A Chorale Christmas: NAVIDAD

PHOENIX CHORALE 2022

A Chorale Christmas

Celebrate the Holidays with Phoenix’s Best

Thursday,

Friday, December 16 Pinnacle Presbyterian Church

Saturday, December 17 Trinity Episcopal Cathedral

Sunday, December 18 Camelback Bible Church

Monday, December 19 Brophy Chapel

A special thanks to our Series sponsors:

Brophy Chapel

December 15th

Richard & Marcia Gerig, and Lynne Traverse

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral

December 17th

Norm Friesen

Camelback Bible Church

December 18th

Wade Chapman

Brophy Chapel

December 19th

Tom & Alyssa Reimers

Phoenix Chorale would like to also thank Dr. Eladio

Valenzuela (El Paso School Independent School District),

Dr David Skinner (Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge),

Dr Owen Rees (The Queen’s College, Oxford), and Ariana

Iniguez for their assistance and scholarship in relation to the Hispanic literature.

Ihave been fortunate to spend the month of December in many different countries around the world, from New Zealand and Australia to Japan and South Korea, from Poland and Hungary to Italy and Spain, not to mention many happy family Christmases in the UK and US. Wherever I have been, whether as a touring singer or eager visitor, the warmth of this special time of year is often displayed and expressed through music. Composers and artists across the centuries have often reserved their best work for the festive season, and nowhere is this more apparent than in choral music. It is never any trouble to program holiday repertoire - indeed, it’s a great delight!

This year, I was looking for material that would honour and celebrate the Hispanic traditions and influences that have so heavily inspired and shaped both Mexico and the southwest of the US as a whole; with over 30% of the Arizona population identifying as being of Hispanic origin, I decided to delve into the rich vein of choral music that has seasoned the landscape for hundreds of years, and in this series, Navidad, we present a selection of highlights. The Catalan folksongs offer a rustic view of the Christmas story and how simple country folk can honour the newborn king; the stunning Renaissance polyphony and jaunty celebratory carols of Francisco Guerrero present a more formal, yet equally celebratory mood; a new vocal arrangement of La Peregrinaçion from Ariel Ramirez’ celebrated Navidad Nuestra tells of the hazardous journey made by Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, and their search for a place in which Jesus might be born; and finally the chance for all of us to raise our voices in song with the traditional Basque carol A la Puerta del Cielo - ably taught mid-performance by the ever-patient Tom Peterson!

Woven between these are traditional European carols moving from the very ancient (Gaudete!) to the modern (Norwegian composer Bo Holten’s Nowell Sing we now), each of which tells the Christmas story in time-honoured fashion.

We also take time to celebrate the 150th birth-year anniversary of Ralph Vaughan Williams, one of England’s finest composers during the period known as the “Second English Renaissance” and a keen gatherer of folk music - including the Christmas Carols in the Fantasia we present today, with Caleb French acting as narrator.

Christmas would not be Christmas without the wonderful secular songs that we know and love, playing in the background as we deck the hall, and soothing us as we rest our weary limbs and allow the season to wash over us. And so we finish with a short selection of beloved Holiday songs, guaranteed to send you out into the cold (or what passes for “cold” in Arizona!) feeling warm and bright.

Thank you for choosing to spend this time with us. All at Phoenix Chorale wish you a peaceful festive season, and a happy and prosperous New Year.

Christopher Gabbitas

Artistic Director, Phoenix Chorale

PROGRAM

Resonet in Laudibus – Orlando di Lasso (1532-1594)

Three Catalan Folk Carols – arr. Goff Richards / Christopher Gabbitas

El Niño Querido

Claro Abril Resplandeçio

Nit de Vettla

Holly Sheppard, mezzo soprano

Gaudete – Traditional, arr. Brian Kay / Christopher Gabbitas

Three Hispanic Renaissance Carols – Francisco Guerrero (1528-1599)

Beata Dei Genitrix Maria

Oyd, Oyd, Una Cosa!

Danya Tiller, soprano | Abigail Fischer, soprano | Holly Sheppard, alto

Virgen Sancta

Ariana Iniguez, mezzo soprano

Nowell Sing We Now – Bo Holten (b. 1948)

Danya Tiller, soprano

Audience Carol: A la Puerta del Cielo (with organ) – Basque Folksong, arr. Tom Peterson

La Peregrinaçion – Ariel Ramirez (1921-2010), arr. Peter Knight / Christopher Gabbitas

INTERMISSION

Fantasia on Christmas Carols (with organ) – Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

Caleb French, baritone

Audience Carol: O Come, All Ye Faithful (with organ) – arr. David Willcocks

Hark, the Herald Angels Sing! (with organ) – arr. David Willcocks

A Quiet Chamber – Tom Peterson (b. 1985)

Wexford Carol – Traditional Irish, arr. Kira Zeeman Rugen

Lies’l Hill, soprano | Gabriel Frongillo, tenor

Winter Wonderland – Felix Bernard (1897-1944), arr. Alexander L’Estrange

The Christmas Song – Mel Tormé (1925-1999) and Robert Wells (1922-1998), arr. Knight / Gabbitas

Jingle Bells – James Pierpont (1822-1893), arr. Ben Parry

PHOENIX CHORALE

Christopher Gabbitas, Artistic Director

Tom Peterson, Assistant Conductor

Dr. Jeremy Peterman, Organ

Resonet In Laudibus – Orlando di Lasso (1532-1594)

Resonet in laudibus cum jucundis plausibus

Sion cum fidelibus: apparuit quem genuit Maria.

Sunt impleta quae praedixit Gabriel. Eya, eya, Virgo Deum genuit quod divina voluit clementia.

