2012-2013
The Fifteenth Season
PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S VOCAL ENSEMBLE SHARON A. HANSEN, FOUNDER AND MUSIC DIRECTOR
THE CALL with THE NATIONAL LUTHERAN CHOIR David Cherwien, Artistic Director Jeffry Peterson, piano Sarah Bane, flute Shaun Halland, percussion
I Jerusalem
Trad. Irish, arr. Michael McGlynn
How They So Softly Rest
Healy Willan
Reflection Hymn: “For All the Saints”
SINE NOMINE
II Reflection Two or Three Angels (world premiere)
Paul John Rudoi
Kyrie (from Missa Brevis in G)
Vytautas Miškinis
Yea Though I Wander
Georg Schumann, ed. Paul Christiansen
Psalms 104 and 141 (from “Psalms of David”)
October 20, 2012 7:30 PM
Cyrillus Kreek
Concordia University Chapel of Christ Triumphant 2800 North Lake Shore Drive, Mequon WI The Call
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III Reflection Eatnemen Vuelie (Lovely the Earth) Shaun Halland, percussion Hymn: “Beautiful Savior”
Frode Fjellheim
SCHÖNSTER HERR JESU, arr. David Cherwien Silesian folk tune, 1842
Death Shall Not Destroy My Comfort Sarah Bane, flute • Jeffry Peterson, piano No Time Hold Me, Rock Me
arr. Mack Wilburg
Trad. Camp Meeting Songs, arr. Susan Brumfield Jeffry Peterson, piano Brian Tate
Our Island Barque Phil Coulter, arr. Paula Foley Tillen Shaun Halland, percussion • Jeffry Peterson, piano Reflection
IV HANSON PLACE
Hymn: “Shall We Gather at the River” Mighty River, Mighty Fire
Imant Raminsh Text: Charles Davanesan
All My Trials
Bahamian Spiritual, arr. Norman Luboff
I Have Called You By Name
Stephen Paulus
I himmelen
Karin Rehnqvist
Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit
Trad., arr. Allen Koepke
V Reflection The Call Jerusalem (reprise) 2
Milwaukee Choral Artists
Joan Szymko Trad. Irish/McGlynn
a b o u t t h e n at i o n a l l u t h e r a n c h o i r The National Lutheran Choir, under the direction of Dr. David Cherwien, seeks to strengthen, renew and preserve the Lutheran heritage of choral music through the highest standards of performance and literature. The choir performs literature from the entire spectrum of sacred choral music, both with and without accompanying instruments. The choir’s rich and diverse repertoire ranges from early chant to new compositions and from simple folk anthems to complex orchestral masterworks. Members of the National Lutheran Choir are drawn from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and beyond for weekly rehearsals and local and national performances. The ensemble presents a wide range of choral works in concert and worship settings, leads workshops in choral techniques, hymnody and liturgy, commissions and publishes new compositions, and broadcasts and records extensively. The choir was founded in 1986 by Dr. Larry Fleming. The National Lutheran Choir was the recipient of the 2007 Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence from Chorus America and the 2007 Wittenberg Award from the Luther Institute. David Cherwien, artistic director of the National Lutheran Choir, is a nationally known conductor, composer and organist. Recognized for his contributions to the field of church music and liturgy, he is in demand as a clinician and hymn festival leader across the country. David serves as editor of the National Lutheran Choir Series of choral music published by Morningstar Music Publishers. He is a founding member of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians and has served in its leadership in a variety of capacities, including as National President from 1993 to 1997. He is a member of the American Choral Director’s Association, American Guild of Organists, Chorus America and Choristers Guild. In addition, David serves as Cantor at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, a parish known for its passion for creative high quality liturgy and music. David holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in organ performance and the Master of Arts degree in Theory and Composition from the University of Minnesota. In the Fall of 2000, he was honored as a “Distinguished Alumnus” by Augsburg College, Minneapolis, where he studied choral music education and organ performance as an undergraduate. David also spent two years at the Berlin Church Music School studying conducting, composition and organ. He is the 2007 winner of the Raabe Prize for Excellence in Sacred Composition for his piece “The Souls of the Righteous.” The Call
