Fest

Eleanor Finlay

Sara Fischer & John T. Cannon

Judy Fredericksen

Pamela Grange

Carol Greenwald

Even Griffiths

Patricia Gunckel

David & Mary Hammond

Lynn Hardcastle

Jennifer Heglin

Marjorie Hofer

Doug Horst

Ian Hoyman

Carolyn & Lanny Hunter

Carol Lanaghen

Susan Lewkow

Jack & Jean Lindsey

Terri Link

Ann Ludwig

Pamela Mahonchak

Chris & Liz Mascitelli

Boyd Mauldin, Alysia Gallagher, & Justin Mauldin

Barbara McLenon

Suzanne McPherson

Elaine Menter

Lise Nelson & Nancy Walker

Peggy O'Connell

Michelle Oliveira

Valorie Ottenbreit

Mark & Linda Pasternak

Ruth Peterson

Fred Pittroff

Sydney Purfield & Jackie Morales

J Scott & Jenifer Pusey

Ann Rosewall & Steve Slotter

Carol Ruckel

Sarah Schenkein

Sue Seiler

Shelly Smith

Kathryn Stewart

Barbara Stone

Chris & Tim Sullivan

S Patrice Von Stroh

Theresa Wallace

Justin Whitley

Clara Winter

Carol Wood & Kelley Southerland

BEQUESTS

Making a gift to Kantorei through your will or estate is a beautiful way to create a lasting legacy and to ensure that our music and our mission will live on well into the future.

A bequest is generally a revocable gift, which means it can be changed or modified at any time. You can choose to designate that a bequest be used for a general or specific purpose so you have the peace of mind knowing that your gift will be used as intended. Bequests are exempt from federal estate taxes. If you have a taxable estate, the estate tax charitable deduction may offset or eliminate estate taxes, resulting in a larger inheritance for your heirs.

For questions, or to request a Bequest Intention Form, please contact Courtney Huffman, Executive Director, courtney@kantorei.org.

LEGACY SOCIETY

Lynn Hardcastle

Bryce Kennedy & Joshua Larson

John Ludwig

Alicia Rigsby

Joel Rinsema

Terry Schlenker

Andrea Ware-Medina

What Sweeter Music

ROBERT HERRICK

What sweeter music can we bring

Than a carol for to sing

The birth of this our heav’nly King?

Awake the voice! Awake the string! Heart, ear and eye and ev’rything. Awake! Awake! The while the active finger Runs division with the singer.

What sweeter music can we bring?

The Angel Gabriel S. BARING-GOULD (ALTERED)

The angel Gabriel from heaven came, His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame; “All hail,” said he, “thou lowly maiden Mary, Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!

“All generations do honor thee, For known a blessed Mother thou shalt be, Jesus thy Son shall be Emmanuel. Most highly favored lady, Gloria!

Then gentle Mary did bow her head, “To me be as it pleaseth God,” she said. “My soul shall laud and magnify his Holy Name.” Most highly favored lady, Gloria!

Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born, Of her, in Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn, And Christian folk throughout the world will ever sing

Most highly favored lady, Gloria!

Sweet Was the Song

WILLIAM BALLET

Sweet was the song the Virgin sang, When she to Bethlem Juda came And delivered of a son, That blessed Jesus hath to name: Lulla, lullaby, lullaby.

“Sweet babe,” sang she, “My son, And eke [also] a saviour born, Who hast vouchsafed from on high To see us that were forlorn.” Lalula-laby, lullaby.

“Lalulla, lullaby, sweet babe,” said she, And rocked him gently on her knee. Lullaby.

O Be Joyful JEFFERY VAN

When the king of heaven came to earth so fair, There was none to greet him, just a stable bare. There was none to greet him; O that we were there.

O be joyful all ye lands for the Savior is at hand.

Sing we now Alleluia.

Angels in the heavens, singing of his birth, Shepherds in the darkness, did they see his worth

As the prince of heaven laid his glory by for earth?

Born to conquer Satan, sin and death to bind, All God’s love and power now in him we find; Freedom for the captives, vision for the blind.

As the king of heaven comes to earth so fair, May we rise to greet him in the stable bare; As he comes to meet us, O may we be there.

