Artie Henry Middle School VARSIT Y TREBLE CHOIR
THE LEANDER INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT presents the
Artie Henry Middle School VARSIT Y TREBLE CHOIR In concert for the AMERICAN CHORAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONFERENCE KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019
FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019
HELZBERG HALL
MURIEL KAUFFMAN THEATRE
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
1:30 P.M.
4:45 P.M.
ABOUT
ABOUT THE
The Leander Independent School District, located approximately 25 miles northwest of downtown Austin, Texas, encompasses nearly 200 square miles and has campuses sited within the cites of Leander, Cedar Park, and Austin. This dynamic school district is one of the fastest growing school districts in Texas, serves an enrollment of over 38,000 students with 43 campuses and auxiliary facilities, while maintaining standards of excellence throughout the system.
The choir program at Henry Middle School serves more than 350 students and is comprised of seven performing ensembles: two sixth grade ensembles, three non-varsity ensembles, Varsity Men’s Choir, and the Varsity Treble Choir.
Leander Independent School District
LISD boasts the best area average for college enrollment. According to Texas Monthly magazine, LISD schools rank among the best in the state, with the high schools in the top 5 percent. The Leander ISD Vision is that every student is encouraged, supported, and challenged to achieve the highest levels of knowledge, skills, and character. Every LISD graduate is prepared with the knowledge, academic foundation, and life skills to be a productive learner, an effective communicator, and responsible citizen, in order to be successful in an ever-changing world. ABOUT
Artie Henry Middle School
Henry Middle School is part of the Leander Independent School District, located a few miles northwest of Austin, Texas. The school opened in 2002 as a sixth, seventh, and eighth grade campus that serves approximately 1,357 students today. The students of Henry Middle School love learning, are consistently self-motivated, and take ownership of personal decisions. They excel academically, socially, and emotionally. Our students exemplify ethical behavior, care for others, and are proud of themselves and their school. HMS students are nationally recognized and seek a higher level of success as lifelong learners. Henry Middle School is a great place to work and learn. The atmosphere is nothing short of kind and respectful, with a dedication from all in our quest for excellence. At HMS, parents are a part of our school culture and are seen in and interact with the school frequently and in a variety of activities. We have a large and active parent volunteer program and PTA Parents bring valuable insight and a unique perspective, which serves to improve home/school relationships, student behaviors and academic achievement. Parents, businesses and community leaders come together with teachers and administrators to develop a collective vision and purpose and to set goals to improve our school and the excellence we maintain.
Henry Middle School Choir Program
Since the school opened in 2002, Henry Middle School choirs have consistently earned Sweepstakes at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading evaluation and have been well represented at All Region Choir auditions. In 2008 and 2012, the Henry Middle School Varsity Treble Choir was an invited choir that performed at the Texas Music Educators Association convention. To improve their individual skills and musicianship, all students in the HMS Varsity ensembles attend weekly section rehearsals, and many students take advantage of the opportunity for private vocal instruction through the LISD private lesson program. In addition to their involvement in choir, HMS Choir students are active participants in other student groups, including National Junior Honor Society, Student Council, Leadership, Yearbook, Athletics, Art, Cheerleading, Dance Team, Theatre and many more. Through the dedicated work of many individuals, the program has built a tradition of success that has flourished within the school and in the community. LEANDER INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Honors and Awards TEXAS MUSIC EDUCATOR ASSOCIATION INVITED CHOIRS CEDAR PARK HS MIXED CHOIR, 2019 N LISA HOLT CANYON RIDGE MS TREBLE CHOIR, 2017 N COURTNEY KELLY VANDERGRIFT HS WOMEN’S CHOIR, 2016 N MICHAEL ZOOK VISTA RIDGE HS MIXED CHOIR, 2014 N STEVE WHITE HENRY MS TREBLE CHOIR, 2012 N MICHELLE HANK HENRY MS TREBLE CHOIR, 2008 N KIMBERLY WILLIAMS CEDAR PARK MS MIXED CHOIR, 2003 N BRENDA JUSTICE SOUTHWEST ACDA HONOR CHOIRS VANDERGRIFT HS WOMEN’S CHOIR, 2016 N MICHAEL ZOOK NATIONAL ACDA HONOR CHOIRS HENRY MS TREBLE CHOIR, 2019 N AMANDA RANSOM VANDERGRIFT HS WOMEN’S CHOIR, 2019 N MICHAEL ZOOK
Program Notes Confitemini Domino...........................................................................................................................PATTI DRENNAN (HAL LEONARD 08749631)
Praise ye the Lord for He is good: Because his mercy endures forever. Let us give thanks unto God Alleluia! This fanfare continuously builds all the way to the end. This piece was selected because it is a powerful shout of joyful praise. Seventh-grader Sabrina Cole describes the song this way, “It’s just beginning! This is the opening of something great and new! Be joyful for a new start! Praise the lord for he is good!”