Hodie apparuit in Israel: Ex Maria Virgine est natus Rex.

Magnum nomen Domini Emmanuel quod annuntiatum est per Gabriel.

Eya, eya, Virgo Deum genuit quod divina voluit clementia.

Let praises resound with joyous acclaim: To Sion’s faithful the child born of Mary has appeared.

What Gabriel foretold has been fulfilled. Eia! A Virgin bore God, As the divine mercy willed.

Today He has appeared in Israel: From the Virgin Mary is born a King.

Great is the name of the Lord Immanuel, As was announced by Gabriel. Eia! A Virgin bore God, As the divine mercy willed.

Did you know? The State of Arizona takes its name from a ranch started by Bernardo de Urrea sometime between 1734 and 1736. He and a majority of the first explorers, settlers, and miners in the area were Basque and it is they who probably gave the Basque name Arizona (the good oak) to the region. Oak trees are abundant both at the original ranch (just south of the border in what is today Sonora, Mexico) and the entire area between present-day Nogales, Arizona and Saric, Sonora.

The name of the ranch spread far and wide when a large deposit of silver was discovered in October 1736 (the find included large chunks and slabs of silver, one of which was reported to weigh 3,000 pounds); thus people in faraway places such as Guadalajara and Mexico City came to know of the ‘silver of Arizona’, and the name gradually came to be associated with the whole region.

- National Park Service

El Niño Querido

Que le daremos al Niño chiquito?

Con que se pueda reir y alegrar?

Un lindo ramo de hermosas naranjas

Con verdes hojas y flor de ahazar

Tan ta, ran tan

Que los higos son verdes

Tan ta, ran tan

Que ya maduraran

Que le daremos, que le daremos?

Frum, frum

Que la daremos al Niño bonito

Que le daremos major para el?

Vamos a hacerle unas tortas muy dulces

De Blanca harina, de nueces y miel

Que le daremos al Niño querido

Que sea bueno y le pueda gustar?

Vamos a darle una cesta de guindas

Para comerlas o para jugar

What will we give the little boy to make him smile?

A cute bouquet of beautiful oranges

With green leaves and ahazar flower

Tan ta, ran tan

For the figs are too green

Tan ta, ran tan

- but they will soon ripen

What shall we give him, what shall we give him?

Frum, frum

What will we give it to the beautiful baby boy?

What will we give of our best, to him?

We’re going to make you some sweet cakes.

Of white flour, nuts and honey

What will we give to the beloved child

That is good and which he might like?

Let’s give him a basket of cherries

To eat or to play with

Claro Abril Resplandeçio

Claro Abril resplandeçio, por milagro estraño

Y sus nieblas retiro, el Diciembre uraño

Cuando en el jardin de amor, nace una divina flor

De una a, a, a, de una, zu, zu, zu de una a, de una zu, De una azucena de virtudes llena

Si se supiere escuchar - lo que cantaria

A Jesus para acunar - la Virgen Maria

Con ternura maternal - y voz clara de cristal

Oh que can, can, can - oh que çion, çion, çion, Oh que can, oh que çion, oh que cançion bella

De Madre donçella

Çelebremos con amor - este hermoso dia

Ofreçiendole al Señor - con gran alegria, Con ferviente y pura unçion - alma vida y corazon

Y su glo, glo glo, y su ria, ria, ria

Y su glo, y su ria, y su gloria alabemos

Y en su honor cantemos

One April, bright and clear, And a wild December, the air clear, When in a garden of love, a divine flower springs forth, From a lily overflowing with virtues

If one could only listen - what she must

Sing Him to sleep with - the Virgin Mary

With tender motherhood, and voice crystal clear

A song of such beauty from a pure maiden

Let us celebrate with love - this beautiful day

Offering praises to God - with great joy

With truth and purity - soul, life and heart

Let us praise his glory and sing his honor

Three Catalan Folk Carols – arr. Goff Richards / Christopher Gabbitas

Nit de Vettla

Eixanit és nit de vetlla. N’ha parit una doncella. La miren i fa sol, Un infant com una estrella. Loilà Kyrie eleison, Loilà Christe eleison.

Anirem al camp, Pomes a cullir, Pometes cullirem

Que de Déu serem: Pometes al ram, Que de Déu sigam.

Als pastors l’àngel desvetlla, I els hi diu la meravella, La mira i fa sol, Amb sa dolça cantarella. Loilà Kyrie eleison, Loilà Christe eleison.

Tonight is a night of watching. A maiden has given birth. They look at her and it’s sunny, A child like a star. Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy.

We will go to the field to pick apples, Apples we will reap, From God we will be. Little apples in a bouquet, May we be from God.

The angel awakens the shepherds And he tells them the wonder, He looks at her and it’s sunny, With his sweet song. Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy.

Gaudete – Traditional arr. Brian Kay/Christopher Gabbitas

Gaudete! Gaudete!

Christus est natus ex Maria virgine. Gaudete!

Tempus adest gratiae, hoc quod optabamus; carmina laetitiae devote reddamus.

Deus homo factus est, natura mirante; mundus renovatus est a Christo regnante.

Ezechiellis porta clausa pertransitur; unde lux est orta, salus invenitur.

Ergo nostra contio psallat iam in lustro; Benedicat Domino; salus regi nostro.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is born of the Virgin Mary. Rejoice!

At this time of grace and longed-for blessing, Love faithfully offers a song of praise.

God is made human in this wonderful birth: The world is cleansed through the rule of Christ.

The gate of heaven now opens which to us was closed, Sending forth transforming light through which holiness is found.

Therefore we meet in pure songs of joy; We bless the Lord, King of our Salvation.

