A Light at the End of the Tunnel – Performance Program

Elmhurst University presents

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

featuring CONCERT CHOIR & CHAMBER SINGERS MAY 17, 2021 ∙ 1:45 PM & 3:45 PM Sarah J. Catt, Director of Choral Activities Stephen Uhl, Collaborative Pianist

COVID Considerations Welcome!

Out of respect for fellow audience members and performers, we ask that you follow all of these safety precautions: Keep masks on at all times.

Sit 6 feet apart from other parties.

Refrain from eating and drinking in the space.

Clear the space during our 20-minute intermissions and air exchanges. The choir will leave the auditorium first. We ask the audience to quickly and safely exit as well, per recommended COVID-19 choral singing procedures.

We ask that you hold your applause until the end of each half hour set of music, not only for musical purposes, but also to stay within our half hour of safe singing time.

Thank you for following all of these safety measures and allowing everyone to have a safe concert experience.

A note...

Our performance this afternoon is the culmination of our collective experiences across this last year. The two student choirs you see before you are made up of some of the most inspiring human beings you may ever meet. Like most, these performers have experienced obstacles, barriers, and traumas. But they have also found growth, renewal, and hope. As their director, I found myself programming music for this particular concert differently than others. I didn’t dwell on stylistic versatility, languages, or the multitude of usual considerations; rather, I first and foremost prioritized the human condition - the very motivation for all of musical creation.

And conversely, many of us continue to find music as our inspiration for more beautiful living. These human conditions are what bring you today’s concerts.

We ask that you consider the following questions that our students have been reflecting upon all semester. What does it mean to lose? To ache? To change? To hope? To find? Undoubtedly, everyone in our audience today has many answers to all of those questions. As part of our musical process, I asked students to individually reflect upon today’s concert themes and messages. The next page features one student’s beautiful writing filled with beauty, sorrow, optimism, reflection, and wisdom. Additionally, all of the text from our songs are listed in this program, with the humble hope that these poignant words and music may bring you some much deserved light and inspiration this afternoon.

Nothing about making music in today’s times is perfect. Still, it is our honor to share our imperfectly perfect, beautifully human, and heartfelt music with you today. The world’s people are still on this difficult journey together, but today, the Elmhurst Choirs find ourselves encouraged, hopeful, and inspired for our future ahead and for the light at the end of the tunnel.

Thank you for joining us.

Sarah J. Ca!

… to lose …

Scraps and fragments are lost along the way.

I barely even noticed.

One by one, piece by piece; fluttering, floating away.

I didn’t even notice.

I feel before I see, an emptiness that once had been so full and strong and free.

Little by little, day by day, I do not look behind.

Until one day I turned around, with a trail to which I was blind.

A trail of fragments, scraps, and shards; How could I have missed this??

Losing myself, little by little.

Now, I’m forced to notice.

And I notice.

And I stop.

And I breathe.

And I turn behind me and walk, collecting all the scraps, piece by piece, one by one, holding tightly to what I have lost.

… to ache …

To see the humanity in others is to express the humanity of ourselves.

You are not unknowable, unlovable.

You are me.

To see myself in you is to see your humanness, your brokenness, and to love you anyways.

We are not complex.

We are simple.

You are me.

I am you.

I long to see you as you are, and nothing less.

I long to see you as you deserve to be seen.

I long for you to see me as I am, and nothing more.

I long for you to see me as I should be seen.

Look me in the eyes, and I will see you.

… to change …

Peer around the corner.

It’s okay, don’t be shy.

Let the newness fill you; With resistance you ask, “Why!” Why? Why not?

If it’s for the betterment of me and you, The grace that sees us through.

Embrace the newness, grieve the loss Of what you had before.

Only expectant eyes and eager hearts Will lift us up to soar!

… to hope …

Feet, rooted so they cannot be shaken.

Firmly planted on the ground.

And not alone.

A hundred miles away I reach for you, tenderly, fervently.

How long I have waited for you.

You.

… to find …

You cannot find when you are not looking.

You will not find when your eyes are closed.

Open your eyes; “I’m trying... I’m trying!”

Look at the wonder you now will behold.