In Paradisum.................................................................. GABRIEL FAURÉ/arr. GEOFFREY EDWARDS (HERITAGE MUSIC PRESS 15/3458H)
May the angels lead you into paradise May the martyrs receive you at your arrival And lead you to the holy city Jerusalem. May choirs of angels receive you And with Lazarus Once a poor man May you have eternal rest. This is a lovely two-part setting of Gabirel Faure’s In Paradisum. The simplicity of the lines both unison and in parts allows for long musical phrases. This has been a wonderful piece to work on tone, word stress and tuning. The singers were asked to envision a paradise for themselves as they sing this piece. Eighth grader Maia Thomas says, “During the song In Paradisum, I envision a safe place to be myself. A place where I am free to learn, explore, and live in harmony with others. As someone living in a world that is constantly fighting and restricted for myself in many ways, imagining that safe place for me to live in and experience gives me an image for what I want to make of my life as I grow and mature.”
Lineage................................................................................................................................................................................. ANDREA RAMSEY (BOOSEY AND HAWKES 48023346)
The piece is earthy, determined, strong, and yet gentle. The percussion adds a somewhat rustic element. The mood and text seem to imply that our sweet gentle grandmother has SEEN some things. Seventh-grader Landry Webster says, ”Lineage is about finding strength. Strength between you and everyone around you. Strength to pass boundaries.” KATELYN HOOPER SANDPAPER BLOCKS
ELIANA JAGEN HAND DRUM
ANISSA GARCIA DJEMBE
Where the Light Begins............................................................................................................... SUSAN LaBARR Commissioned for the Artie Henry Middle School Varsity Treble Choir’s 2019 National ACDA Performance
“To me, this is about realizing that each person has the ability to make a difference and change the world. It is not something that we even have to try that hard to do, because it is within each of us to love, to accept, and to care for our neighbors. And it doesn’t take a monumental action — it is all of the little kindnesses that we can show every day that will spread that love beyond ourselves, our schools, our neighborhoods, and our communities, and can bring light to the whole of humanity.” ~ Susan LaBarr
Three Quotes by Mark Twain 1. The Silent Fool
..................................................................... ANDREA RAMSEY (SANTA BARBARA MUSIC PUBLISHING, INC. SBMP 892)
2. Telling the Truth
3. My Dear Mother
Andrea Ramsey writes in her notes that each piece was written in “Twain-esque” musical styles. The Silent Fool is quasi-ragtime, Telling the Truth is a waltz feel, and My Dear Mother has a bluesy quality. The simplicity of each piece allows for the singers to take on a character. This selection gave us the opportunity to highlight that despite the fact that the girls are singing some very challenging literature they are still young girls. Seventh-grader Samira Mannan likes this piece because, “it’s just a fun batch of songs to sing, and because each song, while silly and funny, has an important theme that does require a little digging to find.”
Vus Vet Zayn..............................................................................................................................................STEPHEN HATFIELD (COLLA VOCE MUSIC, INC. 21-20231)
From paper we will Build a bridge And we’ll roll along Back to our land.
What will be when the Messiah comes? We’ll gather roasted doves From the side of the road.
Stephen Hatfield writes the following in his notes, “Paper has a paradoxical symbolism. On the one hand it suggests any ephemeral everyday thing. On the other hand, since the paper is for writing, and Jews writing is intimately connected with the preservation of sacred texts, “paper” also suggests the pillars of law, and the inexorable will of God. Gather roasted doves from the side of the road suggests a world in which the most delicious experiences and exotic delicacies will fall like mannah out of heaven, and lie ready for the taking. When asked to describe the complex nature of this piece, eighthgrader Aiyana Kimble says, “The multiple rhythms within the piece contribute to the complexity, along with tonality and keeping an internal beat.” ELIANA JAGEN TAMBOURINE
Paper Crane .................................................................................................................................................................J. REESE NORRIS (MUSIC SPOKE MS39895)
This piece is based on the story of Sadako Sasaki. Sadako developed cancer about 10 years after her house was destroyed when the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. While in the hospital, she was told a legend that if a person were to fold a thousand paper cranes, their wish would come true. She folded well over 1,000 paper cranes. Sadako Sasaki and the paper cranes have become a symbol of peace around the world. The composer encourages the choir to come up with their own message of peace. The girls have decided to use a line of text from Where the Light Begins:
Perhaps this day the light begins in us.
