Richard Hynson, Music Director presents
Prayers for Mankind by Alexander Levine Sunday, October 21, 2012 at 3:00 PM The Basilica of St. Josaphat featuring Rebecca Whitney Soprano
Nathan Wesselowski Tenor
Sandra Lash Alto
Jonathan Laabs Bass and
Bel Canto Boy Choirs Ellen Mundy Shuler, Director Thank You to Our Concert Sponsors:
with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts Prayers for Mankind
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Prayers for Mankind Alexander Levine I. Morning Prayer
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Vs. 1. Hymn
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II. A Prayer for Unity
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Vs. 2. Hymn
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III. A Prayer for Humility
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Vs. 3. Hymn
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IV. I Love You, Lord
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Vs. 4. Hymn
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V. A Prayer for the Gift of Wisdom and Love Vs. 5. Hymn
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VI. A Prayer for the Disciples of Christ
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Featured artwork – Vignette Bei Einiges by Wassily Kandinsky:
Russian painter and graphic artist Wassily Kandinsky had a fascination with music’s emotional power. This woodcut in black and white was handprinted in a limited edition of 300 for his 1911 Klänge (Sounds) series. The original, along with order forms for giclée reproductions, is on display courtesy of the David Barnett Gallery. 2
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profiles RICHARD HYNSON, Music Director/ Conductor This season marks Richard Hynson’s 25th anniversary season as Music Director of the Bel Canto Chorus and Orchestra. In addition, Hynson has served as Music Director of the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra since 2006. In demand as a guest conductor, Hynson’s past engagements include performances with the Milwaukee Symphony, the Skylight Opera Theatre, and the Racine, Sheboygan, and Waukesha Symphony Orchestras. Hynson has conducted at Carnegie Hall in New York City, where he led a large national festival chorus and orchestra in Ralph Vaughan Williams’s Dona nobis pacem. In 2009, he guest-conducted the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra in one of the Concerts on the Square in Madison. He also served as the Music Director for Gathering on the Green, the popular outdoor music festival in Mequon, WI, in 2009, 2010, and 2012. Hynson and members of Bel Canto Chorus have performed internationally at the acclaimed Spoleto Music Festival in Italy, the Festivals of Troyes and Rheims in France, the Llangollen Festival in Wales, and the Elora and Huntsville Festivals in Canada. In addition to its annual concert season, the chorus is often called upon to participate in national touring performances. In July 2010, Bel Canto participated in Star Wars in Concert; and in November 2010, Bel Canto sang in the Video Games Live national touring concert. Bel Canto completed another successful international tour in July 2011, performing with several orchestras in Argentina and Uruguay. In June 2012, Bel Canto will sing three performances of Brahms’s Requiem with L’Orchestre de Bordeaux in France. In addition to his work as a conductor and educator, Hynson is a composer. He has written a substantial body of
published choral, vocal, and ensemble works, many of which he has recorded with Bel Canto Chorus singers. The U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants have frequently performed Hynson’s In the Midst of Life, composed in response to the events of September 11. Most notably, they presented it in New York City’s Avery Fisher Hall for the national conference of the American Choral Directors Association. Under Hynson’s direction, Bel Canto opened its 81st season on Sunday, September 11, 2011, with United We Stand in Cathedral Square Park in Milwaukee. This free concert marked the tenth anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks, and featured Mozart’s Requiem and Samuel Barber’s “Adagio for Strings” in collaboration with the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra. “The chorus sang with force and assurance, easily separating the complex vocal lines... and following Hynson’s judicious phrasing in when to hold back and when to let go.” (David Lewellen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) Also during last season, Bel Canto joined the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra to inaugurate the first commemorative concert tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. ALEXANDER LEVINE, Composer Born in Moscow in 1955, Alexander Levine studied piano and clarinet from the age of six at the Gnessin Music School, and then at the Gnessin Music Academy from 1976-80. During his college years, he also held the position of Principal Guitar in the Orchestra of Russian National Radio and Television. In the years that followed, he established himself as a composer working in collaboration with a variety of highly acclaimed performers in Russia. His compositions won prestigious awards from the Russian National Radio and Television in 1989, 1990, and 1991. In 1993, he was awarded the Wingate Foundation Scholarship to study in the Prayers for Mankind
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Postgraduate Composition course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, with Gary Carpenter and Simon Bainbridge. In the years that followed, Levine collaborated with GSMD Theatre as a composer, arranger, and music director on various productions, including War and Peace, The Beggar’s Opera, and Love’s Labour’s Lost. His other choral works include: The Drifters Trail (2001) – Orlando Consort; Kolokola (2004) – The BBC Singers; and The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (2006) – Mariinsky Opera Choir. ELLEN M. SHULER, Bel Canto Boy Choirs Director Ellen Shuler holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Montana State University and a Master of Music Education with Choral Emphasis from Florida State University. In September 2009, Shuler helped establish the Bel Canto Boy Choirs. The choirs, composed of more than 20 auditioned boys, perform choral repertoire from classical to modern. Their first three seasons included concerts with Bel Canto Chorus, the Vienna Boys Choir, Vocal Arts Academy, and Midwest Vocal Express. Currently in their fourth season, the choirs were praised by music critic Elaine Schmidt (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, October 11, 2010) as being “well-trained, nicely blended, [and] disciplined.”
