VOCA Programme

PROGRAMME

Roy Thomson Hall presents 24TH Annual Free Noon Hour Choir & Organ Concerts

VOCA CHORUS OF TORONTO Shining

Night

FRI APR 28, 2023 • 12PM

VOCA CHORUS OF TORONTO

Shining Night

We are thrilled to be able to offer this free concert series thanks to the tremendous support of the Edwards Charitable Foundation and our community of education and outreach donors. Help us share the gift of music with our community by making a donation today or by donation upon arrival at the Hall. Your support ensures we can continue delivering free programming like Choir & Organ for years to come.

Roy Thomson Hall’s Free Choir and Organ Concerts celebrate the artistry of outstanding Canadian choirs and organists and feature the magnificent Gabriel Kney pipe organ. Please join us for our next concert – “The Infinite Beauty of Sound” on Thursday, May 25, 2023 featuring Cantala Choir.

For information about the 2022-23 season, visit https://roythomsonhall.mhrth.com/tickets/series/choir-and-organ-2022

JENNY CROBER, Artistic Director

ELIZABETH ACKER, Collaborative Pianist with SHAWN GRENKE, Organ COLLEEN ALLEN, Saxophone ANDY MORRIS, Percussion, Drums

* Anang (A Star)

Andrew Balfour

Elizabeth Acker, piano; Andy Morris, percussion

(*Commissioned by the VOCA Chorus of Toronto in 2019, premiered by VOCA in 2022 and published by Cypress Music Publishing in 2023)

Evening Prayer

Ola Gjeilo; St. Augustine

Colleen Allen, sax; Elizabeth Acker, piano

+ Night Yoik (Norwegian Sámi Songs) {SSAA}

Frode Fjellheim

Noelle Slaney, soloist; Elizabeth Acker, piano; Colleen Allen, sax; Andy Morris, percussion; Shawn Grenke, organ

*+ The Lake {Instrumental}

Paul Halley

Colleen Allen, sax; Shawn Grenke, organ

* The Stars are with the Voyager {TTBB}

Eleanor Daley; Thomas Hood

Elizabeth Acker, piano

On This Night of a Thousand Stars (Evita)

Andrew Lloyd Webber; Tim Rice

Elizabeth Acker, piano; Colleen Allen, sax; Andy Morris, percussion

Joy

Hans Bridger Heruth; Sara Teasdale

Noelle Slaney, Lillian Brooks, soloists; Elizabeth Acker, Shawn Grenke, piano

Blue Moon

Richard Rodgers; Lorenz Hart, arr. Ruth Artman

Colleen Allen, sax; Elizabeth Acker, piano; Andy Morris, drums

Sure On This Shining Night (Nocturnes)

Morten Lauridsen; James Agee

Elizabeth Acker, piano

*+ Ubi Caritas

Paul Halley; 10th C French; Abdel Salaam; Yoruba & Khemitic Texts

James Coole-Stevenson, soloist; Shawn Grenke, organ; Elizabeth Acker, piano; Colleen Allen, sax; Andy Morris, percussion