Soprano 1
SYDNEY FILIPPELL, KATYA HOPP ◊‡, TAYLOR MORRIS, DORA ANNE COOPER ‡, SARA BRYSON, MADELINE SEEDS, SANDRA ZIEGLER, AUDREY GUIDRY, SOPHIA HINOJOSA ‡, EMILY ROOT +, ERICA WILEY ‡, GRACIE KARABINAS, BRIDGETTE CRUMPTON
Soprano 2
MILA MALLINGER, MAIA THOMAS ‡, LEILA MENDOZA ◊, ELENA JOHNSON, JENNIFER PHAM, MARIA JOSE VELASQUEZ ‡, LANDRY WEBSTER, CAMARIE HENNIG, KOURTNEY RODGRIGUEZ, SAMIRA MANNAN ‡, LOGAN LEAR, ELLIE MARTIN ◊, CAMMY THOMPSON, A’DARRA PERRY, NATALIE KING ‡, SABRINA COLE ‡
+ CHOIR OFFICER
◊ SECTION LEANDER
‡ REGION CHOIR MEMBER
Alto
SYDNEY FILIPPELLI SARAH SCIBANA NISHIKA BAJAJ ‡ MAHITA CHALLAGULLA AIYANA KIMBLE ‡ KATIE NGUYEN LAURA FRAZIER ‡ LAUREN ROBERTS ‡
ALISHA SHARMA EVA AGUILAR ◊ CHLOE MALDONADO ‡ KATIE LUU ‡ ABIGAIL GERACI ‡ EMILY WATSON ◊ ‡ ILLARI COHAILA
2017-2018
Varsity Treble Choir
ELLEE AXELOD NISHIKA BAJAJ MELIA BEASLEY ALEX BELL MIKKA BENDER ALEX BOURGEOIS AUBREY CARDWELL AUBREY CARRINGTON ALY CHARNAS EMMA CHUDLEIGH DORA ANNE COOPER KAYLEE COX HAYLEE DALTON GRACE DELL THANVI DHANENKULA BROOKE EASTMAN ABBY FERGUSON IZZY FILIPPELLI MACEY GARCIA ALEXIS GRAY CAMARIE HENNIG
KATYA HOPP MARLIE HOTEA MACKENZIE HOWTON ELENA JOHNSON JORDAN LEE CLAIRE LEMIEUX KAILA LUCERO MIA MALLINGER JAHNELLE MATA NATALIE MAYO LYDIA MENDOZA TAYLOR MORRIS ISA MURPHY RAMYA NAMBALA MADISON POMROY JACEY ROBINSON SARAH SCIBANA ALISHA SHARMA AUTUMN TEW KAYLA VO EMILY WATSON
AMANDA RANSOM
ANISSA GARCIA
Amanda Ransom,
DIRECTOR
Amanda Ransom is in her eleventh year of teaching and her 7th year as head director at Artie Henry Middle School. Under her direction, the HMS Choirs have consistently earned Sweepstakes at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluation and recognition at local and regional festivals. Mrs. Ransom holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree in Choral Music, magna cum laude, from the University of North Texas. While attending North Texas, Mrs. Ransom sang in choirs under the direction of Dr. Alan McClung and Dr. Jerry McCoy and studied voice with Richard Croft. Additionally, she has sung with Chorus Austin. Mrs. Ransom conducted the TMEA Region 21 Middle School Treble choir in 2017. In 2012 Mrs. Ransom was the assistant director for the Varsity Treble Choir at their Texas Music Educator’s Association performance. The Varsity Mixed Choir performed along side the Arite Henry Middle School Honor Band on their CCC Honor Band Performance at TMEA in 2018. The Varsity Treble Choir was also invited to perform at the Middle School/Junior High National Conference for Choral Music in 2018 under her direction. Mrs. Ransom is a member of TMEA, TCDA, ACDA, and TMAA. Mrs. Ransom enjoys spending time with her husband, Ryan, and their two children, Charlotte and Michael. She is grateful to ACDA for the opportunity to perform at this year’s convention.
Anissa Garcia,
DIRECTOR
Anissa Garcia is in her first year of teaching at Artie Henry Middle School directing the Non-Varsity Treble Choir, 6th Grade Boys’ Choir, and Non-Varsity Men’s Choir. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree, cum laude, from Texas Tech University. While attending Texas Tech, Ms. Garcia sang in choirs under the direction of Mr. Rick Bjella, Dr. Carolyn Cruse, and Dr. Alan Zabriskie. Ms. Garcia was a recipient of the Texas Music Educators Collegiate Music Educator Award in the Fall of 2018, a chosen student conductor in the 2018 Texas Choral Directors Association summer conference, and a semi-finalist in the 2018 SouthWestern ACDA undergraduate conducting competition. She is very excited to be a part of the Henry Middle School team in her first year of teaching.
