Bright and Beautiful Concert Program: Spring 2024

WHITWORTH UNIVERSITY

FOREST TREBLE CHOIR

Joshua Chism, director

PONDEROSA TENOR/BASS CHOIR

Xiaosha Lin, director

BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL

SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2024 | 3 p.m.

FOR A BEAUTIFUL WORLD

PONDEROSA TENOR/BASS CHOIR

Xiaosha Lin, director

Victoria Woo, collaborative pianist

For the Beauty of the Earth

PROGRAM

Arr. Paul John Rudoi (b. 1985)

Sing Gently Eric Whitacre (b. 1970)

For My Brother Andrea Ramsey (b.1977)

Walk in Jerusalem Arr. Rollo Dilworth (b. 1970)

Soon Will Be Done Kyle Pederson (b. 1971)

Chris Byrd, Kyler Cramer, Elijah Hayrynen, rap

Glory John Stephens (b. 1951)

Kyle Gilbert, Nathan Heath, solo

Connor Wodehouse, Kyle Gilbert, rap

Luke Wagner, drum

Text and Translation

For the Beauty of the Earth

For the beauty of the earth, For the glory of the skies, For the love which from our birth, Over and around us lies, Lord of all, to Thee we raise This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of the earth, For the wonder of each hour, Of the day and of the night, Hill and vale, and tree and flower, Sun and moon, and stars of light, Lord of all, to Thee we raise This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love, Brother, Sister, Parent, Child, Friends on earth, and friends above, For all gentle thoughts and mild, Lord of all, to Thee we raise This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of the earth, For the glory of the skies, For the love which from our birth, Over and around us lies, Lord of all, to Thee we raise This our hymn of grateful praise.

Amen.

Sing Gently

May we sing together, Always,

May our voice be soft.

May our singing be music for others, And may it keep others aloft.

Sing gently, always, Sing gently as one.

May we stand together, Always

May our voice be strong, May we hear the singing, always, And may we always sing along.

For My Brother

My brother, my brother, my brother, In every raging storm, may you be oak and rock, In tender slants of sun, may you be vine and flow’r. And as you climb to heights unknown, may you remain a humble soul.

Side with the poor, Side with the weak, Side with those wronged and in need, With loyal heart, And purest hands, be generous, my brother, my brother.

On your journey forward, befriend heroic souls, And in your golden dawn, seek a grander day for all, And as you walk in bravery, may you remain a gentle soul. In beauty, breathe, and take pause, be moved to tears, Sing songs of love, with tender heart, and listening ear,

Be stronger, my brother, my brother, my brother.

Walk in Jerusalem

I wanna be ready, I wanna be ready, I wanna be ready to walk in Jerusalem jus’ like John. Are you ready? Are you ready? Are you ready to walk in Jerusalem jus’ like John?

John said the city was jus’ four square. Walk in Jerusalem jus’ like John. And he declared he’d meet me there. Walk in Jerusalem jus’ like John.

John, O John, what do you say?

Walk in Jerusalem jus’ like John. That I’ll be there in the comin’ day. Walk in Jerusalem jus’ like John

I wanna be ready, I wanna be ready, I wanna be ready to walk in Jerusalem jus’ like John.

Soon Will Be Done

Done with hatred and done with war; come lift the lonely, come lift up the poor. Soon we will be done with the troubles of the world when heaven comes to earth. No more weepin’ and wailin’ when heaven comes to earth.

Done with the racism, and sexism, and all the isms and prisons that blind us from the hurt of another. I want to be done, with addiction, with any affliction that takes a hold and won’t let go, And speaks in lies and fiction I want to be done, with the things that divide us instead of unite us, like the walls we build, the hate instilled, we fill with judgment inside us.

I want to be done, done with the violence, and the silence when facing injustice, but I wonder if you’d trust us if love was our compass. SOON, when we come together, when WE stand up for each other, we WILL offer these hands and feet and BE love, compassion and grace; come heaven to earth, oh, Thy (we) will be DONE.

Glory

One day when the glory comes, It will be ours, It will be ours. Oh, one day, when the war is won We will be sure, We will be sure. Oh, glory! Glory! Oh, glory! Glory!

