Combined Choir Concert Program: Spring 2023

WHITWORTH FOREST TREBLE CHOIR

Xiaosha Lin, director

WHITWORTH PONDEROSA TENOR/BASS CHOIR

Joshua Chism, director

A CHORAL MOSAIC

SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2023 | 3 p.m.

ST. LUKE LUTHERAN CHURCH

Walk Together Children

COMBINED PIECE

arr. Moses Hogan (1957-2003)

Text from African American Spiritual Forest Treble Choir and Ponderosa Tenor/Bass Choir

Walk together, children, don’t you get weary, walk together, children, don’t you get weary, walk together, children, don’t you get weary, there’s a great camp meetin’ in the promised land.

I’m gonna walk and never tire, I’ll sing and never tire. Shout, shout and never tire. There’s a great camp meetin’ in the promised land.

Walk together, children, don’t you get weary, walk together, children, don’t you get weary, walk together, children, don’t you get weary, there’s a great camp meetin’ in the promised land.

WE ARE ONE

PONDEROSA TENOR/BASS CHOIR

Joshua Chism, director

Toni Helms, guest collaborative pianist

NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR

For the Ponderosa Tenor/Bass Choir, our goal, like all choirs, is to sound as one. The act of communal singing as an ensemble strengthens the bonds between the individual singers. Weeks of dedicated rehearsal and hours of diligent practice toward a common goal certainly turn single persons into a collective. This semester for the Ponderosa Choir, individual singers have transformed systematically into a powerful choral team – a synergetic partnership with the whole more valuable than the sum of its parts. In this unique setting, each member simultaneously exercises their individual artistry but for the unified collective success. Truly, “we are one.”

Communal singing has been shown to improve mental and emotional health, foster community, and encourage interpersonal growth (in addition to the rigorous academic and technical demands of choral participation). So much of this process centers around the messages of the music chosen, rehearsed and performed. As members of the Ponderosa Choir, we strive to embody the textual doctrines of the music sung. Throughout our portion of the performance, you should experience an overwhelming message of togetherness, unity, hope, peace and love. Of particular note is the work Sisi Ni Moja. Translated from Swahili, this title accurately captures the essence of all the music from our portion of the program – “We Are One.”

The vast majority of the overall choral experience is rarely seen outside the rehearsal room. As an audience member, you are only experiencing the very tip of the iceberg. The majority of the experience is found in the “process” rather than the “product.” While the concert (our “product”) is important, I assert that the best part of what we have done together this semester as the Ponderosa Choir was found in the process itself. The process of creating togetherness and community through the medium of the choral art has been transformational for this choir – laughter, joy, the frustration of challenge, the frequent smiles, the occasional tears. This semester the Ponderosa Tenor/ Bass Choir experienced all that – together. “We are one.”

However, without the “product” (this concert), we are unable to showcase the natural outpouring of our significant time and effort. As such, your presence here today as an audience member allows us the opportunity to demonstrate all we have experienced, learned and achieved. You, dear friend, as a member of our audience today, are now a part of both our process and our product. Thank you for joining us, supporting the music department at Whitworth University, and fostering healthy arts practices in the local Spokane community. Continue to support music making and choral artistry in this community. Your role as a patron is essential. Truly, “we are one.”

Joshua Chism, Ph.D.

PROGRAM

Viva La Compagnie! arr. John Leavitt (b. 1956)

Trusting in the Savior arr. Michael Ware (b. 1983) Quinn Gamon, Zachary Zwanzig, solo

Dies Irae Ryan Main (b. 1984)

“Sanctus” (from German Mass in F) Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

O Sing to the Lord Dan Davison (b. 1956) Drew Bair, piano

Sisi Ni Moja (We Are One) Jacob Narverud (b. 1986) Mary Brown, percussion

Come to Me Dan Forrest (b. 1978) Owen Foster, cello

Praise His Holy Name! Keith Hampton (b. 1957)

Text and Translations

Vive La Compagnie!

Text: Traditional College Song

Let every good fellow now join in a song, Vive la compagnie, Success to each other and pass it along Vive la compagnie.

Vive la vive la vive l’amour

Vive la compagnie.

Come all you fellows and join in with me, Vive la compagnie, And raise up your voices in close harmony, Vive la compagnie.

Trusting in the Savior

Text: Edward Hopper and Michael Ware (b. 1983)

Oh, Jesus, Savior, pilot me

Over all of life’s tempestuous sea.

