The Drop That Contained the Sea

THE PAUL AND LINNEA BERT CLASSIC ACCENTS SERIES

Sunday, May 4, 2025 | 2:30 PM | Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center

Sponsored by the MSO Circle of Friends 2025 Eddy Award Presentation to Kirk Whalum

MEMPHIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Robert Moody, Music Director Kyle Dickson, Assistant Conductor The Madeleine Luce Moore Chair

VIOLIN I Barrie Cooper, Concertmaster The Joy Brown Wiener Chair Marisa Polesky, Assistant Concertmaster Diane Zelickman Cohen, Assistant Principal Wen-Yih Yu, Assistant Principal Jessica Munson Janaina Fernandes The Rebecca Webb Wilson Fellowship VIOLIN II Gaylon Patterson, Principal The Dunbar and Constance Abston Chair Erin Kaste, Assistant Principal Lenore McIntyre, Assistant Principal Yennifer Correia Priscilla Tsai Esther Humphries VIOLA Jennifer Puckett, Principal The Corinne Falls Murrah Chair Michelle Pellay-Walker, Assistant Principal Aaron Tubergen, Assistant Principal Beth Luscombe

CELLO Ruth Valente Burgess, Principal The Vincent de Frank Chair Iren Zombor, Assistant Principal Jonathan Kirkscey, Assistant Principal

TIMPANI Ed Murray, Principal

BASS Scott Best, Principal Andrew Palmer

HARP Frances Cobb Kenney, Principal The Ruth Marie Moore Cobb Chair

FLUTE Shantanique Moore, Principal The Marion Dugdale McClure Chair OBOE Lani Kelly, Principal The Paul and Linnea Bert Chair CLARINET Andre Dyachenko, Principal The Gayle S. Rose Chair HORN Caroline Kinsey, Principal The Morrie A. Moss Chair Robert Patterson TROMBONE Greg Luscombe, Principal Mark Vail

PERCUSSION David Carlisle, Principal Stewart Plumlee Dwight Van de Vate

KEYBOARD Adrienne Park, Principal The Buzzy Hussey and Hal Brunt Chair

THE PAUL AND LINNEA BERT CLASSIC ACCENTS SERIES Sunday, May 4, 2025 · 2:30 p.m. · Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center

Sponsored by the MSO Circle of Friends Memphis Symphony Orchestra Eddy Award Presentation: Kirk Whalum Robert Moody, conductor Zuri, mezzo-soprano Lawrence Barasa, tenor Memphis Symphony Chorus - Dr. Lawrence Edwards, director White Station High School Choir - Daniel Massey, director St. George’s Independent School Choir - Nate Dumser, director CHRISTOPHER TIN (b. 1976)

The Drop That Contained the Sea 1. Water Prelude Chorus 2. Haktan Gelen Şerbeti [The Drink from God] Zuri, mezzo-soprano Lawrence Barasa, tenor Chorus 3. Temen Oblak [Dark Clouds] Chorus 4. Iza Ngomso [Come Tomorrow] Lawrence Barasa, tenor Chorus 5. Tsas Narand Uyarna [The Heart of Snow] Zuri, mezzo-soprano Chorus 6. Passou o Verão [Summer Has Gone] Zuri, mezzo-soprano 8. Seirenes [Sirens] 7. Devipravaha [Goddess River] Zuri, mezzo-soprano Chorus 9. Haf Gengr Hriðum [The Storm-Driven Sea] Chorus 10. Waloyo Yamoni [We Overcome the Wind] Zuri, mezzo-soprano Lawrence Barasa, tenor Chorus

CONCERT NOTES Christopher Tin (1976-

by Michelle Pellay-Walker

): The Drop That Contained the Sea

First Complete Performance: Distinguished Concerts Orchestra and Choir (Jonathan Griffith, conductor): Carnegie Hall, New York City, April 2014.

The Drop That Contained the Sea, by American composer Christopher Chiyan Tin, is a classical crossover composition consisting of ten individual movements that explores various aspects of water in its different forms. The composer’s Program Notes (taken from his website) are quite comprehensive, and read as follows: “The title of The Drop That Contained the Sea comes from a Sufi concept: In the same way that every drop of water contains the essence of the sea, inside every human is the essence of all of humanity. In keeping with this idea, I've introduced a water theme in the prelude, and woven subtle variations throughout the album. It contains all seven notes of a major scale-four descending and three ascending-mirroring the flow of water through our world, and representing the vast ocean of melodic possibility contained within a single scale.

Water is one of the most powerful forces in the world. It creates life and brings about death, and it has the power to shape the face of the earth. Water means different things to different cultures, and I wanted to explore this in The Drop That Contained the Sea. Each piece is inspired by water in a different form, arranged in the order that water flows through the world: Melting snow, mountain streams, rivers, the ocean, and so forth. And like Calling All Dawns, the end of the album flows back into the beginning, reflecting the endless nature of the water cycle. Each of the 10 pieces is also sung in a different language, exploring a different vocal tradition: Bulgarian women's choirs, Mongolian throat singing, and Portuguese fado, to name just a few.”

