Spring 2023: Issue 3

SPRING 2023, ISSUE 3

Welcome to the 2022-2023 Performing Arts Season!

The purpose of Mater Dei High School is to develop faith-filled, responsible servant leaders committed to serving God, the church, and their communities with a profound sense of social justice founded in love. To achieve our purpose, we intentionally embed the Catholic faith and the principles of Honor, Glory, and Love into every aspect of the student experience. The why behind our purpose is simple. We live in a complicated world that is in desperate need of faith-filled servant leadership. Leaders with the wisdom and goodness to understand, “To love is to will the good for another.”

St. Thomas Aquinas

As president, I believe achieving our purpose is the primary reason that Mater Dei High School opened in 1950. The process of achieving our purpose is what makes Mater Dei High School uniquely different from other secondary schools. While most secondary schools focus only on academic knowledge, Mater Dei High School goes beyond academic knowledge and intentionally develops each student’s will to choose goodness. Therefore, a student does not attend Mater Dei High School, instead they move through an intentional four-year process and become a Monarch!

While pursuing excellence within the performing arts program is our objective, let us never forget that achieving our purpose is the primary goal. Each young Monarch must actively utilize life lessons learned during rehearsals, performances and after performances. These performing arts life lessons support each Monarch’s journey towards achieving our primary purpose. Mater Dei High School dedicates itself to the philosophy that performing arts is another element designed to perfect the person (become a Monarch) and their relationship with Christ.

On behalf of the faculty, staff, and administration, we thank our Director of Choral and Vocal Music Mrs. Jodi Reed, Director of Instrumental Music Mr. Fernando Martinez, Director of Dance Mrs. Rochelle Mapes, Director of Theater Arts Lissa Slay, Performing Arts Coordinator of Events Mrs. Marisa Winch and all members of the performing arts family. Your commitment and loyalty towards each Monarch and Mater Dei High School is deeply appreciated.

We are grateful that you chose to attend tonight’s performance and pray that each Monarch achieves their personal and group performance goals this season.

With Honor, Glory, and Love

MESSAGE

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Students, Parents and Alumni,

President

Choir Season Sponsors

We would like to acknowledge the following families for their support of the Choral & Vocal Music Program through their generous sponsorship. A commitment as a season sponsor helps fund student financial aid, supports our voice lesson program and bolsters the production of our many events that foster creativity and embolden the human spirit.

MAESTRO LEVEL

Anonymous

Butcher Family

Chamberlain Family

Conser Family

Mr. and Mrs. Scott and Rosette McClave

McKeever Family

Perez Family

ASSOCIATE LEVEL

Allevato/Martinez Family

Curley Family

Guzman Family

Hinckley/Prince Family

Pettis/Barone Family

Robert and Gloria Kessler

Schreiber family

Schmaltz Family

Summit Roofing Services

ARTIST LEVEL

David and Nicole Barry

Brewster Family

Tony and Leticia Bucio

Delaney Family

Finnegan Family

Gallagher Family

Steve and Judy Kroll

Eric Lopez Family

Wendy Matthews

Jerry and Doniel Sutton

Wynn Orthodontics

CHORISTER LEVEL

Assaf Family

Bredehoft Family

Canzoneri Family

Hinz Family

Randy, Jocelyn, & Lauren Lee

O’Hara Family

Parker Graphics

Mr. and Mrs. Andy White

Williams Family

Woore Family

Honor, Glory, Love in the Performing Arts. Our students are skilled and talented in all areas of The Arts and they bring love, joy and beauty through their performances to all those with whom they come in contact.

Dear Students, Parents, and Alumni,

Welcome to the 2018-2019 school year with the theme of Sharing the Spirit In what better way can we share the spirit of MDHS than through Honor, Glory, Love in the Performing Arts. Our students are skilled and talented in all areas of the Arts and they bring love, joy and beauty through their performances to all those with whom they come in contact.

I congratulate and thank all the Directors of each program for their outstanding commitment and dedication to our student artists. The opportunities which you provide, are instrumental in the development of students’ skills and talents in The Arts. Thank you to all parents who volunteer in support of these outstanding arts programs.

