CATHEDRAL CHORAL SOCIETY’S
75th Anniversary
Jubilee
SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2017 OMNI SHOREHAM HOTEL
Welcome!
I am delighted to welcome you to our 75th Anniversary Jubilee. We look forward to a magical evening celebrating the Cathedral Choral Society. We are honored to be recognizing 75 years as the symphonic chorusin-residence at Washington National Cathedral. CCS is proud to create unique experiences for audiences in a space where sight and sound come together in a way that no other venue can match.
Ernest Abbott President, Board of Trustees
Tonight we also remember J. Reilly Lewis, our Music Director of 31 years, a remarkable musician, and a caring friend to so many of us. Reilly made people feel at home in the Cathedral Choral Society and in our audiences. We take time this evening to remember and reflect on all those aspects of Reilly that made us smile and laugh. On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Cathedral Choral Society, thank you for being here and for your generous support of this evening’s significant fundraising event through your attendance and support of our silent auction. I wish you all a wonderful evening!
Program
THE EVENING’S SCHEDULE
WELCOME Genevieve Twomey, Executive Director ACT 1: BEGINNINGS Catherine Flye, Mistress of Ceremonies Throughout our program, Catherine Flye will tell stories of the Cathedral Choral Society’s 75 years of history. We begin in 1941. SALAD SERVICE ACT 2: THE FIRST 50 YEARS Significant moments in history were marked by Cathedral Choral Society concerts. MUSIC “Sgombra è la sacra selva...Deh! proteggimi, o Dio!” from Norma, Vincenzo Bellini Elizabeth Bishop, mezzo-soprano and Joy Schreier, piano DINNER SERVICE
MUSIC “Without a Song” from Great Day, Vincent Youmans Robert Baker, tenor and Joy Schreier, piano ACT 3: REMEMBERING REILLY We honor our beloved music director of 31 years. MUSIC “Befreit” from 5 Lieder, Op. 39, Richard Strauss Colleen Daly, soprano and Joy Schreier, piano DESSERT AND COFFEE SERVICE ACT 4: TO THE FUTURE MUSIC “Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre” (Toreador Song) from Carmen, Georges Bizet Ben Wager, bass and Joy Schreier, piano DANCING
75 Years
1941 December 1: The first Cathedral Choral Society rehearsal takes place.
1942 May 13: Inaugural concert, Verdi’s Requiem, with founding Music Director Paul Callaway.
1942 December 18: CCS presents its 2nd concert, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, with William Strickland as guest conductor.
1960 Paul Hindemith conducts his Walt 1957 November 18: Leo Whitman elegy, Sowerby’s Throne of God is commissioned by premiered to commemorate Robert Shaw after the th the 50 anniversary of the death of Franklin Delano laying of the Cathedral’s Roosevelt in 1945. foundation stone.
1963 November 26: Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis is performed in memory of Pres. John F. Kennedy.
1968 April 7: A performance of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion takes place three days after the assassination of Martin Luther King. Music Director Paul Callaway makes cuts in the music to abide by curfews.
1969 February 23: CCS performs the East Coast premiere of Dave Brubeck’s A Light in the Wilderness, conducted by Wayne Dirksen.
1973 January 19: Leonard Bernstein conducts the Concert for Peace at the Cathedral. CCS is part of the mass choir and Paul Callaway performs the organ prelude.
1976 The first Joy of Christmas concerts are performed.
1985 October 20: CCS welcomes J. Reilly Lewis as its new Music Director in an all Handel program.
1998 March 30: In remembrance of the 30th Anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Bach’s St. Matthew Passion is performed. Coretta Scott King is in attendance.
2010 CCS celebrates and recognizes J. Reilly Lewis on 25 seasons as Music Director.
2014 In November, CCS performs Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms with the Baltimore Symphony and Music Director, Marin Alsop.