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Prior to leading the Bel Canto Boy Choirs, Shuler was a director of the Milwaukee Children’s Choir for seven years, directing the first level premier choir, as well as the beginning and training choirs. She worked as the assistant director and accompanist of the Bozeman Children’s Choir in Montana, as well as for Bozeman’s Mastodon Productions, singing jingles for area businesses and back-up vocals for local artists. While in Montana, she was a member of the Bozeman Intermountain Opera Company. Shuler taught choral and general music in Idaho, Colorado, Bel Canto Chorus
and New Hampshire, as well as preprimary music and movement classes in Colorado and New Hampshire. She worked for several years as a choral music editor at Hal Leonard Corporation, where she was a contributing author to the Macmillan McGraw-Hill music education series, “Spotlight on Music” and “Music Express” magazine. Last season, Shuler was selected to be the Repertoire and Standards Chair for Children’s Choirs for the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association. In addition to her position with Bel Canto Chorus, Shuler works at the University School of Milwaukee, where she directs the Upper School Concert Choir and Swing Choir, is music director of theatrical productions in both the Middle and Upper Schools, and teaches the preprimary general music classes. She also directs the youth choirs at Mequon United Methodist Church and maintains a voice and piano studio in Mequon, WI. JONATHAN LAABS, Baritone Jonathan Laabs is a 2008 graduate of Martin Luther College, where he studied elementary education along with secondary choral and instrumental music. Previous solo engagements include Brahms’s Ein deutsches Requiem, Handel’s Israel in Egypt and Messiah, Richard Hynson’s Evensong, and the United States Premiere of Corrado Margutti’s Missa Lorca. Since joining Bel Canto, he has performed as bass section leader and member of the professional core, as well as guest conductor. In 2011, he toured with the group as a soloist in Argentina and Uruguay performing Mozart’s and Fauré’s Requiem. He has also sung with The Singers: Minnesota Choral Artists under the direction of Matthew Culloton. An experienced conductor, Laabs has served as Director of Choral Programs at Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School since 2008. He directs a
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department of more than 150 members organized into five different ensembles. In 2010, he was named the second Artistic Director of Canticum Novum: a WELS Chamber Choir. He served as a clinician at the 2010 WELS West Regional Choral Festival in West St. Paul, MN, and the 2011 National Festival in New Ulm, MN. SANDRA LASH, Alto Sandra Lash graduated from UW-Milwaukee’s Peck School of the Arts in December 2010 with a B.A. in music, focusing in operatic voice. She sang a number of roles throughout college including Miss Todd (Menotti’s The Old Maid and The Thief), Aunt Sue (Floyd’s Slow Dusk), and Venus (Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld). She has also studied many roles for various opera scenes including Dorabella (Mozart’s Così fan tutte) and Mistress Quickly (Verdi’s Falstaff). She studied under soprano Tanya Kruse-Ruck throughout her collegiate career, and previously studied under Mary Galbraith. She has worked with the Milwaukee Choral Artists, Kalliope Vocal Arts, and the East Side Chamber Players. She is currently the alto section leader and soloist at Fox Point Lutheran Church.
a soprano section leader in 2005, the same year she was named a finalist in the Bel Canto Regional Artists Competition. She also currently serves as Bel Canto’s Program and Outreach Manager. Whitney was honored to appear as the soprano soloist in Mozart’s Requiem for Bel Canto’s 9.11.11 commemorative concert, United We Stand, which was broadcast across the state on Wisconsin Public Television.