Unknown waves before me roll, Waves that hide the rocks and treacherous shoal. The boisterous winds obey Your will When You say unto them, “peace, be still.”

And when, at last I near the shore, And the sounds of fearsome breakers roar.

Wondrous Sovereign of the sea, Lord Jesus, Savior, pilot me!

Trusting in the Savior. I am trusting in the Savior. When the storms of life blow strong and cold, I am trusting in the Savior.

Dies Irae

Text: Medieval Latin

Dies irae, dies illa,

That day of wrath, that dreadful day, solvet saeculum in favilla, shall heaven and earth in ashes lay, teste David cum Sibylla. as David and the Sybil say.

Quantus tremor est futurus, What horror must invade the mind quando iudex est venturus, when the approaching Judge shall find cuncta stricte discussurus! and sift the deeds of all mankind!

“Sanctus” from German Mass in F

Text: Johann Philipp Neumann (1774-1849)

Heilig, heilig, heilig, Holy, holy, holy, Heilig ist der Herr! Holy is the Lord.

Heilig, heilig, heilig, Holy, holy, holy, Heilig ist nur Er! Holy is our God. Er, der nie begonnen, Thou, without beginning, Er, der immer war, He who was always, Ewig ist und waltet, Will eternally reign Seyn wird immerdar. And always forever be.

Heilig, heilig, heilig, Holy, holy, holy, Heilig ist der Herr! Holy is the Lord.

Heilig, heilig, heilig, Holy, holy, holy, Heilig ist nur Er! Holy is our God.

Allmacht, Wunder, Liebe, Almighty wonder, omnipresent love Alles rings umher! Everything all around! Heilig, heilig, heilig, Holy, holy, holy, Heilig ist der Herr! Holy is the Lord.

O Sing to the Lord

Text: Based on the Psalms

Oh, sing to the Lord, you Saints of the mighty, Sing praise to the Lord and bless his holy name. The name of the Lord is to be exalted.

The name of the Lord is greatly to be praised.

The voice of the Almighty is majestic.

The voice of the Almighty God is powerful, and holy is his name. Declare to the world, the splendor of his name!

The Lord will give strength and to his people; the Lord will bless his people with his peace.

Glory to God!

Let all of his creation sing his praise!

Bless his name!

Sisi Ni Moja (We are one)

Text: Swahili/Jacob Narverud (b. 1986)

We all laugh, We all cry, We all feel hunger, We all feel pain. We all love, We all hate, We all hope, And we all dream.

We are one world, one people, And we all breathe the same. A tribe of many languages, A group of many heartaches, Fighting for peace among the land.

Hey-ah, hey-ah, sisi ni mojah

We are one.

We all want, We all need, We all seek passion, We all seek joy. We all bruise, We all scar, We all fail, But learn to thrive.

We are one world, one people And we all breathe the same. In the darkness of the night And in the glory of the morning, We walk along the path and find our way. Now we stand here together And lift our hearts in song

To the rhythm of this moment in our lives.

Hey-ya, hey-ya

We are one.

Come to Me

Text: Adapted from Matthew 11:25, 28-29, 2 Corinthians 6:18, 1 John 3:1

Come to me, all you who labor, and I will give you rest.

Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, And you will find rest for your souls.

Come my child, learn my heart for I am gentle and lowly.

See how great my love for you that I have called you my child.

Come to me. Come.

Praise His Holy Name!

Text: Keith Hampton (b. 1957)

Sing till the power of the Lord come down.

Shout, hallelujah! Praise his holy name.

Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see.

Jesus, Jesus how I love Thee!

Shout, hallelujah! Praise his holy name.

Must Jesus bear the cross alone, and all the world go free?

No, there’s a cross for everyone and there’s a cross for me.

Jesus, Jesus how I love Thee!

Shout, hallelujah! Praise his holy name.

Holy Jesus, praise His name.

Praise His holy name!

FOREST TREBLE CHOIR

Xiaosha Lin, director

Toni Helms, guest collaborative pianist

PROGRAM

Ma Navu arr. Barbara Wolfman (living composer)

Ahe Lau Makani arr. Stephen Hatfield (b. 1956) Tyler Van Gordon, guitar

TaReKiTa Reena Esmail (b. 1983)

Five Hebrew Love Songs Eric Whitacre (b. 1970)

I. Temuná

II. Kálá Kálá

III. Laróv

IV. Éyze Shéleg

V. Rakút

Rachel Strauch, violin Mary Brown, percussion

Emma Gingerich, Kathleen Taylor, soprano

I am Come Into My Garden Lee R. Kesselman (b. 1951)

I Remember Sarah Quartel (b. 1982)

Text and Translations

Ma Navu

Text from Isaiah 52:7

Ma navu al heharim How pleasant on the mountains raglei hamevaser. are the feet of the messenger of good tidings.

