University Singers and Concert Choir
Robert Istad & Christopher Peterson, conductors
March 18, 2023
Framroze Virjee, President, California State University, Fullerton
Amir H. Dabirian, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Interim)
Alexander Porter, Vice President, Administration and Finance/CFO
David Forgues, Vice President, Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion
Rommel Hidalgo, Vice President, Information Technology
Tonantzin Oseguera, Vice President, Student Affairs
Gregory J. Saks, Vice President, University Advancement
Arnold Holland, EdD, Dean
Dave Mickey, Associate Dean
Bonnie Li Victorino, Academic Resource Manager
Christopher Johnson, Budget Coordinator
Heather Guzman, Assistant to the Deans
Visual Arts Special Projects, Jade Jewett
Dr. Randall Goldberg, Director, School of Music
Dr. James Hussar, Chair, Department of Visual Arts
Jamie Tucker, Chair, Department of Theatre & Dance
Jennifer Frias, Director, Nicholas & Lee Begovich Gallery
John Spiak, Director, Grand Central Art Center - Santa Ana
Ann Steichen, Director of Development
Erika Ochoa, Support Group Coordinator
Julie Bussell, Director, Marketing & Patron Services
Stephanie Tancredi, Box Office Manager
Heather Richards-Siddons
Marketing & Communications Specialist
Alvin Chiu, Graphic Designer
Jason Pano, Social Media Strategist
Greetings from the College of the Arts! It’s so good to have you back, and we have an exceptional spring season planned for you. With programming ranging from groundbreaking theatre productions to World-Premiere concerts, our spring offerings seem to shine a bit brighter this semester. On January 28, we kicked things off with the Visual Arts Modernization Project Preview Event and groundbreaking ceremony. More than 100 invited guests joined us for a sneak peek of the project as they engaged with some of the latest technology-driven art tools, experienced AR/VR project demonstrations by visual arts students, and viewed scale models of the complex. When completed, this renovation will transform our campus and community, positioning CSUF’s visual arts program – the largest in the Cal State system – as a leader in cutting-edge art education and practice within the CSUs. Follow our progress and join us on this extraordinary journey at art.fullerton.edu/vamod.
This season’s fresh slate of visual arts exhibitions and performing arts concerts and productions are sure to keep you coming back to campus! Beginning February 18, Begovich Gallery presents the exhibition “Figures, Poses, and Glances: The Coded Illustrations of J.C Leyendecker,” at MUZEO Museum & Cultural Center, exploring the coded depictions of queer culture in the eradefining images of this early twentieth-century American illustrator. The School of Music honors Black History Month with a performance of “Symphony No. 1 in E minor” by composer Florence Price – the first Black female composer to have a symphony performed by a major American orchestra. In Theatre, Maria Cominis’ “Women of Zalongo” weaves together the experiences of four generations of Greek women into a story of resilience, struggle, and survival. And in May, our student dancers and choreographers collaborate in rhythmic, expressive movement as “Spring Dance Theatre” returns to the Little Theatre.
Our diverse programming mirrors the diversity of the College of the Arts and is a testament to the values we hold. We embrace the possibility inherent in each of our students and celebrate their successes alongside them on their path to becoming future artists, educators, performers, and arts professionals. As patrons, donors, friends, and family, I know you also champion their success. Demonstrate your commitment to the future of the arts by supporting the Dean’s Fund for Excellence at any level. Donate today at arts.fullerton.edu/giving
I invite you to visit to campus our again for another performance, or to check out our progress as the Visual Arts Modernization Project moves into the next phase of construction. You may have even seen the walls of one of our new buildings going up along State College Blvd! Whatever brings you here, welcome. We are so proud to show you all that the College of the Arts at Cal State Fullerton has to offer.