TEXT & TRANSLATIONS

The Rune of Hospitality

FROM THE GAELIC

I saw a stranger yestere’en; I put food in the eating place, Drink in the drinking place, Music in the listening place; And in the sacred names of the Triune He blessed me and my house, My cattle and my dear ones. And the lark said in her song: Often, often, often,

Goes the Christ in the stranger’s guise.

The Friendly Beasts

MEDIEVAL CAROL

Jesus our brother, kind and good, Was humbly born in a stable rude, And the friendly beasts around him stood. Jesus our brother, kind and good.

“I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown, “I carried his mother up hill and down, I carried his mother to Bethlehem town.”

“I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown

“I,” said the cow, all white and red, “I gave him my manger for his bed, I gave him my hay to pillow his head.”

“I,” said the cow, all white and red.

“I,” said the sheep with curly horn,

“I gave him my wool for his blanket warm, He wore my coat on Christmas morn.”

“I,” said the sheep with curly horn.

“I,” said the dove from the rafters high, “Cooed him to sleep that he should not cry, We cooed him to sleep, my mate and I.”

“I,” said the dove from the rafters high.”

Thus every beast by some good spell

In the stable dark was glad to tell

Of the gift each gave Emmanuel, The gift each gave Emmanuel.

Cider Meditation

AARON LARGET-CAPLAN

Come in

You must be cold

Warm your hands

It’s a mug of cider

Sit down

Tell us the tale

Watch the steam

It’s a mug of cider

Relax

Is it just you two?

Take a sip

It’s a mug of cider

Have peace

Here you are safe

Taste the way

It’s a mug of cider

Have peace

Sir Christemasse

ADAPTED FROM RICHARD SMERT

Nowell, nowell, nowell

Who is there that singeth so?

“I am here, Sir Christemasse.”

Welcome, my lord Sir Christemasse, Welcome to all both more and lasse, Come near, nowell!

Dieu vous garde beau sire [God keep you, good sir]

Tidings I you bring:

A maid hath born a child full young, Which causeth ye for to sing:

Welcome, my lord Sir Christemasse, Welcome to all both more and lasse, Come near, nowell!

Christ is now born of a pure maid; Come near, nowell. Wherefor sing we all at abrayde: Nowell!

Who is there that singeth so?

I am here!

Beuvex bien par tutte la company, [Drink well, throughout all the company]

Make good cheer and be right merry, And sing with us most joyfully: Welcome, my lord Sir Christemasse, Welcome to all both more and lasse, Come near, nowell!

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

ROBERT FROST

Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound’s the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.

Winter Branches MARGARET WIDDEMER

When wintertime grows weary, I lift my eyes on high

And see the black trees standing, stripped clear against the sky; They stand there very silent, with the cold flushed sky behind, The little twigs flare beautiful and restful and kind;

Stripped. Silent. Restful. They stand. They rise. They know. They comfort me.

Clear cut and certain they rise, with summer past, For all that trees can ever learn they know now at last;

Slim and black and wonderful, with all unrest gone by, The stripped tree boughs comfort me, drawn clear against the sky.

Christmas Lullaby

JEFFREY VAN

Lullaby, lullaby,

Sleep wondrous child to my lullaby. Heaven’s light radiant within the hay, All gathered here sing the mystery, How can this babe the answer be? Yet hear the angels so surely say, “Here! Here’s the One.”

Lullaby, lullaby,

Sleep wondrous child to my lullaby. Peaceful and still all around thy bed, Outside in darkness a world of dread, Rest thy head near us, O holy child, Stay, stay a while. Lullaby, lullaby, Sleep wondrous child to my lullaby.

Child of Peace

JEFFREY VAN

Sleep, o sleep Thou lovely Child divine; Love distilled in humble form so fine. May thy slumber keep Thee now from pain; Long and weary journey yet remains. God of love who gave this little one, God of love who came to overcome, Holy Spirit, God and Christ in one child.

Wise men sought a King and journeyed far Guided by a strange and glorious star, Offering gifts of incense, myrrh and gold, Witnessing the holy birth foretold. When we seek Thee Jesus may we be Guided to Thy cradle there to see Prophesies fulfilled and hope revealed.