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a b o u t t h e n at i o n a l l u t h e r a n c h o i r
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National Lutheran Choir 2012-2013 Ensemble Members Soprano Linda Armstrong, section leader Brittany Kallman Arneson Sarah Bane Leah Bergman Chelsey Bombard Katherine Castille Kristin Daniels Stefanie Fiser Laurel Kallman Karla Knudson Sara Langworthy Emily Lillegard Geneva Lyman Christina Myers Kate Tripoli
Alto Christine Cherwien, section leader Cam Dehlin Marta Edman Lauren Fladland Torunn Harty Cyndy Tholen Ingham Jennifer Kelley Hope Kelsey Rachel Knutzen Sarah Koepp Kaye Mills Emily Skoblik Amy M. H. Webb Eldri Wittkamper Anne Zielske
National Lutheran Choir Board of Directors 2012-2013 Mark B. Uecker, President Rebecca Jorgenson Sundquist, Vice Chair Brenda Bartz, Treasurer Linda Holmen, Secretary Katherine Castille, Choir Representative Jon Kietzer Cheryl Persigehl Tom Peterson Ann Sponberg Peterson Steve Rach Mons Teig Lois Wattman
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Milwaukee Choral Artists
Tenor Robert Quast, section leader Paul Burow Zach Busch Joseph Crippen Jonathan Flak Shaun Halland Ken Holmen Aaron Holmgren Travis Karstad Brad Kolstad Brian Lensch William Mills Peter Moberg Michael Olsen Tony Spain Dain Swanson Matthew Tollefsrud Mark Uecker
Bass James Hild, section leader Bjorn Arneson Steven Branstad Philip Dahl Tim Gabriel John Gisselquist David Johnson Luke Kneefe Matthew Olson Rob Pietsch Eli Pollack Bill Puckett Rob Reid Tim Schmidt Terry Scheetz Timothy Sheie Soren Tryggestad Jeffrey Tunseth Paul Wilson
National Lutheran Choir Staff 2012-2013 Randall Davidson, Administrative Director Tina Meckel, Development Director Gretchen Boulka, Marketing and Communications Director
PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S VOCAL ENSEMBLE SHARON A. HANSEN, FOUNDER AND MUSIC DIRECTOR
Join us for the rest of MCA’s 15th Anniversary season! A PRESENT MUSIC
THANKSGIVING
Sunday, November 18, 2012 • 4:00 pm CATHEDRAL of ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST 812 N. Jackson Street, Milwaukee WI
Early music now presents the boston camerata with THE MILWAUKEE CHORAL ARTISTS:
A MEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS EARLY MUSIC NOW CONCERT SERIES Saturday, December 8, 2012 • 5:00 pm
ST. JOSEPH CENTER CHAPEL, 1501 S. Layton Blvd., Milwaukee WI
MEMORIES: MCA Paula Foley Tillen and Resident Composer
Friday, March 1, 2013 • 7:30 pm WOMAN’S CLUB of WISCONSIN 813 East Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee WI
THE GRAND FINALE: MCA and Special Guest Composer
Ola Gjeilo Saturday, April 13, 2013 • 7:30 pm ST. MATTHEW’S LUTHERAN CHURCH 1615 Wauwatosa Avenue, Wauwatosa WI
www.milwaukeechoralartists.org • 414/376-5878 The Call
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ABOUT THE M ILWAU K EE CHORAL ARTI S T S Sara Louise Bitner is a graduate of Augustana College (Rock Island, IL) and holds a master’s degree in Speech/ Language Pathology from Indiana University. While at Augustana, she sang with the Augustana Choir and the Handel Oratorio Society. She has sung with the Madison Symphony Chorus, Bach Chamber Choir (Rockford, IL), and Conspirare Choristers. She sang as part of the choir-in-residence at the Canterbury Cathedral in August 2010. Sara also is a member of the Bel Canto Chorus of Milwaukee. This is Sara’s second year singing with MCA. Indra Brusubardis holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Music degree in music therapy from the University of WisconsinMilwaukee. For fifteen years, Indra has performed with the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus as soloist, professional core member, and ACE program presenter. She is a long time member of the Milwaukee Latvian Choir, where she has been a soloist and featured in smaller ensembles. Indra has performed in Latvian Song Festivals as both a soloist and choral singer in the United States, Canada, and Germany. She enjoys performing with the Oconomowoc American Legion Band, in area musical theatre productions, in the Waukesha Choral Union, and in concerts with her husband, Ernie, and their six children. This is Indra’s tenth year singing with MCA.
