Winter Dreams | Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center

Palatine Children’s Chorus presents

Winter Dreams

Saturday, December 8, 2018 Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center 150 E. Wood Street, Palatine 1:00pm : All Groups 3:30pm : Intermezzo, Concert, and Honors Choirs only

Palatine Park District • palatineparks.org Palatine Children’s Chorus • pccsings.org

Interested in joining the Palatine Children’s Chorus family for our 2019 Spring session?

Free Welcome Nights Community Center Room 1C 250 E. Wood Street, Palatine Monday, January 14, 6:30pm Wednesday, January 16, 6:30pm This is not an audition!

All children who attend Welcome Night will be welcomed into our PCC family.

We believe all children have a voice to share!

Email pccsings@palatineparks.org for more information or visit our website pccsings.org to learn about us.

Rehearsals begin January 14 for older singers, and January 16 for younger singers

Do you have a younger singer? Our Sing With Me class for singers age 4 & 5 meets Thursdays from 12:30-1:15pm.

The winter class begins January 17. Our Do Re Mi class for singers age 6 & 7 meets Wednesdays from 4:45-5:30pm.

Their class begins January 16. Register at Community Center, Birchwood, Falcon Park, or online at palatineparks.org.

Winter Dreams Presented by Palatine Children’s Chorus 1:00pm Concert Artistic Director: Stevee Bellas Assistant Artistic Director, Do Re Mi/Treble Director: Crystalyn Boyer Principal Accompanist: Susan Chappell Assistant Accompanist, Do Re Mi/Treble Accompanist: Benjamin Valle

Combined Choirs Betelehemu �����������������������������������������������������������������arr. Andy Beck Nigerian Christmas Carol

Intermezzo Choir Zumba, Zumba ������������������������������������������������������������arr. Jill Gallina

Combined Men’s Choir Sleigh Ride �������������������������������������������������������������������arr. Andy Beck

Honors Choir There is No Rose ��������������������������������������������������Z. Randall Stroope Soloist: Megan Rullo, Oboe

Concert Choir Winter Dreams �������������������������������������������������������������������Pink Zebra Kyrie (from Missa Brevis in C Minor ������������������������� Imant Raminsh Soloist: Jacqueline Piccolino, Soprano Megan Rullo, Oboe

Edited Henry Leck

Do Re Mi Carol of the Field Mice �������������������������������������������������Brian Holmes The Wren Song �������������������������������������������������arr. John F. Campbell Whatcha Gonna Call That Baby? ����������������������� Phyllis Wolfe-White

Combined Do Re Mi and Treble Choirs Fairest Lady ������������������������������������������������������������������������Nick Page Good Cheer (Festival Procession) ����������������������� arr. Audrey Snyder Based on a Medieval English Song Soloist: Megan Rullo, Flute

Treble Choir A la Media Noche �������������������������������������������������������arr. Greg Gilpin Traditional Puerto Rican Carol

Celtic Cradle Song ������������������������������������������������ arr. Robert I. Hugh Traditional Irish Folk Song

Old Man Winter �������������������� Louis Brownsey and Marti Lunn Lantz

Combined Treble and Intermezzo Choir Hey! Ho! Nobody Home! ��������������������������������� arr. Russell Robinson Traditional English Folk Song

Combined Choirs Auld Lang Syne ���������������������������������������������� arr. Lee R. Kesselman Let There Be Peace On Earth ����������������������������������arr. Hawley Ades

