Choral Concert 2025 SPRING
WISCONSIN LUTHERAN CHOIR AND CHAMBER CHOIR
FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2025 • 7:30 PM
SCHWAN CONCERT HALL
WARM-UP
EARTH SONG
I AM THE ROSE OF SHARON
Chamber Choir
Leonard Bernstein
CAROL OF THE STRANGER
THE ROAD HOME
CHICKADEE (from Due West)
Eliana Mittelstadt, percussion
William Billings
Text: Song of Solomon 2:1-5, 7-8, 10-11
Betinis
Stephen Paulus
Text by Michael Dennis Browne
Elliana Engel, soloist
Stephen Chatman
Text by Tara Wohlberg
- brief pause -
Frank Ticheli
Abbie
Wisconsin Lutheran Choir
SING, MY CHILD
Sing for the promise in each new morning. Sing for the hope in a new day dawning. All around is beauty bright! Wake in the morning and sing, my child.
Sarah Quartel
Dance in the joy of the day unfolding. Dance as you work and dance as you’re learning. All around is beauty bright! Take in the day and dance, my child.
But when troubles come and worry is all that can be found, Gather your strength and hear your voice. Sing, my child.
Laugh in the cool and the fresh of the ev’ning. Laugh in your triumph, laugh in succeeding. All around is beauty bright! Rest in the ev’ning and laugh, my child.
Peace in the stillness and dark of the night. Peace in the dreams of your silent delights. All around is beauty bright! Sleep in the night and peace, my child.
But when troubles come and worry is all that can be found, Gather your strength and hear your voice. Sing, my child. Dance, my child. Laugh, my child. Peace, my child.
Isabella Morgan and Ben Thoma, soloists Eliana Mittelstadt, percussion
THE ROSE
The lily has a smooth stalk, will never hurt your hand; But the rose upon her brier is lady of the land.
There’s a sweetness in an apple tree, and profit in the corn; But lady of all beauty is a rose upon a thorn.
When with moss and honey she tips her bending brier, And half unfolds her glowing heart, she sets the world on fire.
Karrigan Cragin and Ellie Ericson, violin Joseph Mastopietro, piano
Ola Gjeilo
Text by Christina Rossetti
SONG OF MIRIAM
I, Miriam, stand at the sea
The song still unformed –and turn How can I sing? to face the desert stretching endless and
To take the first step –still. To sing a new song –My eyes are dazzled Is to close one’s eyes The sky brilliant blue and dive Sunburnt sands unyielding white. into unknown waters, My hands turn to dove wings. For a moment knowing nothing risking all –My arms But then to discover reach for the sky
The waters are friendly and I want to sing The ground is firm. the song rising inside me. And the song –My mouth open the song rises again. I stop. Out of my mouth Where are the words? come words lifting the wind. Where the melody? And I hear In a moment of panic for the first My eyes go blind. the song Can I take a step that has been in my heart Without knowing a silent Destination? unknown Will I falter even to me. Will I fall Will the ground sink away from under me?
Elliana Engel, student conductor Megan Lippert, piano
Alone in the night on a dark hill, with pines around me spicy and still, And a heaven full of stars over my head, white and topaz and misty red; Myriads with beating hearts of fire, oh the aeons cannot vex or tire; The dome of heaven like a great hill, and myriads with beating hearts of fire, heaven full of stars. I know I am honored to be witness of so much majesty.
Alex Blackwood, Ava Charpentier, Abbie Dziubek, Elijah Edwards, Colton Heinrich, Carsten Jungwirth, Kyra Johnson, Gabe Kohl, Alyssa Lemke, Ellie Mittelstadt, Abigail Pieper, Eviana Uttech, and Sylvia Walentowski - crystal glasses
Abigail Berg, Elliana Engel, and Benjamin Felgenhauer - singing bowls
Elaine Hagenberg
Text by Rabbi Ruth Sohn
STARS
Eriks Esenvalds Text by Sara Teasdale
Refrain: Hold me, rock me, calm and easy. Hold me, rock me, deep and wide. Hold me, rock me, in your arms. Oh, I got a home on the other side.
Someday, gonna cross that river. Someday, gonna set out on my own. Don’t know where my journey leads, but I’ll keep on walkin’ till I get me home. Refrain.
My life is a runnin’ river, flowin’ from the mountains to a distant sea. I’ve known many hills and valleys, but when I reach that ocean I’ll be free. Refrain.
HOMEWARD BOUND
In the quiet misty morning when the moon has gone to bed, When the sparrows stop their singing and the sky is clear and red, When the summer’s ceased its gleaming, when the corn is past its prime, When adventure’s lost its meaning, I’ll be homeward bound in time. Refrain: Bind me not to the pasture; chain me not to the plow. Set me free to find my calling and I’ll return to you somehow.
If you find it’s me you’re missing, if you’re hoping I’ll return, To your thoughts I’ll soon be list’ning, in the road I’ll stop and turn. Then the wind will set me racing as my journey nears its end, And the path I’ll be retracing when I’m homeward bound again. Refrain.
Megan Lippert and Eliana Mittelstadt, piano
O! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CITY
O! What a beautiful city! O! What a beautiful city! O! What a beautiful city! Twelve gates to the city, Halleluia!