Three Hispanic Renaissance Carols – Francisco Guerrero (1528-1599)

Beata Dei Genitrix Maria

Beata Dei genitrix Maria, Virgo perpetua, templum Domini, sacrarium spiritus sancti, sola sine exemplo placuisti Domino Jesu Christo: Alleluia.

Oyd, Oyd, Una Cosa!

Oyd, oyd una cosa divina, gracioza y bella: El que crió la donzella generosa esta noche nasció della. Sentid, sentid con cuydado aquesta hazaña bella: El que crió la donzella generosa esta noche nasció della.

Oyd que dichosa nueva qué hecho regozijado: oy parió la Eva nueva al Hijo de Dios amado.

Virgen Sancta

Virgen sancta, el Rey del cielo, vuestro hijo y nuestro bien, cómo està un pesebruelo de la pequeña Belén?

El Hijo de Dios eterno, que govierna lo criado, està’n medio del invierno a un pesebre reclinado.

Gran Señora, vuestro amado, luz del cielo y nuestro bien, cómo està un pesebruelo de la pequeña Belén?

O blessed Mary mother of God, perpetual virgin, temple of our Lord, the sacred place of the holy Ghost: thou alone without example, didst please our Lord Jesus Christ: Alleluia.

Listen, listen to a divine, gracious, and beautiful thing: he who created the generous damsel this nighxt is born of her.

Listen, listen carefully to hear about this beautiful occurrence: he who created the generous damsel this night is born of her.

Listen to the happy news, the joyful fact: today the new Eve gave birth to the beloved son of God.

Holy virgin, the king of heaven, your son and our savior, How can he be in a little manger, in tiny Bethlehem?

The son of God eternal, that rules over the creation is laying in a manger in the middle of the winter.

Great lady, your beloved, light of the sky and our savior, How can he be in a little manger, in tiny Bethlehem?

Danya Tiller, soprano | Abigail Fischer, soprano | Holly Sheppard, alto

Ariana Iniguez, mezzo soprano

Nowell Sing We Now – Bo Holten (b. 1948)

Danya Tiller, soprano

In Bethlehem, in that fair city, A child was born of a maiden free, That shall a Lord and Prince be Alleluia.

A solis ortus cardine

Jam lucis orto sidere Hic jacet in praesepio Qui regnat sine termino.

O Lord and prince of high degree, Alleluia, Alleluia.

And children were slain full great plenty, Hostes Herodes impie, O Jesu for the love of Thee, Wherefore here soulès savèd be .

Herod, the king, in his raging, Chargèd he hath this day His men of might, in his own sight, All young children to slay.

Nowell sing we now all and some, For Rex Pacificus is come, O lux beata trinitas. Alleluia.

Audience Carol: A la Puerta del Cielo – Basque Folksong, arr. Tom Peterson

Dr. Jeremy Peterman, organ

A la puerta del cielo venden zapatos

Para los angelitos que andan descalzos.

Duérmete, niño, duérmete, niño, Duermete, niño, arru, arru.

A los niños que duerman Dios benedice

A las madres que velan Dios las asiste.

At the gates of heaven, they sell shoes For the little angels that go barefoot.

Sleep baby, sleep baby, Sleep baby, hush-a-bye now.

To the children who sleep, God blesses them. To the mothers who watch, God helps them.

LA PERE GRINA ÇION

A la huella, a la huella José y María

Por las pampas heladas Cardos y ortigas.

A la huella, a la huella Cortando campo No hay cobijo ni fonda Sigan andando.

Florecita del campo, Clavel del aire

Si ninguno te aloja

¿A dónde naces?

¿Dónde naces, florcita? Que estas creciendo, Palomita asustada, Grillo sin sueño.

A la huella, a la huella José y María

Con un dios escondido Nadie sabía.

A la huella, a la huella Los peregrinos Préstenme una tapera Para mi niño.

A la huella, a la huella Soles y lunas

Los ojitos de almendra Piel de aceituna.

Ay, burrito del campo

Ay, buey barcino Mi niño esta viniendo Háganle sitio.

Un ranchito de quincha

Sólo me ampara

Dos alientos amigos

La luna clara

A la huella, a la huella José y María

Con un dios escondido Nadie sabía.

Follow the trail, follow the trail

Joseph and Mary

Across the frozen Pampas

Thistles and nettles.

Follow the trail, follow the trail

Cutting through the fields

There is no shelter, no inn

Keep on walking.

Little flower in the field, Carnation of the air

If no one puts you up

Where will you be born?

Where will you be born, little flower?

Now that you are growing

Frightened dove

Sleepless cricket

Follow the trail, follow the trail

Joseph and Mary

With a hidden god

Nobody knew

Follow the trail, follow the trail

The pilgrims

Lend me a ruined house

For my child

Follow the trail, follow the trail

Through suns and moons

The little almond eyes

Olive skin.

Oh, little donkey in the field

Oh, reddish-grey ox

My child is coming

Make some space for him

A thatched hut

Is the only shelter I have

Two friendly beasts

The bright moon

Follow the trail, follow the trail

Joseph and Mary

With a hidden god

Nobody knew

Ariel Ramirez (1921-2010)

arr. Peter Knight

/Christopher Gabbitas

Fantasia on Christmas Carols – Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

Caleb French, baritone | Dr. Jeremy Peterman, organ

I. This is the truth sent from above, The truth of God, the God of love; Therefore don’t turn me from your door, But hearken all, both rich and poor.

The first thing, which I will relate, Is that God did man create The next thing, which to you I’ll tell, Woman was made with man to dwell.

Then after this, ‘twas God’s own choice To place them both in Paradise, There to remain from evil free Except they ate of such a tree.