and a Master’s in Education from Mount Mary College. She received her Waldorf Teaching Certification from Great Lakes Waldorf Institute and is the preschool teacher at Tamarack Waldorf School. Her first choral engagement was with Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago where she also served as cantor. She was later part of the professional core of the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus. Presently, Faith is soloist at The First Church of Christ, Scientist (Wauwatosa). This is Faith’s eighth year singing with MCA. Alexa Doebele is the Director of Choirs at Concordia University Wisconsin. She has taught previously at the University of Wyoming, the University of Colorado, and Front Range Community College, and she is a ten-year veteran of K-12 music education. She is also active as both a solo and choral singer, having appeared with the Colorado Conductors’ Chorus, the Ars Nova Singers, St. Martin’s Chamber Choir, the Boulder Chorale, the Littleton Chorale, and the CSO Chorus. She completed a bachelor’s degree (double major in vocal performance and German language and literature) at Washington University in St. Louis and both her Master of Music Education and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees at the University of Colorado. This is Alexa’s fourth year singing with MCA.
Erica Edquist received her Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Minnesota, where she participated in the Faith Danneil is a University Concert Choir graduate of the and Opera Theater Interlochen Arts Academy, and holds a Program. Erica attended La Musica Lyrica, a Master’s in Library and vocal and Italian language program in the Information Science from heart of Italy, where she was a recital the University of soloist. She has a long history of Wisconsin – Milwaukee performance, both in large productions
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Milwaukee Choral Artists
ABOUT THE M ILWAU K EE CHORAL ARTI S T S
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and more intimate recital settings. Recently, Jill Freese began her she appeared as a concert soloist for the musical career as a child Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and had singing in Milwaukee’s her directorial debut in a local community Schola Cantorum. Since theater production. Erica currently works as that time, she has an activities assistant at an assisted living performed with a variety and memory care community, spreading of local musical and music to its residents. This is Erica’s first year theatre groups both in singing with MCA. Milwaukee and in Indiana. Jill received the Bachelor of Arts degree from Valparaiso Leslie Fitzwater has University, where she sang under the been performing in the direction of Eldon Balko, and the Master of Milwaukee area for more Science degree from the University of than twenty years, and Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Jill is a professional has had a varied career speech pathologist at Easter Seals. This is encompassing opera, Jill’s fourteenth year singing with MCA. music theater, straight theater, mime, and *Paula Garcia is a cabaret. She has performed with most of founding member* of the major groups in the area, including the MCA and has been Skylight Opera Theater, the Milwaukee singing with Milwaukee Symphony, the Racine Symphony, Present area choral groups for Music, and the Florentine Opera Company. nearly forty years. She Leslie holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music sang with the Milwaukee from University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Symphony Chorus and and teaches private voice lessons at Pius XI Chamber Singers for ten years and was a High School. This is Leslie’s ninth year member of the professional core. She was singing with MCA. also a performer and soloist with the Master Singers of Milwaukee. She has performed with the Skylight and has enjoyed many feature roles with many local theater stowell ad b/w 4.5 x 7.75_Layout 1 5/31/12 5:37 PM Page 1
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caremanagedhomecare.com TWO LOCATIONS: Milwaukee 414.963.2600 Waukesha 262.521.3016 The Call
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ABOUT THE M ILWAU K EE CHORAL ARTI S T S companies. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, but has worked in the financial services industry for the past twenty-nine years, the last nine with Northwestern Mutual. This is Paula’s fifteenth year singing with MCA. *Andrea Goetzinger is a founding member* of MCA. She is in her 30th Season as a member of the Bel Canto Chorus of Milwaukee, having served as alto section leader since 1991. Andrea also serves as Assistant for the Bel Canto Chorus Senior Singers Program, and was the 2011 winner of the Bel Canto David J. Tolan Meritorious Service Award. Other Milwaukee-area ensembles with which Andrea has appeared include the Master Singers of Milwaukee, Festa Vocale, Bach Chamber Choir, Bach Collegium Choir, and the Ad Hoc Ensemble; from 1992-2002 she was a professional core member of the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church choir. A Licensed Practical Nurse for the past 31 years, Andrea is self-employed in elder care. This is Andrea’s seventh year singing with MCA. Elizabeth Holterman is a recent graduate in Vocal Performance from St. Norbert College. There, she participated in the Chamber Singers, Women’s Concert Choir, and Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and was a member of “The Abbey Singers” at St. Norbert Abbey. She was a member of St. Norbert College’s Knight Theatre and was the vocal music director of its 2011 production of Urinetown. She performed lead roles with St. Norbert’s Opera Workshop, including Lucy in Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera, the Sorceress in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, and La Périchole in Offenbach’s La Périchole. Presently, Elizabeth is singing with the Milwaukee 8