Nathan Wesselowski, Tenor Nathan Wesselowski received his Master of Music Degree in Voice Performance from The Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, OH and his Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Baker University in Baldwin City, KS. He has mostly been heard and seen in stage productions in Southeastern Wisconsin. He has performed regularly with Milwaukee Opera Theatre where most recently he has been seen in the role of The Evil Headmaster in Jason Powell’s Fortuna The Time Bender vs. The Schoolgirls of Doom and as El Gorrion in the exciting production of Maria de Buenos Aires, a joint production with Danceworks and Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra. He is currently serving as Administrative Vice President on the Board REBECCA WHITNEY, of Directors with Milwaukee Opera Soprano Rebecca Whitney received Theatre. He has also sung with Skylight Music Theatre in 13 different productions, her Bachelor of Music and performed with Florentine Opera, In Degree in Vocal Tandem Theatre, First Stage, The Fireside, Performance and Vocal Music Education from the Milwaukee Shakespeare, Bialystock & Bloom, Sunset Playhouse and Bunny University of WisconsinWhitewater. She has performed as a soloist Gumbo’s Combat Theatre. Regionally, he has performed in a wide variety of operatic with numerous groups in Southeastern Wisconsin, singing works including Handel’s roles with companies such as Cleveland Opera, Lyric Opera Cleveland, The National Messiah and Israel in Egypt, Haydn’s The Opera Company, New York Gilbert & Creation, Mozart’s Vesperae solemnes de Sullivan Players, and Ash-Lawn Highland confessore and Coronation Mass, Fauré’s Requiem, Poulenc’s Gloria, Richard Hynson’s Summer Festival. He is a member of the voice faculty at The Wisconsin Evensong, and works by Bach, Vivaldi, Vaughan Williams, and John Rutter, among Conservatory of Music. others. Whitney joined Bel Canto Chorus as Prayers for Mankind
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progr a m notes Raised in Orthodoxy, loving the Orthodox faith, and serving Christ to his last breath, Father Alexander Men always believed that loving Christ meant loving all people. And this meant loving the whole world regardless of culture or creed: “Just as the colour white absorbs the spectrum, thus does the Gospel embrace the faith of the Prophets, the Buddhist thirst for salvation, the dynamism of Zoroaster and the humanity of Confucius. It sanctifies all that is best in the ethics of the ancient philosophers and in the mysticism of the Hindu wise men.” (Epilogue of Vol. VI of the series “In Search of the Way, the Truth, and the Life”) Contemporary in their language and in the problems they give voice to, Men’s prayers in essence express the expectations of every human being living on earth. 1st Movement: Morning Prayer Man, embarking on a new day and turning to the Lord, unites himself with the world, and in return endows it with his consciousness. This prayer is filled with light, energy, hope, and an unbounded trust in the Creator. 2nd Movement: A Prayer for Unity In this prayer, Man expresses his at-oneness with humankind by expressing his at-oneness with God. By entering into his own depths, he opens himself up to God, and God opens up to him the world in its oneness and wholeness. 3rd Movement: A Prayer for Humility Father Alexander Men links the concept of humility directly to Christ when, in his human hypostasis, at the moment of extreme spiritual strain, he cries out to the Father renouncing His own will: “Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42) The process of understanding the will of the Creator is fundamental, both to the creativity of the individual, and to all of world culture. For instance, the humility of Abraham, as he acquiesced in the will of God, led to the emergence of the people of Israel and was simultaneously both a creative act of Abraham himself, and an act of divine will. By such means, humility – as submission to the supreme will – becomes an act of theanthropic will, and thereby sanctifies any act of the personal will. 4th Movement: I Love You, Lord The chief characteristic of this prayer is its intimacy. It is as if the words are proceeding from the mouth and heart of the priest himself and is, in essence, a personal confession of faith. The prayer speaks of the two basic commandments of the Old Testament: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength;” and “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Mark 12:30-31) At the same time, Father Alexander Men speaks clearly of the new commandment that Christ gave to his disciples: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” (John 13:34) Therein lies the grace-filled power of this prayer: the power of love which comes from God; love as a gift and an inheritance; and love which binds the hearts of men in unity, as the Lord has loved them. 5th Movement: A Prayer for the Gift of Wisdom and Love This prayer is very passionate and its dramaticism unfolds in the realm of human relations. Father Alexander Men always believed that people cannot overcome their numerous vices and spiritual flaws on their own, without help from above. Therefore, the basic motif here is a plea for the provision of grace-filled help. 6