And they did eat, which was a sin, And thus their ruin did begin; Ruined themselves, both you and me, And all of their posterity.

Thus we were heirs to endless woes, Till God the Lord did interpose And so a promise soon did run That he would redeem us by his Son.

III. On Christmas night all Christians sing

To hear the news the angels bring. On Christmas night all Christians sing

To hear the news the angels bring. News of great joy, news of great mirth, News of our merciful King’s birth. News of great joy, news of great mirth, News of our merciful King’s birth.

When sin departs before thy grace, Then life and health come in its place. When sin departs before thy grace, Then life and health come in its place. Angels and men with joy may sing All for to see the new-born King.

II. Come all you worthy gentlemen

That may be standing by.

Christ our blessed Saviour

Was born on Christmas day. The blessed virgin Mary

Unto the Lord did pray,

O we wish you the comfort and tidings of joy!

Christ our blessed Saviour

Now in the manger lay; He’s lying in the manger, While the oxen feed on hay. The blessed Virgin Mary Unto the Lord did pray. O we wish you the comfort and tidings of joy!

Tidings of joy, tidings of joy, comfort and tidings of joy!

O we wish you the comfort and tidings of joy!

IV. God bless the ruler of this house, And long on may he reign;

From out of darkness we have light, Which makes the angels sing this night:

Many happy Christmases

He live to see again!

From out of darkness we have light, Which makes the angels sing this night:

God bless our generation Who live both far and near;

“Glory to God and peace to men, Both now and evermore, Amen.”

And we wish them a happy, a happy New Year!

O we wish you a happy, a happy New Year! Both now and evermore, Amen.

Audience Carol: O Come, All Ye Faithful – arr. David Willcocks

Dr. Jeremy Peterman, organ

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!

O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem

Come and behold Him

Born the King of Angels

O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him

Christ the Lord!

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation

Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!

Glory to God

All glory in the highest

O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him

Christ the Lord!

Audience Carol: Hark, the Herald Angels Sing! – arr. David Willcocks

Dr. Jeremy Peterman, organ

Hark! The herald-angels sing

“Glory to the newborn king; Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.”

Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies

With the angelic host proclaim

“Christ is born in Bethlehem”

Hark! The herald-angels sing

“Glory to the newborn king!”

Hail the Heaven-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings;

Mild He lays His glory by

Born that man no more may die

Born to raise the sons of earth

Born to give them second birth

Hark! The herald angels sing

“Glory to the newborn king!”

A Quiet Chamber – Tom Peterson (b. 1985)

Welcome to earth, Thou noble guest, Through whom even wicked men are blest! Thou com’st to share our misery, What can we render, Lord, to Thee?

Were earth a thousand times as fair, Beset with gold and jewels rare, She yet were far too poor to be A narrow cradle, Lord, for Thee.

For velvets soft and silken stuff

Thou hast but hay and straw so rough, Whereon Thou King, so rich and great, As ‘twere Thy heaven, art throned in state.

Thus hath it pleased Thee to make plain The truth to us poor fools and vain, That this world’s honour, wealth and might Are nought and worthless in Thy sight.

Dearest Jesus, Holy Child, Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled, Within my heart, that it may be A quiet chamber kept for Thee.

Wexford Carol – Traditional Irish, arr. Kira Zeeman Rugen

Lies’l Hill, soprano | Gabriel Frongillo, tenor

Good people all, this Christmas time, Consider well and bear in mind

What our good God for us has done In sending His beloved Son With Mary holy we should pray, To God with love this Christmas Day In Bethlehem upon that morn, There was a blessed Messiah born.

The night before that happy tide, The noble virgin and her guide Were long time seeking up and down To find a lodging in the town. But mark how all things came to pass From every door repelled, alas, As was foretold, their refuge all Was but a humble oxen stall.

Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep

To whom God’s angels did appear Which put the shepherds in great fear Prepare and go, the angels said To Bethlehem, be not afraid For there you’ll find, this happy morn A princely Babe, sweet Jesus, born.

Text by Martin Luther, tr. Catherine Winkworth

Winter Wonderland

– Felix Bernard (1897-1944)

arr. Alexander L’Estrange

Over the ground lies a mantle of white

A heaven of diamonds shine down through the night

Two hearts are thrillin’ in spite of the chill in The weather

Love knows no seasons, love knows no climb

Romance can blossom, any old time

Here in the open we’re walkin’ and hopin’

Together

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

In the lane, snow is glistening

A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight

Walking in a winter wonderland

Gone away, is the bluebird

Here to stay, is the new bird

He sings his love song as we go along

Walking in a winter wonderland

In the meadow, we can build a snowman

Then pretend that he is Parson Brown

He’ll say, “Are you married?”

We’ll say, “No man”

But you can do the job when you’re in town

Later on, we’ll conspire

As we dream by the fire

To face unafraid

The plans that we’ve made

Walking in a winter wonderland

Text

by Richard Bernhard

Smith

The Christmas Song

– Mel Tormé (1925-1999) and Robert Wells (1922-1998), arr. Knight / Gabbitas

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

Jack Frost nipping at your nose

Yuletide carols being sung by a choir

And folks dressed up like Eskimos

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe

Can help to make the season bright

Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow

Will find it hard to sleep tonight

They know that Santa’s on his way

He’s loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh

And every mother’s child is gonna spy

To see if reindeer really know how to fly

And so I’m offering this simple phrase

To kids from one to ninety-two

Although it’s been said many times, many ways

Merry Christmas to you

They know that Santa’s on his way

With toys and goodies on his sleigh

And every mother’s child is gonna spy

To see if reindeer really know how to fly

And so I’m offering this simple phrase

To kids from one to ninety-two

Although it’s been said many times, many ways

Merry Christmas to you

Jingle Bells

– James Pierpont (1822-1893), arr. Ben Parry

Jingle bells, jingle bells

Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to ride

In a one-horse open sleigh, Jingle bells, jingle bells

Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to ride

In a one-horse open sleigh.