As the year unfolds, we look forward to the Band, Choir, Comedy, Dance, Guitar, Percussion, Piano, Hip Hop, Song, Strings, and Theatre activities in which our student artists will perform. Through these spirited performances, you frequently transform lives, which may sometimes be tainted by sadness, into beacons of hope, light and joy. We look forward also to welcoming alumni back to these performances; it is always a great joy to see so many alumni artists supporting these events.

I congratulate and thank our Executive Director of Performing Arts, Mr. Scott Melvin and the Directors of each program for their outstanding commitment and dedication to our student artists. The opportunities, which you provide, are instrumental in the development of students’ skills and talents in the Arts. Thank you to all parents who volunteer in support of these outstanding Arts programs.

PRESIDENT Mr. Michael Brennan

DIRECTOR

Mrs. Jodi Reed

To everyone involved in the Performing Arts, God’s blessings on each and every performance and remember, bring Honor, Glory, Love, to all people with whom you come in contact.

As the year unfolds, we look forward to the Band, Choir, Color Guard, Comedy, Dance, Guitar, Handbells, Hip Hop, Song, Strings, Theatre activities in which our student artists will perform. Through these spirited performances, you frequently transform lives, which may sometimes be tainted by sadness, into beacons of hope and joy. We look forward also to welcoming alumni back to these performances; it is always a great joy to see so many alumni artists supporting these events.

PRINCIPAL Ms. Frances Clare

VICE PRESIDENT BUSINESS SERVICES

VICE PRESIDENT OF SCHOOL RELATIONS

ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS

To everyone involved in the Performing Arts, God’s blessings on each and every performance.

PERFORMING ARTS COORDINATOR ..

Mr. Dave Taylor

Mr. Scott Melvin

Mrs. Molly Chace ‘00

Mrs. Diana Neustadt

Mrs. Jennifer Dennin

Mrs. Marisa Winch ‘96

COLLABORATIVE PIANIST

TEACHER & VOCAL CONSERVATORY DIRECTOR

CHOIR PARENT COORDINATORS

Mr. Kent Helwig

Mr. Jonathan Knauer ‘10

Mrs. Amy Hinz

Mrs. Jodi McKeever

Frances Clare Principal MDHS

Frances Clare Principal MDHS

CHORAL AND VOCAL MUSIC PROGRAM PRESENTS

Spring Choir Concert

Spring Concert 2023

Mater Dei Jazz Band

Chamber Singers

Letter from the Director

Welcome to our Annual Spring Concert at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. What a blessing it is to perform in this beautiful hall, with our incredible students, watching them do what they love! None of this would be possible without our amazing Choral and Vocal Music program staff and teachers, from our fantastic Vocal Conservatory director and choir teacher, Mr. Jonathan Knauer, our talented Vocal Conservatory teachers Malek Sammour & Natasha Valdes, to the incomparable Mr. Kent Helwig. I am also so very grateful to our Mater Dei Administration, Frances Clare, Mike Brennan, Jeni Dennin, Diana Neustadt, and Molly Chace for their devoted support. We are also endlessly thankful for Mrs. Marisa Winch for her support, not only of the Choral and Vocal music program, but all of the Performing Arts programs. We could not do what we do without her! Most importantly, I want to thank all of the Choral and Vocal Music students for their enthusiasm, dedication, hard-work, and fun! You all make each day a joy!

Enjoy the evening and welcome to our Spring Concert 2023!

~Intermission~ Bel

Fire and Sun

Sara Teasdale & Kate Crellin

Dominus

Jacob Narverud

Soloists: Ashley Canizales, Audrey Nguyen, Zita Jim, Samantha Wurts, Laura Wynn, Allegra Morelli, Bella Reed, Aliana White

All Advanced Women

Las Amarillas

Stephen Hatfield

Troubadours

Torna a Surriento

Arr. Stephen DeCesare

Stand By Me

Arr. Roger Emerson

We’re the Men of the Chorus

Jay Althouse

Rubies

Bare Necessities

Arr. Tom Gentry

Concert Choir

The Bouquet

Kara Stacy Bedwell

On Suuri Sun Rantas Autius

Matti Hyokki

Soloists: Lucy Laubach, Danielle Taber, Addison Hinkley

Will the Circle Be Unbroken

J. David Moore

Soloists: Avery Shelton, Lauren Lee, Piper McClave, Nia Bugarin, Lauren Fernandez, Amanda Cahua, Addison Hinkley, Grace Henze, Heart Perez

Bristol Boys & Rubies

Undecided

Arr. David Wright

Kingsmen

Fey O!