Milwaukee Choral Artists
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Choral Artists and the Collegium Ladyes. She also serves as a cantor at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Milwaukee. This is Elizabeth’s second year singing with MCA. Kristen Houge is a 2006 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, having obtained her degrees in both choral and general music education. After serving as Director of Choral Activities at Milwaukee Lutheran High School for the past five years, Kristen has returned to UW-Milwaukee to pursue the Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting. With an interest in international teaching, Kristen previously taught English in Mexico and has made multiple trips to Haiti to conduct the Haitian boy choir, Les Petits Chanteurs. Presently, she is Director of Music at Memorial United Methodist Church. This is Kristen’s seventh year singing with MCA. Lani Knutson began her vocal music career at age twelve as a soloist in her home church in Amery, Wisconsin. Since then, her musical pursuits have included conducting, teaching, and vocal performance. Currently, Lani teaches vocal music for Pius XI High School Performing Arts Academy and is an adjunct faculty member at Lakeland College. She directs Cantare Chorale, a community choir based in South Milwaukee and a training choir with Milwaukee Children’s Choir. As a student at Dordt College, Lani completed her music degree in choral and instrumental education. Lani continued her education with a Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Minnesota where she studied under Kathy Saltzman Romey, Matthew Mehaffey, and the legendary choral musician Dale Warland. Vocally, Lani has performed with Utah Opera Chorus, The Esoterics, Seattle Bach Choir, and Milwaukee
ABOUT THE m c a
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Symphony Chorus. Lani currently resides in Wauwatosa with her husband Tim and sons Peter and Michael. This is Lani’s first year singing with MCA. *Charmaine LaBelle is a founding member* of MCA and serves as a soprano section leader. She has also been an ensemble representative on the MCA board. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and her Master of Music degree from the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. Charmaine is a retired elementary general music specialist. She was a member of the professional core of the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, a soloist with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and can be heard as soprano soloist on the Pro Arte recording of Lukas Foss’ Psalms. This is Charmaine’s fifteenth year singing with MCA. Sponsored by Mary Peterson. Mary MacDonald is Director of Music at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Franklin; a publisher of educational materials in music and art; and a freelance musician in the Milwaukee area. She earned her Master of Educational Leadership degree from Cardinal Stritch University in July 2012. Her Bachelor of Arts degree in music is from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She worked as a music specialist with the West Allis-West Milwaukee Public Schools for 22 years. Mary sang with the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, the Vocal Arts Consort, and the Wisconsin Conservatory Chamber Singers, including solo performances in their concerts with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra. She studied and performed lieder for two summers at the American Institute of Musical Studies in The Call
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ABOUT THE M ILWAU K EE CHORAL ARTI S T S Graz, Austria. This is Mary’s eleventh year singing with MCA. *Cynthia Matchette is a founding member* of MCA. Cynthia graduated from Westminster Choir College, where she was a member of the worldfamous Westminster and Spoleto Festival dei Due Mondi choruses. She has also sung under such renowned conductors as Bernstein, Levine, Boulez, Penderecki, Keene, Muti, Chailly, and Conlin. In addition, Cynthia has sung with the Dayton, Cincinnati and Florentine Opera Companies, and is currently a section leader and soprano soloist at North Shore Congregational Church. Cynthia is the president of her own business, SmArt Sales, a sales representation firm that specializes in servicing the giftware market. This is Cynthia’s fifteenth year singing with MCA. Sponsored by Dr. Henry and Barbara Gale.
