2023 Traditional Upper School Christmas Program

Roland Park County School welcomes you to the

Traditional Upper School Christmas Program

Sinex Theater December 14, 2023 6:00 p.m.

Program

Musical Performance: Somettos In the Bleak Midwinter

Sloane Mitchell, violin

Welcome: Mikelle Evans, Senior Class President Procession Hodie

Silver Bells Arr. Jay Livingston and Ray Evans Soloists: Morgen Kunhardt, Lilly Moss, Olivia Knott

Arr. Benjamin Britten

Processional Hosanna to the Living Lord Alumnae are invited to stand and join in singing.

Dykes

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: Yvonne Romulus Portrait and Winter Roses

Eda Lou Walton

Living Reproduction The Holy Family

Josefina de Vasconcellos, 1992 Liverpool Cathedral Mary: Evi Vincent, 2029 (alt. Olly Hughes, 2030) Joseph: Londynn Harper, 2029

Josefina de Vasconcellos’ 1965 fiberglass molded sculpture, cast in 1992 for the Liverpool Cathedral, renders “The Holy Family” in her characteristic naturalistic and simplistic stylings. The Brazilian-born, English sculptor Vasconcellos lived until age 100, and continued to produce major works well into her nineties. This work makes the trope of the Holy Family more easily digestible by the lay-viewer than traditional representations. Vasconcellos dresses her figures in simple garb, without a denotation of a specific time period of geography. This Holy Family could be contemporary, as the artist bridges tradition and technology.

Musical Accompaniment: Arabesque I

Arr. Gustav Holst

Claude Debussy

Audience Carol Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Please stand and join in singing.

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: Lorelei Barganski Beyond the Red Rive Living Reproduction The Adoration of the Shepherds

Thomas McGrath Theodore Barbarossa, 1954-1952 Cathedral of Mary Our Queen

Joseph: Lilah Bracken, 2029 Mary: Penelope Miles, 2030 First Shepherd: Scarlett Caffo, 2029 Shepherd Child with Sheep: Evie Howard, 2029 Kneeling Shepherd: Avery Shaughnessy, 2029

One of a set of five panels over the altar in the Lady Chapel at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore, this gilded bronze relief reflects the modernist style of the 20th century, while recalling classic Renaissance motifs. Impressively simplistic in detail, this relief attempts none of the finesse seen in the reliefs of the Renaissance, and can only harken back to that period only in the artist’s choices of traditional symbolic motifs, like the rays of God’s blessings shining down on the scene. Barbarossa, instead, communicates the emotion of the scene through the manipulation of light as it interacts with the shiny planes of the relief.

Musical Accompaniment: Impromptu Op. 90, No. 2

Franz Schubert

Musical Performance: Semiquavers Carol of the Bells Ukrainian Carol, Arr. Peter J. Whousky Deck the Halls Soloist: Alli Craig Mary, Did You Know?

Jingle Bell Rock Audience Carol Joy to the World

Traditional Welsh Carol, Arr. Audrey Snyder Arr. Roger Emerson Arr. Keith Abrahamson

Reading: Lorelei Barganski and Yvonne Romulus Snow

Living Reproduction A Happy and Prosperous New Year

Illustrator Unknown, 1905-1910

Standing Child: Blue Coat: Brooklyn Smith, 2030 Snowman: Charlotte Hardcastle, 2029 Kneeling Child, Brown Coat: Kennedy Winston, 2029 Kneeling Child, Green Coat: Kate Gentles, 2029 Kneeling Child, Blue Coat: Isla Shearer, 2030 Kneeling Child, Red Coat: Eden Varghese, 2029 Standing Child, White Coat: Emmy Szokoly, 2030 This festive illustration comes from an unknown American illustrator from the turn of the century. This picture adorned thousands of holiday postcards, wishing its recipients “A Happy and Prosperous New Year” with a quaint scene of children in the snow, constructing a cheerful snowman. The image is colorful and bold and the scene of rosy-cheeked kids working together on a frosty night feels timeless and joyous.

Musical Selection: Sonata in C Major, L. 104

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.

Jared Carter

Domenico Scarlatti

Musical Performance: Semiquavers Kid on Christmas Arr. Keith Abrahamson Soloists: (in order of performance) Alli Craig, Laila Carroll, Ashby McGill, Krisha Gandhi, Maggie Mazzulli 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.

Recessional Personent Hodie, German Carol Alumnae are invited to stand and sing and should exit as part of the Recessional.

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!

Musical Performance: Upper School Chorus The First Noel

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.

Arr. Dan Forrest

Betelehemu

Nigerian Christmas Carol Arr. Andy Beck Translation: We rejoice, for we have a trustworthy Father.

We rejoice, for we have a dependable Father.

Where was Jesus born? Where was he born?

Bethlehem, city of wonder, that is where the Father was born for sure.

Praise, praise, praise be to you.

Bethlehem.

Winter Wonderland

Arr. Kirby Shaw

Musical Performance: Upper School Chorus & Employee Singers Night of Silence Arr. John Ferguson Holiday Greeting: Laila Carroll, Semiquavers President Musical Performance: Semiquavers Softly the Stars Were Shining

Arr. Holst

Adolf Torovsky

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.

