Family Joy Saturday, Dec. 12, 12:00 p.m. Washington National Cathedral
Family Joy!
Saturday, December 12, 12:00 p.m. Washington National Cathedral Cathedral Choral Society J. Reilly Lewis, conductor Alexandra Linn, host Children’s Chorus of Washington Joan Gregoryk, conductor American Youth Philharmonic Brass Ensemble Sylvia Alimena, conductor Edward Nassor, carillon Todd Fickley, organ Tona Swagart, ASL Interpreter
Welcome!
We are so glad you are here today to celebrate the season with us. This is one of our favorite times of the year: there are fun carols to sing, freshly cut trees to decorate, cookies to bake, and gifts to wrap. We hope that the music performed here today will fill you with the joy of the season, and that this joy stays with you throughout the New Year. We send our warmest wishes to you and your family for a very happy holiday season!
CARILLON PRELUDE
Up high in the Cathedral’s central tower, 53 bronze bells ring loudly! The carillon bells are played on keyboard and pedals in the tower, and are best heard from outside.
BRASS PRELUDE
PROCESSION
Spirit moving over chaos Ding, dong! Merrily on high
David Ashley White Sixteenth-century French Tune arr. Mack Wilberg
This Little Babe On Christmas night “Sussex Carol”
Benjamin Britten Traditional English Carol arr. Philip Ledger
PLEASE STAND AND SING WITH US! CAROL: O Come, All Ye Faithful
John F. Wade’s Cantus Diversi arr. David Willcocks
1. O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold him, 2. Sing, choirs of angels Born the King of Angels. Sing in exultation, O come let us adore him, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above. Christ the Lord. Glory to God In the highest: 3. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, O come let us adore him, Born this happy morning, Christ the Lord. Jesus to thee be glory given; Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing; O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
Rocking
Traditional Czech Carol arr. Edward Higginbottom
In the bleak mid-winter
Gustav Holst arr. Dale Wood
BRASS SOLO
Ding dong! Merrily on high
arr. Roger Harvey
PLEASE STAND AND SING WITH US! CAROL: Joy to the World! 1. Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive its King; Let ev’ry heart prepare him room And heaven and nature sing And heaven and nature sing And heaven and heaven and nature sing. 2. Joy to the world, 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. 3. 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.
arr. Robert Hobby
KIDS ONLY SING ALONG! CAROL: Jingle Bells
Words and melody by James Pierpont arr. David Willcocks
REFRAIN Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way; Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way; Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh!
ORGAN SOLO
Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella Infinite Light Go where I send thee!
Émile BlÊmont arr. Keith Chapman
Traditional English Melody arr. Paul Halley
Traditional Negro Spiritual arr. Paul Caldwell and Sean Ivory
Rejoice and be merry
John Rutter
PLEASE STAND AND SING WITH US! CAROL: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Felix Mendelssohn arr. Willcocks
1. 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. 2. Christ, by highest heav’n adored, Christ the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb; Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail th’Incarnate Deity! Pleased as man with man to dwell Jesus, our Emmanuel. Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King. 3. Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, Risen 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. A Merry Christmas
Traditional West Country Carol arr. Arthur Warrell
BIOGRAPHIES J. Reilly Lewis, Music Director, a native of Washington, DC, began his musical career at the age of eight as a member of the Junior Boy’s Choir at Washington National Cathedral. He received his bachelor’s degree from Oberlin Conservatory and master’s and doctoral degrees from The Juilliard School. In 1985, he was selected as music director of the Cathedral Choral Society. He has presided over nine of its current recordings as well as many notable performances at the Cathedral, the Kennedy Center, Strathmore, and Wolf Trap. Some of his most recent awards include the Washingtonian Magazine “Washingtonian of the Year,” The Mayor’s Arts Award, the University Club of Washington’s Distinguished Washingtonian Award, Yale University’s Cultural Leadership Citation, the Choralis GRACIE Award for Outstanding Contributions to Choral Music, and an honorary doctorate from the Virginia Theological Seminary.
