Traditional Upper School Christmas Program 2022

Program

Welcome and Recognition: Katie Currie, Fine Arts Association President

Procession

Hodie Arr. Benjamin Britten Processional

Hosanna to the Living Lord Dykes

Alumnae are invited to stand and join in singing.

Hosanna to the living Lord! Hosanna to the incarnate word! To Christ, Creator, Saviour, King, let earth, let heav’n Hosanna sing! Hosanna, Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

Hosanna, Lord! Thine angels cry; Hosanna, Lord! Thy saints reply Above, beneath us, and around, The dead and living swell the sound, Hosanna, Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

So in the last and dreadful day, When earth and Heav’n shall melt away, Thy flock, redeemed from sinful stain, Shall swell the sound of praise again. Hosanna, Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

Reading: Grace Daniels, SGA President

White Eyes Mary Oliver

Living Reproduction

The Annunciation Ludovico Pogliagli, 1949

Kate Gentles, 2029 Lilah Bracken, 2029

This 20th-century Italian bronze bas-relief door plaque from the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome reflects the elegance of the Rococo, mainly through the pose of the Madonna. She retreats from, yet leans toward the angel Gabriel and the news he has brought her. The rays extending from heaven emphasize the message and allude to the divine conception. Gabriel brings a lily, symbolizing purity and devotion, and the setting is near some olive trees, representing peace.

Musical Accompaniment: Keyboard Sonata in D Mino, K. 1 Domenico Scarlatti

Musical Performance: Semiquavers & Somettos

O Holy Night

Musical Performance: Somettos

Arr. Keith Christopher

A La Media Noche, Traditional Puerto Rican Carol Arr. Greg Gilpin

That’s Christmas to Me

Audience Carol Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Please stand and join in singing.

Arr. Audrey Snyder

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 th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ, the highest heav’n adored; Christ the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold him come, offspring of the Virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’incarnate Deity; Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Hail the Heav’n-born prince of peace! Hail the Son of righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, ris’n 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!”

Reading: Kendall Brown, Senior Class Vice President

The Snow Fairy Claude McKay

Living Reproduction

Mother and Child Judy Waters, c. 1980

Maya Jayachandran, 2029

This stage design recreation was originally drawn in 1967 by long-time faculty member and past Living Reproductions director, Judy Waters, RPCS Class of 1950. This 20th-century representation of Mother and Child was first presented during the Traditional Upper School Christmas Program in the 1980s.

Musical Accompaniment: Nocturne in B Major, Op. 32, No. 1 Frederic Chopin

Musical Performance: Semiquavers

Carol of the Bells, Ukrainian Carol Arr. Peter J. Whousky Lo, How A Rose, Traditional German Carol Arr. Nancy Grundahl Mary, Did You Know? Arr. Roger Emerson

Audience Carol Joy to the World

Please stand and join in singing.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come Let Earth receive her King Let every heart prepare Him room And Heaven and nature sing And Heaven and nature sing And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing

Joy to the Earth, the Savior reigns Let all their songs employ While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy Repeat the sounding joy Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy

He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love And wonders of His love And wonders, wonders, of His love

Reading: Erin Hoskins, Student Diversity Association President Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening Robert Frost

Living Reproduction

Adoration of the Shepherds

Mary: Eden Varghese, 2029

Joseph: Londynn Harper, 2029

1st woman: Evie Howard, 2029

2nd woman: Evi Vincent, 2029

Pupil of Rembrandt, c.1646

Shepherd with lantern: Katie Marsh, 2028

Shepherd with dog: Avery Shaughnessy, 2029

1st kneeling shepherd: Kennedy Winston, 2029

2nd kneeling shepherd: Scarlett Caffo, 2029

This scene comes from the Gospel of Luke which says, the shepherds “hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told to them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” A student from the workshop of Rembrandt van Rijn created this oil painting during the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century. In this quiet scene, the Holy Family is visited by shepherds and others who look at the baby in amazement. The Christ Child’s future importance is emphasized by the rich light that emanates from his tiny body.

Musical Accompaniment: Children’s Corner, L. 113: I. Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum Claude Debussy

Musical Performance: Gilman Traveling Men

The Christmas Song The Blenders

Musical Performance: Semiquavers & Traveling Men

I’ll Be Home for Christmas Arr. Mac Huff

Audience Carol

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Please stand and join in singing.

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, But the fire is so delightful, And since we’ve no place to go, Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

It doesn’t show signs of stopping, And I brought some corn for popping. The lights are turned way down low; Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

When we finally kiss goodnight, How I’ll hate going out in the storm! But if you’ll really hold me tight, All the way home I’ll be warm.