-Lainey Hewitt

The Light at the End of the Tunnel … to lose …

CONCERT CHOIR

Nearly Insane

YSAŸE BARNWELL (b. 1946) Poetry by Mary Moore Easter Jumbled diamonds halved and quartered turned and sorted, smallest angles all the same.

Does this cutting, folding, stitching, piecing, pairing, splice of planes drive me crazy or keep me sane?

Count the sunbursts, crosses, stars.

Count the prisms, ladders, bars. Lock their union in your eye.

Does this cutting, folding, stitching, piecing, pairing, splice of planes drive you crazy or keep you sane?

Thirty-two panels, thirty-two worlds thirty-two ways to measure our days our days, our days.

Every diamond bright and cut every point aligned.

Peace in pattern’s harmony the chaos of the world contained made shining in my hands where peace has kept me sane.

TREBLE VOICES OF CHAMBER SINGERS

As the Rain Hides the Stars

ELAINE HAGENBERG (b. 1979) Text from Gaelic Prayer Jeri-Ann Day, soprano

As the rain hides the stars As the autumn mist hides the hills, as the clouds veil the blue of the sky, so the dark happenings of my lot hide the shining of your face from me.

Yet, if I may hold your hand in the darkness, it is enough, since I know, that though I may stumble in my going, you do not fall.

… to ache …

LOWER VOICES OF CHAMBER & CONCERT CHOIR

O Love

ELAINE HAGENBERG (b. 1979) Text by George Matheson (1842-1906) Sabina Fijor, cello O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee; I give thee back the life I owe, That in thy ocean depths its flow May richer, fuller be.

O Joy that seeks me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain, And feel the promise is not vain, That morn shall tearless be.

CONCERT CHOIR

Leave Me Here

DAN MESSE (b. 1968) Arr. Gregory Good Sabina Fijor, cello

I should wake up this town, my heart’s on fire.

Main road and no one’s around as the flames climb higher.

I have been here before, and I know the way.

But love seems sweeter and sure in the light of day, in the light of day.

So as I rise, I will reach for the livin’.

I’ll say no prayer, ‘cause tonight he brought me to heaven and left me here.

I could tell by his face, those two tired eyes.

It’s been a long night searching for grace, and the sun won’t rise.

Now I have been here before, though I know I am lost.

‘Cause the same place that filled me with joy is a road I crossed, just a road I crossed.

So as I rise, I will reach for the livin’.

I’ll say no prayer, ‘cause tonight he brought me to heaven and left me here.

… to change …

TREBLE VOICES OF CHAMBER & CONCERT CHOIR

Starting Now

JOCELYN HAGEN (b. 1980) Poetry by Joyce Sidman (b. 1956) It is time for us to wake: we who stumble through the day with our gripes and complaints, who drift numbly through thronging halls and streetsyou and I, who rant about injustice, who see all that is wrong in this world but believe we are shackled and powerless.

It is time to look into each other’s faces, we who glide along the surface, time to dive down and feel the currents of each other’s lives.

Time to speak until the air holds all of our voices.

Time to weave for each other a garment of brightness, Open your eyes, Feel your strength.

Bless the past.

Greet the future.

Join hands.

Right here.

Our moment: starting now.

Intermission Thank you for quickly and safely exiting the auditorium for this intermission and air exchange period. We will resume the concert in 20 minutes.

CONCERT CHOIR

Wild Forces (from The Hope of Living)

JAKE RUNESTAD (b. 1986) Text by Saint Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) Translation by Daniel Ladinsky (b. 1948)

There are beautiful, wild forces within us.

Let them turn millstones inside filling bushels that reach to the sky.

… to hope …

CHAMBER SINGERS

Hope Lingers On

LISSA SCHNECKENBURGER Arr. Andrea Ramsey My mother, when love is gone, in our darkest hour, hope lingers on.

My father, when peace is gone, in our darkest hour hope lingers on.

My sister, when equality’s gone, in our darkest hour hope lingers on.

My brother, with tolerance gone, in our darkest hour hope lingers on.

My love, when honor is gone, in our darkest hour hope lingers on.

My country, when justice is gone, in our darkest hour hope lingers on, I will not hate, and I will not fear, In our darkest hour, hope lingers here.