Arnold Holland, Ed.D. Dean, College of the Arts
Dr. Randall Goldberg • Director, School of Music
Kimo Furumoto • Assistant Director, School of Music
Bongshin Ko • Assistant Director, School of Music
FULL-TIME FACULTY
Conducting
Kimo Furumoto - instrumental
Dr. Robert Istad - choral
Dr. Dustin Barr - instrumental
Jazz and Commercial Music
Bill Cunliffe* - jazz piano; arranging; Fullerton Jazz Orchestra, Fullerton Big Band and combo director
Rodolfo Zuniga - jazz studies, jazz percussion, and music techology; Fullerton Chamber Jazz Ensemble director
Piano, Organ, Piano Pedagogy
Ning An - piano
Bill Cunliffe - jazz piano
Alison Edwards* - piano, piano pedagogy, class piano
Dr. Robert Watson - piano
Music Education, Teacher Training, and Teaching Credential
Dr. Christopher Peterson - choral
Dr. Dennis Siebenaler* - general
Dr. Gregory X. Whitmore - instrumental
Music in General Education
Dr. John Koegel*
Dr. Katherine Reed
Music History and LIterature
Dr. John Koegel - musicology
Dr. Katherine Reed - musicology
Strings
Kimo Furumoto - Director of Orchestra Studies
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. Mark Goodrich* - voice, academic voice courses
Dr. Robert Istad - Director of Choral Studies and University Singers
Dr. Kerry Jennings - Director of Opera
Dr. Christopher Peterson - CSUF Concert Choir and Singing Titans conductor
Patricia Prunty - voice, academic voice courses
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 Symphonic Winds conductor
SCHOOL OF MUSIC STAFF
Michael August - Production Manager
Eric Dries - Music Librarian
William Lemley - Audio Technician
Jeff Lewis - Audio Engineer
Chris Searight - Music Instrumental Services
Paul Shirts - Administrative Assistant
Elizabeth Williams - Business Manager
Sue Winston - Office Coordinator
* denotes Area Coordinator
music.fullerton.edu
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CONCERT CHOIR
Christopher Peterson, conductor
Elizabeth Provencio, graduate assistant conductor Mark Salters, collaborative pianist
Alleluia .......................................................................................................... Amy Gordon (b. 1986)
Cantique de Jean Racine, op.11 Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924)
Fire............................................................................................................ Katerina Gimon (b. 1993)
A Wish David V. Montoya (b. 1968)
Tenor soloists: Nathan Oelkers, Alexei Rehorn, Bryce Rivera, Reinhard Siedenburg, and Jakob Swetland
Oh, My Love’s Like a Red, Red Rose R. Scott Coulter (1925–1979)
Elizabeth Provencio, graduate assistant conductor
O Love Elaine Hagenberg (b. 1979)
My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord ........................................................ Moses Hogan (1957–2003)
UNIVERSITY SINGERS
Robert Istad, conductor
Jared Pugh and Gukhui Han, graduate assistant conductors
David Bergstedt, collaborative pianist
Soprano 1
Beatriz Avila Casillas
Jordan Birgy-Krasnoff
Kirsten Leon*
Mai Saito
Soprano 2
Corina Gonzales
Gukhui Han*
Jenna Hansen
Thalia Moore-Shearer
Alto 1
Adena Bentley
Martina Goldring
Bekka Knauer*
Ahlitney Lucas-Krebs
Alto 2
Hannah Black
Joy Dorko
Elizabeth Provencio*
Jessica Salsgiver
Tenor 1
Zachary Lindquist*
Sam Miller
Jaime Reza
Frank Watnick
Tenor 2
Abraham Cervantes
Evan Banks
David Melendez
Jared Pugh*
Baritone
Daniel Freeman
Ashton Hackwith
Emilio Lopez Felix*
Dylan Leisure
Bass
Adam Daruvala
Mitchell Sampang
Fernando Muñoz*
Bryce Livingston
* Section Leader
Soprano 1
Angel Hudak Hawkins
Lilah Hernandez
Alejandra Morales*
Nya Nulty
Hannah Park
Sara Preston
Gabrielle Roberts
Abigail Sorber*
Marissa Valenzuela
Soprano 2
Alliah Anid
Gabriela Atkinson
Sarah Cabrera
Alyssa Cavero
Irene Crain
Sarah Gediman
Sophia Khurana
Amber Napoli
Sidney Wu
Alto 1
Elizabeth Butler*
Kimberly Calica
Katelyn Cruz
Benny Fisher
Emily Hernandez
Minji Kim
Emily Morley
Savana Thomas
Alto 2
Z Dickerson*
Karlee Dix
Gabriela Gonzalez
Madeline Miranda
Marilyn Negron
Elizabeth Provencio
Hyerin Song
Korie Smith
Melanie Whiter
Tenor 1
Timothy Coleman
Aron Demarest
Juan de Leon
Josh Evans
Ryan Guidotti*
Enrique Ortega*
Reinhard Siedenburg
Tenor II
Michael Judge Ferrer
Jacob Gonzalez
Nathan Oelkers
Anthony Osborn
Alexei Rehorn
Bryce Rivera
Jakob Swetland
Baritone
Walker Dixon
Michael Kronenberg
Allan Morales
Michael Monaghan
Jeremy Peña-Barrios
Jack Pruitt
David Pulanco
Bass
Cj Koehn
Jonathan Ongman*
Ben Reyes
Miles Rojo*
* Section Leader
Robert ISTAD
Robert Istad is Director of Choral Studies at California State University, Fullerton and Artistic Director of Pacific Chorale. He regularly conducts and collaborates with Pacific Chorale, Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra, Sony Classical Records, Yarlung Records, Berkshire Choral International, and Long Beach Symphony Orchestra. Istad and Pacific Chorale are featured on an album of Tarik O’Regan’s compositions on Yarlung Records and the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s live recording of Mahler’s Eighth Symphony on Deutsche Grammophon for which Istad won a GRAMMY Award for Best Choral Performance, on April 3, 2022.
