Lullaby Project 2020
A B O U T T H E M I LWAU K E E S Y M P H O N Y O R C H E S T R A The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is among the finest orchestras in the nation. Since its inception in 1959, the MSO has found innovative ways to give music a home in the region, develop music appreciation and talent among area youth, and raise the national reputation of Milwaukee. The MSO’s full-time professional musicians perform more than 135 classics, pops, family, education, and community concerts each season in venues throughout the state. A pioneer among American orchestras, the MSO has performed world and American premieres of works by John Adams, Roberto Sierra, Phillip Glass, Geoffrey Gordon, Marc Neikrug, and Matthias Pintscher, as well as garnered national recognition as the first American orchestra to offer live recordings on iTunes. Now in its 47th season, the orchestra’s nationally syndicated radio broadcast series, the longest consecutive-running series of any U.S. orchestra, is heard annually by more than two million listeners on 147 subscriber stations in 38 of the top 100 markets.
The MSO’s standard of excellence extends beyond the concert hall and into the community, reaching more than 40,000 children and their families through its Arts in Community Education (ACE) program, Youth and Teen concerts, Family Series, and Meet the Music pre-concert talks. Celebrating its 31st year, the nationallyrecognized ACE program integrates arts education across all subjects and disciplines, providing opportunities for students when budget cuts may eliminate arts programming. The program provides lesson plans and supporting materials, classroom visits from MSO musician ensembles and artists from local organizations, and an MSO concert tailored to each grade level. In 2020-21, the program will go virtual in response to the circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 5,500 students and 500 teachers and faculty in 16 Southeastern Wisconsin schools will participate in ACE.
A B O U T T H E L U L L A BY P R O J E C T
ABOUT SOJOURNER
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is pleased to be one of over thirty organizations across the country and the world to be a Lullaby Project partner, a program of Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute. Pregnant women, parents, and grandparents work with professional teaching artists to write personal lullabies for their children, supporting maternal health, aiding child development, and strengthening the bond between parent and child. The lullabies are then professionally arranged, recorded, and finally shared in a public performance featuring professional musicians and the mothers themselves. The MSO is delighted to partner with Sojourner Family Peace Center to bring this program to Milwaukee.
The mission of Sojourner is to transform lives impacted by domestic violence. Sojourner is the largest provider of domestic violence prevention and intervention services in Wisconsin, providing crisis housing, system advocacy and individual support to individuals and families who are hurting. Serving over 12,000 clients annually, Sojourner’s primary goals are to ensure the safety of survivors of family violence and to provide a pathway out of violence for survivors and offenders through opportunities to make positive and lasting changes for themselves and their children. Sojourner and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin formed a unique partnership to create one of the first co-located child advocacy and family violence centers in the country. Using a proven, collaborative model, the Family Peace Center accommodates a number of co-located and visiting partner organizations and service providers, including the Milwaukee Police Department Sensitive Crimes Unit, Milwaukee Public Schools, the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, Aurora Healthcare Abuse Response Services, Core / El Centro, Project Ujima, Jewish Family Services, and others. Families receiving services at the Family Peace Center have access to a wide array of services to support their efforts to achieve healing, selfsufficiency, and freedom from abuse. Sojourner Family Peace Center is committed to creating communities where people live peacefully. For more information, visit www.familypeacecenter.org. Sojourner 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 414-933-2722.
THE LULLABIES: These songs are a celebration of the mothers who wrote them and the children they wrote them for. Some sound like traditional lullabies and some do not. They utilize many different genres and express many different moods. They are unique reflections of the nine very special and strong women who participated in the 2020 Lullaby Project.
“Sweet Lullabies” By C H AVO N TA E with Meaghan Heinrich Arranged by John Tanner Lead Vocals by CHAVONTAE Backup Vocals by Hannah Esch & Rebecca Whitney Chorus Sweet lullabies, lullabies Sweet lullabies whoa… Sweet lullabies, lullabies Sweet lullabies whoa… Kamaya, Kamario, Keyilah, Zakiyia, Zahriya You mean the most to me Precious to me High in the skies You are my stars You’re so beautiful, you are from me Carried you for 9 months, you are my seeds Chorus Kamaya, I can see you as an artist Playing on your violin You told me, Mama, I wanna be a lawyer Kamario, you’re the twinkle of my eye You told me, Mama, I wanna be an officer To protect and serve Keyilah, you love to cook and sing You also dance and that’s your dream You told me, Mama, I wanna be a baker Making cookies and cakes and all the sweet things you like… Chorus Zakiyia, you’re precious to me The biggest of my babies that came from me
You’ve got a big imagination and you love to play LOL dolls and Pinky Pops all day Zahriya, so outgoing and you love to dance Right behind me and you’re holding my hand Baby I love you Baby I need you You’re so sweet Mommy loves you all…I keep singing… Chorus
“You Are My Heart” By CO N STA N C E with Paul Hauer Arranged by Alex Ayers Vocals by CONSTANCE You are my heart, a gift that God gave me. Someone to love me, and someone to love back. Life has ups and downs. Stand fearless and strong. Embrace what you feel, and love the wonderful person that you are. Own your feelings, your feelings and your emotions. Don’t be afraid, they will help you grow. You are my heart, a gift that God gave me. Josiah, you are thoughtful. Josiah you are helpful. Your gifts will grow and see you through, just know that I will be loving you. Don’t allow fear to conquer you, let the love around you to embrace you. God will help in all you do, for He is the light that can help you through. When discouragement comes, remember what you were taught. Love yourself, and never give up. Hurt and struggle make you stronger. God loves you even more than I do. When you are weak, God is your strength. He is your hope and joy. God is your hope and joy. Olivia, you are loving. Olivia, you are caring. Your gifts will grow and see you through, just know that I will be loving you. When you have doubts surrounding you, believe God’s word, He will help you. Hearing you sing brings joy to me! Please share your light for all to see. You are my heart, God, thank you for my gifts. You are my heart, God, thank you for my gifts.