Now the war isn’t over, Victory isn’t won. But we’ll fight on to the finish, And then when it’s all done. We’ll cry, glory! Oh, glory! Oh, glory, glory!

One day when the glory comes, It will be ours, It will be ours. It will be ours. Oh, one day, when the war is won We will be sure, We will be sure.

Oh, glory! Glory!

Oh, glory! Glory

Now the war isn’t over, Victory isn’t won. But we’ll fight on to the finish, And then when it’s all done. The war isn’t over. We must keep on pressing til we reach the finish that’s when it’s all done.

[Rap]

This is not a problem for one group or one party, each person must strive to end what was started. MLK had a dream of a table where we’d all sit, and moving toward this dream we cannot quit. Each man and woman deserves their justice. You can’t believe that it’s just us, that’s being persecuted everybody’s got a story. I know one day everybody’s going to see the glory.

The glory is us, united as one neither hate, ignorance, judgement, or guns can win this war against division and discrimination. Can’t you see the greatness that’s in all of us? Especially when you give love, honor, and trust so let’s stop this abomination, and start loving as one, giving as one, caring as one, feeling as one, growing as one. Yeah, that’s right. I’m talking living as one!

COMBINED PIECE

Ascribe to the Lord Rosephanye Powell (b. 1962) Forest Treble Choir Ponderosa Tenor/Bass Choir

Text: Psalm 29:1-4

Ascribe to the Lord, O mighty ones, Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name, In the splendor of His holiness, worship Him!

The voice of the Lord is over the waters, The God of glory thunders.

VIBRANCY

FOREST TREBLE CHOIR

Joshua Chism, director Alexis Asato, collaborative pianist

Vibrancy (noun) [ˈ vaɪ brən si]

1. Striking brightness of color. “The color is luxurious in its richness and vibrancy.”

2. Pulsating with life, vigor, or activity. “The emotional vibrancy of the concert was palpable.”

3. Strength and resonance of sound. “The vibrancy of her voice fills the room.”

PROGRAM

BLACK – EMPTY

Spirit Moving Over Chaos

YELLOW – JOYFUL

David White (b. 1944)

Roberta Bottelli, cello

Mary Brown, percussion

How Can I Keep from Singing Quaker Hymn/Arr. Gwyneth Walker (b. 1947)

VIOLET – AWED

I Believe

ORANGE – VULNERABLE

Lineage

Mark Miller (b. 1958)

Andrea Ramsey (b. 1977)

Mary Brown and Alesix Asato, percussion

INDIGO – CONTENTMENT

Deep Peace

Daniel Lynch (b. 2001)

Natalie Houle, conductor

BLUE – SORROWFUL

City Called Heaven Arr. Josephine Poelinitz (b. 1942)

Zoey Byrd, solo

RED – PASSIONATE

O Love

Elaine Hagenberg (b. 1979)

GREEN – PROVOKED

Roberta Bottelli, cello

The Courageous (and Foolhardy) Don Quixote

Mary Brown, percussion

Premiere Performance

Joshua Chism (b. 1987)

Dedicated to the 2023-24 Forest Treble Choir, Whitworth University

WHITE – COMPLETE

Will the Circle Be Unbroken

Charles H. Gabriel/Arr. J. David Moore

Kathleen Vertner, Mekenna Simpson, Lucy Pearson, bluegrass trio

Text and Translation

Spirit, Moving Over Chaos

Text: Patricia B. Clark (1938-2009)

Spirit, moving over chaos, Bringing light where there was none. Be to us a light, revealing Where the work is to be done. Praise to God, among us dwelling, Praise the spirit giving light.

Breath, instilling animation, Giving life, informing soul. Breathe into all our beings Life that makes the Body whole. Praise to God, among us dwelling, Praise the spirit giving life.

Power, Lifeforce, Inspiration, Blowing, breathing, brooding here. Call, enliven, and empower For your work, both far and near. Praise to God, among us dwelling, Praise the spirit giving strength.

Spirit, moving over chaos, Bringing light where there was none. Be to us a light, revealing Where the work is to be done.

How Can I Keep from Singing

Text: Quaker Hymn (c. 1800)

My life flows on in endless song, Above earth’s lamentation. I hear the real though distant song, That hails a new creation.