Have you heard about the city? The streets are paved with gold! Twelve gates to the city, Halleluia!
Three gates in-a the east! Three gates in-a the west! Three gates in-a the north! Three gates in-a the south!
See those gates of pearl, open to all the world. Twelve gates to the city, Halleluia!
Abigail Pieper, piano
arr. Mack Wilberg Text and music by Marta Keen
arr. Shawn Kirchner Traditional Spiritual
Wisconsin Lutheran Choir
James Nowack, conductor
SOPRANO I
Abbie Dziubek Waukesha, WI
Elliana Engel* Milwaukee, WI
Mariska Gilbertson* Onalaska, WI
Elaina Gregorius* Milwaukee, WI
Natalie Hatzung Waukesha, WI
Madysen Lieterman Manitowoc, WI
Aberdeen Rios Aurora, IL
SOPRANO II
Claire Conorman* Livonia, MI
Elaina Davis Iron Ridge, WI
Grace Hennen* Slinger, WI
Amiah Jackson* Rockton, IL
McKenna Luebke Oak Creek, WI
Sophia Prost Watertown, WI
Anna Pufahl* Waukesha, WI
Eviana Uttech* Waukesha, WI
Sylvia Walentowski Neenah, WI
ALTO I
Abigail Berg Milwaukee, WI
Ava Charpentier Delafield, WI
Emma Christophersen* Cedarburg, WI
Sophia Eckl Ixonia, WI
Alise Heinrich* Rockton, IL
Kyra Johnson* Appleton, WI
Trinity Jurek Palmyra, WI
Isabella Morgan Muskego, WI
Abigail Pieper Fond du Lac, WI
Paige Wempner West Allis, WI
Jenna Wichmann Palm Harbor, FL
ALTO II
Ellen Amundson* West Bend, WI
Camryn Friske Muskego, WI
Addie Gumm* Milwaukee, WI
Alyssa Lemke Garden City, MI
Megan Lippert* Hartford, WI
Eliana Mittelstadt Iron Ridge, WI
Megan Sauer Sturgeon Bay, WI
Ilse Scherwinski Jackson, WI
Emily Weigand Goodhue, MN
TENOR I
Jonathan Abel* Fort Atkinson, WI
Joseph Coon Hemlock, MI
Benjamin Felgenhauer West Bend, WI
Carsten Jungwirth Appleton, WI
Gabriel Kohl* Roscoe, IL
TENOR II
Joseph Mastopietro* New Berlin, WI
Joshua Norris* Fond du Lac, WI
Sam Schmidt Janesville, WI
Benjamin Thoma Mesa, AZ
Jonathan Thoma Mesa, AZ
BASS I
Elijah Edwards Merritt Island, FL
Alexander Gregorius Milwaukee, WI
Colton Heinrich* Rockton, IL
Stephen Klemp* Jackson, WI
Xan Sutton* Tomahawk, WI
BASS II
Alex Blackwood* Franklin, WI
Michael Kuether New Berlin, WI
Cameron Lange Maumee, OH
Joshua Lippert Hartford, WI
Caleb Needham* Saginaw, MI
Sam Olson* Elkhorn, WI
PRESIDENT
Joseph Mastopietro
SECTION LEADERS
Elliana Engel - Soprano
Ellen Amundson - Alto
Joseph Mastopietro - Tenor
Michael Kuether - Bass
SOCIAL CHAIRS
Benjamin Felgenhauer
Camryn Friske
*Chamber Choir member
ABOUT WISCONSIN LUTHERAN COLLEGE
Wisconsin Lutheran College is an independent, nationally ranked Christian college in Milwaukee that serves 1,100 undergraduate and graduate students through its on-campus and online programming. The college, which prepares students for lives of Christian leadership, is recognized for its academic excellence and superior student experience. Visit wlc.edu to explore the programs offered by Wisconsin Lutheran College.
THE WISCONSIN LUTHERAN COLLEGE MUSIC PROGRAM
Wisconsin Lutheran College’s music program focuses on both the science and artistry of this sacred and ancient communication tool. By pursuing a major or minor in music, a student will acquire the knowledge and perception essential to excellent musicianship. The program features academic studies in music analysis, music literature and repertoire, and the historical development of music. Additionally, private lessons, master classes, recitals, and vocal and instrumental performing groups serve to advance and strengthen the student’s skills in making music.
SCHOLARSHIPS: Music scholarship opportunities are available to students with vocal, instrumental, and piano accompanying talent. Annually the music department awards scholarships for up to $2,000 per year. These scholarships are renewable through senior year. All full-time freshmen and transfer students are eligible to apply for these music scholarships, regardless of intended major. For application and audition information, visit wlc.edu/musicscholarship
DISTINCTIVENESS: Wisconsin Lutheran College’s music program offers the chance to study both the methods and the aesthetics of this powerful mode of communication. Students can develop their talents and enjoy the enriching, broadening experience of music performance, both individually and as part of a group. In addition, the college’s popular performing artist series brings nationally and internationally recognized artists to campus on a regular basis.
FACILITIES: The Music Department at Wisconsin Lutheran College is housed in the Center for Arts and Performance, featuring a 370-seat concert hall, practice rooms, a rehearsal hall, a multimedia lecture hall, and an electronic music lab. This state-of-the-art facility is home to the college’s performing ensembles.