Initially scored for full orchestra plus chorus, the chamber orchestra version consists of significantly reduced woodwinds (one flute doubling piccolo, one oboe, and one clarinet), brass (two horns and two trombones), and percussion (timpani plus three percussion), piano, celesta, harp, and strings; the latter is the version that is being performed on this particular concert set.

All of the ethnic percussion instruments called for in the full version (and there are a lot of them!!) are used in the chamber version as well.

These works were recorded at Abbey Road Studio, with Tin conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and upon its release, in May of 2014, the album achieved Number One status on the Billboard Traditional Classical Albums chart. Each of the vocal selections was commissioned by a different group, and they were premiered separately, as detailed on the composer’s website.

ON STAGE Robert Moody, conductor Internationally acclaimed conductor, Robert Moody, is currently enjoying his 9th season as Music Director of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, his 18th season as Music Director of Arizona Musicfest, and celebrating his inaugural season as Music Director of the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra. He is also a frequent guest conductor in South Africa, and will return there for concerts with the three major orchestras in June 2025.

Zuri, mezzo-soprano With a sound that is designed to connect straight to the heart of the listener, Spinto Soprano, Zuri, has enjoyed a fulfilling career. Her warm and rich tone combined with an uncanny dramatic sensibility has long made her a favorite among audiences in the Midwest, and recently, in the Charlotte area. A graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University, Zuri won every division of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) she entered.

Lawrence Barasa, tenor Kenyan-born tenor Lawrence Barasa appears this season with Eugene Opera for a solo recital and sings Don José in Carmen with Opera in the Park (Portland, Oregon). He will also join the Metropolitan Opera roster, covering Remendado in Carmen during the 2025–2026 season.

He recently made his Annapolis Opera debut as Alfredo in La Traviata.

A former Apprentice Artist with the Santa Fe Opera, Mr. Barasa has also performed at Carnegie Hall in Joyce DiDonato’s Masterclass.

TO LEARN MORE...

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Today’s Chorus is a Powerful Collaboration of Voices from Across Our City Featuring the Memphis Symphony Chorus, White Station High School Choir, and St. George’s Independent School Choir, the Drop That Contained the Sea Chorus brings together extraordinary talent from every corner of Memphis.

Memphis Symphony Chorus Dr. Lawrence Edwards, artistic director Liz Parsons, accompanist SOPRANO Olivia Ball Alicia Butler Edith Christmas Belle Clark Melanie Davis Katrice Feild Mary Gaudet Aimee Randolph Aurora Russell Pam Schnell Karen Tate B.J. Webster

Laura Williamson St. George's Singers Nate Dumser, choir director SOPRANO Helen Beaudoin Addison East Riley Griffin Holly Herrera

White Station High School Daniel Massey, choir director SOPRANO Giselle Baddorf Kaitlyn Cooper Jennifer Guerrero Amy Hatler Abby Mitchell Morgan Mooney Lucy Roaten

Sarah Scroggins

ALTO Faith Armstrong Lily Axelrod Cindy Burnette Caroline Glusenkamp Pam Gold Gerre Harrell Christine Hughes Ann Indingaro Jayla Isom Cora Jones Sue Lease Anita Lotz Jill Margolin Lisa Lucks Mendel Sila Ozkara Terron Perk Mary Seratt Anna Shelton-Brownell

Rita West Ali Wetherald

ALTO Ava Barthel Veda Crose MacKenna Harper Lexie Haynes Makayla James Lourdes Peete Elena Sallee

Camryn Smith

ALTO Michaela Arnold Eva Bowen Aubrey Burress Ellie Carr Destiny Davenport Payton James Journee Jones Siri Larsen

Jabarie Haywood

TENOR Bradley Bolden Riley Bruce

TENOR Tyler Bruno Julius Dabbs Clint Early, Jr Craig Gough Sean Klaus George Martin David McNair Jake Milligan John Sanborn David Schnell David Spear

Bill Gaudet Scott Hall Sam Hughes Jim Jaggers Dayrin Jones Jim McClanahan David Patterson Eugene Reyneke Al Whitney Lewis Wright

BASS Matt Babb Charles Dove

TENOR Will Getman Gavin Malott Aiden Rubin de la Borbolla

BASS Alexandre Bizot Robert Easterling Noah Johnson Khaleb Kearney Kameron Kearney James Zelinski

BASS Jackson Juckett Mason Merkle Nicholas Miller Sam Miraglia Thomas Pruett Miller Utterback