I will not hate, and I will not fear, In our darkest hour, hope lingers here.

CONCERT CHOIR

Do Not Be Afraid

PHILIP W. J. STOPFORD (b. 1977) Text by Gerard Markland (b. 1953) Kristina Talia, soprano Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you.

I have called you by your name; you are mine.

When you walk through the waters, I’ll be with you; you will never sink beneath the waves.

When the fire is burning all around you, you will never be consumed by the flames.

When the fear of loneliness is looming, then remember I am at your side.

When you dwell in the exile of a stranger, remember you are precious in my eyes.

You are mine, O my child, I am your Father, I love you with a perfect love.

Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you.

I have called you by your name; you are mine.

… to find …

CHAMBER SINGERS

Resilience

ABBIE BETINIS (b. 1980) Resilience, we are strong; shoulder to shoulder keep movin’ on, Resilience, make a new plan; stand up again and say yes we can Hold on!

I wanna make it and I know we will, It’s hard to keep goin’ but it’s worse to stand still.

Resilience.

CONCERT CHOIR

A Path to Each Other

JOCELYN HAGEN (b. 1980) & TIMOTHY C. TAKACH (b. 1978) Poetry by Julia Klatt Singer Khadijah Leverette, mezzo soprano Alexa Williams, mezzo soprano Tristan Ramos, tenor Robert Kildow, tenor Each word a stone We can build a wall Or a path to each other.

CHAMBER SINGERS & CONCERT CHOIR

The Road Home

STEPHEN PAULUS (1949-2014) Poetry by Michael Dennis Brown (b. 1940) Lauren Berryhill, soprano Tell me where is the road I can call my own, That I left, that I lost, so long ago?

All these years I have wandered, oh when will I know There’s a way, there’s a road that will lead me home?

After wind, after rain, when the dark is done, As I wake from a dream in the gold of day, Through the air there’s a calling from far away, There’s a voice I can hear that will lead me home.

Rise up, follow me, come away is the call, With love in your heart as the only song; There is no such beauty as where you belong, Rise up, follow me, I will lead you home.

Senior Recognition (3:45 pm concert only) At this time, we would normally encourage alumni to come up and sing with us on stage for alumni songs. However, given the recommended Covid-19 choral singing protocols, we ask that you enjoy simply listening to these songs from the safety of your own seat in the audience.

Thank you for your understanding!

CHAMBER SINGERS

The Lord Bless and Keep You

PETER C. LUTKIN (1858-1931)

CONCERT CHOIR

Praise to the Lord

GERMAN CHORALE, 1668 Arr. F. Melius Christiansen (1871-1955)

Graduating Senior Recognition CHAMBER SINGERS & CONCERT CHOIR

Elmhurst University Alma Mater

Text by HENRY G. SCHUESSLER (1899-1963) Music by HERMAN BORNE (1900-1968) Lauren Berryhill, student conductor

Where the elms in stately glory, spreading branches raise, There our cherished Alma Mater, hears our song of praise.

School we love, Elmhurst, live for aye...God shed his grace on thee; Loyal be thy sons and daughters, to thy memory.

Student days will soon be over, for our happy throng, Still we’ll hold thy mem’ry precious, ever dear and strong.

School we love, Elmhurst, live for aye...God shed his grace on thee; Loyal be thy sons and daughters, to thy memory.

When life’s closing days draw nearer, sad the heart may be, Still shall dreams of youth and glory, linger long o’er thee.

School we love, Elmhurst, live for aye...God shed his grace on thee; Loyal be thy sons and daughters, to thy memory.