Child of peace who came so long ago, Child of love still with us here we know, May Thy tears of passion freely flow, Melting hearts within us cold as snow.

He is come to be our dearest kin, He is come to take from us our sin, Jesus come and make us safe within you.

Manger Dance

JEFFREY VAN

Gathering angels are singing so joyfully; Shepherds are running away from their flocks to see; Why do they celebrate here in this place? What can there be here to demand such a race?

Only a baby asleep within this place, Why have so many appeared to see His face? They are from near and from far, They have been led by the star.

Quiet, the baby is sleeping now, Hushed are the sounds of the stable now, Quiet and still are the camels now.

Dancing and singing we’ll come again, When He awakens we’ll come again, He will be glad to see us again.

Singing and dancing with angels around Thy bed, Heavenly hosts are swirling above Thy head, What do they say, can you hear?

Jesus the savior is here.

Away in a Manger

19TH CENTURY AMERICAN

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head. The stars in the (bright) sky look down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes (the poor baby wakes), But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes, I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky,

And stay by my side (cradle) until (till) morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay Close by me forever, and love me, I pray: Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And fit us for heaven, to live with thee there.

Silent Night

JOSEPH MOHR, TR. JOHN F. YOUNG

Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother and child, Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light; Radiant beams from your holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at your birth.

FEBRUARY 28TH & MARCH 1ST, 2026

SEASONS IN SONG

Experience an enchanting musical journey where winter melts into spring as we present two masterful song cycles. Morten Lauridsen's dynamic MidWinter Songs, featuring Kantorei's collaborative pianist Alicia Rigsby, paint Robert Graves' winter landscapes in luminous harmonies, while Matthew Harris's settings of William Shakespeare radiate with the warmth and promise of early spring.

Join Kantorei for "Seasons in Song," where contemporary composers weave timeless poetry into a tapestry of nature's reawakening. This March concert promises to transport listeners from the contemplative hush of winter nights to the first stirrings of spring's renewal.

At Kantorei, our singers are volunteers who give their time, heart, and voices to create something extraordinary — a community built on joy, inclusion, and connection. Your support makes that possible.

Make your donation today, and together we can make the world a more beautiful and joyful place to be. www.coloradogives.org/kantorei

DONORS

DIAMOND BATON

$50,000 - $99,000

Keith* & Sue Ferguson

SCFD - Arapahoe County

GOLD BATON

$15,000 - $24,999

Olson-Vander Heyden Foundation

SILVER BATON

$10,000 - $14,999

Linda & Randall Chilcote

Bryce Kennedy* & Joshua Larson

BRONZE BATON

$7,500 - $9,999

Lindsey* & Mark^ Aquilina

SCFD - Adams County

DIRECTOR'S CIRCLE

$5,000 - $7,499

Colorado Creative Industries

Judy Fredericksen

Susan Lewkow~

Pamela Mahonchak

Joel Rinsema^ & Sarah Branton*^

Virginia Hill Foundation

VIRTUOSO'S CIRCLE

$2,500 - $4,999

Michael* & Donna Boender

Google

Lindsey Family Charitable Fund

Alex* & Melissa*^ Menter

Ann Rosewall & Steve Slotter

Jane* & John* Wright

SOLOIST'S CIRCLE

$1,000 - $2,499

William Blyth

Leslie & Eric Britton

James & Jean Clark

Garth Criswell* & Mark Kraft

Desiree Deliz Morales*^

Dwayne Dickerson

Donors who contributed $100 or more between November 1, 2024 and October 31, 2025 are recognized in this progam * Singers ^ Board & Staff ~ Volunteers