Through all the tumult and the strife I hear the music ringing. It sounds an echo in my soul, How can I keep from singing?

What though the tempest loudly roars, I hear the truth, it’s living! What though the darkness round me close, Songs in the night, it’s giving!

No storm can shake my inmost calm While to that rock I’m clinging. Since I believe that love abides. How can I keep from singing?

When tyrants tremble, when they hear The bells of freedom ringing. When friends rejoice both far and near, How can I keep from singing?

In prison cell, in dungeon dark, Our thoughts to them are winging. When friends hold courage in their heart, How can I keep from singing?

I Believe

Text: Anonymous Jewish poem

I believe in the sun, even when, even when it’s not shining.

I believe in love, even when, even when I don’t feel it.

I believe in God, even when, Even when God is silent.

Lineage

Text: Margaret Walker (1915-98)

My grandmothers were strong They followed plows and bent to toil They moved through fields sowing seed.

My grandmothers were strong They touched the earth and grain grew They were full of sturdiness and singing.

My grandmothers are strong

My grandmothers are full of memories

Smelling of soap and onions and wet clay With veins rolling roughly over quick hands They have many clean words to say.

My grandmothers were strong. Why am I not as they?

Deep Peace

Text: Traditional Irish Text

Deep peace of the running waves to you, …of the flowing air …of the quiet earth …of the shining stars

Moon and stars pour their light on you

Deep peace of love, the light of the world to you

Deep peace of the shining stars to you, … of the gentle night

Deep peace to you.

City Called Heaven

Text: Traditional

I am a poor pilgrim, A poor pilgrim of sorrow. I’m left in this old wide world alone Oh, I ain’t got no hope Got no hope for tomorrow. I’m trying to make it, make heaven my home.

Sometimes I’m tossed and I’m driven, Lord. Sometimes I just don’t know which way to turn, Oh I heard of a city of a city called heaven. I’m trying to make it, make heaven my home.

O Love

Text: George Matheson (1842-1906)

O Love, O Love, That will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee; I give Thee back the life I owe, That in thy ocean depths its flow May richer, fuller be.

O Joy, O Joy, That seeks me through the pain, I cannot close my heart to Thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain, And feel the promise is not vain That morn shall tearless be.

O Love, O Love, That will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee; I give Thee back the life I owe, And in thy ocean depths its flow Shall richer, fuller be. That morn shall tearless be.

The Courageous (and Foolhardy) Don Quixote Text: Joshua Chism

This is the story of the man of La Macha. He’s strong and courageous, he’s Don Quixote! Seeking adventure, this self-proclaimed knight Journeys far across the plain to save the day.

Set on his horse with his lance and his shield, he’s determined to fight for his Lady Dulcinea! With Sanzcho Panzo, his friend and companion, They ride into the distance. Then, much to our dismay….

Thirty or fourth hulking giants rise across the plain! With whirling arms and steadfast strength, These horrid creatures stand!

Don Quixote rises from his horse and proclaims…

“I shall battle them and slay them all….”

“What giants do you see?” said Sancho Panza. “Till they are all gone!”

“They are windmills, not giants!”

“Attack them all and vanquish them!”

“What giants?”

“Every last one”

“What giants?”

“Those giants!”

“What giants?”

“Those giants don’t stand a chance.”

“He doesn’t stand a chance.”

Be they windmills or giants, no difference it makes. He’ll face every foe; he will make no mistakes. Don Quixote steadies his horse and points forward his lance. He narrows his gaze and begins to advance! Charge! Charge! Charge!

Will the Circle Be Unbroken

Text: Betsy Rose, Cathy Winter and Marcia Taylor

Will the circle be unbroken

By and by, Lord, by and by.

There’s a better home awaitin’ If we try, Lord, if we try.

I was singing with my sisters I was singing with my friends. And we all can sing together ‘cause the circle never ends.

I was born down in the valley where the sun refused to shine But I’m climbing up to the highland, Gonna’ make that mountain mine!

Oh, will the circle be unbroken By and by, lord, by and by There’s a better home awaitin’ In the sky, Lord, in the sky.