* Canadian Composer + With Organ

VOCA CHORUS OF TORONTO

Katie Baldwin

Sally Bradshaw

Oonagh Butterfield

Susan-Jane Bynoe

Nina Carlton

Kit Chapman

Sheila Colla+

Jennifer Crawford

Hannah Curtis+

Ruwani de Fonseka

Erica Denburg

Beverley Driscoll+

Rebecca Feddema

Rebecca Fisher

SOPRANOS ALTOS

Jennifer Allen

Alexandria Asaad

Lillian Brooks**

Jennifer Burford

Debra Chandler

Louise Curtis

Dianne Dietrich+

Chrissy Doig*

Penny Evans

Karen Fabian

Louise Gough

Briony Glassco

Chi Chi Godin++

Suzanne Kapur

Lisa Kelcher+

Jennifer Latella

Katie Lynn

Olivia Monk-Saigal+

Carol Patterson

Susan Pidgeon

Louise Polika

Susan Roschlau

Mary Schulz*

Naomi Shewchuk*

Ann Simon

Josephine Simpkins++

Noelle Slaney**

Julia Smith++

Mima Staikova++

Eleanor Stanlake+

Emily Templeman

Kendra Thomson

Maya Tibbetts

Emily Vick Agnew

Nancy Vincent+

Bunnie Wilkinson

Bente Willis

Kim Worobec

Vivien Young

Karen Haight Gigliotti+

Diana Hilton

Shelley Hirslund

Michelle Hjort+

Donna Holmes

Nancy Kleer

Lorrie Lavis

Holly LeClair++

Judy MacDougall

Chris Mann+

Claudia McGrath

Alison Minnes

Enid Moscovitch+

Lindsay Naft

Barb Nicholson*+

Lisa Pierek Neutel

Ellen Richardson+

Dagmar Schroeder

Leslie Sinclair

Carol Toller

Betsy Wimbs

Ruzena Zibritova

TENORS

Marion Davidson+

Barbara Gordon

Alan Kennedy+

BASSES

Steven Boldovitch

Parker Clements**

James Coole-Stevenson**

Lyndon Ladeur^

KK (Kin Kwan) Leung

Evan Morin^

Kevin Mulligan**

David Walsh**+

Jo-Anne Weinstein+

Peter Eratostene

Mark Gold*+

Grant Jahnke

Sean Kim

John Meadows

Tom Roedding

NOTES ON THE PROGRAMME

Anang (A Star)

I spoke with JUNO-nominated Cree composer Andrew Balfour in 2019 about an Algonquin legend which I’d found very moving - about stars representing grandmothers offering their earthly families love and protection – and asked if he would compose a work for VOCA’s Spring 2020 “Star Songs” concert. Andrew enthusiastically agreed… and his exquisite, moving and reflective Anang (A Star) , which we premiered in 2022, was the result. Our performance will feature Elizabeth Acker, piano and Andy Morris, percussion. Here is Andrew Balfour’s dedication: “Anang (A Star) is dedicated to my wonderful wife, who told me about the Indigenous understanding of the Star People, who are among us, representing where we all came from, the Universe and the stars. Only some can see them - among them, little children who attract the Star people as the little ones have just emerged from the unknown. Star people are also attracted to shells, which is why you might see shells in some Indigenous ceremonies.”

Evening Prayer

From 2009 to 2010, Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo worked with the legendary choral director Charles Bruffy and his Grammy Award-winning Phoenix Chorale. The composer was also performing fully improvised concerts with tenor sax player, Ted Belledin, the husband of one of the choristers. His 2010 Evening Prayer was his first choral work to incorporate improvisation, including solo improvisatory passages for tenor sax. The effect, in conjunction with the very poignant text by St. Augustine , is both stunning and serene. Colleen Allen, sax and Elizabeth Acker, piano will be featured.

Night Yoik (Norwegian Sámi Songs)

The earthy and improvisatory Night Yoik (from Norwegian Sámi Songs ), set for sopranos and altos by Norwegian composer Frode Fjellheim is inspired by the traditional yoik , an ancient Sámi vocal tradition. Our performance will feature Elizabeth Acker, piano, Colleen Allen, sax, Shawn Grenke, organ and Andy Morris, percussion,

The Lake (Instrumental)

Paul Halley ’s ethereal, improvisatory, sometimes soaring duet for soprano sax and organ, The Lake is described by the composer as “…a mystical melody (which) unwinds and floats over enveloping depths like a breath of wind on the water… a rich interplay of parts, full of ambience and sustained mood”. This afternoon’s performance will feature Colleen Allen, sax and Shawn Grenke, organ.