Jennifer & Jonathan* Von Stroh

Theresa Wallace

ARIA

$500 - $999

John Bartley*^

Kai* & Lyn* Berry-Helmlinger

Judy Bloomberg Schenkein^

& Ed Schenkein

Beatriz Bonnet

Constance Branton

Colorado Gives Foundation

Landon Covington & Jason Hindman

Marilyn Dana

Deb & Don Felio

Beverly & Bruce Fest

Sara Fischer & John Cannon

Nancy Gallivan

Elaine & Michael Gardner

Gary Philanthropy

Patricia Gunckel

Annette & Jim Gunnerson

Jason & Stacie* Hanson

Lynn Hardcastle

Alan & Shirley Horowitz

Marjorie & Preston Hofer

Chelsea Kendall* & Andrew Quinlan

Marcia Jory & Ray Kennedy

King Soopers Community Rewards

Brad Larson*

Roberta Larson

Mark Leichthammer

Samuel Low*

Elaine Menter

Jenifer & J Scott Pusey

Mary Rollar

Renee McClaugherty & John Schaak*

Chris & Keri Sexton

Lois Siegel~

Keith & Phyllis Small

Donald Branton & David Smith

Cynthia & David Susser

Christina Von Stroh

Andrea & Patrick Ware-Medina

Joan Winstein

CANTATA

$200 - $499

Matthew Eschliman*^ & Tessa Powell

Heather* & Kevin Gunnerson

C. Stephen & Gracie Hooper

Brad Jackson & Mark Jennison

David Jory

John Ludwig*

David~ & Jennifer* Moore

Osaic Foundation

U.S. Bank Foundation

S. Patrice Von Stroh

Margaret Aarestad

Safia Ahmed*

Jennifer Allen

Jason Anderson

John Artley

Nancy Atkinson

Brenda Bailey-Hainer & Eugene Hainer

Lizabeth Barnett & Brian Porzel

Brian & Elizabeth Bauer

Jill & Robin Beemer

Boyd & Sharon Berry

Gordon & Terry Bloomberg

Kathy Bollhoefer

Paul Boulis

Judy Bowman

Rebecca Caldwell

Jim & Joanie Calhoun

Justin Cave

Matthew Church

Kate Criswell

Julie Durst

Eide Bailly LLP

Don & Lil Filegar

Marilyn & Wilbur Flachman

Peter Fogg

Mary Beth & Roger France

Richard & Mary Gallivan

Ann Gallivan

Paul Gilbertson

Christina Graham*

Larry Graham

Pamela & James Grange

Ankush Gupta

Keith* & Julie Harrison

Scott Horowitz*^ & Leah Weinberg

Debora Jerome

Geoffrey Johnson

Edi King

Brett & Tami Krichiver

Scott Elrod~ & Shannon* Lemmon-Elrod

Anker Lerret

Albert & Terri Link

Ann Ludwig

Mary Luellen

Betsy & Tad Lyle

Eric Matthys

Carol & Jerry Mayer

Paul Meissner

Erin Meyerhoff*

Sara Michael*^

Denver Municipal Band

Reuben N

Chad Nelsen* & Sara Swenson

Donald & Sharron Neufeld

Randy Nicholas

Elizabeth & Theodore Obenchain

Allison* & Timothy Pasternak

Erin & Karl Pettitt

Judd & Linda Rinsema

Michael Rogers

Pearl & David Rutherford

Tom Carlock & Richard Schirrmacher

Trysten Schlottmann

Lisa Schrader

Dean Schramm

Terri Schwartz

Paul & Cass Seely

Thank you to ALL of our donors! While we can’t name everyone individually, please know that your generous contributions mean the world to us. We truly appreciate your support!