Born and raised in beautiful New England, host Alexandra Linn was instilled early on with a sense of adventure and a love for the arts. Alexandra graduated from Colby College with a BA with Honors and Distinction in both Theater & Dance and Anthropology and received the prestigious Theater & Dance Award, awarded to a senior major whose contributions exemplify excellence in all areas of the major. Since moving to Washington, DC three years ago, Alexandra has been immersed in theater, film and TV, and singing throughout the region. When not on stage, singing at LaTiDo or at Pacers Running Stores races, or ballroom dancing in House of Cards, Alexandra loves swimming and taking her bike, Radar, out for a long ride along the Potomac River. She is very proud to call DC her theater home.
This season, the Children’s Chorus of Washington (CCW) celebrates 20 years of choral excellence and the vision of founder Joan Gregoryk. Widely recognized as one of the country’s leading youth choruses, CCW provides outstanding choral music education to young vocalists, ages 6-18, from throughout metropolitan Washington, DC, regardless of
their background, economic status, or prior experience, emphasizing artistic excellence, responsibility, and personal development. Recognizing the tremendous need for high-quality vocal training, CCW also extends its artistic excellence to the broader DC community through its outreach programs: SING DC! for underserved DC elementary and middle school students, PREP Class for first-time singers, and Teacher Workshops. In 2012 and again in 2014, CCW was recognized by the Washington Area Music Awards (“Wammies”) – Best Choral Group – and Greater Washington Area Choral Excellence Awards (“Ovations”) – Best Educational Outreach. CCW is the winner of the 2014 DC Mayor’s Arts Awards. For more information, visit childrenschorus.com. Joan Gregoryk, Founder and Artistic Director of the Children’s Chorus of Washington (CCW), is internationally recognized as a leader in the field of children’s vocal music. After developing a children’s chorus at Chevy Chase Elementary school, which often performed with the National Symphony Orchestra, she founded CCW in 1995 with the goal of providing outstanding choral music education for children from throughout metropolitan Washington, DC. Gregoryk has received many honors including Outstanding Arts Educator in the United States from the Rockefeller Brothers Funds Awards in Arts Education, the Maryland Outstanding Elementary Music Educator Award, the Conservatory Medal of Excellence from Shenandoah University, and the 2015 DC Area Choral Excellence “Ovation” Award for her outstanding contributions to choral music.
Recognized as one of the leading orchestral training programs in the nation, the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras provide competitive world-class training and performance opportunities for musicians up to 21 years of age. AYPO delivers programs of the highest caliber throughout the Washington metropolitan region, earning an unrivaled reputation for excellence and distinction. Through the orchestras, young people with a common interest, commitment, and discipline work together to achieve harmony and excellence. In concert,
these young musicians share their remarkable achievement and appreciation for classical music with the community. The Brass Ensemble of the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras gives additional performance opportunities to players in the organization’s top orchestras. Under the direction of Sylvia Alimena, these musicians receive instruction in the art of symphonic brass playing and perform works from the brass ensemble repertoire. Sylvia Alimena, recently retired 29-year veteran of the National Symphony Orchestra, has also had an active 25-year conducting career throughout the Washington area. In her retirement, Alimena continues to serve as the National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute Assistant Conductor/Brass-Winds coach, NSO Youth Fellowship Program coach, and presents master classes at top conservatories such as Juilliard and Curtis. She maintains a private horn studio. Her hobbies include gardening, hiking, and golf.
Todd Fickley is the Associate Music Director and Chorus Master of the Cathedral Choral Society. A native Washingtonian, he began his organ studies at Washington National Cathedral under Bruce Neswick. At the age of twenty-three, Mr. Fickley was made a Fellow of the American Guild of Organists (AGO). He also holds the AGO Choirmaster Diploma and an M.A. in Organ Performance with High Distinction from the University of Wales. A prize-winning organist, Fickley has been featured numerous times on NPR and PRI and has performed and conducted throughout the United States, Israel, and Europe. In 2014 Fickley launched “The Bach Project,” a cycle of concerts performing and recording all of Bach’s organ works. The first volume was praised in Fanfare Magazine as “some of the most enthralling Bach organ playing you are likely to hear anywhere by anyone.”