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Karen Ann Peters holds the Master of Music degree in organ from Concordia University and the Master of Education: (Mathematics Emphasis) degree from Whitewater, WI. She is currently serving as organist at Living Christ Lutheran Church in Germantown, WI. She is also a music minister at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Menomonee Falls, WI. Her singing experience includes memberships in the Community Chorus in Hales Corners, WI and the Milwaukee Choristers under the direction of Dr. James Kinchen. She has performed Verdi’s “Requiem” in Brookfield, WI under the direction of Rick Hynson and “The Nguza Saba Suite” by Glenn Edwards Burleigh at Lincoln Center, New York, under the direction of Dr. James Kinchen, as well as various other major works. She is the Vice-President of the Board of Directors for Early Music Now. This is Karen’s fourth year singing with MCA. Milwaukee Choral Artists
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Jennifer Sweetland is a graduate of the University of WisconsinMilwaukee with a BFA in Music Education and Vocal Performance. She has worked with a number of local performing arts groups, most recently with the West Allis Players as a Hot Box Dancer in Guys and Dolls. She teaches three- and four-year-old kindergarten and music at St. Sava Orthodox School, and directs the school’s annual musical; she also works with the children’s choir at North Shore Presbyterian Church. This is Jennifer’s fourth year singing with MCA. Danielle Teter has performed as a Resident Opera Artist with Pine Mountain Music Festival and has been a local chorus member of PMMF since 2001. Danielle completed her Undergraduate Degree in Music Education at Northern Michigan University. As part of her Music Education Undergraduate studies, Danielle performed the leading role in several Children’s Opera programs, and she performed the role of “Fiametta” in NMU’s production of The Gondoliers. Presently, Danielle is a Master’s Degree student in Vocal Performance at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She recently starred in the UWM Opera Theatre production of Too Many Sopranos, where she played the role of “Just Jeanette,” and will be seen in the upcoming production of Hansel and Gretel, where she will play the role of “The Mother” (2013). This is Danielle’s first year singing with MCA.