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6th Movement: A Prayer for the Disciples of Christ The concluding prayer of the symphony is a prayer of thanksgiving. It sums up, as it were, the experience of two millennia of Christianity. At the same time, Father Alexander unfolds its content so that it is turned towards present-day Mankind, and makes the prayer a new starting point. In his words: “Christianity, my friends, has only begun, it is a universal religion, for it a thousand years are but as one day. This is only the beginning, only the first steps.” For Father Alexander, being a pupil of Christ meant a complete and untiring participation in the transfiguration of the world in human hearts. As he himself said: “The disciples of Christ are they who have become fully reconciled to God and have received the seal of the Holy Spirit, they who together tread His path and whose mutual relations are based on an eternal and unshakeable spiritual bond – Christ Himself.” As it has been written: “He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5) -Alexander Levine, 2010
Do you know a boy who loves to sing? Join the Bel Canto Boy Choirs! 414.481.8801 or info@belcanto.org
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progr a m text PRAYERS FOR MANKIND A Symphony of Prayers of Father Alexander Men by Alexander Levine I. Morning prayer Lord, bless my prayer. Help me, without distraction In body and mind, To appear before Thee. Teach me to pray to Thee. Strengthen me in my belief. Grant me burning love for Thee. Sanctify, Lord, all my thoughts, My feelings and acts. Teach me to discern Thy will In every event and give me strength to do it. Stop my mouth To evil and empty words, And restrain my hand from any evil deed. Should misfortune befall me, Give me strength to accept it with steadiness And turn it into sacrifice to Thee. Make me a source of good, O Lord, For everyone I meet today. Accept my prayer for those Who don’t know Thee, And deliver them of their non-belief. I thank You, Lord, for my life, For everything that surrounds me: For those who are near, And those who are not, For the sky and the earth, And above all For Thy life-giving love. Let me, O Lord, all day Remember and thank Thee. Amen. Vs. 1 Let us who mystically represent the Cherubim, II. A Prayer for Unity Lord Jesus Christ! You have told us: where two or three Are gathered in My name, There I am in their midst. You did not desire that people Walk alone through life. You have gathered us, 8
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So that we become a single family. Grant us to fulfill Your new commandment, That we love one another As You have loved us. Grant us patience, condescension, And power over ourselves. So that we be one, As You are One with the Father and the Spirit, According to Your prayer and commandment. So, that in this dark world, Lord Jesus Christ, Our light, which issues from You, May shine through, And that people may come to know Your love In the love of the Father, in the salvation of the Son, And the communion of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Vs. 2 And who sings the thrice holy hymn to the life creating Trinity, III. A Prayer for Humility Lord, have mercy! Christ, have mercy! Jesus, meek and humble of heart, Hear me and have mercy on me! O Heavenly Father, God, have mercy on us! O Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us! O God Holy Spirit, have mercy on us! From the desire to avoid hurt – Deliver me, Jesus! From the desire to assert my opinion – Deliver me, Jesus! From the desire that my counsels be accepted – Deliver me, Jesus! From the desire to be praised – Deliver me, Jesus! From the desire to be respected – Deliver me Jesus! From the desire to be first – Deliver me Jesus! From the desire to be loved – Deliver me, Jesus! From the fear of being forgotten – Deliver me, Jesus! From the fear of being suspected – Deliver me, Jesus! From the desire of being unknown – Deliver me, Jesus! From the fear of being misunderstood – Deliver me, Jesus! From the fear of being rejected
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– Deliver me, Jesus! From the fear of being slandered – Deliver me, Jesus! From the fear of being humiliated – Deliver me, Jesus! From the fear of being ridiculed – Deliver me, Jesus! When others are valued more highly than I – Help me, Jesus, to bear this with love! When others are accepted, and I am ignored – Help me, Jesus, to bear this with love! When the first place is given to others – Help me, Jesus, to bear it with love! When others are esteemed to be more righteous than I – Help me, Jesus, to bear this with love! When others are loved more than I – Help me, Jesus, to bear this with love! That I do not strive for high places – Grant me, Jesus, the grace of humility and love! That for the sake of Your Glory I willingly fulfill Unpleasant duties – Grant me, Jesus, the grace of humility and love! That I may see God’s will in the commands of those who are older – Grant me, Jesus, the grace of humility and love! That I may in deed, just as in words, Forgive hurts – Grant me, Jesus, the grace of humility and love! That I may treat all with love, and especially those Who condemn me – Grant me, Jesus, the grace of humility and love! That I may speedily be moved to contrition – Grant me, Jesus, the grace of humility and love! That I may love poverty and humiliation – Grant me, Jesus, the grace of humility and love! Lamb of God, Who have taken upon Yourself the sins of the world, – Forgive us, O Lord! Lamb of God, Who have taken upon Yourself the sins of the world, – Hear us, O Lord! Lamb of God, Who have taken upon Yourself the sins of the world, – Have mercy on us, O Lord! Jesus, meek and humble of heart, Hear my petitions and grant, according to Your mercy, That I may with joy agree to be inconspicuous on earth, And that Your Glory and Your love be my joy!
