Bill Cunliffe* jazz piano; arranging; Fullerton Jazz Orchestra, Fullerton Big Band and combo director
Rodolfo Zuñiga jazz studies, jazz percussion, and music techology; Fullerton Chamber Jazz Ensemble director
PIANO, ORGAN, PIANO PEDAGOGY
Bill Cunliffe jazz piano
Alison Edwards* piano, piano pedagogy, class piano
Myong-Joo Lee piano
Dr. Robert Watson piano
MUSIC EDUCATION, TEACHER TRAINING, AND TEACHING CREDENTIAL
Dr. Christopher Peterson choral
Dr. Gregory X. Whitmore* instrumental
MUSIC IN GENERAL EDUCATION
Dr. John Koegel*
Dr. Katherine Reed
MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE
Dr. Vivianne Asturizaga musicology
Dr. John Koegel* musicology
Dr. Katherine Powers musicology
Dr. Katherine Reed musicology
STRINGS
Kimo Furumoto Director of Orchestra Studies and University Symphony Orchestra conductor
Bongshin Ko cello
Dr. Ernest Salem* violin
THEORY AND COMPOSITION
Dr. Pamela Madsen, composition, theory
Dr. Ken Walicki* composition, theory
VOCAL, CHORAL, AND OPERA
Dr. Robert Istad Director of Choral Studies and University Singers conductor
Dr. Kerry Jennings* Director of Opera
Dr. Christopher Peterson CSUF Concert Choir and Singing Titans conductor
Dr. Joni Y. Prado voice, academic voice courses
Dr. Bri’Ann Wright general education
WOODWINDS, BRASS, AND PERCUSSION
Dr. Dustin Barr Director of Wind Band Studies, University Wind Symphony, University Band
Jean Ferrandis flute
Sycil Mathai* trumpet
Dr. Gregory X. Whitmore University Symphonic Winds conductor
STAFF
Michael August Production Manager
Eric Dries Music Librarian
Gretchen Estes-Parker Office Coordinator
Will Lemley Audio Technician
Jeff Lewis Audio Engineer
Chris Searight Musical Instrument Services
Paul Shirts Administrative Assistant
Elizabeth Williams Business Manager
* denotes Area Coordinator
Welcome to the College of the Arts Spring 2025 Season. As we come together to enjoy incredible art, dance, music and theatre programming from across the college, I know we are all still reeling from the recent fires that tore through the communities of Altadena and Pacific Palisades. In many ways, we are all Angelenos and when our city breaks, we break. Many of our students, faculty, and staff are finding comfort in processing complex thoughts and emotions the only way we know how: through the arts. It is our calling and what ties us to our community. Through our programming, we hope to provide a bit of respite to all of you during this time of regrouping and rebuilding.
In the College of the Arts, every note, every movement, and every word spoken on stage brings opportunity for discovery and connection. Whether you are a fellow Titan, family member, or community supporter, we are thrilled to have you here. You are now part of something much larger than this single performance. You are joining a vibrant and diverse collective of artists and technicians working together to push the boundaries of their craft.
Spring 2025 brings us a season of fresh programming to challenge our perceptions and immerse us in new perspectives. Later this month, the School of Music presents “Hajar,” a contemporary opera synthesizing ancient Jewish and Islamic stories into a modern immigration tale. Theatre begins their season with “Significant Other,” a heartfelt tale of love and longing in 21st century New York City. If you haven’t yet seen our spectacular new gallery building, make time to see “Chris O’Leary: Gravity Well” – an exploration of the cosmic phenomena of gravitational waves using video, sound, and images. In May, our dancers and choreographers return to the intimate Hallberg Theatre in “Spring Dance Theatre: From All Sides,” where viewers will experience a variety of dance forms from every angle of the stage.
It takes more than just the emotional support of friends, family, professors, and mentors to enable students to take creative risks of expression. As a college, we remain committed to providing these aspiring arts professionals with scholarships, financial assistance, and the industry-ready equipment, facilities, and opportunities to further develop their skills outside the classroom. Our resolve is steadfast, but we need your continued support to sustain and expand our educational mission, ensuring our students have the tools necessary to succeed. Please consider a donation of any amount to the Dean’s Fund for Excellence today.
I thank you for being here, for your ongoing support, and for your conviction in the power of the arts. Together, we can accomplish the extraordinary.