PONDEROSA TENOR/BASS CHOIR

Xiaosha Lin, director

COLLABORATIVE PIANIST

Victoria Woo Ulsan, South Korea

TENOR

Rhys Castro

Nathan Heath

Wailuku, Hawaii

Washington, D.C.

Noah Brody Spokane

Eli Harris

Tacoma

Andy Fuehrer Helena, Mont.

Liam Jensen

BASS

Chris Byrd

Bellingham

Tacoma

Kyler Cramer Longview

Kyle Gilbert

Julian Gossard

Spokane

Pullman

Elijah Hayrynen Lynden

Juan Rodriguez

Michoacán, Mexico

Connor Wodehouse Ketchikan, Alaska

FOREST TREBLE CHOIR

Joshua Chism, director

COLLABORATIVE PIANIST

Alexis Asato Wailuku, Hawaii

SOPRANO 1

Rileigh Daughtry

Alyssa Hammer

Orting

Richland

Elisabeth Korb Issaquah

Maia Mouser

Billings, Mont.

Elise Schaaij Escondido, Calif.

Kathleen Vertner Hillsboro, Ore.^

SOPRANO 2

Katelyn Booth

Sophia Crandell

Mukilteo

Deer Park

Natalie Ellis Missoula, Mont.

Maizie Mendenall

Hamilton, Mont.^

Lydia McNelly Pullman

Mekenna Simpson

Melaina Rose Wolfe

ALTO 1

Milton-Freewater, Ore.

Spokane

Zoey Byrd Columbia Falls, Mont.

Agnila Deb Sylhet, Bangladesh

Lucy Faulk

Bellevue

Vivyetta Hirschfelder Scio, Ore.

Natalie Houle

Mukilteo^

Emma Mangum Bellingham

Irene Racharla San Diego, Calif.

ALTO 2

Odelia Dahl

Kaitlyn Hawker

Blaine

Spokane

Cheyenne Helms Mission Viejo, Calif.^

Isabella Anna Hernandez

Spokane

Nevaeh Meyer Brookings, Ore.

Lucy Pearson

^ Section Leaders

Seattle

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Xiaosha Lin

Xiaosha Lin is the assistant professor and director of choral activities at Whitworth University. Prior to her appointment at Whitworth, she served as director of choral activities at the University of Toledo and assistant conductor at Hong Kong Baptist University.

Lin is a sought-after conductor, adjudicator and choral clinician in both the U.S. and China, where she was invited to workshops and clinics for all levels of choirs. She has frequently adjudicated in middle and high school choral festivals in the Pacific Northwest and Midwest regions.

Known as a dynamic conductor with her efficient and engaging rehearsal approach, Lin is currently named one of the national finalists for The American Prize Dale Warland Award in Choral Conducting (April 2024). Lin was selected as a conducting fellow in several prestigious programs where she worked with Simon Carrington, Edith Copley, David Hayes and Lucinda Carver and made her France debut in 2019. She was one of the semifinalists in the ACDA Graduate Student Conducting Competition in Kansas City, Mo. As a singer, she had performed regularly at the Kimmel Center, Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center under the batons of Yannick Nézet Séguin, Alan Gilbert, Simon Rattle and Jane Glover.

Lin’s international background makes her an open-minded, sensitive and well-rounded educator. She is passionate about building human connections and community through the art of music, and she is committed to motivating students to achieve the highest standard and best versions of themselves while providing an open and encouraging learning environment. She values collaborations with various ensembles, art forms and emerging composers to enrich the learning experience and nourish inspiration for students on a pedagogical purpose. Lin is an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community through choral music. She currently serves as a member of the Diversity Initiative Committee at WA-ACDA (American Choral Directors Association).

Lin received her doctor of musical arts in choral conducting at Michigan State University, master of music in choral conducting at Westminster Choir College, master of arts in music at Hong Kong Baptist University, and bachelor’s in music education at Xinghai Conservatory of Music.

Joshua Chism

Joshua Chism (b. 1987) is currently the associate director of choral activities & coordinator of music education at Whitworth University. There he advises music education students, teaches choral music education and music history courses, and conducts choral ensembles, including the Forest Treble Choir and the 150-voice Whitworth Community Chorale. He is also the faculty advisor for the active C-NAfME chapter.