Istad has prepared choruses for a number of America’s finest conductors and orchestras, including: Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Carl St.Clair and the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, as well as conductors Esa–Pekka Salonen, Keith Lockhart, Nicholas McGegan, Vasilly Sinaisky, Sir Andrew Davis, Bramwell Tovey, John Williams, Eugene Kohn, Eric Whitacre, Giancarlo Guerrero, Marin Alsop, George Fenton, and Robert Moody. Istad is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies at California State University, Fullerton. He was recognized as CSUF’s 2016 Outstanding Professor of the Year. At CSU Fullerton, he conducts the University Singers, coordinates CSUF’s graduate choral conducting program, and teaches courses in conducting, performance practice and literature. Recently, he and the University Singers performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Andrea Bocelli, Kathleen Battle, recorded albums with Yarlung Records and with composer John Williams and Sony Classical.
Istad and his singers brought staged performances of David Lang’s little match girl passion throughout Spain in 2019. They performed a retrospective of Tarik O’Regan’s music for Distinguished Concerts International New York at Carnegie Hall in November 2015. They have performed at numerous regional and national ACDA conferences including the 2018 ACDA Western Division Conference and 2013 ACDA National Conference in Dallas, Texas. They also performed for the 2013 National Collegiate Choral Organization National Conference in Charleston, SC. Istad and the CSUF University Singers have performed all over the world, including a 2017 performance in Russia’s famous Glinka Cappella, a 2015 residency and performances in Paris, France, engagements at the 2012 Ottobeuren Festival of Music in Germany, the 2012 Eingen Festival of music in Germany, a 2010 performance for UNESCO in Pisa, Italy, and in 2008 at the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, Hungary.
Istad received his Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, his Master of Music degree in choral conducting from California State University, Fullerton, and his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral music at the University of Southern California. He studied conducting with William Dehning, John Alexander, and Jon Hurty. He serves on the Executive Board of Directors of Chorus America, and as Dean of Chorus America’s Conducting Academy, and is in demand as an adjudicator, guest conductor, speaker, and clinician throughout the nation.
Christopher PETERSON
Christopher Peterson is a teacher, conductor, choral clinician, author, editor, and choral arranger of music and books published in the United States and around the world. In his over thirty years as a music educator he has taught in elementary, middle school, high school, church, community, festival, and collegiate settings. He earned the Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Southern Maine in choral and instrumental music education and taught music for nine years in the public schools of Maine. He earned the Master of Music in Choral Conducting degree at the University of Maine, and the Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education and Choral Conducting at Florida State University.
At CSUF Peterson trains and mentors undergraduate and graduate choral music educators and conductors and directs the Concert Choir and the Singing Titans Chorus. In May of 2019 he was honored as the University-wide recipient of the CSUF Carol Barnes Award for Excellence in Teaching. He has served as State Choral Representative and Southern Section President for the California Music Educators Association (CMEA), as well as the Western Division Representative for the National Association for Music Education’s (NAfME) Council for Choral Education. He has also served the California Choral Directors Association in various offices, including CCDA President since 2021. His collegiate textbook “RESONANCE: The ART of the Choral Music Educator” is published by Pavane and is being used across the United States to train future choral music teachers and conductors.
Peterson has been invited to teach, judge, and conduct choirs in more than thirty US states, five Canadian Provinces, and nine countries including China, England, Sweden, Japan, Germany, New Zealand, and Holland, and has conducted AllState Choirs across the nation including Maine, North Carolina, Oregon, Wisconsin, and California. He also holds the position of Director of Music at Irvine United Congregational Church in Irvine, CA. His “hobby” for many decades has been enjoying singing barbershop harmony, and he is a BHS District Quartet Champion baritone, a top-5 medalist chorus director, and a four-time gold medalist with the Masters of Harmony, nine-time International Men’s Chorus Champions of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