Sincerely,
Arnold Holland, EdD Dean, College of the Arts
PROGRAM HAJAR
Libretto and Music by
Elisabeth Mehl Greene
David Bergstedt, piano
Bryce Rivera, conductor
Characters
Hajar – late 20’s Syrian mother
Ismail – 6-10 year-old son of Hajar, loves soccer
Teta – Hajar’s mother
Bram – 30’s Syrian-American father of Ismail, lives in DC
Omar – Neighbor/family friend of Hajar, Ismail, and Teta
Rima, Iman, and Farid – Syrians crossing the border to Turkey
Jamal – Smuggler taking groups across the Turkish border
Adalet and Büsra – Turkish refugee camp officials
Nevada – Homeland Security officer at BWI Airport
Sarai – Homeland Security officer, immigration detention facility near Baltimore
Aminah – Somali refugee
Mario – Salvadoran refugee
Thura – Burmese refugee
Jibril – Director of the NGO Safia-Marwa in Mexico
Elisabeth Mehl Greene’s new opera retells the Jewish and Islamic stories of Hagar/Hajar, casting Hajar as a contemporary Syrian refugee mother trying to reach safety in America with her young son. Hajar confronts the immigration crisis in the United States and worldwide, challenging the acceptance of policies that resist compassion.
The person of Hagar/Hajar is something of a mystery in both Jewish and Islamic traditions. In Hebrew, the name Hagar might be understood as fugitive or immigrant. In Arabic, we might read migration in the name Hajar. There are gaps in her stories, contradictions, surprising plot twists. Though she emerges as a strong woman and fierce protector of her son, her movements are fraught with danger and difficulty. She is left alone in the desert where only God can guide her steps. And in the religious source material, Hajar’s voice is often absent, her point of view obscured.
In this new opera, Hajar’s travels take mother and son further than the spring beside the road to Shur in the Hebrew Bible, or the hills of Safa and Marwa in the Islamic tradition. Hajar contemplates a journey across borders governed by policies that locate the young family in xenophobic narratives about refugees. Again, her obstacles are great, and her resources are few, but here Hajar’s voice is finally central.
Hajar begins in her home country of Syria with her young soccer-loving son Ismail, where she must decide whether to risk staying in a country torn by conflict, or to seek refuge in the United States. Bram, Ismail’s father, has settled in the DC area, and Hajar expresses her hopes to reunite with her love and bring together father and son, dreaming in English. Hajar debates the merits of the migration
with her mother Teta and neighbor Omar, but ultimately makes the choice on her own. Hajar prepares to leave and bids her mother goodbye.
Hajar and Ismail meet a smuggler who agrees to take them across the border to Turkey with a group of other Syrians. Despite a difficult crossing, they make it to a refugee camp in Turkey and seek help from the UNHCR for refugee status in the US. The camp’s baffling bureaucracy and dire conditions make the situation seem hopeless, and their endeavor is further imperiled by a new executive travel ban. Time passes in the camp, and Hajar wonders if she has chosen the wrong path, bringing her son to this in-between place, but she carries an email from Bram which sustains her belief in the dream of America.
On arrival at Baltimore, immigration officials separate Hajar from her son, and rigorously interrogate her. Ismail pleads with officials in broken English to bring back his mother. Bram reveals that he is now married to Homeland Security agent Sarai and denies remaining feelings for Hajar after their long separation. Hajar’s heart is broken, facing betrayal by Bram, the death of her plan to live in the United States, and potentially losing her son forever. Hajar and the other refugees in detention grapple with their losses, confronting desperate uncertainties.
Through the intervention of a mysterious new friend, Jibril, Mexico accepts Hajar and her son Ismail’s request for asylum, and US officials reunite mother and son, arranging for their permanent departure from the US. Hajar and Ismail discover home in Mexico to be the unexpected provision of God, though reality is vastly different from their former American dreams.
OPERA DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Since arriving here at Cal State Fullerton, it has been my dream and my goal to add an additional component to our opera ‘season’, beyond the already successful fall semester scenes program and spring semester full production. In this, the maiden year for this venture, the graduate students of the CSUF Opera Theatre, assisted by a few of our seniors, we are very proud to present to you this concert version of Elisabeth Mehl Greene’s wonderful and powerful new opera, Hajar. I hope this will be the springboard for presenting chamber and/ or new operas each year, and for many reasons, this is the perfect way to begin that tradition. The opera was premiered by the Maryland Opera Studio at the University of Maryland, my alma mater, the opera was suggested to me by Michael Ching, who worked with our students when we presented his opera Buoso’s Ghost in 2022, and I was an adjudicator for the National Opera Association’s Dominick Argento Chamber Opera Competition, in which Hajar was a finalist. And lastly, the unforeseen timeliness of this performance, a story of those seeking a new and better life being turned away, cannot be overstated. Please know that we are thrilled that you are here and that you are always welcome. I hope you enjoy tonight’s performance.