Do Re Mi Choir Yoana Bustos

Katelyn Leidolf

Anne Peters

Jonah Hartley

Harper Morrison

Ethan Pflum-Eremia

Caitlin Kabel

Aubrey Murray

Reid Salamah

Violet Kessler

Lolita Nan

Rie Tsutsumi

Addyson Kropp

Anna Wang

Treble Choir Allison Alanguilan

Grace Gallo

Claire Nudo

Baeley Berry

Micah Hartley

Sadie Reffell

Avani Bony

Sophie Kuykendall

Maddison Sarg

Jenavieve Bruns

Allison Leidolf

Alessandra Smith

Piper Crane

Grace Manola

Penny Troiano

Carrigan Finlay

Natalie Murray

Alena Tusenko

Sofia Frantz

Gunnar Novak

Alec Zhao-Ye

Intermezzo Choir Alyssa Alvarez

Max Gould

Dana Thorson

Annie Chinzorig

Clara Kim

Sophie Ulrich

Julianna Gawlas

Amina Munkhbayar

Gabi Vazquez

Emily Gillaizeau

Alyssa Pettinger

Sophie Zhou

Amira Salamah

Concert Choir Christina Annerino

Hannah Henrikson*

Mikayla Rau

Frankie Annerino

Joyce Hu*

Mia Reffell

Sindhu Aribandi

Salome Javakhishvili

Elyse Schlesinger

Andre Boulet*

Sara Larson

Emily Schlesinger^

Gabe Classon*

Paige LaSalle

Sydney Shiffman*

Micayla Crane

Maya Longo

Allison Smith

Emily Cuthbert

Heather McDermott*#

Diggy Smith*

Ojas Dumbre* Meghan Fletcher Kelsey Grimme*

Nadia Metzo Divya Murali*

Zoe Vukelich* Bella Zizzo

Megha Pethari*

*denotes Honors Choir #denotes Honors Assistant ^denotes Do Re Mi/Treble Choir Assistant

Palatine Children’s Chorus Staff Artistic Director: Stevee Bellas Assistant Artistic Director: Crystalyn Boyer Principal Accompanist: Susan Chappell Assistant Accompanist: Benjamin Valle Sing with Me Director: Kathy Sbarboro Managing Director: Melissa Schlesinger Tour/Finance Manager: Sue Love

Thank you from Mrs. Boyer I would like to thank the singers and families of PCC for their ongoing dedication and talent. It has been a great journey so far in my first year as Assistant Artistic Director, and I have been so fortunate to work with such a fun and motivated group of singers! Their energy every week always inspires me!

We are so lucky to have such a great accompanist working with the younger students every Wednesday. Benjamin Valle has jumped right into this role, and is not only an excellent musician but also a role model for the kids. We have enjoyed welcoming him to the PCC family, and are very thankful for his work. I would also like to thank Susan Chappell for all of her dedication and musicality on Monday nights!

A very special thank you goes out to Melissa Schlesinger and Sue Love for everything that they do for PCC -- I would be very lost without them!

Additionally, I am very thankful for PCCA and Dr. Bruce Goldberg for all of their assistance and support! I am looking forward to seeing this organization grow.

Finally, a huge thank you to Stevee Bellas! She has done an excellent job in her first year as Artistic Director, and I am grateful to work alongside her and learn from her.

To all of the audience members, thank you for your continued support of music in your child’s life! I hope you have a great holiday season.

Winter Dreams Presented by Palatine Children’s Chorus 3:30pm Concert Artistic Director: Stevee Bellas Assistant Artistic Director, Do Re Mi/Treble Director: Crystalyn Boyer Principal Accompanist: Susan Chappell Assistant Accompanist, Do Re Mi/Treble Accompanist: Benjamin Valle

Combined Choirs Betelehemu ������������������������������������������������������������������arr.Andy Beck

Nigerian Christmas Carol

Intermezzo Choir Hey! Ho! Nobody Home! ����������������������������������� arr. Russell Robinso Traditional English Folk Song

Fuyu No Uta ��������������������������������������������������������arr. Rachel Stenson Japanese Folk Song

Tuuti, Tuuti Tummaistani �������������������������������������������Charles Collins Ha’Neirot Ha’lalu ����������������������� Linda Marcus/Ruth Elaine Schram Soloist: Megan Rullo, Flute

Zumba, Zumba �������������������������������������������������������������arr. Jill Galina

Honors Choir A Child Is Born ��������������������������������������������������������������������Nick Page In The Bleak Midwinter ������������������������������� arr. Ruth Elaine Schram There Is No Rose ��������������������������������������������������Z. Randall Stroope Soloist: Megan Rullo, Oboe

La Marche des Rois ��������������������������������������������������arr. Ron Jeffers