Concert Choir Lauren Berryhill* - President

Jadon Mckenzie

Evan Caverly

Matthew Ossmann

Kenny Cook

Diana Perez

Daniel Cruz

Tristan Ramos* - Board Member

Regina Cruz

Nina Rauzi - Vice President

Ivan Felty Emma Germann Jessica Goodreid - Board Member Sasha Graf Linnea Grooms Lainey Hewitt - Vice President Gizel Issa - Secretary

Ben Robins Abby Schaub - Social Chair Matthew Smith* - Board Member Maisie Steele Hannah Sullivan* Kristina Talia* - Board Member Adrian Trujillo*

Ethan Jankowski

Alexa Williams* - Treasurer

Gabrielle Juskey

Jessi Winston

Robert Kildow* Khadijah Leverette - Board Member

Jansen Rey Yabes *denotes Section Leader

Chamber Singers Joanna Angumei Lauren Berryhill* - Vice President Oliver Besman Daniel Cruz

Saimarie Rivera Ben Robins Joshwa Robles Allison Skiple

Jeri-Ann Day

Matthew Smith

Sarah Gross

Valencia Smith

Angelina Hermiz

Clare Songco

Lainey Hewitt

Maisie Steele

Tori Kornatowski Khadijah Leverette* Michael Lyskawka* Jadon Mckenzie Caroline Ostergard Tristan Ramos

Kristina Talia* - President Adrian Trujillo Marieli Urquiza-Trujillo Melaney Walker Jessi Winston * denotes Section Leader

Graduating Seniors Lauren Berryhill is a senior who will be student teaching in the fall at Komarek School and Glenbrook South High School. She is graduating in May of 2022 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and Performance Certificate. She has loved singing and serving in all four vocal ensembles at Elmhurst. She is incredibly grateful for the opportunities to make music alongside such kind, inspiring, and passionate musicians. Additionally, she is so thankful for the lifelong friendships that have been built through her time in the Elmhurst Choirs.

She would like to thank Professor Catt, Professor Mather, Professor Moninger, and Professor Tallman for their kind hearts and endless support.

Additionally, she is very thankful to her family and friends for their love and care! While she is sad to leave such a special home, she is excited to see the future of Elmhurst Choirs and continue on the path ahead!

Oliver Besman is a senior graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Business Management with a Minor in Sports Management. He joined Chamber Singers for his last year and has valued the memories made connecting back to the singing he took time off from. Going into his final year, he realized the impact singing had made on his life in the past and wanted to get back to it. Oliver understands that Elmhurst University has put him in a position to succeed and transformed the way he approaches life. He wants to thank his classmates, professors, and faculty who have made this such a wonderful experience. After graduating, he will be working with Pension plans in the Northern suburbs with an interest in pursuing his MBA in the future.

Regina Cruz is a graduating senior with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and minors in Medical Humanities and Psychology. She has been a member of Concert Choir for one year and Chamber Singers for half a year. Despite her short time of being in choir, she has been super grateful for all the amazing opportunities - from making music to forming new friendships! She would like to express deep gratitude to all her loved ones for the continuous love and support they have given her for the past four years. After graduation, Regina is looking forward to attending Maryville University in St. Louis to pursue her Master’s in Occupational Therapy.

Graduating Seniors Linnea Grooms is a senior who is going to student teaching in the fall for Theatre Arts Education and English. She has been a member of Concert Choir all four years and has been secretary for two of them. She has also been in Women’s Chorus and Chamber Singers. Choir has been a second home for her and she will miss the music and community dearly. She is grateful for her family, friends, and professors that have helped her get to this point.

She has loved her time here at Elmhurst creating skills and memories that will carry her forward into her career. She wishes everyone the best as they continue on their own paths.

Lainey Hewitt is a senior with a Bachelor’s in Music Education focusing on Choir, General Music, and Dance Education. She has been a member of Chamber Singers for four years, Concert Choir for three years, and has also been a member of Women’s Chorus and the vocal jazz ensemble, Blue. She has served in several leadership positions in these ensembles and is currently the Vice President of Concert Choir.

Lainey has loved her time at Elmhurst and is forever grateful for the memories she has made in the choral program. After graduating, she will be student teaching in the fall and is looking forward to having her own classroom of students and continuing to make music in her life. Lainey would like to thank her professors for their endless support and encouragement, and her friends and family for cultivating her love of music and making her the person she is today.

Robert Kildow is a senior going on to student teaching. He will be graduating in the Fall of 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. He has been a member of the Concert Choir since the Spring of 2020. He is also a member of the Elmhurst Wind Ensemble and has played clarinet with them since the Spring of 2019. He has been grateful for the opportunities the university and music have afforded him these past few years to help him grow as a musician and as a person.