DONORS

Tony Silvestri

Shelly Smith

Kelley Southerland

Noble Spencer

Jayne Sullivan

Teresa Bacon & Peter Sutherland

Karen Sutherland

Christopher Tin

Julia Toll

Marjory Ulm

Stephen Van Hooser

Vicki Vande Voort

Randi Ellefson

Deborah & Larry Weinberg

Matt* & Annell Weissenbuehler

Western Union

Pam & Stan Whitaker

John Wilson

Austin Wintory

Karen & Scott Yarberry

OPERETTA

$100 - $199

Diana Aberchah

Paul Adams

Emily*^ & Zach Alexander

James & Laurie Alexander

Emily Anderson

Georgia & Jorge Arribau

David & Lori Bailey

Norm Barber

Carol Bartley & Meredith Peters

Dianne Betkowski

Carly & Jordan Black

Robert Blauvelt & Michael Corrigan

Melissa Borkosky

Christy Boyle

Ken Brewster

Evanne Browne

Adam Bruttell

George Chrest

Carl Burgchardt

Sharon Butz

Craig Campbell

Adam* & Emily Cave

Ted & Elizabeth Cave

Lisa & William Chumley

Linda Coombe

Benjamin* & Joshua*^ Corwyn

Brian Crooks

John Culshaw and Michael Marucs

Chris Dearden

Lee Dehmlow

Edwin Deliz & Nancy Morales

Linda Dey~

Steve & Vicki Doty

David Doty

Lisa Dudek

Kristin Eck

Mary Kaye Edwards

Don Eisenberg

Marilyn Elrod

EOG Resources, Inc.

Laura Epstein Scully

Equinix, Inc.

Debra & Paul Eschliman

Steve & Kris Eschliman

Mary Ann Evancheck

Robert & Ruth Fanslow

Byron Ferguson

Joan Finnegan

Karen & William Fisher

Lani & Richard Fletcher

Mason France* & Samantha Garrett

Karen & Bill Gallivan

Craig & Cynthia Garrett

Kristin Gildersleeve

Mary Gill

Diane Goodwin

Michael Greenfield

Carol Greenwald

Sarah Griffin

Tim Gulsrud

Lisa Gumerman

Gurr Family Charitable Fund

Carol Hainsey

Andrew & Rachel Halladay

Carolyn & Vaughn Hanson

Mark Hardcastle

George Haskins

Suzanne & Will Helmlinger

Wil Henderson

Daniel Herman

Edward Holloway

Brent & Connie Holtzen

Antoinette Hubbard

Courtney Huffman^

Lara Lee Hullinghorst

Allan Hurst

Trudy Boulter-Hynes & Patrick Hynes

Winston Ian

Lucretia Jackson

Kelly Jarmuzek

Katherine Johnson

Shelley & Dan Kauffman

Traci & Steve Kegley

Greg & Rebecca Kendall

Tyler Kendall

Bill Kisselburgh

Nancy Knoll

Kelli Kubala

Karen & Tom Lafferty

Dick & Judy Larson

Lori & Paul Lastrella

Allen Lintvedt

Curtis Lintvedt

Dennis~ & Nancy~ Lintvedt

Matt Lintvedt

Norma & Ross Lubbers

Dean & Sara Lund

Jim Martens

William Martinez

Anthony Martini

Laura McCleary

Roberta McGann

Elle & Tim McMahon

Lisa Medina

Brenda & Mark Mehos

Pat Moore

Kent Mueller

Kayla Munoz

Ruth Neil

Denise Nelsen

Lise Nelson

Sarah Noyes

Ladean Nuanes

Michelle Oliveira

Jason & Lexie Orvin

Palmer Household

Jo Alyson Parker

Linda & Mark Pasternak

Roberta Pepper

Marc Petersen & Nathaniel Hess

Mike & Patricia Petraglia

Sydney Purfield

Cindy & George Quinlan

Kate Raabe

Philip Read

James & Martina* Richardson

Margaret Richardson

Alicia*^ & David Rigsby

Rick & Jan Rodabaugh

Jerry Roemer

Giovanna Romero

Jake Runestad

Vicki Sakata

Jo-Michael & Mary Scheibe

Terry Schlenker

Lynne Scholfield

Paula Schriefer

Roger Kleckner & Lynn Selby

John & Mary Shark

Debbie Smith

Austen & Christina Smith

Susanne Smith

David Spear

Mike Spencer

Susan Spencer

Rose Martinez & Melvin D Stolzenburg

Christianna* & Jeff Sullins

Tim & Chris Sullivan

Lynn & Steve Sutherland

Mary Sutula

Marleen Swanson

Mom & Dad Tracy

Tom Trenney

James Vardas

Nicole Versaw

Janice Vlachos

Robert & Jill von Trebra

Laura Waligorski

Tom Walsh

Lynn Wearden

Tom Westbrook

Edwin & Kathleen Whitney

Bruce & Julien Wiley

Karen Witt

Tammy Wright

Donors who contributed $100 or more between November 1, 2024 and October 31, 2025 are recognized in this progam * Singers ^ Board & Staff ~ Volunteers