13th Century Provencal Carol

Intermission Combined Men’s Choir Sleigh Ride �������������������������������������������������������������������arr. Andy Beck

Concert Choir Deo Gracias ������������������������������������������������������������������Jim Leininger Winter Dreams �������������������������������������������������������������������Pink Zebra Kyrie (from Missa Brevis in C Minor) ����������������������� Imant Raminsh Soloists: Jacqueline Piccolino, Soprano Megan Rullo, Oboe

Edited Henry Leck

Life Has Loveliness to Sell ��������������������������������������� Daniel Kallman Soloist: Megan Rullo, Flute

Winter Wonderland ��������������������������������������������������arr. Clay Warnick

Combined Choirs Auld Lang Syne ���������������������������������������������� arr. Lee R. Kesselman Let There Be Peace On Earth ����������������������������������arr. Hawley Ades

With Heartfelt Thanks from Stevee Bellas Thank you so very much to all of the PCC singers, families, and staff for another wonderfully successful session. It has been such a pleasure to have the opportunity to begin this school year as Artistic Director, and I am incredibly thankful for the many opportunities PCC has provided me with as a teacher and musician to continue growing and learning.

Each week in rehearsal, I am reminded of how lucky I am to work with so many dedicated students who wish to continue their music education experience outside of their regular school day, and collaborate with others in their community. The experience which PCC brings to its singers by crossing grade level and school boundaries is so unique, and such a beautiful display of what it truly means to be a musician, and share your passion and talents with others.

As an organization, we are so lucky to have the support of an incredible staff to keep us organized and running smoothly in every element of our operation. Thank you to Melissa Schlesinger and Sue Love for your continued drive to improve our programs, tours, and communication in and out of the organization. Additionally, thank you for always supporting me as I learn and grow with our organization. I cannot imagine a better management team to work with.

A huge thank you is due to Crystalyn Boyer, who has gracefully stepped into the role of Assistant Artistic Director. Not only does she facilitate Do Re Mi and Treble Choir rehearsals on Wednesday nights, but she is an integral part of our Monday night rehearsals as well. It is so helpful to have the perspective of the person who instructs our younger choirs in every rehearsal. She has truly helped me recognize my own vision for the role of Artistic and Assistant Artistic Directors by co-teaching Intermezzo Choir with me, and beautifully bridging the gap between our “little kid” and “big kid” choir levels. We are so lucky to have her assisting with Concert and Honors Choir rehearsals as well, bringing challenging musicianship training to each rehearsal, ensuring the progress of every one of our choirs in their reading and performance abilities.

A very big thank you is due to Susan Chappell, our incredible Principal Accompanist. The musical excellence Susan brings to our staff is incredible. She supports us in every way during rehearsal, and is always available and willing to provide her expertise when programming music, preparing for rehearsal, and polishing pieces to perfection. We are so lucky to have her as a part of our staff.

A thank you and welcome to Benjamin Valle, who recently filled the role of Assistant Accompanist. Benjamin spends most of his time at PCC with the Do Re Mi and Treble choirs, assisting them in preparing for performance. We are incredibly grateful for his wonderful experience added to our staff.

Additionally, thank you to Ashley Schiavone and the rest of the Park District staff for supporting our programs and encouraging our growth.

We greatly appreciate the time and attention the Park District gives to our programs.

A huge thank you is due to Palatine Children’s Chorus Association board and supporters. We are so grateful to Dr. Bruce Goldberg and Nora Gile, who have both dedicated many hours to form this organization and make sure it runs smoothly. Thank you so much to both of you, for continually improving upon what our organization as a whole can do through your mission with the PCCA. Thank you to the many parents who have joined PCCA and are an active part of our planning, fundraising, and organizing!

Your support is truly important to us as an organization.

Last but certainly not least, a huge thank you to Jacqueline Piccolino and Megan Rullo who are joining us in performance today. It is with great excitement that PCC provides the opportunity for our singers to work with professional musicians, and for our organization to collaborate with musicians in the greater Chicago area. Thank you both for performing with us today.

Congratulations to all PCC singers on a beautiful performance! Happy Holidays, see you in 2019!