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*Paula Foley Tillen is a founding member* of MCA. Paula is director of music at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Waukesha; serves as musical director for the Musical Mainstage Series at Sunset Playhouse (Elm Grove); and is an adjunct music faculty member at Pius XI High School. Her compositions and arrangements have been performed by choral groups throughout the United States and Canada, and are found in the catalogues of Alliance Music Publishing, Hal Leonard Publishing, Santa Barbara Music Press, and Treble Clef Music Press. This is Paula’s fifteenth year singing with MCA. Jeffry Peterson is best known for his work in the field of vocal accompaniment and has performed throughout the United States with such celebrated singers as Yolanda MarculescuStern, Erie Mills, Evelyn Lear, and Kurt Ollmann. Recording credits include collaborations with Yolanda MarculescuStern, an album of American flute music with Robert Goodberg, and the Something to Sing About choral anthology for G. Schirmer. His recent CD with the renowned soprano Erie Mills, Always It’s Spring (VAI audio), includes three songs by John Downey. Peterson is Professor of Piano at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and often performs with the UWM voice faculty. He founded UWM’s Vocal Arts Series and chairs the graduate program in vocal accompanying. Sharon Hansen is founder and music director of the Milwaukee Choral Artists. Widely known as a conductor and master teacher throughout the United The Call
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ABOUT THE M ILWAU K EE CHORAL ARTI S T S States and in Europe, Hansen has conducted the Romanian National Radio Choir (Bucharest), the Gächinger Kantorei and Bach Collegium-Stuttgart, the Stockholm Conservatory Chamber Choir, the Moldavian and Oltenian Philharmonic Choirs (Iasì and Craiova, Romania), and the University of Regensburg (Germany) Symphony Orchestra. Hansen holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music. She is Professor and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee and Chair of the Graduate Choral program. Author of the book Helmuth Rilling: Conductor— Teacher, Hansen is a member of the Editorial Board of The Choral Journal, where she is editor of “On the Voice,” dedicated to issues of vocal pedagogy and health. Her chapter “Women, Conductors, and the Tenure Process: What’s Up in the Academy” is part of the new book Wisdom, Wit, and Will: Women Choral Conductors on their Art, published in 2009
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by GIA Press. Her latest monograph, On the Voice: ACDA, Teacher Preparation, and Voice Training in the Choral Classroom (1959-2009), will be published this year by the American Choral Directors’ Association. Her professional memberships include NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), ACDA (American Choral Directors Association,) Chorus America, IFCM (International Federation of Choral Music), MENC (Music Educators National Conference), and The VoiceCare Network. Locally, Hansen serves on the Board of Directors for the Southeast Wisconsin Chapter of the National Voice Foundation, having previously served Early Music Now and the Milwaukee Children’s Chorus. In 2003, she was honored by the Milwaukee Civic Music Association for Excellence in Choral Music, and was the recipient of the 2010 Alumni Achievement Award from the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
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Milwaukee Choral Artists
Music is in the Air
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• Oct. 26, 2012 – Pops Concert 7:30 p.m. The Symphonic Wind, Jazz and String Ensembles
• Nov. 18, 2012 – Christ the King Celebration 3:30 p.m. Kammerchor and The Alleluia Ringers All concerts are held in the Chapel of Christ Triumphant. Admission is $7 for adults, free for children 17 and under unless otherwise noted. Seating is by general admission.
Check out our full concert list at:
www.cuw.edu/Music 12800 North Lake Shore Drive Mequon, WI 53097 • 262.243.4243
MEMORIES:
MCA and Resident Composer
Paula Foley Tillen
Friday, March 1, 2013 • 7:30PM
WOMAN’S CLUB of WISCONSIN 813 East Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee WI
In this memorable performance, the Milwaukee Choral Artists looks back on some of its favorite works from the past fifteen years, and honors Paula by performing a retrospective of her compositions. Stay tuned: there may even be another world premiere from Paula!