The Stars are with the Voyager

Toronto composer, and recent Order of Canada recipient, Eleanor Daley ’s tenor/ bass setting of English poet Thomas Hood ’s evocative text The Stars are with the Voyager is lush and richly-textured. It features a compelling ‘traveller theme’ in the piano accompaniment, which will be performed by Elizabeth Acker.

On This Night of a Thousand Stars (Evita)

The musical Evita , by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice , concentrates on the life of Argentinian political leader Eva Perón, second wife of Argentinian president Juan Perón. The story follows Evita’s early life, rise to power, charity work and death. In 1934, a young Eva Duarte, living in the city of Junín, longs to seek a better life in Buenos Aires. She becomes involved with a tango singer, Augustin Magaldi, after they meet at one of his shows (On This Night of a Thousand Stars) , and convinces him to take her with him to Buenos Aires.

Joy

Joy, by American composer Hans Bridger Heruth , is an exuberant setting of fellow American, Sara Teasdale ’s euphoric poem. (I couldn’t resist choosing a text which praises stars and the joy of singing, especially during these ongoing pandemic times!) The vibrant and spirited piano duet accompaniment will feature Elizabeth Acker and Shawn Grenke.

Blue Moon

Richard Rodger ’s and Lorenz Hart ’s Blue Moon was first published in 1934, after having been cut from two motion pictures. This iconic standard has been performed by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, The Supremes, The Marcels (a doowop version), Bob Dylan, Sam Cooke and countless other diverse artists and groups. Our performance of Ruth Artman ’s choral arrangement will feature Elizabeth Acker, piano, Colleen Allen, sax and Andy Morris, drums.

Sure On This Shining Night

One of our choir’s most treasured works - which VOCA recorded as a virtual choir piece with technical production by Jamie Drake, and now has close to 7,000 views - is the wondrous, deeply moving Sure On This Shining Night by American composer Morten Lauridsen (from Nocturnes ), set to an exquisite, poignant text by James Agee (excerpted from his 1934 work “Permit Me Voyage”). Lauridsen set this piece “much like a song from the American musical theater…”, including a soulstirring accompaniment, which will feature our wonderful pianist, Elizabeth Acker.

Ubi Caritas

Our concert’s finale, which will feature all of this afternoon’s performers, will be Canadian composer Paul Halley ’s epic and joyous Ubi Caritas , presenting his ingenious meshing of serene Gregorian with earthy, exuberant African chants.

Programme Notes: Jenny Crober

VOCA CHORUS OF TORONTO

The VOCA CHORUS OF TORONTO is a dynamic, mixed-voice, auditioned ensemble which performs an eclectic mix of classical & contemporary music–including several premieres of arrangements by our Artistic Director–in collaboration with a variety of celebrated artists & ensembles. Our season consists of two concerts, fundraising cabarets and performances at benefit / community events.

Members of our artistic staff include Artistic Director/Conductor Jenny Crober, *Collaborative Pianist Elizabeth Acker and six professional section leads: soprano Noelle Slaney, mezzo Lillian Brooks, tenors Kevin Mulligan and David Walsh (onleave), baritones Parker Clements and James Coole-Stevenson, as well as two guest tenors, Evan Morin and Lyndon Ladeur. (*Elizabeth Acker will be retiring from VOCA at the end of this season. She has been an invaluable and treasured member of our choir’s staff for 18 seasons, and will be dearly missed!)

Each VOCA concert features repertoire for mixed choir, as well as works for our sopranos and altos, and our tenors and basses. J.S. Bach’s Magnificat , the Mozart Requiem , Orff’s Carmina Burana , Handel’s Messiah , the Vivaldi Gloria , the Fauré Requiem , along with contemporary selections, including Ola Gjeilo’s Dreamweaver (*the Canadian Premiere) and Song for the Universal , Paul Winter’s Missa Gaia/ Earth Mass and Scott Macmillan’s Celtic Mass for the Sea are all examples of major works the choir has performed with larger instrumental ensembles. We’ve also presented a wide variety of contemporary classical repertoire, including compositions and commissioned works by Canadian composers, along with folk/ roots, jazz and musical theatre selections.