ELIZABETH WIRTZ
ERIN THELEN
Elizabeth Wirtz,
ACCOMPANIST
Elizabeth Wirtz has been playing piano since she was 5 years old and has been a church pianist since she was a teenager. She has been in the Austin area since 1993 when she moved from her home state of Nevada to attend the University of Texas and earned her degree in piano pedagogy in 1995. That year she also married her husband of 22 years, Jeff and now they have two teenage daughters. Their family also includes two dogs and two horses. Elizabeth’s career in music continued with teaching and operating her own piano studio and by earning a Masters in Music from Texas State University in 2000. She has always been a free-lance accompanist, playing for many soloists and recitals and competitions. The past decade has included working as faculty at Concordia University in Austin, TX and The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, TX where she played for many voice recitals and choir concerts. Several of her accompanying efforts have resulted in first-placed prizes at the Texoma NATS competitions, and scholarships for the students who have applied for graduate studies, in music.
Erin Thelen,
PRIVATE VOICE TEACHER
Erin Thelen holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree in Choral Music, cum laude, from the University of North Texas. Ms. Thelen was the Choir Assistant at Henry Middle School from 2016-2018. Prior to teaching in the public school, she taught private voice, piano, and guitar in the DFW area and was a long-term substitute for the Coppell High School Choir. She has over five years of experience teaching private voice. This is the first year she has taught voice at Henry Middle School and loves teaching the outstanding and hardworking students of the HMS Choir. In addition to teaching private voice and piano, Thelen currently mangages and performs in her two bands.
Acknowledgments
LEANDER ISD ADMINISTRATION
LEANDER ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HENRY MIDDLE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
DAN TROXELL, PH.D. Superintendent
AARON JOHNSON President
DR. DAVID ELLIS Principal
LAURELYN ARTERBURY, ED.D. Area Superintendent
GRACE BARBER-JORDAN Vice President
BRIAN BARNES Assistant Principal
SARAH GRISSOM Area Superintendent
TRISH BODE Secretary
JAIME BELLGARRISON Assistant Principal
JOHN GRAHAM Area Superintendent
GLORIA GONZALES-DHOLAKIA
TIFFANI INGRAM Assistant Principal
PETER WARSHAW Fine Arts Director
ELEXIS GRIMES
MELISSA SMART Administrative Assistant
JIM MACKAY
SHEILA OLENICH Fine Arts Administrative Assistant
JERILYNN HUEBSCHMAN Bookkeeper
PAMELA WAGGONER
PEGGY GONZALES Fine Arts Bookkeeper
HMS Singer Supporters SILVER
BRONZE T&N Cute Cut
Cedar Park Pediatric Dentistry
Vista Donuts
Luu Auto Repair & Body Shop
Laura and John Milburn
Nitro Swimming
Duy Vietnamese Restaurant
Jerry and Darla Baird
Texas Hospital Insurance Exchange
Mosquito Control Systems
Jim and Jan Benton
DG Consulting
Witness A Production
Steven Smith, DDS, MS Orthodontist
CDE Post Inc.
Angie’s Barber Shop
G’s Dental Studio — Dentistry for the Whole Family
Chirofit Wellness Center
Gary and Jessica Geraci
George A Turner D.D.S.
Urban Mattress
GOLD
Scoop and Score
Anonymous
Texas Crew Productions
MultiTracks.com
Texas Tooth Fairies
Texas Document Solutions, Inc.
The Henry Middle School Choir parents The 2015-2016, 2016-2017, and 2017-2018 Varsity Treble Choirs All HMS Faculty and Staff
Special Thanks
Robert Herrings and Hector Gil, for your hard work and dedication to the success of the percussionists performing with us today. Dr. Alan McClung, clinician
HMS Fine Arts Team The LISD Middle School Choir Faculty: Phillip Bernard, Kristin Burritt, Grant Easdon, Rachelle Elliott, Clint Fleming, Emma Graves, Kara Kasberg, Courtney Kelly, Samara Neto, Michal Risser, Alicia Villarreal, and Megan Weston The LISD High School Choir Faculty: Rebecca Azard Jackson, Megan Goodman, Lisa Holt, Brenda Justice, Mackenzie, Malone, Brittney Nixon, Julie Rhodes, Steve White, Chrissy Williams, Spencer Wiley, and Michael Zook
Jo Scurlock-Dillard, clinician HMS Voice Teachers: Chris Abdo and Erin Thelen Sara’s Alterations, for making the girls look beautiful in their dresses. Talley Photography, for taking stunning pictures. Robin Wilson, for designing this beautiful program. James Pfeiffer, for inspiring me to be a music educator.
My husband, Ryan Ransom, for your love and support.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Perhaps this day the light begins in us.