Tickets: adult $25, senior $20, student $15 Purchase online or by phone: 414/376-5878 • www.milwaukeechoralartists.org The Call
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ABOUT THE M ILWAU K EE CHORAL ARTI S T S
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History Celebrating its fifteenth and final season, the Milwaukee Choral Artists is Wisconsin’s premiere professional choral ensemble, and one of only a handful of professional women’s vocal ensembles in the country. With its signature lush sound, MCA brings a distinctive repertory of choral and vocal masterworks—including well-known pieces, new music, seldom-performed works, and music of diverse cultures and historical periods—to concert audiences throughout the region. Founded in 1998 as a chamber ensemble comprised of professional solo singers, MCA has occupied a singular position of excellence in the city, state, and region. In July 2011, MCA was named a finalist in the AMERICAN PRIZE Professional Choral Division, and received a special citation from the AMERICAN PRIZE for “Unique Choral Programming” for its CD, SKY-BORN Music. Regularly hailed for its imaginative programming, the group firmly established itself in the mainstream of professional music making both within and beyond Milwaukee. Milwaukee Choral Artists enjoys regular appearances with Present Music, Milwaukee’s internationally acclaimed contemporary music ensemble. In December 2007, Tom Strini, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel’s Music Critic, named the Milwaukee Choral Artists— Present Music collaborative performance of Olivier Messiaen’s “Trois Petites Liturgies” (with MCA’s Sharon Hansen conducting) the #1 Performing Arts Event of the Year. (Two years previously, MCA’s “Liederabend” was named the Journal Sentinel’s #1 performing arts event of 2005; of the top ten events named that year, MCA held two positions.) In 2006, the Milwaukee Choral Artists joined Present Music in the world premiere of Kamran Ince’s “Hammers and Whistlers,” which Journal-Sentinel music critic Tom Strini selected as one of his “Top Ten Performing Arts Events” for the year. Under Hansen’s baton, the two ensembles also presented the 2005 world premiere of Milwaukee-born composer Daron Hagen’s “Flight Music,” a six-movement work with texts by Amelia Earhart, named by Strini as “Best Musical Premiere of 2005.” In November 2004, MCA and Present Music performed the world premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Henry Brant’s “Wind, Water, Clouds and Fire,” which Tom Strini also selected as one of his “Top Ten Classical Music Events for 2004. Equally well versed in early music, the Milwaukee Choral Artists has performed (including its upcoming December 2012 concert) on three different occasions with the internationally acclaimed The Boston Camerata, presented by Early Music Now (the Midwest’s renowned early music presenting organization.) In May 2009, MCA was heard on the Early Music Now stage in a collaborative concert with San Francisco’s professional female vocal ensemble KITKA. MCA has also performed as part of the Fine Arts Concert Series at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist (Milwaukee) and St. James Cathedral (Chicago); at the National Convention of Catholic Cathedral Musicians; at the National Convention of Lutheran Church Musicians; and in state and regional conventions of the American Choral Directors’ Association. MCA has recorded two CDs. Its first, “Music for the Whole People of God,” comprises a live performance for the National Conference of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians. Its latest is the professionally produced CD, “SKY-BORN Music, 10th Anniversary Commissions and World Premieres” on the Clarion label, featuring commissioned works composed specifically for the Milwaukee Choral Artists in celebration of its distinguished history. The Milwaukee Choral Artists performs three regular season concerts each year at historic venues throughout the Milwaukee area. Committed to presenting music from diverse cultures, the ensemble has performed music in twenty-nine languages from more than forty world cultures since its inception. http://www.milwaukeechoralartists.org mcainfo@milwaukeechoralartists.org 14
Milwaukee Choral Artists