2016 In April, CCS performs Orff’s Carmina Burana with The Washington Ballet for the third time at the Kennedy Center.
J. Reilly Lewis
TONIGHT WE HONOR THE MEMORY OF J. REILLY LEWIS, THE CATHEDRAL CHORAL SOCIETY’S MUSIC DIRECTOR FOR 31 YEARS.
Under Reilly’s leadership, the chorus delivered notable performances at the Cathedral, Kennedy Center, Strathmore, and Wolf Trap. He was committed to developing the careers of young soloists and composers. He commissioned over twenty-one works for chorus from composers including Libby Larsen, John Rutter, Dominick Argento, and John Tavener. His diverse career included the founding and directing of the Washington Bach Consort, frequent engagements as a keyboard artist, and 45 years as the Organist and Choirmaster at Clarendon United Methodist Church. He died unexpectedly on Thursday, June 9, 2016 at the age of 71.
Reilly was beloved in the Washington, DC music community, and known for his generosity of spirit and joyful soul by everyone with whom he came into contact. He dedicated his life to music and to transforming the lives of others through music. In his own words: “I believe in the power of music to create community - to touch, and to heal, and to transform. I’ve seen people with the most diverse backgrounds come together in one place and be touched by the hand of God through the inspiration - the genius - of Bach or Brahms or Verdi or Mozart. That power to bring people together isn’t restricted to music, but music is my language.”
Gala Sponsors and Honorary Committee EMERALD SPONSORS
PEPCO, an Exelon Company Ernest and Catherine Abbott Walter B. and Joanne Doggett Thomas P. Gallagher Lolly and Jim Mixter John D. Van Wagoner
SAPPHIRE SPONSORS Capitol Boiler Works Certapro Painters of Arlington Clark Construction Nagle and Zaller, P.C.
Kathleen A. Brion Cynthia L. Drakeman Anne Harris Sarah B. Holmes and John B. Morris, Jr. Paul Juergensen Celeste A. Letourneau John E. Moyer and Jane Passman Bradley J. and Martha A. Olson Raymond P. Rhinehart and Walter Smalling, Jr. L. Bradley and Susan Stanford Margot T. Young
RUBY SPONSORS
Cohn Reznick Kastle Systems International Quality Air Services Sahouri Insurance Winkler Pools James Coates and Elisabeth Rhyne Blanche Curfman David and Tricia Dietly Christine de Fontenay Mary-T. and Spencer Gordon Susan Grad Glenn S. and Judith M. Griffiths Patricia D. Hevner Jane Molloy Thomas C. Mugavero Christine and James Mulligan Jennifer and Alec Orudjev Gerry and Alice Padwe Martin Rosenthal and Corinne Axelrod James and Madeleine Schaller Robert and Betty Wallace
HONORARY COMMITTEE Ernest Abbott Kathleen A. Brion Walter B. Doggett Cynthia L. Drakeman Thomas P. Gallagher Mary-T. Gordon Susan Grad Anne Harris Patricia D. Hevner Sarah B. Holmes Celeste A. Letourneau Virginia C. Mars James M.E. Mixter, Jr. John E. Moyer Thomas C. Mugavero
Christine Mulligan Martha A. Olson Jennifer Griffiths Orudjev Gerry Padwe W. Robert Reeves Raymond P. Rhinehart Martin Rosenthal James Schaller L. Bradley Stanford Robert Wallace John D. Van Wagoner Douglas H. Wheeler Margot T. Young
Thank you!
About the Artists
ROBERT BAKER
Flye works extensively in the Washington, DC metropolitan area writing, acting, and directing. Acting credits include principal roles at Arena Stage, the Shakespeare Theatre, The Folger Theatre, and Ford’s Theatre. Catherine collaborated with the Cathedral Choral Society in “A Dickens Christmas” at Strathmore. Flye has been nominated thirteen times for Washington’s prestigious Helen Hayes Award.
Baker has been a member of the faculty of the Department of Music at George Washington University for 25 years. He regularly performs with The Metropolitan Opera, the Washington National Opera, and the National Symphony. He has been the feature of more than 300 performances of 43 productions with the Washington National Opera. He is proud to have sung with all the major choral organizations in DC.