“My Miracle, My Unicorn” By E M E R A LD with Meaghan Heinrich Arranged by John Tanner Lead Vocals by EMERALD Backup vocals by Rebecca Whitney, Hannah Esch, & Meaghan Heinrich I was running around with no purpose When you came along. Looking into your eyes each day Made me so strong. Yes, it’s true, honey, you were born feet first And made to stand tall. You fit in the palm of my hand. I won’t let you fall. Alyssa, I love you, I love you. You’re everything I never knew I needed. Chorus You’re my miracle, you’re my unicorn And you mean the world to me. You’re my angels sent from heaven above, And you love me unconditionally. Oh. Whoa. Fam’ly coasting like all that we needed, Was already here. Like a defibrillator you shocked our hearts. Took away our fear. You were born to love you sister, Your one and only Boo. Like me and your Uncle Junior, You’re side-kicks too. Marley Moo, oh how I love you. You’re everything I never knew I needed. Chorus The world will try to tell you what love is. No, no, no. no. The world will try to tell you what is right. I tell you this, my daughters, here’s what love is: Step into the truth and light. You’ll know ‘cause it feels right. Yes, you’ll know. Tell your sons and tell your daughters. They’ll tell their sons and daughters. Ah. Chorus
“Never Alone” By E R I K A with Eric Segnitz Arranged by Eric Segnitz Lead Vocal by ERIKA
Chorus You are never alone Take my hand darling As sure as the sun shines on the sea You are never alone Roots as strong as a tree Let the wind always carry you back to me Bridge Yes, I know this for sure You’ll always be with me Though we can’t always know what tomorrow will bring Though the winds may blow Knock you off your feet Yes, I know that you’ll find your wing Though the earth may shake And your path may sway Yes, I know you’ll always find your way Fire, earth, and water The air will sing your names Mercedes, Mia, Emery-Eve, and Imani
Fire, earth, and water The air will sing your names Mercedes, Mia, Emery-Eve, and Imani
Chorus
Bridge
Bridge
Final Chorus You are never alone Take my hand darling As sure as the sun shines on the sea You are never alone Roots as strong as a tree Let the wind always carry you back to me Let the wind always carry you back to me
Though the water’s wide And the sea is deep Tides will roll gently at your feet Though the sun may set It will rise again Let its warmth bathe your world again
“You Are My Everything” By JAY E with Paul Hauer Arranged by Alex Ayers Vocals by Hannah Esch
Taina you are shining bright my miracle baby and my light. I will be there in your heart no matter how far we are apart. I would take a million trips just to have one day with you. You’ve got me wrapped ‘round your hand, There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. Taina, you are my everything. You are my reason to live. You are my purpose in life, my everything, I love you more than I can give. When clouds block out your sunny day Remember that it won’t stay that way. Tomorrow’s just around the bend, There’s always a rainbow at the end. You are my princess, my soulmate and my best friend. I love you and you love me more, I love you even more than even more. Taina you brought me back to life, You are the color in my world. My life is gray without you, just black and white. You are my radiant baby girl. Taina, you’re my everything.
“Without the Rain (There Is No Rainbow)” By L AU R E L with John Tanner Arranged by John Tanner Vocals by Brian Hilligoss Backup vocals by Alesia Miller
The storm rolled in all dark and mean ‘bout Ten o’ clock at night. The baby was asleep as she sat by the window, watching rain through the flashing light. Maybe this time would be diff’rent, maybe this time could be right. But, at twelve fifteen he burst through the door, just inchin’ for a fight. She said, “Honey, I’m glad you got home safe. I’m sorry you were runnin’ late. Why don’t you come on out to the kitchen, I’ll fix you up a plate?” But you can’t reason with a man who can only feel tall when he’s standing on a woman’s back. When he came at her she thought these words as her world turned black. Chorus: You’ve got to have the rain, but Lord, how it can pour. Dark clouds will hide the sun, till you can’t take anymore. You’re shiv‘rin’, soakin’ wet, but here’s what you much know: Without the rain there is no rainbow. She was still shakin’ when he fell asleep laying next to her in bed. She pulled back the covers, set her feet on the floor, recalled the words he said. “Well, I may not be pretty and I guess I’m worthless, but what I’ve got to do is plain.” She gathered up her baby, shut the front door and stepped into the rain. Chorus How did I get here? Who did I used to be? He took everything. But this I swear, God know he can’t have me. Final Chorus You’ve got to have the rain, but Lord, how it can pour. Dark clouds will hide the sun, till you can’t take anymore. You’re shiv’rin’, soakin’ wet, but here’s what you must know: Without the rain, without the rain. Without the rain there’s no rainbow. Oh.