Amen. Vs. 3 Now lay aside all earthly cares, IV I love You, Lord I love You, Lord, I love You more than anything else in the world, For You are the true joy of my soul. For Your sake I love my neighbour as myself. Vs. 4 That we may receive the King of All, Who comes invisibly upborne by the angelic hosts. V. A Prayer for the Gift of Wisdom and Love From a sermon on the commemoration day of St Andrew of Crete. Lord! How much madness, foolishness And narrow-mindedness there is in us, And wisdom and love are with You! Lord, give us at least a spark Of Your wisdom and love Which are embodied in Your word. Vs. 5 Alleluia VI. A Prayer for the Disciples of Christ Blessed is our God Always, Now and Ever And to the ages and ages. Blessed are You, our Father, Who have created heaven and earth, light and darkness, flowers and the stars – Blessed are You, Who have created the fields and the hills, The seas and the plains and all that lives in them – Who have created us in Your image and likeness – Who have given us reason, and conscience, and power to create – Who have revealed to us Your will – Who have put in our hearts Your Law – Who have taught us Your Truth – Who have granted us the Covenant and the Promise – Who have chosen Your children from all the ends of the earth – Blessed are You! Blessed are You who have shown Yourself in Your Son – Glory to You! Born of a Virgin – Prayers for Mankind
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Who have abased Yourself for our salvation – Who became incarnate for us Men – Who have undergone labours and sorrows, hunger and thirst – Who have shown us the true path of life –
Teach us to see the main things in life, The one thing that is needed.
You have granted us the forgiveness of sins in the mercy of the Father – You have proclaimed to us the joy of the sons of God – You have proclaimed the New Covenant in Your blood – You have shared with the world torment and death – You have conquered hell and established Your Kingdom –
May everything good and beautiful in the world Remind us of You.
You have promised to abide with us till the end of the world – Blessed are Your righteous Judgment and Your mercy – Glory to You!
Grant us to be mindful of the brevity of life, So that remembrance of death be for us A strength of diligence and service.
Blessed are You who have shown Yourself through the power of Your Spirit – Forsake us not! You strengthen Your Church with Your Spirit – You show Your power in our weakness – You receive us into Your bosom through Holy Baptism – You join us to Yourself in the Holy Chalice – You give grace to Your servants – You heal our infirmities, our souls and bodies – You protect our homes, our labours and our lives – Forsake us not. Jesus Christ, Son of God, Who has revealed for us the Heavenly Father, That we may be Your disciples. Glory to You. You promised to give peace to our souls. But You do not desire slothful servants. Blessed are You. Give us strength to stand on guard and Give us strength to be wakeful. That we may be faithful to You, to You only. Glory to You. Teach us to do everything before Your countenance. Bless us, bring us and make us Your children. Blessed are You. Grant us strength to fulfill Your will and Your covenant. Teach us to do good. Protect us from the leaven of the Pharisees 10
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Help us to free ourselves of sin, of idleness, of inertia of spirit.
May the evil of the world serve as a warning to us. That we may see in sinners a mirror of our sins. Teach us to see brothers in those Who think differently from us, In those of other beliefs and unbelievers.
Implant in us the ability to forgive, to love and to give away. Teach us to live in prayer. Grant us now to be communicants of Your Kingdom. Teach us to hate sin, and not the sinner. Grant us the strength to witness to You. Do not let us be vain, petty, or empty. May You be for us the Alpha and the Omega In this life and in eternity. That we may be Your disciples. Amen.
© Alexander Men Foundation, 1995. Reprinted with kind permission of the publisher. Translation © N.S. Matveyev.