Program Participants Semiquavers

Employee Singers

Claire Bachman, Lorelei Barganski, Laila Carroll, Alli Craig, Áine Fitzgibbon, Krisha Gandhi, Jenny Jin, Geri Kayingo, Ava Mazziott, Maggie Mazzulli, Ashby McGill, Lucy Richardson, Jessica Tannebaum, Nico Whetzel, Chloe Yousefi

Nicole Acaso, Jim Ashton, Caroline Blatti, Elizabeth Blaum, Casey Lord Briggs, 1991, Mike Brooks, Jen Burstein, Kat Crowder, 2004, Cindy Crown, Sally Diehl, Aggie Diver, Lisa Diver, 2006, Elizabeth Elizardi, Kate Feiring, Molly Ricely FitzGerald, 2006, Courtney Fitzgibbon, Constanza Flores, Rachel Gahan, Sara Gerrish, Jenny Green, Christina Grippi, India Henry, Kim Hoffman, Stef Iwashyna, Scott Jackson, Sarah Layng, Margaret Lofgren, Randi Bradley Martin, Lynda-Marie Monaco, Sarah Morehead Pope, 2006, Robin Prescott, Lindsay Quinn, Sara Rollfinke, Lindsay Sisson, Leonard Walker, Elizabeth White

Somettos Shoa Campbell, Niya Cockrell, Gigi Cohen, Charlotte Goldman, Aveon Green, Cleo Houston, Jane Hughes, Olivia Knott, Morgen Kunhardt, Ava Linehan, Sloane Mitchell, Lilly Moss, Caroline Scharpf, Sam Spensieri, London Thompson, Ruby Walsh, Juliet White

Upper School Chorus

Gilman Traveling Men

Claire Bachman, Lorelei Barganski, Anna Bartel, Riley Belcher-Pasztor, Shoa Campbell, Laila Carroll, Niya Cockrell, Gigi Cohen, Alli Craig, Áine Fitzgibbon, Krisha Gandhi, Charlotte Goldman, Aveon Green, Cleo Houston, Jane Hughes, Jenny Jin, Geri Kayingo, Olivia Knott, Morgen Kunhardt, Lena Levendosky, Ava Linehan, Ava Mazziott, Maggie Mazzulli, Ashby McGill, Sloane Mitchell, Lilly Moss, Lucy Richardson, Yvonne Romulus, Caroline Scharpf, Sam Spensieri, Jessica Tannebaum, London Thompson, Ruby Walsh, Nico Whetzel, Juliet White, Chloe Yousefi

Amir Arnold, Eli Asiedu, Carlos Paxson Baleeiro, Zach Fadar, Jemmel Green, Christian Hall, Jackson Heether, Austin Lansey, Mason Murphy Lenk, Idoko Obeya, Liam Rivers, David Seol, Derick Su, Logan Yousefi

Footlights Theatre Ensemble Lorelei Barganski and Yvonne Romulus

Living Reproductions Upper School Stage Crew Clara Adams, Lilly Athanas, Anna Bartel, Piper Block, Elise Boyd, Margaret Brooks, Hannah Brown, Maisie Chaite, Niya Cockrell, Grace Collins, Maddie Crue, Hadley Fearey, Lilly Gerken, Amelia Giese, Sasha Godin, Eva Killingstad, Ava Lamont, Simone Le Gette, Gabby Manning, Kalen Manning, Kalli Marinopoulos, May McMahon, Audrey Pierre, Sophie Restelli, Kaitlyn Rochlin, Brooke Schultz, Amani Shannon, Gracie Smallwood, Emily Smith, Sam Spencieri, Maya Vitberg

History

The Traditional Upper School Christmas Program remains one of Roland Park Country 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 over 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 in 2022, RPCS employees took over the helm as co-directors. In this year’s production, 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 Emily Dierkes Rohrer, 2002, Upper School art teacher, are co-directors of this beloved performance. In 2022, Missie Mack,former Director of alumnae reations, also served as co-director.

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! Due to the pandemic, the Program was presented virtually in 2020 and 2021.

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 over 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.

Program Acknowledgements Living Reproductions Emily Dierkes Rohrer, 2002: Co-Director Annie Ferebee Short, 2001: Co-Director Judy Waters, 1950: Director Emerita

Green Room Assistant Xixi Chen, Middle/Upper School Chinese Teacher

Rehearsals Assistant Katie Watts, Upper School Counselor

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 Reggie Thomas: Percussion

Readings Directed by Randi Bradley Martin, Footlights Theater Ensemble Director

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 Katy Spencer, Director of Alumnae and Parent Engagement Rene Hill, Set-Up Coordinator Margie McIntosh, Assistant Set-Up Coordinator Abbey Pulcinella, Director of Communications Melissa Tully, Senior Communications Associate Tracy Bracken, Photographer Visual and Performing Arts Departments Employee Costume Loaners Maintenance & Security Friends and Family

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.

5204 Roland Avenue Baltimore, MD 21210 rpcs.org