Mashmia yeshua, Proclaiming salvation, mashmia shalom. Proclaiming peace.

Ahe Lau Makani

Text by Queen Lili‘uokalani (1838-1917), Princess Likelike (1851-1887), and Kapoli (dates unknown)

He ‘ala nei e māpu mai nei This fragrance wafts my way

Na ka makani lau aheahe From the many gentle breezes

I lawe mai i ku'u nui kino Brought here to (surround) my entire being, Ho‘opumehana i ku‘u poli Warming my breast.

E ke hoa o ke ahe lau makani Oh, companion of the many soft breezes

Halihali ‘ala o ku‘u ‘āina Bringing fragrance to my land.

He ‘ala nei e moani mai nei This perfumed fragrance

Na ka ua noe Līlīlehua, From the misty Lililehua rain, I lawe mai i ku‘u poli Brought here to my breast, Ho‘opumehana i ke aloha Warmed by love.

He ‘ala nei puīa nei This fragrance lightly blowing

Na ka makani anu kolo nahe From the softly blowing wind, I lawe mai nō a pili Brought here to remain close, Ho‘opumehana i ka mana‘o Warmed by (my) thoughts

He ‘ala nei e aheahe mai nei This gentle fragrance

Na ka leo hone a nā manu From the appealing voices of the birds, I lawe mai a loa‘a au Brought here and captivating me, Ho‘opumehana i kou leo Warmed by your voice.

TaReKiTa

The text is an imitation of the sound of the Indian drum tabla, to indicate the different patterns of rhythms.

Five Hebrew Love Songs

Text by Hila Plitmann (b. 1973)

I. Temuná I. A Picture

Temuná belibí charuntá; A picture is engraved in my heart; Nodédet beyn ór uveyn ófel: Moving between light and darkness: Min dmamá shekazó et guféch A sort of silence envelopes your body, kach otá, Usaréch al pańa’ich kach nófel. And your hair falls upon your face just so.

II. Kalá Kallá

II. Light Bride

Kalá kallá Light bride

Kulá shelí, She is all mine, U’ve kalút And lightly Tishákhílí! She will kiss me!

III. Laróv II. Mostly

“Laróv,” amár gag la’shama’im, “Mostly,” said the roof to the sky, “Hamerchák shebeynéynu hu ad; “the distance between you and I is endlessness; Ach lifnéy zman alu lechán shna’im, But a while ago two came up here, Uveynéynu nishár sentiméter And only one centimeter was left between us.” echad”

IV. Éyze Shéleg!

IV. What Snow

Éyze shéleg! What snow!

Kmo chalomót ktaníim Like little dreams

Noflím mehashamá im. Falling from the sky.

V. Rakút

V. Tenderness

Hu hayá malé rakút; He was full of tenderness; Hi haytá kasha She was very hard.

Vechól káma shenistá lehishaér And as much as she tried to stay thus, kach,

Pashút, uvlí sibá tová, Simply, and with no good reason, Lakách otá el toch atzmó, He took her into himself, Veheníach Bamakóm hachí rach. And set her down In the softest, softest place.

I am Come Into My Garden

Text from Song of Solomon 5:1

I am come into my garden, my sister, my bride; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice. I have eaten my honeycomb and my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk.

Yai yai yai yai yai yai yai yai.

I am come into my garden, my sister, my bride; Eat, o eat, o friends.

Drink, yea, drink abundantly, Drink, o drink, o friends.

I am come into my garden, my sister, my bride; O my beloved.

I Remember

Text by Sara Quartel (b. 1982)

I remember, I remember Days of sunshine, days of rain. I remember, I remember, Knowing spring will come again, And when I sing, I remember All the wonder I have seen: Waters reaching the horizon, Waves that carry you and me. I remember this, my friend.

I remember, I remember Golden summers when corn is high. I remember, I remember Branches reaching to the sky, And when I sing, I remember All the harvests of the field, Fruits of love that lie in waiting, All the bounty now revealed. I remember this, my friend.

In my song there’s a race through a wild green meadow, The sunshine bright in my eyes.