Sten Kallman & Ethan Sperry

a Child of Peace

Elaine Hagenberg

Soloist: Ezra Funa

ChariotTraditional Spiritual

Arr. Wm Henry Smith

Micah Golden, Dylan Gallagher, Cristian Fallani, Carter Immel

Bristol Boys

Selections from our Italy Tour Performances

Performance Tour Choral Union

Shenandoah

James Erb

All Women

Down to the River to Pray

Jace Wittig

Soloists: Grace Evans, Ruby Pettis, Sarah DeGennaro, Michelle Truong, Bella Reed

Performance Tour Choral Union

Ave Maria

Franz Biebl

Chamber Singers

Sing Joyfully

William Byrd

Rivers of Light

Ēriks Ešenvalds

Soloists: Fatima Hernandez, Marvelle Figueroa, & Benjamin Thai

Jericho

Norman Luboff

Soloist: Jacob Sanders

Fly

Susan LaBarr

Soloist: Jill Le

Fajar dan Senja

Ken Steven

Soloist: Sophie Conser

All Mater Dei Choirs

and Junior High Honor Choir

Jodi Reed Director of Choral and Vocal Music

Junior High Honor Choir

Lux Aeterna

Mark Burrows

Pineywood Mountain

Jay Althouse

Praise His Holy Name

Keith Hampton

Soloists: Jill Le & Jacob Sanders

The Lord Bless You and Keep You

Peter C. Lutkin

Mater Dei Choir is composed of student artists with many other talents in addition to singing. More than half our singers are also athletes. These singers find a balance between choir and sports, giving them the opportunity to not only excel on the stage but also on the fields and courts. We are proud to bring you the story of two vocal artists who will be graduating this year and plan to pursue their love of both song and sport after life at Mater Dei.

NATALIE LYNCH ‘23 is in Honors Bel Canto and has been singing in the Choral & Vocal Music program since her freshman year.

JACOB SANDERS ‘23 began singing at Mater Dei as a junior and is in Honors Chamber Singers.

Did you sing before coming to Mater Dei?

Jacob: I sang before I came to MD, yet I only sang by myself. When I was young, I sang in my church choir, however it was very brief. I even had a solo in one of the plays that the church put on.

Natalie: Yes, I sang for two years in my middle school choir before coming to Mater Dei.

What sport do you play at Mater Dei?

Natalie: I play tennis at MD. I have been on the varsity team as line one singles since freshman year. I also compete in national and pro level tournaments outside of school. I have been playing tennis since I was 5 years old.

Jacob: I played football before coming to Mater Dei and am a defensive lineman for Mater Dei football. I’ve been playing since freshman year and have been on varsity for three years.

What do you enjoy most about Choir?

Jacob: I enjoy the ability to do what I love with fun people, while also getting better at singing. I love how the relationship with the choir almost seems like having a second family.

Natalie: I enjoy spending time with my Bel sisters and all the outside activities of choir, like the festivals and performances.

Do you have any special memories of your time in Choir?

Natalie: Spending time singing with BelCanto during tech week and the performances of Madrigal Feast. I also enjoyed serving in the Mad Feast dinner in years past.

Jacob: Spring concert from last year. Singing a solo in “Nearer My God to Thee” in Segerstrom Hall was a moment that will last in my head forever.

What do you enjoy most about your sport?

Jacob: I enjoy being able to allow others to see a side of me that I don’t often show, that side being tenacious and daring.

Natalie: I enjoy competing at a high level and gaining lifelong experiences with my best friends.

Do you plan on pursuing music after your life at Mater Dei?

Natalie: I want to continue some form of choir and singing clubs in college.

Jacob: I do intend on singing after MD. I will probably continue to sing at church.

Do you intend to continue in your sport after you graduate high school?

Jacob: I am committed to play Football at the Colorado School of Mines.

Natalie: I plan on playing Division 1 Tennis for CalPoly San Luis Obispo.