Jacqueline Piccolino, Soprano

Soprano, Jacqueline Piccolino, hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle as having “impeccable technique and stage presence” recently performed two Chicago debut recitals at the Chicago Cultural Center and the Fourth Presbyterian Church in September. Piccolino also sang the role of the First Lady in Die Zauberflöte at Seattle Opera in May 2017 and performed Samuel Barber’s “Knoxville: Summer of 1915” with the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra in October 2017. Also, she presented a debut recital for the Musicians Club of Women in January 2018. A recent Adler Fellow, she made her San Francisco Opera debut in the summer of 2013 as Stella in Les Contes d’Hoffmann. She returned as First Lady in The Magic Flute, Lady Madeline in La chute de la maison Usher, Laura in Luisa Miller, 2nd maid in the world premiere of Dolores Claiborne, Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Clotilda in Norma, and Mrs. Hayes in Susannah. As a participant in the 2012 and 2013 Merola Opera Program, the soprano appeared as Countess Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro and Arminda in La finta giardiniera. As a studio artist with Wolf Trap Opera Company in 2011, she appeared in the company’s productions of Le donne curiose, Sweeney Todd, and Les Contes d’Hoffmann. Other career highlights include appearing in the Napa Festival del Sole’s Bouchaine Young Artist Concert Series and participating in the Houston Grand Opera Young Artist Vocal academy.

Piccolino is recent a recipient of the 2017 Igor Gorin Memorial Award from the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona and the prestigious 2017 Rose M. Grundman Award Recipient from the Musicians Club of Women in Chicago. She is also a Sullivan Foundation Career Grant recipient, a winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Audition Mid-South Region and George London Foundation Encouragement Award Winner. In May 2016 she sang in the 9th International Moniuszko Competition and was a finalist having the opportunity to sing with the Polish National Opera Orchestra in Warsaw, Poland. She is also a recipient of the Richard F. Gold Career Grant from the Shoshana Foundation and the Bel Canto Vocal Scholarship. Jacqueline graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign School of Music in 2013 and received the prestigious Kate Neal Kinley Memorial Fellowship from her Alma mater. She currently resides in the beautiful city of Chicago!

Megan Rullo, Flute and Oboe

Megan has been playing the flute for thirteen years and the oboe for nine years. Her favorite venue she has performed in is Galvin Recital Hall at Northwestern University. She graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and graduated from DePaul University with a Master of Science in Accountancy. She just started work as an auditor for a public accounting firm and is thrilled to still find opportunities to make music.

Staff Bios Stevee Bellas, Artistic Director

Stevee sang with PCC for ten years before graduating high school, and is so excited to be back, now as Artistic Director. Stevee earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Choral Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she sang with the Women’s Glee Club and Chamber Singers. She now teaches choir, show choir, and beginning guitar at Mundelein High School. Stevee was delighted to have started working with PCC to help the singers focus on developing their musicianship skills, and now is so excited to be taking on the role of Artistic Director. She is always impressed with the skill level and dedication of all of the singers.

Crystalyn Boyer, Assistant Artistic Director

Crystalyn Snow Boyer is excited to begin her first year as the Assistant Artistic Director for Palatine Children’s Chorus! Previously, she was the accompanist for PCC’s Do Re Mi and Treble Choir for three years.

Crystalyn holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance and Music Education from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) and her Master’s Degree in Piano Performance from DePaul University School of Music. During her time at CCM, Crystalyn worked as an accompanist for Cincinnati Children’s Choir. Currently, Crystalyn teaches general music grades K-5 at Grove Avenue School in Barrington District 220, and previously spent two years teaching general music and elementary choir in Prospect Heights School District 23. She also teaches private piano and accompanies several choirs in the area.