In my song there’s a day by the cool of the water, Knowing you’re by my side, Knowing you’re by my side again.

I remember, I remember All the loved ones I have known. I remember, I remember All they’ve taught me, how I’ve grown.

When I sing I remember

Many lives that share my song, Brought together in a moment, Finding somewhere to belong, And I remember you my friend. I remember you my friend.

PONDEROSA TENOR/BASS CHOIR

Joshua Chism, director

Victoria Woo, collaborative pianist

TENOR 1

Greta Berner

Melissa Halverson Oak Harbor

William Lamping

Maile Lee

Ore.

Caitlin Smith Folsom

TENOR 2

Andy Fuehrer

Eli Harris

Brenden Hill Wilbur

Zachary Zwanzig

BARITONE

Carson Anselmomarnach

Drew Bair Lake Stevens

Paul Idiaghe

Nigeria

Juan Rodriguez Michoacán, Mexico

BASS

Asante Ahlijah

Chris Byrd

Quinn Gamon

Zimbabwe

Connor Wodehouse Ketchikan, Alaska

FOREST TREBLE CHOIR

Xiaosha Lin, director

Alexis Asato, collaborative pianist SOPRANO McKenna Brown.

Dahl

Chau Do

Erickson

Valley

Aster Fues Seattle

Nevaeh Gariepy

Emma Gingerich

Ore.

Emma John Malaysia

Ronni Keizer

Elisabeth Korb Issaquah

Maia Mouser

Lydia McNelly

Billings, Mont.

Maria Pollack Spokane Valley

Elise Schaaij

Calif.

Kathleen Taylor Hillsboro, Ore.

ALTO

Odelia Dahl Blaine

Agnila Deb

Sylhet, Bangladesh

Anna Hovey Portland, Ore.

Sarah Immel Yakima

Beth Lorbeer

Calif.

Nevaeh Meyer Brookings, Ore.

Paige Meyer

Lucy Pearson Seattle

Anneka Siems Tacoma

AJ Talley

Wasilla, Alaska

WHITWORTH FOREST TREBLE CHOIR LEADERSHIP TEAM

President: Anna Hovey

Spirit & Life: Nevaeh Meyer

Social Coordinators: Emma John, Emma Gingerich

Section Leaders: Kathleen Taylor, Lucy Pearson

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 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. 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 young son Jacob 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 Judith Schoepflin.

As an emerging performer, Asato has received a variety of awards at Whitworth. She was a silver medalist for the 2022 Lilac City Music Festival, the winner of Whitworth’s 2022 Concerto Competition piano category, and the selected pianist for 2023 Music Artistry Program Honors Recital, as well as an Honorable Mention for 2022. Currently, she is competing in the 2023 Northwest Music Festival competition.

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 Student Recital, and performed at Spokane Public Radio (KPBX). She is currently the collaborative pianist for 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 music at Whitworth University, where she receives multiple scholarships. She studies piano performance under Judith Schoepflin and serves as the collaborative pianist for the Ponderosa Tenor/ Bass Choir under the direction of Joshua Chism.

Toni Helms

This is Toni Helm’s third year back at Whitworth, where she works with the vocal and choral areas. She enjoyed music directing the opera Speed Dating Tonight! this January.

Helms had the honor of joining the 75-member professional orchestra in May 2023 for the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone In Concert event at the First Interstate Center for the Arts.

Prior to returning to the area, Helms spent nine years in California, where she worked extensively as a classical accompanist at Orange Coast College, resident rehearsal pianist for One More Productions, and music director for the theatre departments at Irvine Valley College and Sage Hill School, putting on Broadway-like productions.

Prior to her time in California, Helms was busy teaching and accompanying at North Idaho College as well as playing extensively for the CDA Opera and Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre organizations.

Helms has a B.A. in piano performance from UCLA and lives in Liberty Lake with her family.

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

facebook.com/whitworthmusic

instagram.com/whitworthmusic

youtube.com/whitworthuniversitymusicdepartment

instagram.com/whitworthchoirs

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Whitworth Music Department Program Coordinator: Melissa Halverson

Choral Librarian and Program Assistance: Natalie Houle

Poster and Program Design: Heidi Jantz

Collaborative Artists: Toni Helms, Rachel Strauch, Mary Brown, Tyler Van Gordon, Drew Bair, Owen Foster

St. Luke Lutheran Church and Worship Coordinator: Charles Reinmuth