Dashing through the snow

In a one-horse open sleigh

O’er the fields we go

Laughing all the way.

Bells on bob-tail ring

Making spirits bright

What fun it is to ride and sing

A sleighing song tonight.

Jingle bells, jingle bells

Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to ride

In a one-horse open sleigh, Jingle bells, jingle bells

Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to ride

In a one-horse open sleigh.

Phoenix Chorale ‘powers up’ with orchestra & visuals

The Chorale’s Masterworks series continues with a stunning juxtaposition of baroque and contemporary music, with Handel’s Dixit Dominus and Sarah

Kirkland Snider’s Mass for the Endangered. For the first time, the Chorale hosts a two-night residency of immersive music-making at Phoenix Art Museum, performing with chamber orchestra and animated art projections. This series includes a 3rd traditional concert format presentation at Camelback Bible Church.

Phoenix Art Muesum

March 24 & 25, 2023

Camelback Bible Church

March 26, 2023

The GRAMMY Award-winning Phoenix Chorale is regarded as one of the finest choral ensembles of the Western Classical tradition in North America. Founded in 1958, Phoenix Chorale’s mission is focused on building a vibrant community through song and enriching lives through choral artistry. Every one of its outstanding artists lives in Arizona, many of

whom direct music activities in Phoenix metroarea schools, community colleges, and teach voice lessons.

Appreciated for the warmth of its sound, the Chorale performs to thousands of individuals each Season through concerts and outreach events across the Phoenix metro-area. The

Chorale’s digital audience has reached millions through broadcasts, performance videos, and via albums on streaming services, like Spotify.

season, and the Phoenix Commissions Project, a commitment to commissioning and premiering a new work every year.

Under the direction of Artistic Director Christopher Gabbitas, the 28-voice professional choir presents four thematic concert programs each season, with musical works spanning the last five hundred years. Current artistic initiatives include the Phoenix Masterworks Series, which features a large-scale choral work each

The Phoenix Chorale, ensemble-in-residence at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Phoenix, is sponsored in part through grants, funding, and support from the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, Arizona Commission on the Arts, Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, and Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.

Meet our singers

Phoenix Chorale’s 29 singers are a fascinating collection of your fellow Arizonans.

Leslie Ellingson, soprano

is a Texas native who moved to Arizona to study voice. She has a Bachelor of Music from Baylor University and a Master of Music from Arizona State University. While at ASU, Leslie performed the roles of Emmie in Albert Herring, Alma Hix in The Music Man, and Adele in Die Fledermaus. Leslie has been the soloist in several concerts, including Rutter’s Gloria, Schubert’s Mass in G, and Mozart’s Vespers. She has been singing in the Phoenix Symphony Chorus the last six seasons.

Abigail Fischer, soprano

birthed A Big AUM, offering private and communal breathwork and sound healing, writing music for breathwork and inspirational song to bring community together in embodied authenticity. A versatile “chestheavy soprano,” Abigail has enjoyed singing any repertoire that connects her to embodied wisdom and truth. Some examples of this include Missy Mazzoli’s Song from the Uproar (at Cincinnati Opera), Peter Lieberson’s Neruda Songs (with Columbus Symphony), Handel’s Messiah (with Kansas City Orchestra), Mahler 3 (with Santa Rosa Symphony), Bach’s St. Matthew Passion; collaborating with Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Baroque, and touring internationally performing music by John Zorn.

Christina Hall, soprano

is the choir director at Millennium High School and Co-Founder of The Choral Window. Christina also serves on the ACDA Western Region board as the Youth R&R Coordinator. She graduated from Northern Arizona University with a BA in Choral Music Education and is a native of Walla Walla, Washington. Christina has performed with world-renowned singers Sarah Brightman and Josh Groban. Christina is delighted to sing with Phoenix Chorale for her second season.

Lies’l Hill, soprano

is an artist, musician, and educator from Mesa. She earned her B.M. from Northern Arizona University in Choral Music Education, Lies’l sings with Phoenix Chorale and Canto Vivo Chorale. She serves on the boards of the Phoenix Chorale and Arizona Music Educators Association, is the Executive Director of the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers and Assistant Choral Director at Mesa Community College. Lies’l works with many local arts organizations, including Arizona Commission on the Arts, Mesa Arts Center, Phoenix Children’s Chorus, Arizona Musicfest, and more.

Katherine Rosenfeld, soprano

graduated from NAU in 2019 with a degree in choral music education. She is an alumnus of the Phoenix Children’s Chorus and Horizon High School. She has sung with many Arizona-based ensembles including the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers, the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, and Canto Vivo. She currently teaches 5th-12th grade choir at Arizona School for the Arts, runs a private voice studio, and serves on the Arizona state board of the American Choral Directors Association.

Kira Zeemen-Rugen, soprano

is the Artistic Director of Solis - Choir of the Sun. As a professor of music, Dr. Rugen has taught at Scottsdale Community College, Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, and Arizona Christian University. Her choirs have performed throughout Arizona, ACDA conferences, with Andrea Bocelli, and for Game of Thrones tours. As a composer, Dr. Rugen was recently named the third prize winner in The American Prize (choral), a finalist with the Ernst Bacon Award for American Music, and one of three winners of the HerVoice Composition Competition. Her choral music will be performed in Poland and Singapore this year. Dr. Rugen is a 2022 award winner for Best Original Score/Best Composer for the film, “MusArt”, in over twenty-five different film festivals around the world.