In Memoriam and Honorarium

Kelli & Steven Chan, in honor of Jennifer Moore

Marilyn Elrod, in honor of Shannon Lemmon-Elrod

Judy Fredericksen, in honor of Alex & Melissa Menter

Elaine & Michael Gardner, in honor of Alicia Rigsby

Annette & Jim Gunnerson, in honor of Kevin & Heather Gunnerson

Roberta Larson, in honor of Bryce Kennedy

Basil LeBlanc, in honor of Brad Larson

In

Kind

Kai Berry-Helmlinger

Cherry Creek High School

Joshua Corwyn

First Plymouth UCC

Susan Lewkow

Metropolitan State University of Denver

John Schaak

Alison N. Roman Memorial Scholarship

William Blyth

Grace Bowen

Linda & Randall Chilcote

Sarah Schenkein

Karen Sutherland

Donald & Sharron Neufeld, in honor of Judy Fredericksen

Bobbie Pepper, in honor of Ximena Wheeler

Jerry Roemer, in honor of John Ludwig

Christopher Von Stroh, in honor of Jonathan Von Stroh

S Patrice Von Stroh, in honor of Jonathan Von Stroh

Michael Clohesy & Oliver Scofield, in memory of Gede Sukertia

Andrew Halladay, in memory of Alison Roman

Jory Education Fund

David Jory

Bryce Kennedy & Joshua Larson

Elevate Classroom Grant

Georgia Arribau

Pamela Mahonchak

Tegan Masoero-Palmer

Erin Meyerhoff

“Kantorei is an outstanding choir…excellent ensemble balance, fine intonation and musical expression…high level of energy.”

– Bruce McCollum, MusicWeb International, January 2021

"...Always engaging and colorful...sung with depth and conviction by Kantorei."

- Karl W. Nehring, Classical Candor, December 2020

“…one of the most incredible and spine-tingling concerts that I have heard in a long time. Looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Faces of Love:

Faces of Love: A Bold New Choral Commission Exploring the Many Dimensions of Love

A Bold New Choral Commission Exploring the Many Dimensions of Love

We are excited to announce a bold new commission Faces of Love. This brand-new multi-movement choral work dives deep into the rich, complex, and transformative nature of love. Generously funded by Kantorei singer Keith Ferguson, with original poetry by Charles Anthony Silvestri, brought to life by five distinguished composers—each contributing a unique movement to the work: Marques L. A. Garrett, Sarah Quartel, Shruthi Rajasekar, Jake Runestad, and Benedict Sheehan.

To be premiered by Kantorei fall 2027.

We are excited to announce a bold new commission Faces of Love. This brand-new multimovement choral work dives deep into the rich, complex, and transformative nature of love. Generously funded by Kantorei singer Keith Ferguson, with original poetry by Charles Anthony Silvestri, brought to life by five distinguished composers—each contributing a unique movement to the work: Marques L. A. Garrett, Sarah Quartel, Shruthi Rajasekar, Jake Runestad, and Benedict Sheehan.

To be premiered by Kantorei fall 2027.

Photo courtesy of Shruthi Rajesekar, Alia Rose Photography; Jake Runestad, Rob Davidson; Marques Garrett, Analisa Louise; Sarah Quartel, Eric Rockburn; Benedict Sheehan, John Wirick Photography; and Charles Anthony Silvestri, Catherine Norwood

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

KANTOREI 2025-26 CONCERT SEASON

FEBRUARY 28 & MARCH 1: SEASONS IN SONG

SATURDAY, 2/28: First Plymouth UCC

SUNDAY, 3/1: Wellshire Presbyterian Church

MAY 16 & 17: VOCES DEL SUR

SATURDAY, 5/16: First Plymouth UCC

SUNDAY, 5/17: Wellshire Presbyterian Church

MAY 30: COLORADO NEW MUSIC FESTIVAL

SATURDAY, 5/30: Central Presbyterian Church

DETAILS AND TICKETS AT WWW.KANTOREI.ORG

Kantorei would like to thank our sponsors for your generous and ongoing support!