Chism is also the conductor and artistic director for Chorale Coeur d’Alene, a regional choral arts society based in Idaho. Founded in 2001, Chorale CdA’s mission is to promote excellence in choral artistry, engage the local community through creative collaboration initiatives, and support music education through targeted programming.

He also currently serves as the director of traditional worship at Whitworth Church where he conducts the adult choir and handbell choir. There he coordinates a service-learning internship between the church and Whitworth University for pre-service music teachers. He has served as director and minister of music in churches since 2012. During his music ministry career, Chism has directed handbell ensembles, vocal ensembles at all levels, and contemporary worship bands in addition to serving as congregational song leader and worship minister.

Chism’s research interests include the impact of service-learning internships, music assessment, MUED curriculum content and community music. He has recently presented research at the Collegiate Musicological Society, NAfME, ACDA and SMTE conferences. Chism performs as a Choral Artist with Prometheus, a professional vocal consort based in Columbia, Mo.

Chism holds a Ph.D. in music education with an emphasis in conducting and choral pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma in Norman (2022). He earned a master of music degree in choral conducting from the University of Missouri-Columbia, graduating in 2019. He earned a bachelor of music education degree and a bachelor of music composition degree from Missouri State University in Springfield where he graduated summa cum laude in 2010. Additionally, he holds Kodály Level I, II and III certification.

In his spare time, Chism likes to compose, travel, garden, eat sushi and play board games. Chism, his wife, Natalie, and their children (Jacob and Hannah) reside in Spokane. For more information, visit joshuachism.com.

Alexis Asato

Born and raised on the island of Maui, Hawai‘i, pianist Alexis Asato is currently pursuing a bachelor of arts in piano pedagogy and performance with minors in general business and theology at Whitworth University under the tutelage of Priscila Navarro, DMA.

As an emerging performer, Asato has received a variety of awards during her time at Whitworth. She was a medalist for the 2022 Lilac City Music Festival, multi-medalist for the 2023 Northwest Music Festival competition, the selected performer of Whitworth’s 2022 Concerto Competition piano category, and the selected pianist for the 2023 and 2024 Music Artistry Program Honors Recital, as well as an Honorable Mention for 2022.

Asato also collaborates with various ensembles and performers. She has performed with the Whitworth Symphony Orchestra for its concerto concert, collaborated with student singers for Whitworth’s Black Composers Series student recital, and performed at Spokane Public Radio (KPBX). She is currently the collaborative pianist for the Whitworth Forest Treble Choir.

After graduation, Asato intends to continue her grandmother’s piano school in Maui and give back to the community by creating more opportunities for both growing and active musicians.

Victoria Woo

Victoria Woo is originally from Ulsan, South Korea, and is currently pursuing a bachelor of arts in piano performance and pedagogy at Whitworth University. Under the guidance of Priscilla Navarro, DMA, she has been recognized as the winner of the Whitworth Concerto Competition in piano and was selected to perform in the Collegiate Honors March Artistry Program Recital, representing Whitworth’s piano program. Her recent artistic development is further enriched by recent master classes with Michael Baron, DMA, and Katherine Benson. Woo also actively serves as the collaborative pianist for the Ponderosa Tenor/Bass Choir.

MUSIC AT WHITWORTH

The Whitworth University Music Department, accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, provides superb training in music as well as a thorough introduction to this essential element of the liberal arts. Whitworth music majors have gone on to prestigious graduate schools, fulfilling performance careers and successful teaching positions. Also, many non-music majors participate in the university’s renowned touring ensembles and enroll in private lessons through the music department. Whitworth University offers bachelor of arts degrees in music ministry, composition, instrumental performance, jazz performance, piano performance, piano pedagogy, vocal performance and music education. Music scholarships are available to both music majors and non-majors. For more information about the music program or scholarship auditions, please contact us:

Music Department

Whitworth University Spokane, WA 99251 509.777.3280 | whitworth.edu/music

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Choral Librarian and Program Assistance: Nevaeh Gariepy

Poster and Program Design: Heidi Jantz

St. Luke Lutheran Church and Worship Coordinator: Charles Reinmuth

Whitworth Music Department Program Coordinator: Melissa Halverson