Danya Tiller, soprano

is Adjunct Professor of Music at both Phoenix and Glendale Community Colleges. For ten years, Danya was the Artistic Director of the Phoenix Girls Chorus, making her conducting debut at Carnegie Hall in 2016 with Vivaldi’s Gloria and 200 singers from across the USA. In 2019, she was Acting Assistant Conductor for Phoenix Chorale. She is a founding member of Helios, in its eighth season. She founded her business, Aria Music Studio, which has grown to include two vocal ensembles in addition to private lessons and coaching.

Danielle Hale, alto

earned a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from Brigham Young University. Since moving to Arizona in 2013, Danielle has spent six seasons in the Arizona Opera chorus and four seasons with the Goode Time Carolers. Danielle has performed in musical theatre productions throughout the valley—Mesa Encore, Hale Center, and Fountain Hills theaters. She has been a volunteer choir director for a local church group and elementary school choir. Danielle enjoys traveling with her husband, eating delicious food, and being a fulltime mother to her five children.

Ariana Iniguez, alto

is a mezzo-soprano and a native of Phoenix, Arizona. She currently studies with distinguished pedagogue Gail Dubinbaum Massaro. She has been praised for her musicianship, full sound, colorful tone, and attention to technique. Ariana holds both a master’s and bachelor’s degree in Voice Performance from the University of Arizona. In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga, journaling, and traveling.

Carol Platt Jennings, alto

is honored to be in her twenty-first season with the Chorale. She is privileged to have sung as a soloist and chorister in Australia, South Korea, and New Zealand, and has also enjoyed performing with other professional ensembles. After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Oklahoma, she moved to the Valley of the Sun to continue her education at ASU. When she’s not singing or teaching voice, she’s often found baking, walking, practicing yoga, or daydreaming about returning to New Zealand.

Hannah Kimball, alto

is excited to be in her fifth season with the Phoenix Chorale! She graduated in 2018 from Northern Arizona University with a degree in Music Education with a Choral Emphasis. Hannah teaches Chorus and Music Exploration at Kyrene Middle School and Pueblo Middle School, and serves as the Artistic Director of the Phoenix Women’s Chorus.

Holly Sheppard, alto

is in her 17th season with the Chorale. She performs with Phoenix Opera, is a member of Helios: A Modern Renaissance and sings with the Arizona Opera chorus. Holly has spent her career as an artist for video games and slot machines and currently works as Sr. Environment Artist at Rainbow Studios creating off-road racing environments. Holly and her husband George are outdoor enthusiasts living in Mesa with their two birds, Pico and Olive.

Anjelica Simone, alto

attended Northern Arizona University. Anjelica freelances as a soloist, choral performer and church cantor around the valley. She sang for 5 years at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, is a founding member of the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers and has been a member of Solis Camerata. Outside of music Anjelica works full time as an Accounting Specialist at a CPA firm in Chandler and enjoys cooking, traveling, and fishing with her husband.

Stephanie Stickford, alto

is in her 15th season with the Chorale. A native of Ohio, she earned a BFA degree in music business and a MA degree in music education from The Ohio State University. She moved to Phoenix to attend graduate school at ASU and earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in music education. Stephanie currently teaches choir and guitar at North Canyon High School, and sings with Helios, a seven-voice early music ensemble. She loves water–swimming, snorkeling, water skiing, and wake surfing!

Elijah Frank, tenor

is excited to begin his second season with Phoenix Chorale. An Arizona native, Elijah has performed with many AZ ensembles including the AZ Masterworks Chorale, Canto Vivo, Solis Camerata, the AZ Bach Festival Singers, and Quartz Ensemble. Outside of AZ, Elijah has sung with Christ Church Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys Indianapolis, Indianapolis Pro Musica, and the Intercontinentaal Projectkoor in the Netherlands. He has sung on many recording projects including the Chorale’s Grammy Award winning album: “Passion Week”.

Gabriel Frongillo, tenor

graduated from the University of Arizona with his bachelor’s in Choral Music Education. Gabriel was the music director at Apollo High School in Glendale teaching and conducting choir and piano students for 8 years. He has served as the Repertoire and Resources Chair for male choirs for the Arizona branch of the American Choral Director’ Association, works as a freelance vocalist and choral conductor around the valley, including conducting the Middle School All-State choir in March of 2020. He is currently an Academic Success Advisor for the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.

James Grandjean, tenor

is ecstatic to be joining the Phoenix Chorale for his second season. An Arizona native, he holds a BM in Vocal Performance from Oklahoma City University. Since moving to Phoenix he has sung with various ensembles around the valley including Canto Vivo Chorale, Arizona Musicfest, The King’s Carolers, and the St. Barnabas Choir. James also served as an Education Outreach Artist for Arizona Opera, and currently studies with Gail Dubinbaum Massaro.

Josiah Hagstrom, tenor

is excited to enter into his eighth year with the Chorale. Josiah is an Arizona native and after growing up in Mesa, he now resides in Gilbert with his amazing wife Mindy, his beautiful seven-year-old daughter Kayla, awesome four-year old Noah, and their golden retriever pup, Windsor.

Luke Lusted, tenor

currently serves as the Pastor of Worship and Music at Camelback Bible Church in Paradise Valley, AZ. He is also a professional chorister singing with the Grammy-nominated True Concord Voices and Orchestra. Luke earned his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in Choral Conducting from the University of Arizona and the Bachelor of Music Education from Louisiana Tech University. While living in Tucson, Luke was the Assistant Director of True Concord Voices & Orchestra, Artistic Director of Tucson Masterworks Chorale, and served as Director of Music at various churches.