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Donors The Milwaukee Choral Artists deeply appreciates the contributions received from its generous donors. As ticket sales do not fully cover concert production costs, your continued support is vital to our success. The following list includes contributors whose support was received between January 1, 2012 and October 1, 2012. We regret any omissions or inaccuracies. Conductor’s Circle ($5,000 and above) United Performing Arts Fund Benefactors ($1,000-2,499) CAMPAC Martha Brown and Tony Lam * Concordia University Wisconsin **** Emily Holt Crocker * Marj and Dean Fowler ** G & V Machine Company, Inc. *** Dr. Henry and Barbara Gale ** Sue and Chris Griswold *** W. Tony Lam, CPA *** Raquel and Andy Lauritzen ** Cynthia Matchette * Mary Peterson ** Anne Veslemoy Lindblom, Honorary Consul of Norway for the State of Wisconsin Royal Norwegian Consulate *** Wisconsin Arts Board Guarantors ($500-999) KAPCO**** Phyllis and Alan Brostoff *** Jill and Dr. James Freese *** Robert and Patricia Maile *** Patrons ($250-499) Thomas and Ann Busch * Dr. Robert Harris *** John Paradowski * Dr. Ronald and Sue Reider John Shannon and Jan Serr * Nick and Becky White * Sponsors ($100-249) Eldon and Donna Balko * Jilaine Hummel Bauer Lisa Berman and Larry Dalton Mary Brenner Neil Bubke Dr. Lucile Cohn
Drs. Vincent and Linda Dindzans Steven R. Duback Mike Fischer and Elaine Griffin Sharon Hansen Dr. Charlotte and Wayne Heidenreich * Mary Higley Juleen and Richard Jaeger Patricia Kiefer JoAnne and Don Krause Margaret Murphy and Jeff Sweetland * Nancy Menk * Myron and Annette Olson Deborah and Jamshed Patel Charles Christian Rich Hollis and Lawrence Schuetz * Lilo Sewell Sister Marion Verhaalen James Ward Nick and Becky White Contributors (Up to $99) David and Laurie Petrie Anderson Cheryl Axford John and Dr. Evelyn Burdick Teresa Burkhart Marlene and Wayne Cook Thallis Hoyt Drake Russ and Merzy Eisenberg Paula and Ralph Garcia * Eduardo Garcia-Novelli Crickett Handler * Gloria and Jim Hansen Jo Anne and Don Krause * Ellen Kellen Ruth Knoll * Reverend Thomas Lijewski Patricia and Robert Maile Sue Medford Jo Anne Nissen * Deborah Paukner Dr. Jeffrey Reider Ruth Ann Renzelmann Christian Rich *
Brent and Ilze Ringenberg Barbara and Ronald Ritchey Ann Siverling Kevin and Heidi Sjostrom * Alan and Ann Stannard * Dan and Valerie Stefanich LisaAnn Trembath Marian Weinberg * Wine, Women & Song Auction Donors Achieve Personal Fitness Alfa Flower Shop Phyllis and Alan Brostoff Café LuLu/Juniper61 Early Music Now Elements Massage Florentine Opera Company Marj and Dean Fowler Jill Freese Friends of MCA Paula Garcia Dr. Sharon Hansen In Tandem Theater Indulgence Chocolatiers Koss Charmaine LaBelle Meritage, Jan Kelly Milwaukee Admirals Milwaukee Public Museum Next Act Theatre Pastiche Bistro Pfister Hotel Meaghan Reider Skylight Music Theater Sprecher Brewing Company SmArt Sales, Cynthia Matchette Transfer Pizza Café Wisconsin Athletic Club * Ola Gjeilo 15th Season Commissioning Fund ** Singer Sponsor *** Wine, Women & Song Gala Sponsor **** Concert Sponsor: The Call
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Call
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The Milwaukee Choral Artists also gratefully acknowledges: Jeanne Mueller, founding contributor and graphic design John Paradowski, videographer Deborah Paukner, accounting services Andy Risser, Backbone Designs, web management Ann Siverling, founding contributor University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
m i lwau k e e c h o r a l a r t i s t 2 012 - 2 013 b oa r d o f d i r e c to r s Raquel Lauritzen, President Jill Freese, Past President John Paradowski, Secretary Deborah A. Paukner, Treasurer Martha Brown, Chair, Development Committee Jennifer Sweetland, Ensemble Representative At Large Jilaine Bauer, Neil Bubke Emily Holt Crocker, Charles Christian Rich Sr. Marion Verhaalen Dr. Sharon A. Hansen, ex officio Advisory Council Lisa Berman, Thallis Hoyt Drake, Dr. Dean R. Fowler, Dr. Robert A. Harris, Rich Kirwin, James LaBelle, Cheryl Lucas-DeBerry, Michael MacDonald, Cynthia Matchette (Marketing Chair) Administration and Staff Dr. Sharon A. Hansen, Founder and Music Director Nancy J. Herro, Managing Director 16
Milwaukee Choral Artists