Today’s concert will open with a recently commissioned and premiered work by JUNO-nominated Cree composer Andrew Balfour, the stunning Anang (a Star) , which has just been published by Cypress Music Publishing. Some of the Canadian composers and songwriters whose works our choir has featured include Matthew Emery, Sarah Quartel, Nicholas Ryan Kelly, Eleanor Daley, Paul Halley, Mark Sirett, Beth Hanson, Gordon Lightfoot and Joni Mitchell.

Please join us tomorrow night, 7:30 pm at Eastminster United on the Danforth for VOCA’s full presentation of “ Shining Night ” – our choir’s final concert of the 20222023 Season, and our final performance with our wonderful collaborative pianist, Elizabeth Acker. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vocas-shining-night-springconcert-tickets-590001589637

JENNY CROBER

Artistic Director, Conductor

JENNY CROBER received her Mus.Bac (Hon.) and B. of Ed. at UWO, where she studied with choral conductor, Deral Johnson and pianist, Gwen Beamish MacMillan. Ensembles she has performed with include the Canadian Opera Company, Toronto Operetta Theatre, the Nathaniel Dett Chorale, the Orpheus Choir of Toronto and Young Voices Toronto. She has worked with several noted conductors, including Elmer Iseler, Lydia Adams and Brainerd Blyden-Taylor; renowned composers include Ola Gjeilo, Bob Chilcott, Sarah Quartel and Andrew Balfour.

Jenny, currently finishing her 19th Season as Artistic Director/Conductor of the VOCA Chorus of Toronto, has had a richly varied and versatile career spanning over 40 years as collaborative pianist, choral conductor, arranger and accompanist, teacher, coach, clinician, dance accompanist, a cappella jazz vocalist and recording artist.

She was a member of the vocal jazz sextet, Union Station (heard on CBC Radio), and is the pianist on singer Patricia O’Callaghan’s critically-acclaimed debut CD Youkali, recipient of a coveted “Critic’s Choice” Billboard Magazine review.

Jenny has conducted numerous choral workshops (eg. Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and CAMMAC Ontario), and has conducted, coached and accompanied for over two decades at Lake Field Music Camp.

She was thrilled to co-conduct Scott Macmillan’s Celtic Mass for the Sea with choristers from across Canada at Carnegie Hall in 2015. Following a VOCA workshop with world-renowned composer Ola Gjeilo in 2016, he invited Jenny to assemble numerous choristers to perform his Dreamweaver with a massed choir at Carnegie Hall in 2018; she was honoured to present the Canadian Premiere of Dreamweaver with VOCA shortly thereafter. In April 2022, Jenny was thrilled to conduct the World Premiere of JUNO-nominated Cree composer Andrew Balfour’s Anang (A Star) , now published by Cypress Music Publishing.

SHAWN GRENKE Organ, Piano

Conductor, Pianist and Organist SHAWN

GRENKE is Director of Music at Eglinton St. George’s United Church in Toronto, Collaborative Pianist with the Elmer Iseler Singers of Toronto, and Artistic Director and Conductor of the Achill Choral Society in Orangeville, Ontario.

Shawn began his musical training as a chorister and pianist with the Hastings County Board of Education Concert Choir under the direction of Rudolf Heijdens in his hometown of Belleville, Ontario.

He was awarded a Bachelor of Music degree from Mount Allison University (New Brunswick), and Master of Music degree from the University of Toronto. Shawn has appeared in concerts in Poland and South Korea, at the ‘Let the Future Sing’ Choral Festival in Sweden and the ‘Xinghai Choral Competition’ in China, as well as the ‘Le Mondial Choral Loto-Québec World Choral Competition’ in Laval, Québec, Roy Thomson Hall (Toronto), Winspear Centre, (Edmonton), CBC Radio, and other festivals, concert series and recitals throughout Canada, the United States and Europe.