b e l c a n to c h o r u s Lindsey Adams+ Vaughn Ausman Kevin Bailey+ Tom Barnum Jonathon Bartos+ Renee Bartos Kelly Bartyczak Alison Bayne Carol Bayne Jan Becker Deborah Betsworth Sara Bitner CarolAnne Bozosi Susan Brown Marc Cohen Peter Craig Sarah DiMarco Elaine Ernst Christine G. Fitch Emily Fox Naomi Fritz Josefina Z. S. Gardinier Janet Gibeau Andrea S. Goetzinger+ Eileen Griffiths Lynn Gutoski James U. Hammond Brett Hanisko Joshua Hart Keith Heidmann Joan Henkel James Hill Craig Hoffmann Glenna Holstein Dan Holzmiller Jeanne Houle
Sally D. Hoyt Katherine Hughes Kathleen Hughes+ Michelle Hynson+ Elizabeth Janicek Susi Kiefer Kieth Klemp Kyle Kolberg Russell Kopitzke+ Steven Kunda Erin Laabs+ Jonathan A. Laabs+ Penny Laferriere Lindsay Lamm Sandra Lash+ Angela Lee Gary Lesko John W. Lettermann+ Loretta Jelinek Lieske K. David Lupardus Barbara L. Lyons Patrick C. Lyons Carol Lynne McKean TJ Perlick Molinari Stacey Naffah Erik Olson Sarah Pabbathi Andrea Pelloquin Marjorie Piechowski Alexandra Pieper Catherine Pirrello Scott Pullen+ John Reinardy Betty Reul David Reul Kay Richardson
Marie Romero Susan Rugg Kerry Saver Kathleen Schilz Kate Schmitt Glenn Schumann Sarah Schwab Joe Skurzewski Nicolas Sluss-Rodionov+ Susan Chamberlin Smith William R. Smith+ Binette Solomon Philip Starr Joan Stevens James D. Stout Sheila Strock Lora Sunder Jon Szczepaniak Tim Szczepaniak Ken Tazelaar Kim Terek Mary Thiele Tom Thiele Carolyn Tramel Kristin Traut Tom Treder Fausta Urboniene Sarah Warran Jennifer W. Watson Nathan Wesselowski+ Hazel Wheaton Rebecca Whitney+ Alyssa Wilda Jessica Wirth +Denotes Section Leader
b e l c a n to b o y s c h o i r s Elias Baldino Kai Bartl Peter Boyland Brody Drews Kevin Eberle Teddy Esten Joshua Hodge Evan Hunter
William Kenealey Sam Laferriere Brodie Mutschler Ahokava Paea Nathan Rausch Ethan Shuler Philip Shuler Trevor Smith
Oliver Stockel Aidan Treder Daniel Wallace Joseph Wiebersch Michael Wiebersch Jordan Yoon-Buck
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b e l c a n to c h o r u s o r g a n i z at i o n Board of Directors President............................................................................................................................. Merilou Gonzales President-Elect.......................................................................................................................Martin Tierney Treasurer..........................................................................................................................................Jim Hyland Secretary.......................................................................................................................................... Tom Thiele Chorus Representative ..................................................................................................................... Jim Hill Joshua Blakely, Marc Cohen, Tyler Draheim, Patrick Foran, Todd Jones, Betty Reul, Ariana Voigt Artistic Staff Music Director/Conductor.............................................................................................. Richard Hynson Assistant Conductor/Accompanist.............................................................................Michelle Hynson Boy Choirs Director.............................................................................................................. Ellen M. Shuler Administrative Staff Executive Director.......................................................................................................................Marla Hahn Education & Outreach Manager..................................................................................Rebecca Whitney Patron Services Manager...........................................................................................................Jim LaBelle Technical Staff Equipment Manager............................................................................................................James D. Stout Chorus Cabinet Jan Becker, CarolAnne Bozosi, Susan Brown, Elaine Ernst, Jim Hill, Susi Kiefer, Carol Lynne McKean, Marge Piechowski, Kerry Saver, Kate Schmitt, Jenny Watson b e l c a n to c h o r u s m i s s i o n s tat e m e n t The mission of Bel Canto Chorus is to enrich the lives of its audiences and singing members through the outstanding