Susan Chappell, Principal Accompanist

Susan joined the PCC staff in 2014 and accompanied them on tours to New Orleans, Ireland, and Disney World. She is a DePaul University graduate with additional music studies on organ at the Music Institute of Chicago. Susan was drawn to accompanying early on, began playing church services in 8th grade, and has continued to serve within the Archdiocese of Chicago for 28 years which has offered opportunities to collaborate as an orchestral pianist and alongside several Chicago Symphony Chorus members. At St. James in Arlington Heights, she works regularly with their traditional, contemporary, and children’s choirs as pianist and organist. Additionally, she enjoys accompanying a variety of repertoire at Hoffman Estates High School for five choirs and assisting soloists in preparing for recitals and contests. Susan especially loves PCC rehearsals when she has the chance to observe our singers connecting with the music and with each other.

Benjamin Valle, Assistant Accompanist, Do Re Mi/ Treble Accompanist

Passionate about music from a young age, Benjamin grew up playing piano, guitar, and singing as much as he could. He studied music for a year at the University of Illinois prior to setting his music studies aside to pursue a degree in Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

He has worked as a youth pastor in the Chicago suburbs for the past five years and has given direction as both vocal director and accompanist for community theatre and high school music departments. Benjamin is excited to be joining the PCC community as the Assistant Accompanist, working primarily with the Do Re Mi & Treble Choirs!

Kathlyn Sbarboro, Sing with Me Director

Kathlyn has earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a Master of Arts in Piano Pedagogy. She is currently Piano Facilitator for the Community Music Center at Harper College where she teaches both group and private lessons and oversees all piano performance festivals, recitals, and student placement.

Melissa Schlesinger, Managing Director

Music and children have both played prominent roles in every facet of Melissa’s life. She began her formal training studying Music Business at Western Illinois University. Raised with a father who was a high school band director, Melissa has been living and working within Music Education for her entire career. She has also remained active within the band world working as the Assistant Guard Coach at Fremd High School and by writing and teaching the choreography for the Viking Marching Band Color Guard. Her husband, Matthew, also teaches in District 211 and is an active performer, while her two daughters, Emily and Elyse, have also been members of PCC.

Sue Love, Tour/Finance Manager

Sue earned a Bachelor of Arts from Augustana College, Rock Island, IL, in accounting and business administration. Her twin daughters, Kate and Kris, joined the Chorus in 1994, and Sue began volunteering at concerts and special events, then chaperoning on our first tours. She joined the PCC staff in fall 2001. She thanks her daughters Kris and Kate for introducing her to the chorus family and her husband Brad for his understanding of all the hours she devotes to PCC.

The History of PCC In 1987, Judy Meyer Hays created Palatine Children’s Chorus with just 18 singers. Artistic Director Rachel Rosellini (2012-2018), a former PCC singer, continued that dedication: to nurture in each singer the confidence, satisfaction, and joy music brings. This year we welcome Stevee Bellas as the new Artistic Director. She was a PCC singer for over 10 years and has served as Assistant Artistic Director the last two years with a special focus on musicianship. The Chorus, a program of Palatine Park District, is dedicated to encouraging all children to discover the joy of music and the excitement of performing.

Our program begins with children 4 and 5 years old in Sing With Me (“Miss Kathy” Sbarboro) where, through musical games and movement, they learn to distinguish high and low notes, basic rhythmic counting, and creating a singing voice. Children ages 6 and 7 in our Do Re Mi Choir (Mrs. Boyer) learn more about music through a wide variety of musical games and lessons. Children (ages 8 and up) who attend a short listening session are accepted into our Treble Choir (Mrs. Boyer), where they learn basic music theory and work on unison and two-part music. Singers who are familiar with music either from private instrumental lessons, school, or Treble Choir sing in our Intermezzo Choir (Ms. Bellas and Mrs. Boyer) where they continue to study music theory and develop their ability to sing more complex two-part harmony.

When these singers demonstrate their maturity, commitment, extended musical knowledge, and vocal development, they are ready to move into Concert Choir, our touring choir, directed by Ms. Bellas. While all our choirs perform concerts twice a year, Concert Choir performs many times throughout the year at a wide variety of venues. Locally they have performed the National Anthem for the Chicago Sting, the Rockford Cubbies, the Kane County Cougars, and the Chicago White Sox; and entertained members of the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association at their annual conference.