Shawn is currently in his second year of the Doctor of Music Degree Program in Choral Conducting at the University of Alberta, where he studies with Dr. Timothy Shantz. This year, Shawn was very honoured to be awarded the Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship Award, the Opera Edmonton Assistantship Award and the Centennial Bursary Fund Award. While in Alberta, Shawn was the artist in residence at St. George’s Anglican Church and held an assistant teaching position with the U. of Alberta’s Opera Program, directed by Shannon Hiebert.

ELIZABETH ACKER Piano

ELIZABETH ACKER received her B.F.A. from York University in 1980. She studied piano with Gladys Angley, Edna Hawkin, Slavka Dimitroff, Anton Kuerti, Anton Kubalek, and James Anagnoson. Versatile in many musical styles, Elizabeth is well known for her work as an accompanist, chamber musician, orchestral pianist, coach, and teacher. She has recorded for film, TV, radio & ballet.

Some of Elizabeth’s credits include keyboardist for Phantom of the Opera and Assistant Music Director for the Broadway cast of Those Were the Days; Copland’s Appalachian Spring, Saint Saens’ Carnival of the Animals for 2 Pianos & Orchestra with the Niagara Symphony; Arraymusic and Esprit Orchestra; and Second City.

Elizabeth plays with the Accolade Trio, a York University Faculty ensemble which recently performed a Carl Frühling trio for a Jewish Composers Chamber Series. She also coaches & performs at the Vermont Music and Arts Centre, a summer camp for advanced adult chamber musicians in Lyndonville, Vermont, where she performs many of the larger works for Piano Trio. Elizabeth is a member of The Green Mountain Trio, which will be performing in Princeton, New Jersey this summer. She is thrilled to have recently joined the ensemble Orquesta Solidaridad Tango, which will launch its first CD, Distancia on May 28. They will perform in Argentina and Uruguay in August. Elizabeth has taught piano for many years, and continues to teach privately. She has been a devoted pianist for the VOCA for 18 years, and has made the difficult decision this year to retire in order to pursue other interests. It has been 18 years of making wonderful music, new friends, and sharing the stage with talented colleagues and guest artists, learning so much about choral music in the process. Many thanks to Jenny Crober for her inspirational work & programming. It has been a joyful experience to be a part of this choir.

COLLEEN ALLEN

Saxophone

Alberta-born COLLEEN ALLEN plays all saxes, flute and clarinet. Recent performances include SessionsX recordings with Gospel legend Carvin Winans, featuring Michael MacDonald, Take 6, David Clayton Thomas and Martha Reeves.

She has performed extensively with Molly Johnson, David Clayton Thomas, Holly Cole, Emilie-Claire Barlow, Marc Jordan, Shakura S’Aida, Jackie Richardson, Cirque Du Soleil, Soulpepper Theatre and Brian Barlow’s Big Band, and is a member of the renowned jazz fusion band Manteca. Recent projects include recording with Hilario Duran’s Latin Jazz Big Band, featuring Paquito d’Rivera.

Her first CD, “Colleen Allen,” is a beautiful collection of nine tracks displaying her many talents as instrumentalist, arranger, band leader and producer. Her sophomore disc features bassist George Koller, guitarist Rob Piltch and Snarky Puppy drummer, Larnell Lewis.

Colleen is a cherished musician on the Canadian music scene: a dynamic solo performer and flawless ensemble musician, known for her gorgeous, warm tone, soulful style and brilliant soloing.

www.colleenallen.ca

ANDY MORRIS Percussion, Drums

ANDY MORRIS, pacifist, hits things for a living. His passion for making things with his hands, whether music or instruments, has resulted in a fun journey around the globe. Based in Toronto, he maintains a busy freelance career as both an orchestral musician as timpanist, and principal for the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and Festival orchestra, among many other ensembles he has worked with over the years (including the Elora Singers, Toronto Children’s Chorus, Elmer Iseler Singers and Hannaford Street Silver Band).