presentation of the finest choral music, and to reach out to the community in order to share the benefits and the joy of the singing arts. b e l c a n to c h o r u s e n d owm e n t f u n d Consider donating to Bel Canto Chorus’ Endowment Fund, where your gift to choral music can be appreciated for years to come. Whether it is a gift of stock or a check, simply indicate that you would like your investment to go toward our Endowment Fund. For more information, contact the Bel Canto office at (414) 481-8801. b e l c a n to l e g ac y s o c i e t y Members of the Bel Canto Legacy Society have agreed to include the Chorus as part of their estate planning arrangements. You may join them by contacting the Bel Canto office (414) 481-8801. Vaughn Ausman and Sally D. Hoyt Margaret E. Haggerty Kerry Saver Chris and Joanna Smocke 12
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James Steinman David and Roseann Tolan Louis Winter
ŠUPAF, Milwaukee WI. All rights reserved Bel Canto Chorus, painting by Shelby Keefe, Š2012 UPAF
Thank You! Your generous contribution to the 2012 UPAF Campaign helps us to continue improving lives with the arts. With this support, our Member Groups are able to produce more than 2,000 live performances and provide arts education programs for thousands of children annually. Donations to support the performing arts in Southeastern Wisconsin are always appreciated. Visit www.UPAF.org or call 414-273-8723. Prayers for Mankind
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ac k n ow l e d g e m e n t s ( L i s t e d
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Bel Canto Chorus wishes to thank these patrons for their generous support of our 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 seasons. Please consider adding your name to this list. Bravissimo ($5,000 +) Chuck Barnum Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation John W. Hayes, Sr. Herzfeld Foundation Sally Hoyt & Vaughn Ausman Hydrite Chemical Milwaukee County CAMPAC Nicholas Family Foundation The Riverbend Fund at Schwab Charitable Fund Jean & Peter Storer Ireene Sullivan United Performing Arts Fund Bravo ($1,000 - $4,999) Robert W. Baird Foundation Jan & Bob Becker Wendy & Marc Cohen Susan & Thomas Connor Gardner Foundation Janet Gibeau Harley-Davidson Motor Company Kathleen & Tyrrell Hughes Michelle & Richard Hynson LoRayne Kostecke Rudy Malz Keith Mardak Northwestern Mutual Foundation Betty & Dave Reul S. C. Johnson San Camillo Billie & David Smith Susan Chamberlin Smith & William Smith David Tolan Uihlein Charitable Foundation Wegner LLP William Stark Jones Foundation Inge & Frank Wintersberger 14
Bel Canto Chorus
Wisconsin Arts Board Karyn & Bernard Youso Fortissimo ($500 - $999) Carol Alexander & James Coutts American Landscape Anonymous Carole & Thomas Barnum Eloise Black Karen Bubenzer John Cullen Fund Deloitte Linda & Vincents Dindzans Direct Supply, Inc. Janice Dodson Mary Alice Tierney Dunn First Bank Financial Centre Christine & Jim Fitch Merilou Gonzales Michael Hayes & Patricia Teets Christine & James Hill Katherine Hughes Laura & Jim Hyland J. William and Lois M. Foran Family Trust Eileen & Bud Kehoe Kiwanis Club of Milwaukee Adeline & Harvey Kohn Sue & Gary Lesko Jamy & Michael Malatesta Sue Martin-Steiner & Tony Steiner In memory of D.J. Martin Patricia & Ray Mehler Linda & Jock Mutschler Marjorie Piechowski Alexandra & Richard Pieper Suzanne & Richard Pieper Ramiah Investment Group Kerry Saver Mary Schueller & Michael Walton Katherine & Don Schwerin Mary & Tom Thiele Janet & Martin Tierney Kay & Joseph Tierney
Kristin & Dave Traut Glen Van Fossen Betsey & Earnest Williamson Wipfli Foundation Jessica Wirth Zeppos & Associates, Inc. Forte ($250 - $499) Tolly & Jim Arthur Carol & Jay Bayne Deborah Betsworth CarolAnne Bozosi Randy Casey Sally & Michael Chier Sandra Christensen Kay & John Crichton Ann Fritsch Josefina Gardinier Eileen Griffiths Marla Hahn & David Poytinger Herbert Kohl Charities, Inc. Susan Jasan In honor of Sally Hoyt and Vaughn Ausman Bonnie & Kieth Klemp Mark Krueger Charmaine & James LaBelle Jean & Hilton Neal Gwen & Jim Plunkett Connie Pukaite Margaret Robertson* Brenda Skelton-Bendtsen Kris Smith Judy & James Stoddard Helen Vettori Nicole Warner Heather Watson Midge Wheeler & Peter Foris Mezzo-Forte ($100 - $249) Anonymous (2) Lynne Ausman & David Croll Blanche Banerian Evert Bos Dawn & David Brightsman Susan Brown