The fire is slowly dying and, my dear, We’re still goodbye-ing, But as long as you love me so, Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Reading: Kelly Gibson, Honor Board President Ice Gail Mazur

Living Reproduction Campfire on Winter Lake Eugene Iverd, 1931

Child warming their hands: Caitlyn Williams, 2028

Standing child on left: Lilly Moss, 2027

Standing child in center: Shoa Campbell, 2027

Crouching child: Charlotte Hardcastle, 2029

Child with stick: Courtney Wiggs, 2029

Child facing the fire: Arianna Counsell, 2028

This oil painting of a group of children bundled in winter coats and huddled around a bonfire on a frozen lake was the cover illustration for the February 21, 1931 issue of The Saturday Evening Post. The positioning of the child in the front of the painting and the blazing firelight in the center are inspired by Italian Baroque artist Caravaggio and his juxtaposition of brightly illuminated faces and the shadows of the dark night as well as the work of Georges de La Tour, who was best known for his nocturnal light effects. Iverd was a contemporary of Norman Rockwell, and this secular winter scene is reminiscent of Rockwell’s scenes of everyday American life.

Musical Accompaniment: Sleigh Ride Arr. Leroy Anderson

Musical Performance: Upper School Chorus This Is My Wish Arr. Keith Abrahamson Annie Drake and Lily Malkus, soloists

Winter Wonderland Arr. Kirby Shaw

Musical Performance: Upper School Chorus & Employee Singers Night of Silence Arr. John Ferguson

Holiday Greeting: Alison Ferraro and Lily Malkus, Semiquavers Co-Presidents

Musical Performance: Semiquavers Softly the Stars Were Shining Adolf Torovsky

Recessional

Personent Hodie German Carol Arr. Holst

Alumnae are invited to stand and sing and should exit as part of the Recessional.

On this day earth shall ring, With the song children sing To the Lord, Christ our King, Born on Earth to save us; Him the Father gave us.

Refrain: Ideo-o-o, Ideo-o-o, Id-e-o gloria in excelsis Deo!

His the doom, ours the mirth; When he came down to earth, Bethlehem saw his birth; Ox and ass beside him From the cold would hide him. Refrain.

God’s bright star, o’er his head, Wise men three to him led, Kneel they low by his bed, Lay their gifts before him, Praise him and adore him. Refrain.

On this day angels sing; with their song earth shall ring, Praising Christ, heaven’s King, born on earth to save us; Peace and love he gave us. Refrain.

Thank you for attending the Traditional Upper School Christmas Program and 100th anniversary of the Living Reproductions!

Program Participants

Semiquavers

Laila Carroll, Alli Craig, Annie Drake, Alison Ferraro, Suzannah Figler, Erin Hoskins, Carter Kelly, Lily Malkus, Maggie Mazzulli, Lucy Richardson, Jessica Tannebaum, Chloe Yousefi

Somettos

Lilly Antoniades, Claire Bachman, Áine Fitzgibbon, Krisha Gandhi, Charlotte Goldman, Geri Kayingo, Ava Mazziott, Ashby McGill, Caroline Scharpf, Sam Spensieri, Josie Torsani

Upper School Chorus

Kendall Adams, Lilly Antoniades, Claire Bachman, Anna Bartel, Trinity Bristol, Laila Carroll, Alli Craig, Annie Drake, Alison Ferraro, Suzannah Figler, Áine Fitzgibbon, Krisha Gandhi, Charlotte Goldman, Erin Hoskins, Jenny Jin, Geri Kayingo, Carter Kelly, Olivia Knott, Lina Litrenta, Lily Malkus, Ava Mazziott, Maggie Mazzulli, Ashby McGill, Rory Miller, Lucy Richardson, Caroline Scharpf, Sam Spensieri, Jessica Tannebaum, London Thompson, Josie Torsani, Kayla Whetzel, Chloe Yousefi

Traveling Men

Anay Agarwal, Morgan Fanyo-Tabak, Sanjay Geevarghese, Jackson Heether, Sammy Jin, Yusuf Kanbour, Austin Lansey, Curtis Lawson, Alijah Lewis, Michel Morfaw, Mason Murphy-Lenk, James Stephenson, Derrick Su

Employee Singers

Lynda-Marie Allen, Jim Ashton, Julie Bierman, Caroline Blatti, Elizabeth Blaum, Casey Lord Briggs, 1991, Melissa Bristow Carter-Bey, 1992, Michael Brooks, Kati Colombat, Bev Edwards, Sally Diehl, Lisa Anne Diver, 2006, Kate Feiring, Molly Ricely FitzGerald, 2006, Sara Gerrish, Jenny Greene, India Henry, Kim Hoffman, Scott Jackson, Elisha James, Sarah Layng, Randi Bradley Martin, Tawanda Owens, Robin Prescott, Lindsay Quinn, Sara Rollfinke, Lindsay Sisson, Leonard Walker

History

The Traditional Upper School Christmas Program remains one of the School’s oldest traditions. From the beginning and into the 1990s, the Program was attended by all students and held in the gym, centered around a large Christmas tree. It marked the start of winter break as students were dismissed for the holidays following the Program. It has evolved though the years, and while tradition still stands 100 years later, the Living Reproductions have become more inclusive and modernized.