Andy has recorded jingles and movies, performed at local casinos for Aretha Franklin, Andrea Bocelli and Deep Purple, and has toured the world with John Wyre’s heartbeat Ensemble, Patricia O’Callaghan, and his award-winning trio, Zebra Schvungk.

Andy is the co-proprietor of Woodshed Percussion (http://www.woodshedpercussion.com/Woodshed/Welcome.html). In 2005, he started a cymbal and gong company called Dream Cymbals, dedicated to making blissful, energetic, handcrafted instruments (https://dreamcymbals.com).

TEXTS & TRANSLATIONS

ANANG (A STAR)

Andrew Balfour

Anang A star, Anang gii-piidagooojin A star fell through the sky towards me. Bagakaasigewag anangoog Stars shine brightly.

EVENING PRAYER

St. Augustine

Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, Or watch or weep tonight, And give your angels charge over those who sleep.

Tend your sick ones, O Lord Jesus Christ; Rest your weary ones; bless your dying ones; Soothe your suffering ones; pity your afflicted ones; Shield your joyous ones; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.

NIGHT YOIK

Frode Fjellheim

Inspired by traditional Sámí folk songs

THE STARS ARE WITH THE VOYAGER

Thomas

Hood

The stars are with the voyager Wherever he may sail; The moon is constant to her time; The sun will never fail; But follow, follow ‘round the world, The green earth and the sea; So love is with the lover’s heart, Wherever he may be.

Wherever he may be, the stars

Must daily lose their light; The moon will veil her in the shade; The sun will set at night.

The sun may set, but constant love

Will shine when he’s away; So that dull night is never night, And day is brighter day.

ON THIS NIGHT OF A THOUSAND STARS (EVITA)

Tim

Rice

On this night of a thousand stars, let me take you to heaven’s door, Where the music of love’s guitars plays for evermore.

In the glow of those twinkling lights we shall love through eternity. On this night in a million nights fly away with me.

I never dreamed that a kiss could be as sweet as this, but now I know that it can. I used to wander alone without a love of my own, I was a desperate man; But all my grief disappeared and all the sorrow I’d feared wasn’t there anymore On that magical day when you first came my way, mi amor.

On this night… On this night…

On this night of a thousand stars, let me take you to heaven’s door, Where the music of love’s guitars plays for evermore.

JOY

Sara

Teasdale

I am wild, I will sing to the trees, I will sing to the stars in the sky, I love, I am loved, he is mine, Now at last, I can die!

I am sandaled with wind and with flame, I have heart-fire and singing to give, I can tread on the grass or the stars, Now at last I can live!

BLUE MOON

Lorenz Hart

Blue moon, you saw me standing alone, Without a dream in my heart, without a love of my own. Blue moon, you knew just what I was there for; You heard me saying a prayer for Someone I really could care for.

And then there suddenly appeared before me The only one my arms will ever hold. I heard somebody whisper, “please adore me”, And when I looked, the moon had turned to gold!

Blue moon, now I’m no longer alone, Without a dream in my heart, Without a love of my own.

UBI CARITAS

Ubi caritas et amor Deus ibi est.

10th Century Gregorian Chant Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor.

Where there is charity and love, God is there. The love of Christ has gathered us together.

Oba ye, Oba yo, batala Abdel Salaam; Yoruba & Khemitic Texts

Oba ye, Oba yo O batala, Oba ye, Oba yo, Yemanja

Oba ye, Oba yo O Yemaja

Oba ye, Oba yo O Ra ausar.

Praises to Obala, Ruler of the heavens.

Praises to Yemenja, ruler of the water of life.

Praises to Ra and Ausar, rulers of the light and the resurrected soul.