HONORING DR. LAWRENCE EDWARDS After 35 years of dedicated leadership, Dr. Lawrence Edwards is retiring as Artistic Director of the Memphis Symphony Chorus. Since 1988, Dr. Edwards has been the guiding force behind the chorus, shaping it into a premier ensemble that performs between two and five concerts per season with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Under his direction, the chorus has tackled major works across the classical choral repertoire, including Bach’s Mass in B Minor, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, and Handel’s Messiah.​ Beyond his work with the chorus, Dr. Edwards served as Coordinator of Choirs for the University of Memphis School of Music from 1987 to 2021, directing ensembles like the University Singers and Sound Fuzion, and mentoring countless students in choral conducting . His commitment to excellence and education has left an indelible mark on the Memphis music community.

As we celebrate Dr. Edwards' retirement, we honor his remarkable contributions and the legacy he leaves behind —a chorus enriched by his passion and a community inspired by his dedication.

THE MEMPHIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IS PROUD TO HONOR KIRK WHALUM AS THE 2025 EDDY AWARD RECIPIENT Soulful, passionate, stirring...these are the words most often used to describe Kirk Whalum's music. Forged from his Memphis, (TN) gospel roots and his 1980‘s initiation into the thriving Houston, TX nightclub scene, Kirk’s big, rich tenor sound is unmistakably his. The 80’s were highlighted by Kirk’s stepping out of his blossoming sideman role and forming his own band. It was there that Kirk ultimately developed both his “voice” and songwriting in the crucible of the local club scene especially at a rooftop club called Cody’s. It was also in Houston where jazz pianist Bob James “discovered” him and brought him on tour, which led to five successful albums with Columbia Records, including Cache, Kirk’s first #1 album. As well, Kirk and Bob received a Grammy nomination for their collaboration album, Joined at the Hip. After moving to Los Angeles, Kirk became an in demand like Barbara Streisand, Al Jarreau, Luther Vandross, Larry Carlton, Quincy Jones and most notably, Whitney Houston, amongst many others. It’s his sax heard on the mega-hit, “I Will Always Love You.” Kirk soon followed that career high point with his phenomenal hit album released on Warner Bros. Records, For You, perhaps the most successful of over 25 solo recordings to date; others include his eclectic, and much lauded, Gospel According to Jazz series, (Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4). In addition to his many solo projects, Kirk was also a member of the popular soul/jazz group, BWB, which features Kirk as the “W” of the group with Rick Braun (trumpet) and Norman Brown (guitar).

An ordained minister, Kirk has earned a Masters of Art in Religion. It’s in this spirit that he serves his community in various ways when his touring schedule allows. There is also his daily fifteen minute podcast, Bible In Your Ear (BIYE), in which he invites you to listen along as he reads through the Bible in a year. In addition to music and ministry, Kirk has a passion to educate young, aspiring musicians and is currently engaged as a music professor at Visible Music College in his hometown of Memphis.

Kirk is the recipient of numerous awards and acknowledgments for his musical excellence including three Dove Award nominations, an NAACP Image Award nomination and has won two Stellar AwardsGospel music’s highest honor. A twelve time Grammy® Award nominee, Kirk won his first Grammy® Award (2011) for Best Gospel Song (“It’s What I Do”––featuring Lalah Hathaway) alongside life-long friend and gifted songwriter, Jerry Peters. Kirk has also been honored with a Brass Note on the Memphis Walk of Fame and a Star on the Nashville Walk of Fame.

In a career spanning decades, Kirk has a sound that is uniquely his; it is a sound that leaves an indelible imprint on the listener.

THE EDDY AWARD Each year the Eddy Award is given to an esteemed community member who has made a transformational contribution to enhance cultural awareness by using the power of music to foster intentional inclusion and community engagement for all people.

The Eddy Award is based on the metaphoric language used in the Circle of Friends' teaching tale entitled "The Eddy: The Current that Changed the Course of the River."

An eddy is a circular current at variance with the main water flow that changes the direction or trajectory of the river. Since the movement is often caused suddenly by the splash of a fallen rock, as referenced in the teaching tale, its meaning is fitting for this unique recognition of an individual who facilitated change through the power of music.

The Circle of Friends was established more than a decade ago as a women's philanthropy initiative. The Circle now includes women and men from diverse backgrounds. They support the MSO and also recognize the importance of having people from different networks and social identities join in an effort to expand cultural interrelatedness through the power of music.

Together, they caused a disturbance of sorts to manifest their shared vision of being instruments of intentional inclusion through the Memphis Symphony Orchestra (MSO). Their unwavering commitment has been the catalyst that helped to change the organization's core values to reflect more diversity, equity, and inclusion in its audience, patrons, staff and, ultimately, the orchestra itself. Their mission is ever-flowing and never-ending, like the ripples of eddies forming concentric circles that expand, creating waves of change and ultimately altering the course of a river.