He would like to thank his parents for always supporting him in his musical endeavors and for his professors for providing guidance through his education. He is excited to move onward and upward, thanks to the diverse and enriching musical experiences he has received as a student at Elmhurst University. He is ready to give back to the next generation of students.

Graduating Seniors Nina Rauzi is a senior with a Bachelor’s in Music Education focusing on Choir and General Music.

She has been a member of Concert Choir for three years and has also been a member of Women’s Chorus and Blue. She has served as Vice President for Concert Choir the past two years. She has loved every moment of her journey at Elmhurst University. She thanks God for all He has provided for her throughout her college years. She is grateful for all of the people she has met, professors, colleagues, and friends that have impacted her. Lastly, she thanks her family for supporting her through her college journey in so many ways. In the fall, she is looking forward to student teaching at an elementary and a middle school. She is excited to have her own classroom and help her students grow through music as students, musicians, and humans.

Kristina Talia is a senior Music Education major who is excited and eager to complete her student teaching experience in the Fall! She will be student teaching at Erickson Elementary School and Hinsdale Central High School. Kristina has been part of the Elmhurst University choral program for four full years, across multiple ensembles. She is grateful to have been a member of Concert Choir for three and a half years, Chamber Singers for three years, Women’s Chorus for one year, and Blue Vocal Jazz Ensemble for one year. Kristina has also served in several leadership positions across the various choirs; but, she is most thankful for her time as President of Chamber Singers. Kristina is so grateful for every experience, lesson, and memory made while making music. She would like to thank her family, friends, and inspiring Professors.

Kristina is looking forward to teaching the next generation of young musicians!

Congratulations

Elmhurst University Class of 2021!

A few words for our seniors...

Dear 2021 Seniors, I have already shared lots of quotes with the incredible seniors graduating this year, so I will leave you with just one last one: “It is the artists of the world, the feelers and thinkers, who will ultimately save us, who can articulate, educate, defy, insist, sing, and shout the big dreams. Only the artists can turn the not-yet into reality.”

I believe in all of you wholeheartedly. Congratulations and thank you for your kind and inspiring leadership. I am ready to see you transform our reality for the better. You will always have a beautiful home with the Elmhurst Choirs.

With love and gratitude, prof catt

To the 2021 Seniors, It’s been a real honor to be part of your journey here at Elmhurst University. What a joy it has been to see you grow and flourish, ready to take on the world! You’ve learned so many life skills, especially in the past year and a half – perseverance in the face of adversity, truly understanding the joy of making music with friends, and adaptability in every situation just to name a few! These will serve you well in the years to come! Know that you will always have a home with the choirs at Elmhurst. And that as our choral department alumni, we expect to see you at concerts and Homecoming on campus in the future.

Every Women’s Chorus Retreat ends with what has come to be known as “Mama Donna” time. I will leave you with a quote I have shared with them “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you did not do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

--Mark Twain Much love to all of you! Congratulations Graduates!

Donna Peterson Tallman

Dear 2021 Seniors, Thank you for sharing your light. Thank you for your love, hard work, and perseverance. Our world is better because of you. I am looking forward to seeing how you continue to shape the future of this planet.

In collaboration, Stephen

ELMHURST UNIVERSITY MUSIC DEPARTMENT Dr. Peter Griffin, department chair Kate Reeter and Trish Thoren, secretarial staff

ELMHURST UNIVERSITY CHORAL FACULTY Alyssa Allgood, director of blue vocal jazz Gayle Bisesi, director of late night blues vocal jazz Sarah J. Catt, director of choral activities Donna Peterson Tallman, director of women’s chorus Scott Uddenberg, director of choral union Stephen Uhl, collaborative pianist

ELMHURST UNIVERSITY VOICE FACULTY Susan Dennis Brenda Lualdi, chair Jennifer Mather Amy Pickering Scott Uddenberg

SPECIAL THANKS TO...

Sara Heilwagen, program & poster design Mark Streder, John Towner, and Student Recording Services Taka Matsunaga for his guidance with student instrumentalists The entire outstanding Elmhurst Music Faculty Matt Smith, student worker Central Printing Custodial Staff Our generous patrons!

“There is no such beauty as where you belong.”