As stated in the 1922 Quid Nunc yearbook: “On the last day before school closed for Christmas vacation, the Upper and Lower Schools joined in carol singing and in a series of tableaux depicting famous Christmas paintings.” Biblical readings preceded the viewing of each tableau. English teacher Helen Irvin was so inspired by the tableaux she saw while in Oxford, England, she brought the idea back to RPCS. During these early days, Miss Irvin supervised the production’s staging and costuming. In 1945, under the guidance of then-art teacher Elizabeth Winn, an industrious RPCS eighth grader volunteered to help paint her first tableau. That student, Judy Waters, a graduate of the Class of 1950 and a former, long-time Upper School art teacher, became the Director of the Living Reproductions for over 50 years! A former student of Judy Waters, Carol Witz Hunt, 1976, followed in Judy’s footsteps, assisting her in 2008 before becoming the Artistic Designer and Director when Judy retired in 2014.

Carol has since retired and this year, three RPCS employees have taken over the helm as Co-Directors: Annie Ferebee Short, 2001, Middle and Upper School Dance teacher, who served on the stage crew for the Living Reproductions as an RPCS student and as Assistant Director of the Program under both Judy and Carol, along with Missie Mack, Director of Alumnae Relations, who previously worked as Associate Director of the Program, are joined by Emily Dierkes Rohrer, 2002, Upper School art teacher, who is also serving as the Artistic Director this year.

Other alumnae have also been involved in the Program through the years. Most notably, Janet Bauer Hartman, 1968, current Trustee and former Middle School Art teacher, was invaluable in assisting in the design and production for over 30 years. Amy Barrett Frew, 1972, former Middle School Math teacher also joined the production for many years as Assistant Director. We are grateful for the dedication and efforts of all of these amazing alumnae!

Throughout its history, parents and RPCS employees have helped to sew costumes, working tirelessly to match the colors, fabrics, and designs portrayed in the original images. Today, Middle School students volunteer to perform in the Living Reproductions and Upper School students continue to assist as the backstage crew. Students practice holding their position and facial expression for several minutes at a time. Regular rehearsals are held which include breathing exercises and lessons in assuming a relaxed, but motionless pose.

For 100 years, seasonal music and the melodious sounds of student voices have also been an important element of the Christmas Program. As described in the December 21, 1928, issue of the School newspaper, “The Choir led the procession and sang carols between the acts of the play.” In 1943, students began singing “Hosanna to the Living Lord” as we do today. “Personent Hodie” or “Ideo, Gloria in Excelsis Deo!” as many refer to it, has remained the chosen recessional since 1952. We hope you enjoy the spectacular holiday music from the Semiquavers, Somettos, and Upper School Chorus.

Due to the pandemic, the Program was presented virtually the past two years. We are thrilled to celebrate in person again and livestream this beloved event to the RPCS community near and far.

Program Acknowledgements

Living Reproductions

Emily Dierkes Rohrer, 2002: Artistic Designer and Co-Director Annie Ferebee Short, 2001: Co-Director Missie Mack: Co-Director Judy Waters, 1950: Director Emerita

Music

Lisa Anne Diver, 2006: Director of Semiquavers, Somettos, & Chorus Rachel Gahan, Lower School Music Teacher: Accompanist Robby Ford: Director of Gilman Traveling Men Daniel Wallace: Saxophone Evander McLean: Percussion

Readings

Selected by Sarah Schulz, Upper School English Department Chair Directed by Randi Bradley Martin, MS/US Theater Director

Stage Crew, Makeup, Dressers, Lighting & Props

Stella Castro, 2023: Stage Manager Yvonne Romulus, 2025: Assistant Stage Manager

Katie Currie, Carter Kelly, Alayna Nwadike, Joy Reynolds, 2023 Claire Bachman, Anna Bartel, 2025

Izzy Bathurst, Elise Boyd, Hannah Brown, Lilly Gerken, Madison Goldsmith, Nnez Ogbaekwe, Sophie Restelli, Rhaegan Singleton, Gracie Smallwood, Emily Smith, Bryn Sutcliffe, Bisia Wetzel, Kenadie Williams, 2026

Set, Props, Construction & Costumes

Emily Dierkes Rohrer, 2002, Annie Ferebee Short, 2001, Missie Mack

Green Room Assistant Siiri Fowler, MS Science Teacher

Stage Construction Jericho Productions, 41st year

Lighting and Sound

Janine Vreatt, Sinex Theater Technical Director

Special Thanks

Caroline Blatti, Head of School

Sara Rollfinke, Upper School Head

Margaret Lofgren, Middle School Head

Kate Feiring, Director of myRPCS Administration & Registrar

Emily Hewlings, US Senior Program Support & Associate Registrar

Alison Keim, Assistant to the Middle School Head

Tori Murrill, Upper School Program Support

Rene Hill, Set-Up Coordinator

Margie McIntosh, Assistant Set-Up Coordinator

Abbey Pulcinella, Director of Communications

Melissa Tully, Senior Communications Associate

Andrea Toivakka, Digital Marketing Specialist

Tracy Bracken, US Visual Arts Department Chair Maintenance & Security Friends and Family

We wish you peace and joy this holiday season and throughout the new year.

Roland Park Country School wishes to acknowledge the late Elizabeth Edgar Swope, 1931 whose generosity has helped to sustain The Traditional Upper School Christmas Program annually. In honor of the School’s Centennial, Mrs. Swope established an endowment to ensure the continuation of this treasured RPCS tradition.