CATHERINE FLYE
COLLEEN DALY
MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES
SOPRANO
Daly is emerging as a “dramatically powerful” (The Washington Post) singer in today’s operatic arena. Recent performances include Musetta in La Bohème with Lyric Opera Baltimore and Des Moines Metro Opera and Violetta in La Traviata with Opera Delaware. Her concert work has been widely recognized with organizations such as Washington Concert Opera, Post-Classical Ensemble, and Maryland Philharmonic Orchestra.
ELIZABETH BISHOP
MEZZO-SOPRANO
Bishop, founder and head of the Potomac Vocal Institute, is acclaimed for her powerful, nuanced portrayals and “lustrous” voice. A frequent guest of major opera companies and orchestras throughout the United States and overseas, she is also a widely respected teacher and passionate advocate for music education. Bishop is a company regular with the Metropolitan Opera and Washington National Opera.
BEN WAGER
TENOR
BASS-BARITONE
Wager, hailed as “utterly unforgettable” (San Jose Mercury News) is a graduate of the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. His 20162017 season features a return to the Lyric Opera of Kansas City for performances of the Police Sergeant in Pirates of Penzance, a return to the Deutsche Oper Berlin in a variety of roles, and a solo recital with the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society.
JOY SCHREIER
PIANO
Schreier, Pianist and Vocal Coach of the Cathedral Choral Society, has been praised by Plácido Domingo as an “orchestra at the piano” and hailed as a pianist who “really has it all – fiery technique and a rich, warm tone.” She has been presented in recital at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the White House, the Kennedy Center, the National Gallery of Art, and the Phillips Collection, among others.
TIM CAREY
BAGPIPES
Appreciation
Many people worked to ensure the success of tonight’s event. We are pleased to recognize and thank them here.
DEVELOPMENT AND SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE
VOLUNTEERS
Kathleen A. Brion, Auction Co-Chair Kristi S. Brown, Chair Cynthia L. Drakeman Anthony Flournoy
Mary Amorosino Roberto Amorosino Violet Baker Stephanie Cabell Luke Fisher Melissa Laine Holman Laura Jackman Ingrid Kaufmann Laura Miller
James M.E. Mixter, Jr. Martha A. Olson, Auction Co-Chair Jennifer Griffiths Orudjev Gerry Padwe
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Ernest Abbott, President Kathleen Brion Kristi S. Brown Walter B. Doggett III Cynthia Drakeman Diana F. Dykstra Anthony Flournoy Patricia Hevner Thomas P. Gallagher Paul Juergensen II Celeste A. Letourneau James M.E. Mixter, Jr. Treasurer
Jack Moyer Thomas Mugavero, Vice President Martha A. Olson Jennifer Griffiths Orudjev Gerry Padwe, Secretary Kevin Rosengren Martin S. Rosenthal L. Bradley Stanford Genevieve C. Twomey, Executive Director
Ian Matthews Marie Prouty Sarah Phillips Natalie Pho Sarah Rockwood Jane Roningen Cheryl Schock Sean Twomey Chris Woolley
STAFF Emily Alcorn, Executive & Development Assistant Kate Breytspraak, Director of Operations & Community Engagement Laura Crook Brisson, Operations Coordinator Mimi Newcastle, Finance Manager Lindsay Sheridan, Director of Marketing & Communications Genevieve C. Twomey, Executive Director
Cathedral Choral Society
OUR VISION is to engage people in the extraordinary power of choral music.
OUR VALUES We are... Inspiring Welcoming Inclusive Accountable Volunteer Family
MISSION We welcome and engage
singers and audiences of all ages, cultural backgrounds, and beliefs, through inspiring performances, excellence in choral singing, and collaborative school initiatives.
We inspire and support singing in schools.
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3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016-5098
CATHEDRAL CHORAL SOCIETY