Kerry Jennings
ABOUT THE OPERA COMPOSER
Elisabeth Mehl Greene is a composer of music and words working in the Washington DC area with a doctorate from the University of Maryland. Her opera Hajar won a commission from the University of Maryland and was a finalist for the Dominick Argento Chamber Opera Competition. Her scenes written at Tapestry Opera’s Composer-Librettist Laboratory receive performances around the US and Canada. DC area choir, Six Degree Singers, premiered her choral works including COLOR, an eleven-movement piece for choir and instruments. Greene’s bilingual children’s opera, Ce que raconte le conte / How the Story Goes was performed at Lycée Rochambeau. Her first opera, Reading Lolita in Tehran, was read by the Maryland Opera Studio’s New Works Initiative. She is the author of Tobit Detours and Lady Midrash: Poems Reclaiming the Voices of Biblical Women; her literary work appears in 45th Parallel, CIRQUE, Lucky Jefferson, NonBinary Review, Mid-Atlantic Review, Untold Volumes, VoiceCatcher, Mizna, and the Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion
shape the future of the arts
The College of the Arts at Cal State Fullerton is one of the largest comprehensive arts campuses in the CSU system. We proudly serve as an academic institution of regional focus with national impact that combines rigorous arts training with cross-disciplinary exploration to encourage the artistic expression and individual achievement of thousands of arts students daily.
Many of these students face personal and financial challenges that prevent them from continuing their education. You can help! The Dean’s Fund for Excellence provides students in need with funding for immersive, off- and oncampus experiences that contribute to their academic success, including CSU Summer Arts, conferences, and study abroad programs.
Shape the future of the arts! Consider making a gift of any amount to the Dean’s Fund for Excellence today.
$500,000 + Mrs. Junko Klaus
$100,000-$499,999
Johnny Carson Foundation
$50,000-$99,999
CSU Northridge Foundation
Leo Freedman Foundation
Ms. Susan Hallman in Memory of Ernie Sweet ‘77
Mr. Matthew Scarpino & Ms. Karyn Hayter
Mr. Steve & Mrs. Robin Kalota
Dr. Sallie Mitchell*
Dr. Tedrow & Mrs. Susan Perkins
Mrs. Louise Shamblen
$25,000 - $49,999
Mr. Darryl Curran
Mrs. Lee C. Begovich
Mrs. Marilyn Carlson
Ms. Mary A. and Mr. Phil Lyons
Mr. Bob & Mrs. Terri Niccum
Mr. Ernest & Mrs. Donna Schroeder
Dr. Ed & Mrs. Sue Sullivan
$10,000-$24,999
Dr. Joseph & Dr. Voiza Arnold
Mr. John Aimé & Ms. Robin de la Llata Aimé
Dr. Marc Dickey
Mrs. Evelyn Francuz
Mr. Edward & Mrs. MaryLouise Hlavac
Ms. Kathleen Hougesen
Ms. Kathy Mangum
Mr. James & Mrs. Eleanore Monroe
Mrs. Norma Morris
Mr. John Brennan & Ms. Lucina Moses
$5,000-$9,999
Mr. Nick & Mrs. Dottie Batinich
Continuing Life LLC
Ms. Harriet Cornyn
Mr. William S. Cornyn
Dedicated 2 Learning
Mr. Richard & Mrs. Susan Dolnick
Ebell Club Of Fullerton
Friends of Jazz, Inc.
Dr. Margaret Gordon
DONOR APPLAUSE
Mr. Norm & Mrs. Sandy Johnson
Ms. Teri Kennady
Mrs. Jill Kurti Norman
Mrs. Bettina Murphy
Mr. David Navarro
Dwight Richard Odle Foundation
Dr. Stephen Rochford, DMA
Southern California Arts Council
Swinerton Builders
Mr. Framroze & Mrs. Julie Virjee
$1,000-$4,999
Mr. John A. Alexander & Mr. Jason Francisco
Mrs. Judy Atwell
Mrs. Lois Austin
Mr. Tod Beckett-Frank
Ms. Karen Bell
Mr. John &
Ms. Shanon M. Fitzpatrick
Dr. Keith & Mrs. Renae Boyum
Mr. Allan & Mrs. Janet Bridgford
Mrs. Marion Brockett
Dr. Vince & Mrs. Jane Buck
Mr. James & Mrs. Diane Case
Mr. Stephen Collier & Ms. Joann Driggers
Mr. William H. Cunliffe, Jr.