Members of our fifth choir, Honors Choir (Ms. Bellas), are part of Concert Choir but also learn their own challenging repertoire and perform throughout the Chicago area. These are our most accomplished, talented, dedicated musicians who have enjoyed, among other special Honors events, performing the National Anthem for the Chicago Cubs and singing PCC alumni weddings.

Our older choirs travel every two years. Those tours, some for performance opportunities, others for festivals with other children’s choruses, have included:

Canada (1997, 2003) NYC (1999 performance at Carnegie Hall; 2004, Honors Choir) England & Wales (2001) Hawaii (2005) Austria, Italy (2007) San Francisco (Honors Choir 2008) Nashville (2010) Madrid & Barcelona Spain (2012) New Orleans (2014) Carnegie Hall (2015) as part of the world premiere of Exodus composed by Earnestine Robinson Ireland 30th anniversary Shamrock Tour (2016) Walt Disney World (2018)

To offer a festival experience to our younger singers and local school choirs, PCC created One Voice in 2011, bringing in guest conductors including Jim Papoulis, Julia Shaw, Jacque Negus, and in 2016 Heather Cooper from the Summit (OH) Choral Society. In One Voice 2014 we welcomed the Children of Uganda Tour of Light to the Cutting Hall stage.

Mission

Palatine Children’s Chorus nurtures and inspires student achievement through quality music education and the pursuit of artistic excellence in choral music performance.

Vision

Palatine Children’s Chorus envisions a future where excellence in choral singing is valued and supported for all children in the community— bridging cultures, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds.

To achieve this, the staff and volunteers of Palatine Children’s Chorus will...

• Nurture and develop the abilities of children who love to sing • Ensure quality music education at every level through the pursuit of artistic excellence • Introduce singers to the diverse musical cultures of our community • Develop individual self-confidence and pride through excellence in choral music • Organize opportunities for children to develop friendships and create lifelong memories

Thank You from the Managing Director Thank you for joining the Palatine Children’s Chorus today for this Winter Dreams celebration. We wish to offer our sincere appreciation to: Ashley Schiavone: Cultural Arts Coordinator, PPD Jeff Greene: Cutting Hall Coordinator The outstanding Cutting Hall Staff Joan Scovic: Communications and Marketing Manager Michael Noens: Digital Marketing Coordinator LoriAnne Nelson: Graphic Artist Harkins Recording Company: Audio Recording Dr. Bruce Goldberg: Stage Manager PLUS countless contributions of time and energy from all the parents who help us through PCC’s Parent Support Group, PCCA. Finally, we thank our singers’ parents for sharing your singers with us and we thank you all in advance for your support as we work toward our 2019 session and beyond!

Follow us on Social Media! facebook.com/pccsings twitter.com/pccsings instagram.com/pccsings #pccsings

Palatine Children’s Chorus Association PCCA (Palatine Children’s Chorus Association) is a choral arts volunteer organization associated with the Palatine Children’s Chorus. It is a nonprofit organization through which parents, friends, PCC alumni and community members can support PCC. PCCA coordinates volunteer work, fund raising activities, and other supportive activities for PCC.

The Palatine Children’s Chorus Association (PCCA)…

• Helps organize musical events for PCC • Provides hospitality at PCC concerts and events • Coordinates volunteers for PCC concerts and events • Sponsors fund raisers to assist singers in paying for their choral trips • Manages the finances for fundraisers and keeps individual student fundraising accounts • Administers a scholarship fund to assist PCC singers and families • Provides funds for selected music, instruments and equipment as requested by music directors for the benefits of PCC and its singers • Meets regularly with the PCC musical directors and managing directors (all PCCA contributors are invited You may contribute using the insert in today’s program or online at pccsings.org/PCCA

Upcoming Palatine Children’s Chorus Events ’

Dec 10

PCC All Level Pizza Party

Dec 21

Caroling Performance – It’s a Wonderful Life

Jan 14

Welcome Night 1

Jan 14

Spring Session Begins for IC, CC and HC

Jan 16

Welcome Night 2

Jan 16

Spring Session Begins for Do Re Mi & Treble

Jan 17

Sing with Me begins

Spring Performances 2019 April 22 Friendship Village Performance May 4

Spring Concert at Immanuel Lutheran