In 2020, the Circle of Friends established the Musician Fellowship Program to address the demographics of the orchestra itself. This program was designed to attract the best and the brightest emerging musicians of color who have completed a music degree from a higher education institution or conservatory. The appointment to be seated in the string section of the orchestra over a two-year tenure is a welcomed opportunity for experimental learning for an aspiring musician to prepare for a professional career as a classical musician or teaching artist.

For more information about the Circle of Friends visit, memphissymphony.org/circle-of-friends.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2025 EDDY AWARD SPONSORS

MOVER ORION FINANCIAL

SHAKER BARBARA & PITT HYDE NIKE, INC.

DOER ANN W. LANGSTON REGIONAL ONE HEALTH HENRY TURLEY

BELIEVER CALANDRA & JOSEPH CLEVELAND BILL ETNYRE & MICHAEL LONESOME ETNYRE | JUAN FUENTES JANAS JACKSON | PEGGY MCCLURE | DINAH & GARY MAKOWSKY BEVERLY & HOWARD ROBERTSON | DIANE THORNTON RUBY & AC WHARTON | BECKY WILSON | JOCIE WURZBURG

MEMPHIS SY MPHONY ORCHESTRA 25|26 SEASON TCHAIKOVSKY VIOLIN CONCERTO Saturday, September 13, 2025 7:30pm · Cannon Center Sunday, September 14, 2025 2:30pm · Scheidt Center Robert Moody, conductor Randall Goosby, violin

GO FOR BAROQUE Friday, October 3, 2025 6:30pm · Crosstown Theater Sunday, October 5, 2025 2:30pm · Scheidt Center Anne Harrigan, conductor Samuel Xu, piano SYMPHONIE FANTASTIQUE Saturday, October 25, 2025 7:30pm · Cannon Center Sunday, October 26, 2025 2:30pm · Scheidt Center Robert Moody, conductor HANDEL’S MESSIAH Monday, December 1, 2025 · 7:30pm Lindenwood Christian Church Tuesday, December 2, 2025 · 7:30pm Thursday, December 4, 2025 · 7:30pm Germantown United Methodist Church Robert Moody, conductor Memphis Symphony Chorus Dr. Lawrence Edwards, conductor

ONE NIGHT ONLY: DEVOTION: A SALUTE TO AMERICA’S ARMED FORCES Saturday, December 6, 2025 7:30pm · Scheidt Center Robert Moody, conductor Memphis Symphony Chorus Dr. Lawrence Edwards, conductor MAGIC OF MEMPHIS Saturday, December 20, 2025 2:30pm & 7:30pm · Cannon Center Robert Moody, conductor Kyle Dickson, conductor Memphis Symphony Chorus Dr. Lawrence Edwards, conductor

BRAHMS SYMPHONY NO. 4 & TRUMPET VIRTUOSO Saturday, January 31, 2026 7:30pm · Cannon Center Sunday, February 1, 2026 2:30pm · Scheidt Center Robert Moody, conductor Will Leathers, trumpet NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC’S AUDREY WRIGHT PLAYS ZWILLICH VIOLIN CONCERTO Friday, February 27, 2026 6:30pm · Crosstown Theater Sunday, March 1, 2026 2:30pm · Scheidt Center Kyle Dickson, conductor Audrey Wright, violin

ONE NIGHT ONLY - VERDI REQUIEM Saturday, March 28, 2026 7:30pm · Cannon Center Robert Moody, conductor Memphis Symphony Chorus Dr. Lawrence Edwards, conductor University of Mississippi Choirs Drs. Donald Trott & Elizabeth Hearn, conductors

AMERICA’S 250TH BIRTHDAY ORCHESTRAL CELEBRATION Saturday, May 2, 2026 7:30pm · Cannon Center Sunday, May 3, 2026 2:30pm · Scheidt Center Robert Moody, conductor Jeffrey Biegel, piano Memphis Symphony Chorus Dr. Lawrence Edwards, conductor COPLAND APPALACHIAN SPRING Friday, May 15, 2026 6:30pm · Crosstown Theater Sunday, May 17, 2026 2:30pm · Scheidt Center Robert Moody, conductor Jennifer Gunn, flute / piccolo

S U B S C R I B E T O D AY | M E M P H I S S Y M P H O N Y. O R G

SYMPHONY IN THE GARDENS Sun, May 11 · 5:00pm Dixon Gallery & Gardens ROMANTIC MASTERWORKS RACHMANINOFF AND SAINT-SAËNS Sat, May 17 · 7:30pm · Scheidt Sun, May 18 · 2:30pm · Scheidt

SUNSET SYMPHONY - feat. MSO BIG BAND Sat, May 25 · 7:30pm Overton Park Shell

MemphisSymphony.org | 901.537.2500