D Barry Schmitt Trust
Ms. Jeannie Denholm
Mr. Gordon & Mrs. Lorra Dickinson
Mr. Kenneth & Mrs. Stacey Duran
Mr. Greg & Mrs. Shawna Ellis
Ms. Judi Elterman
Dr. Anne Fingal
Fullerton Families & Friends Foundation
The Jane Deming Fund
Mrs. Marsha Gallavan
Mrs. Terie Garrabrant
Dr. Leon & Mrs. Annette Gilbert
Mrs. Janet M. Green
Mr. James Henriques
Mr. David &
Mrs. Margret Hoonsbeen
Mr. Mike Ibanez
Mr. Darren &
Mrs. Tatyana Jones
Ms. Michelle H. Jordan
Ms. Gladys Kares
*deceased
Very special care has been given to the prepartion of this donor list. For questions or concerns, please contact: Ann Steichen | 657-278-3347
Ronald L. Katz
Family Foundation
Mr. Raymond & Mrs. Masako Kawase
Mr. Jeffrey & Mrs. Gayle Kenan
Dr. Kristin Kleinjans & Mr. Anthony Dukes
Mrs. Shirley Laroff
Mr. Lynn & Mrs. Susan Lasswell
Mrs. Marilyn Little
Mr. Juan Lopez
Mr. Paul Coluzzi & Mr. John Martelli
Dr. George& Mrs. Karen Mast
Mrs. Thelma Mellott
Mr. Michael & Mrs. Mary Miguel
Mr. Carl Mrs. Patricia Miller
Stifel Nicolaus
Mr. Ujinobu & Mrs. Yoshino Niwa
Mr. Colin Connor & Ms. Debra Noble
Dr. Arie & Mrs. Deanna Passchier
Mr. Jarrold Petraborg
Mr. John Phelps & Mrs. Kerry Laver-Phelps
Mr. Jim Plamondon
Mr. E. B. & Mrs. Linda Powell
Mr. Robert Rennie & Mrs. Nancy Rennie
Ms. Christine Rhoades
Ms. Mary Rupp
Mr. Thaddeus & Mrs. Eleanor Sandford
Mrs. Rita Sardou
Mr. D. Schmitt
Mrs. Martha Shaver
Mrs. Ingrid R. Shutkin
Ms. Barbara Kerth & Ms. Lorena Sikorski
Ms. Janet Smith
South Coast Repertory
Ms. Ann Sparks
Mr. Robert & Mrs. Roberta Sperry
Mr. Douglas Stewart
Mr. Tom & Mrs. Carolyn Toby
Liqi Tong
Viet Tide
Ms. Verne Wagner
Dr. Sean & Dr. Tina L. Walker
Dr. Robert & Mrs. Teri Watson
Dr. Wayne & Dr. Ruth Zemke
Gifts received from July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
ONTIVEROS SOCIETY
The Ontiveros Society includes individuals who have provided a gift for Cal State Fullerton through their estate plan. We extend our deep appreciation to the following Ontiveros Society members, whose gifts will benefit the students and mission of the College of the Arts:
ANONYMOUS
JOHN ALEXANDER
LEE & DR. NICHOLAS A.* BEGOVICH
GAIL & MICHAEL COCHRAN
MARC R. DICKEY
JOANN DRIGGERS
BETTY EVERETT
CAROL J. GEISBAUER
& JOHN* GEISBAUER
SOPHIA & CHARLES GRAY
MARYLOUISE & ED HLAVAC
GRETCHEN KANNE
DR. BURTON L. KARSON
ANNE L. KRUZIC*
LOREEN & JOHN LOFTUS
ALAN A. MANNASON*
WILLIAM J. MCGARVEY*
DR. SALLIE MITCHELL*
ELEANORE P. & JAMES L. MONROE
LYNN & ROBERT MYERS
MR. BOB & MRS. TERRI NICCUM
DWIGHT RICHARD ODLE*
SHERRY & DR. GORDON PAINE
*deceased
DR. JUNE POLLAK
& MR. GEORGE POLLAK*
DR. STEPHEN M. ROCHFORD
MR. STAN MARK RYAN ‘75
MARY K. & WILLIAM SAMPSON
LORENA SIKORSKI
DOUGLAS G. STEWART
ANDREA J. & JEFFREY E. SWARD
RICHARD J. TAYLOR
VERNE WAGNER
RICHARD WULFF
DR. JAMES D. & DOTTIE YOUNG*
The College of the Arts Proudly Recognizes the 300+ Members of Our VOLUNTEER SUPPORT GROUPS
ALLIANCE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS: The Alliance for the Performing Arts (formerly MAMM) benefits performing arts students through underwriting visiting artists; special theatre, dance, and music performances; and other unique experiences for members.