“I Pray You Will Be Happy” By M A LI SA with Beth Giacobassi Arranged by Beth Giacobassi Vocals by MALISA Backup vocals by Hannah Esch Chorus I pray that you’ll be happy, stay confident and true, I will always love you, no matter what you do. Be responsible and honest, compassionate and kind. Live within each moment, and keep an open mind. Chorus I know that when you’re grown, you’ll find love of your own. Spread your wings soar free I pray, my love will draw you home. Chorus I hope you’ll have a family, when the time is right. Grandma Lisa will host the kids on any weekend night. Chorus As you go throughout your life, keep me in your heart. Remember that I love you, I’ve loved you from the start. Chorus I hope I stay within your life, as we go through each stage. I care for you, you’ll care for me, as we turn each page. Final Chorus I pray that you’ll be happy, stay confident and true, I will always love you, no matter what you do. I will always love you, no matter what you do.
“The Moment I Saw You” By M O N I C A with John Tanner Arranged by John Tanner Vocals by Joe Jordan The moment I saw you, that moment I knew, That you would be great. I could hardly wait to see just what you would be. The first time I held you, so fragile and new, our journey began. Now, I understand, so true what it’s led us to. Turn around just one more time, let me see your face. Who knows when we’ll meet again when we leave this place? Let me give you one more kiss. Hug me while you can. You’re not my baby anymore. You’re not my baby anymore. You’re not my baby anymore. You taught me what love is. Love I never knew. It’s how you live. It’s what you give away that comes back to you. Oh, how the years pass. How quickly it seems. And now you are grown. Not mine alone, we two, as I hear you say your country needs you. Turn around just one more time, Let me see your face. Who knows when we’ll meet again when we leave this place? Let me give you one more kiss. Hug me while you can. You’re not my baby anymore. You’re not my baby anymore. You’re not my baby anymore. Oh no. You’re a man. Oh. Mmm
“Baby, Baby, I Pray That You Succeed in Life” By R O S I E with Beth Giacabassi Arranged by Beth Giacobassi Vocals by Alesia Miller Chorus Baby, baby, I pray that you succeed in life, succeed in life. Oh yeah. Baby, baby, I pray that you succeed in life, and overcome poverty and barriers and strife. Michael, I pray that you continue to have a joyful and a happy life. As you get older, I pray you find a right way of living. Chorus Olivia, as this year continues to grow, I hope you have strength and power to see you through this year. As this world continues to fail, I pray you overcome all your barriers And you succeed as an African woman. Chorus Brianna, as you get older, throughout the years I pray that you grow Strong and tall with healthy bones. Within these years, I pray that you take a path down That lets you overcome barriers in life. Chorus Andrew, we’re living in 2020. You have become stronger and a more powerful child. As 2020 continues, I pray that you continue to grow even stronger and powerful As a young African American male. Chorus As we continue 2020 as a family we will continue to love family, socializing with each other. As we continue to grow as a family as the world is failing, I pray that we never depart from each other and always grow as a family. Chorus
Lullaby Project Participants and Staff Songwriter Participants Chavontae Constance Emerald Erika Jaye Laurel Malisa Monica Rosie Teaching Artists Beth Giacobassi* Paul Hauer* Meaghan Heinrich Eric Segnitz John Tanner
Arrangers Alex Ayers* Beth Giacobassi* Eric Segnitz John Tanner Project Staff Rebecca Whitney, Director of Education, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Michelle Pehler ACE & Education Manager, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
* member of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Hannah Esch Education Coordinator, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Stephanie Birr Trauma Support Specialist, Sojourner Family Peace Center Marleisa Quiles Supervisor of Life Skills, Sojourner Family Peace Center
Lullaby Project Performing Artists Hannah Esch, vocals Kostia Efimov, piano TC Furlong, steel pedal guitar Nathan Hackett, viola* Meaghan Heinrich, oboe Rudi Heinrich, bassoon* William Helmers, clarinet* Brian Hilligoss, vocals Joe Jordan, vocals Hyewon Kim, violin*
Mike Lorenz, drumset & percussion Alesia Miller, vocals Bob Monagle, acoustic & electric guitar Krystof Pipal, French horn* Christopher Riggs, percussion* Jennifer Startt, violin* Rebecca Whitney, vocals Sam Winternheimer, acoustic and electric bass
Heather Zinninger Yarmel, flute* Adrien Zitoun, cello* And our Lullaby Songwriter Participants * member of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Recording and mixing done at Tanner Monagle Studios, Inc, Milwaukee, WI John Tanner, Recording Engineer Tannermonagle.com
The Lullaby Project is supported in part by City of Milwaukee Arts Board.