JJ Rafferty, tenor

is excited to continue his sixth season with the Chorale. An Arizona native, he resides in Peoria with his musical wife, Genny, his favorite accompanist, and five children: Rylie, Jace, and triplet boys Asher, Brooks, and Caden. J.J. graduated from Grand Canyon University with a B.S. in Music Education with Choral Conducting emphasis. He later earned his Master’s in Music Education from Kent State University. J.J. is in his nineteenth year of teaching and is the Director of Choral Activities and Performing Arts Department Chair at Greenway High School in Phoenix.

Jacob Verhine, tenor

is a tenor from Marietta, Georgia. He attended Auburn University where he earned his Bachelor of Music degree. He has lived in Tempe since 2019, and attended Arizona State University where he earned a Master of Music in musical theater and opera. He is a member of the Arizona Opera chorus and an active performer in several valley metro theatres.

Caleb French, bass

currently serves as Director of Worship at Northwest Valley Baptist Church, where he plans and leads weekly services and conducts the volunteer church choir. He also resides as Music Director of Arrowhead Christian Academy, overseeing all musical activities and directing the graded choirs. Caleb also serves as adjunct vocal coach, choral clinician, and church music seminar presenter in Phoenix and beyond. Two of his sacred choral anthems are published with Beckenhorst Press.

Christopher Herrera, bass

has been singing professionally and teaching in the Phoenix area since moving to Arizona in 2012. He is currently enjoying his current career instructing young minds at North Phoenix Prep Academy in the areas of music theory, music history, and chorale singing! He has been seen performing locally with Arizona Opera, Phoenix Opera, and the Phoenix Symphony.

Joshua Hillmann, bass

is in his 18th season with the Chorale. He holds DMA and MM degrees from ASU, and has won prizes in many local and international piano competitions. Joshua serves as adjunct faculty at GCU, as singer in many fine ensembles around the country, as pianist at PVUMC, and as owner/teacher at his small teaching studio. When not immersed in music, he can be found spoiling his 4 cats or tending to his bonsai garden.

Toby Vaughn Kidd, bass

received his BM and MM degrees in Vocal Performance from Northern Arizona University under Dr. Judith Cloud. Toby has been regularly sought after as a performer throughout the Southwest. Toby has been involved with Arizona Opera, ArtSong Rising, and is a founding artist of Helios: a modern renaissance. Recent recordings include the 2015 Grammy award winning Rachmaninoff: All-Night Vigil (soloist), Nils Lofgren’s 2019 album Blue with Lou (backup vocalist), and Helios’ 2021 debut album à7. Toby remains active in arts leadership and higher education.

Jordan Murillo, bass

is a Bass Baritone from Arizona with strong ties to operatic performance as well as A cappella arranging and directing. In the summer of 2018, Jordan attended the Taos Opera Institute in Taos, New Mexico. Taught by former operatic superstars such as Mary Jane Johnson, Stanford Olsen, James Patrick Raftry, and many more. Jordan was able to hone in on his craft and learn much more about his voice and abilities. From this program Jordan was able to perform with the Amarillo Opera House in their production of Michael Chings Speed Dating Tonight!

Jason Raetz, bass

is a native of Phoenix and has been singing and performing in the Valley since he was little. At 10, he quickly found his love for choral music after joining the Phoenix Boys Choir under the direction of Dr. Harvey K. Smith. Jason continued singing at Central High School where he convinced his dance partner, and current wife, to join the jazz choir. Singing in the Phoenix Chorale allows him to share his passion for excellent music making in his hometown.

Stephen Schermitzler, bass

is a singer, collaborative pianist, and music director who graduated with a BM in Music Composition from ASU. He’s served as featured soloist with the Arizona Bach Festival, Solis, and the Symphony of the Southwest, and is a section leader or collaborative assistant in several local ensembles. In 2022, Stephen created the Arizona Musical Theatre Orchestra, which performs full Broadway shows in a concert setting. Love always to Raylah.

David Topping, bass

has sung with the Chorale for almost 30 seasons. He has degrees in choral music from California State Fullerton and ASU. He has soloed with the Chorale, Arizona Bach Festival, MusicaNova Orchestra, Phoenix Symphony, Pacific Symphony Orchestra, and other ensembles. David sang on all four of the Grammy-winning albums of the Phoenix and Kansas City Chorales. His wife, Jody, is a United Methodist Pastor and they have two adult children, Ryan and Erika.

Meet our guest artists

Dr. Jeremy Peterman, organ is active in the Phoenix Valley as a performer, teacher, and vocal coach. Prior to joining the ministry at La Casa de Cristo, he served at both St. Peter Lutheran in Mesa and King of Glory Lutheran in Tempe. He earned his undergraduate degrees in French and Piano Performance at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as a Master of Music degree and a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Collaborative Piano from Arizona State University. He has played for numerous Arizona Opera productions as well as under the baton of Michael Christie of Phoenix Symphony in Igor Stravinsky’s Petrushka, John Adams’ On the Transmigration of Souls, and Osvaldo Golijov’s Ainadamar.

In 2016, he completed his final summer as staff pianist at the American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) in Graz, Austria. He worked there every summer since 2003 – eventually becoming the director of the AIMS staff pianists during that time. Also the AIMS organist and director of church music since 2005, he performed with singers during the summer in many churches in and around Graz. He was previously piano professor at Arizona Christian University and a member of the educational opera troupe OperAntics; he continues his work as principal pianist for Chandler Children’s Choir. Jeremy is married to Rachel and they have one son, Henry.