SPECIAL SUPPORT AND EVENT UNDERWRITING
Judy Atwell
Drs. Voiza & Joe Arnold
Dr. Margaret Faulwell Gordon
Susan Hallman
Norma Morris Richard Odle Estate
Kerry & John Phelps
Jeanie Stockwell Verne Wagner
ART ALLIANCE: Art Alliance promotes excellence and enjoyment in the visual arts, and their fundraising efforts contribute to student scholarship, gallery exhibitions, opening receptions and sculpture acquisition on campus.
SPECIAL SUPPORT AND EVENT UNDERWRITING
Fay Colmar
John DeLoof
Joann Driggers & Steve Collier
Loraine Walkington
MUSIC ASSOCIATES: Music Associates maintains a tradition of active involvement and community support, and raises scholarship funds for School of Music students through annual fundraising events and membership dues.
SPECIAL SUPPORT AND EVENT UNDERWRITING
Marilyn Carlson
Evelyn K. Francuz
Sandy & Norm Johnson
Marti & Bill Kurschat
Karen & George Mast
Thelma & Earl Mellott
Bettina Murphy
Grace & Ujinobu Niwa
Kerry & John Phelps
Mary & Jerry Reinhart
Ann & Thad Sandford
Dodo V. Standring
Carolyn & Tom Toby
John Van Wey
MORE INFORMATION: Haley Sanford • 657-278-2663
There are many ways to support the College of the Arts, the School of Music, Department of Theatre and Dance, and Department of Visual Arts
COLLEGE OF THE ARTS • SELECT
College of the Arts Galleries Exhibitions
Vitae: A New Generation
Chris O’Leary: Gravity Well
Michelle Emami: Arcana Past Forward (Redux) Through May 17
Sergei Babayan, piano
February 16 • Meng Concert Hall
Sō Percussion*
February 20 • Meng Concert Hall
Hajar: Opera In Concert
February 21 • Recital Hall
University Symphony Orchestra feat. Music Associates’ Student Concerto/Aria
Competition Winner
February 23 • Meng Concert Hall
World Citizen Band with Fullerton Chamber Jazz Ensemble
February 26 • Meng Concert Hall
Advanced Vocal Workshop with guest Michael Schütze, piano
March 6 • Recital Hall
Significant Other March 6–15 • Hallberg Theatre
Collage: 18th Annual Benefit Concert
March 8 • Meng Concert Hall
Dr. Joni Prado, soprano & Dr. Kerry Jennings, tenor, with Michael Schütze, piano
March 9 • Meng Concert Hall
Mela Quartet
March 12 • Meng Concert Hall
University Singers & Concert Choir
March 15 • Meng Concert Hall
Bill Cunliffe & Alison Edwards, duo piano
March 16 • Meng Concert Hall
Tuesday Matinée
March 18 • Recital Hall
Ralph Farris, viola, with CSUF Wind Symphony and Rodolfo Zuniga, percussion
March 18 • Meng Concert Hall
Spring Awakening
March 20–29 • Young Theatre
Talich Quartet
March 28 • Meng Concert Hall
University Symphony Orchestra with the Talich Quartet
March 30 • Meng Concert Hall
Inna Faliks, piano
April 8 • Meng Concert Hall
Brightwork New Music and HEX Vocal Ensemble*
April 9 • Meng Concert Hall
Ernest Salem, violin and Alison Edwards, piano
April 13 • Meng Concert Hall
Mozart’s The Magic Flute
April 17–26 • Little Theatre
Fullerton Jazz Chamber Ensemble and Fullerton Latin Ensemble
April 22 • Meng Concert Hall
Cello Choir
April 25 • Recital Hall
University Symphonic Winds
April 27 • Meng Concert Hall
CSUF New Music Ensemble and CSUF Contemporary Chamber Music Ensemble*
April 30 • CPAC 119
University Band
April 30 • Meng Concert Hall
Spring Dance Theatre
May 1–10 • Little Theatre
Fullerton Jazz Orchestra
May 2 • Meng Concert Hall
University Wind Symphony
May 3 • Meng Concert Hall
Jazz Singers
May 5 • Meng Concert Hall
Titan Voices & Singing Titans
May 7 • Meng Concert Hall
University Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Chorus