Edward Nassor, carillon, joined the music department of Washington National Cathedral in November 1990, where he performs regularly for services and in concerts and recitals. His carillon performances have been featured on ABC Television’s Good Morning America and
NBC Television’s The Today Show. In 1987, he was appointed DirectorCarillonneur of the Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia by the National Park Service, where he performs in and schedules their annual recital series. He earned his B.Mus. degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, his M.M. and D.M.A. degrees from The Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at The Catholic University of America. In addition to his carillon duties, Nassor teaches music at a private school in Northern Virginia.
Tona Swagart is a nationally certified sign language interpreter and has been providing sign language interpreting for over 30 years ranging from medical to legal to education to performing arts. Currently residing in Maryland, Swagart was born and raised in Michigan, by her deaf parents, making her first language American Sign Language. She provides services locally, nationally, and internationally and has traveled abroad for many exciting assignments. After all these years she still loves her work and the opportunities it has afforded her.
The Cathedral Choral Society is the resident symphonic chorus of Washington National Cathedral. Founded in 1941 by Paul Callaway, the 140-voice chorus is the oldest symphonic choral group in Washington, DC. Since 1985, J. Reilly Lewis has served as its second Music Director, leading performances ranging from symphonic choral masterpieces to world premieres. The Cathedral Choral Society presents a concert series with four programs at Washington National Cathedral. In addition to its concert series, the chorus has performed around the city and on nationwide radio and television. The Cathedral Choral Society has appeared at the Kennedy Center with The Washington Ballet, the Juilliard Orchestra, in performances sponsored by Washington Performing Arts Society, and with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The Cathedral Choral Society offers community engagement programs, including Cathedral Sings, sing-along opportunities for the public and an annual High School Choir Festival featuring choirs from across Washington, DC.
Children’s Chorus of Washington Lilyana Acharya Allie Alfonso Grace Barnes Grace-Ann Bartlow Miara Bonner Isabel Brecher Simone Bucany Elizabeth Budin Isabella Calingaert Corina Capuano Chloe Cattaneo Theresa Colston Sophia Colon Roosevelt Gauri Dandi Chloe Djomessi- Siakam Grace Elkan Clara Ferrari Lucy Goldberg Damian Hanshew Addele Hargenrader Liza Harold Olympia Hatzilambrou Anna Herman Carly Hufford Isabella Impavido
Celia Johnson Eugene Kimelman Elizabeth King Andrew Kolebuck Elizabeth Lee Thomas Lynch Katie Manyin Zachary Martel Keshini Maynard Lindsay McNavage Carolyn Miller Delaney Moore Raina Newsome Zak Oehlerking Julianne Page Ella Pino Jack Rennie Rebecca Rich Sophie Sperduto Sedona Stone Margaret Taylor Nina Thomson Maddy Vieth Eleanor Wright
American Youth Philharmonic Brass Ensemble Trumpets John Laszakovits RenĂŠe McGee Micah Reinharz Alex Simons Horns Gaby Pho Cosette Ralowicz Andersen Broom
Trombones Jack Grimm Graham Bendickson Aaron Geldert Baritone Daniel Cho Tuba Diego Stine
Cathedral Choral Society 2015 | 16 Season
Vivaldi Gloria
with the Washington Bach Consort
Sunday, February 21 | 4:00 p.m. Vivaldi, Concerto for Oboe and Trumpet, RV 563 Vivaldi, Nulla in mundo pax sincera, RV 630 Vivaldi, Dixit Dominus, RV 595 Vivaldi, Gloria in D Major, RV 589
Fantastic Beethoven
Sunday, May 15 | 4:00 p.m. Beethoven, Leonore Overture, No. 2, Op. 72 Beethoven, Choral Fantasy, Op. 80 Beethoven, Mass in C Major, Op. 86
Cathedral Sings Music for Kings and Queens Sunday, January 24 | 7:30 p.m. Handel, Zadok the Priest Handel, The King Shall Rejoice Moart, Mass in C Major, “Coronation,� K. 317
Schubert is Great Sunday, June 12 | 7:30 p.m. Schubert, Great is Jehovah, the Lord Schubert, Mass No. 2 in G, D. 167
cathedralchoralsociety.org 202-537-2228 | 877-537-2228