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 17, 2023

Open Rehearsal - Trinity Episcopal Cathedral

March 24-26, 2023 Masterworks Series: DOMINION

April 28, 2023

Open Rehearsal - Trinity Episcopal Cathedral

May 5-7 2023 Spring Series: SOUNDTRACK

Christopher Gabbitas - Conductor & Artistic Director

Meet our conductors

Outside music, Chris qualified as an attorney in 2003 and maintains a growing legal practice in London, representing clients in the creative commercial sector.

Much though he loves to make music, more than anything Chris enjoys returning home to his wife Stephanie - who hails from the great Commonwealth of Kentucky - and their three girls Bella, Lyra and Ariana, each of whom loves to sing! He also enjoys explaining the rules of cricket, to anybody who will listen.

Christopher Gabbitas was appointed Artistic Director of Phoenix Chorale in May 2019, and is delighted and honored to be leading an ensemble with such a rich tradition of spreading the joy of music through song!

Starting as an 8-year-old boy chorister in England, Chris has been singing ever since in various chapel, cathedral and professional choirs including three years as a choral scholar at St John’s College, Cambridge and a year as a lay clerk at Christ Church, Oxford, as well as directing choral ensembles throughout this time.

His singing career culminated in 15 years spent with The King’s Singers performing around 2,000 concerts across six continents, and making in excess of 50 recordings which were recognized with various awards including two Grammy Awards as a singer/ producer. In 2013 The King’s Singers were inducted into the inaugural Gramophone Hall of Fame.

Also in 2019, Chris was appointed as Artist Professor at the University of Redlands, California, teaching a unique Master of Music in Vocal Chamber Music with a Commercial Music element, which aims to produce professional choral musicians for the next generation. He maintains a busy teaching and per forming schedule across the US.

Tom Peterson - Assistant Conductor & Outreach Coordinator

Tom Peterson is the music director at Christ Church of the Ascension in Paradise Valley, and served for two years as Artistic Director of the Master Chorale of Flagstaff, where he initiated their Big Sing Flagstaff and Festival of Women Composers.

Tom is also a composer, and won the 2019 Stephen Paulus Emerging Composers Competition for his work, Being Many, Seeming One, which was subsequently published by E. C. Schirmer on the Dale Warland Choral Series. Tom is a graduate of Arizona State University, the University of Arizona, and the Royal College of Music.

Singer News December 2022

Anjelica Simone is happy to be returning to the Chorale for the Navidad series after taking the last series off for her wedding! She and her husband Albert had the most beautiful wedding on October 28th at Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek, AZ.

The Arizona Musical Theatre Orchestra, under the direction of Stephen Schermitzler held its public debut this fall, performing Sweeney Todd during Halloween weekend with over 100 performers. AZMTO is open to community performers and looks forward to performing Titanic: the Musical on January 21st.

Christopher Gabbitas has recently been appointed to the Advisory Board of Voces8, having previously been one of their initial trustees. This position gives the Chorale a direct link to one of the most exciting choral ensembles in the world, and we hope will

open doors to future collaborations. Both ensembles now also share a record label, with the recent signing of the Chorale to Signum Records, and we will be recording our first album with Signum next month.

This Christmas season, The Phoenix Boys Choir, under the direction of Herbert Washington, will premiere Kira Zeeman Rugen’s “Coventry Carol” for their “Home for the Holidays” concerts. December 2022 performances of her music include Utopia

Early Music in Utah, Scottsdale Christian Academy, and Resonance of Singapore Singers, conducted by Toh Ban Sheng.

Gabriel Frongillo successfully completed his first semester in his Masters program at ASU this month. He is also an avid gardener and planted over 200 flowers for the spring this fall, all of which are dedicated to his partner, Arturo.

home for Worship, Music & the Arts

your

Christmas

PINNACLE PRESYBTERIAN CHURCH

25150 N. Pima Road

(NW Corner of Pima & Happy Valley Roads)

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

Saturday, December 24 | Sanctuary

3 pm | Communion *

5 pm | Family Service with Candlelighting *

8 pm | Chancel Choir with Candlelighting **

10 pm | Chancel Choir with Candlelighting

CHRISTMAS DAY - COMMUNION

Sunday, December 25 | 8 am Chapel | 10 am ** Sanctuary

visit us at pinnaclepres.org/phxchorale

* Free childcare available | ** Live Stream available @ pinnaclepres.org

pinnacle presbyterian church

pinnacle concert series

sing for life chorus

ARTISTIC STAFF

Christopher Gabbitas

Artistic Director

Tom Peterson

Assistant Conductor & Outreach Coordinator

Jay Good / J. Good Productions

Artistic Operations Manager

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Nicole Belmont Executive Director

Aaron M. Villalobos

Patron Services and Communications Manager

Laura Schairer

Publicity Contractor (Audience Magnets)

Melissa Smallwood Bookkeeper (SIM consultants)

Christine Henry Volunteer Assistant

Season

Special thanks to our Season Supporters

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Lynne Traverse, Chair

Alison Chaney, Vice Chair

Mary Farrington-Lorch, Secretary

Gerry Sowers, Treasurer

Lies’l Hill, Singer Representative

Jason Raetz, Singer Representative

Gregg Ewart

Richard Gerig

Kathy Leffler

Charles “Carlos” Oldham

Lynn Ruby

Ellen Wesley

ADVISORY BOARD

Elayne Achilles

Blanton Alspaugh

Becky Bell Ballard

Kimber Lanning

Joy Lubeck

Dorothy Lincoln-Smith

Matthew Tresler

Tesfa Wondemagegnehu

Artwork & Program Design by Aaron M. Villalobos amvillalobos.com