ac k n ow l e d g e m e n t s Don Carlson Doris Chamberlin Kasdorf Companies Nan & Richard Conser Jennifer Cooley Emily & Dean Crocker Dorothy & Larry Curran+ Ruth Danby Jane & Joseph Dean In honor of Peggy Dean Rosemarie Deisinger Patricia Donohoe Maureen Dowling John R. Dunn Rosemary Fischer East Shore Specialty Foods Old Fashioned Foods Marynell Foran Patrick Foran Janet & Stanley Fox Nancy Kennedy’s Book Club Friends* Naomi Fritz Karri L. Fritz-Klaus In memory of Dr. Robert J. Fritz Cindy Gallun Joan & Dave Henkel Jeanne Houle June Hoyt In Honor of Sally Hoyt Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee Sally & Kenan Kersten Susan & Donald Kiefer Michelle & Ed Kotnarowski Lynn & Cal Kozlowski Ray Krueger Penny & Bob Laferriere Helga Larsen Mavis & Jeff Luther Barbara & Patrick Lyons Roy MacGregor Dorothy J. Martin Jayne Micheln Kelsey & Theodore Molinari Edith Moravcsik Mary Ann Mueller* Margaret Neis-Robertson Maribeth & Chet Nielsen Heather Parsons
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Deborah & Jamshed Patel Richard Pietsch Mary Pollock Laurel & Mark Poytinger Jane Quinn & Jeff McCarthy* Carol Rausch Mary & James Ries* Nikki & Darin Riggleman Mary & Michael Ryan E. Thomas Schilling Kathleen & Timothy Schilz Marcia & Jeff Schwager Fred Sentman Mary Smiltneek* Mary Smith Jack Spooner Joan & Bill Stevens Shiela Strock Ellen Strommen Yvonne & John Stubbs Barbara Sullivan Lora & Gregg Sunder+ Ken Tazelaar Ariana & Peter Voigt Judith & Richard Wagner Gail & John Ward* We Energies Foundation Elizabeth & Carl Wege Tina & Scott Weiss Michelle LaBella Wilkins & Brad Wilkins Virginia Wirth Friend (to $99) Anonymous J. Mark Baker Barb & Chris Bondioli+ Daniel Boote Barbara & Neal Borkenhagen+ Debra & Michael Brophy* Sandra Burg+ Robert Christie Julie & Peter Craig Joey Cross Patricia & Phil Crump Bernadine & Bernd Davidson+ Janet Day+ Peggy Dean
Julie & Vincent DeCarlo* Catherine Draeger Marcella Egges* Anne Ellison Elaine Ernst Sharon & William Evers+ Dean Evert+ Kathy & Roy Evert+ Linda Evert & Wayne Komarek+ Patricia Foley Joanne Foran Danella & Mark Friday Steve Geiermann Andrea Goetzinger Virginia Halaska Marilyn Hartmann Mary Henzsey Mary Horne Barbara Isgren+ Marjorie Jothen John Karkheck Elaine Kennedy Phyllis Kharbanda* Elizabeth & Jed Kirchenwitz+ Ronald Kovach Lindsay & Timothy Lamm Angela Lee Annette & Michael LeRoy* Loretta & John Lieske Lynne & Thomas Lindemann Lisa & Bill Falcon Elizabeth Liu* Thelma Mahoney Raquel Maxwell Carol Lynne McKean Grace Merten Ione Minster Eleanor Moe Pamela Moes-Nordquist & Jerry Nordquist* Linda Mordy Mary Moscisker Curt Nunn Erik Olson Lori Ann & Scott Pannier Jane Patterson Jayne Pelton Carol Pitterle* Prayers for Mankind
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ac k n ow l e d g e m e n t s Adrienne & John Reinardy Marian Roeglin Marie Romero Rosa Ruehl* Aida Sabulyte-Gust Herb Schick Molly & Timothy Schmidt Quenten Schumacher Mark Schwertfeger Anne Siebers & Randy Stanford* Maureen Sieveke Arleen Sjoberg Barb Smith Julita Snell
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Binette Solomon Patty & Brad Spaits* Margaret Ann Stack* Edwin Stieg Alice & Michael Stolaski+ Martha Stryker+ Carolyn & Chuck Tramel Christina Treiber Mary & Robert Treleven+ Ruth Treul* Carol Utech+ Pat Warchol Hazel Wheaton Rebecca & Steve Whitney Linda Wilson+
Wines For Humanity Suzanne Zblewski+ Marilyn & Doug Zwissler *Donation in memory of Elaine Kennedy +Donation in memory of Reese Griffiths
s p e c i a l t h a n k yo u to Christopher Berry, Steven Delisi, Christine Fitch, Sally Hoyt, Michelle Hynson, Edward Ingold, Alexander Levine, Susan Chamberlin Smith, The Basilica of St. Josaphat & The St. Josaphat Basilica Foundation, The David Barnett Gallery
Christmas in the Basilica
Saturday, December 8 at 7:30 pm Sunday, December 9 at 3:00 pm & 6:30 pm The Basilica of St. Josaphat 2333 S. 6th St., Milwaukee 53215 Featuring
Bel Canto Chorus, Bel Canto Boy Choirs, and Stained Glass Brass
Tickets $25-$50
Student, senior & group discounts available
www.belcanto.org or 414.481.8801
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Bel Canto Chorus