Combined Choirs
The Rune of Hospitality
Alf Houkom (Ireland) (b. 1935)
Infant Holy Paul Christiansen (Poland) (1914-1997)
Light the Legend Michael Isaacson (Israel) (b. 1946)
Still, Still, Still Norman Luboff (Germany) (1917-1987)
Betlehemu Wendell Whalum (South Africa) (1931 1987) Jara Manatan, Jillian Sharp, Alyssa Rouchon, soloists Jean Paul Klem, additional percussion
Angels We Have Heard on High
Alice Parker (b. 1925) (France) & Robert Shaw (1916 1999)
Night of Silence John Kantor (Germany) (b. 1981)
Translations
I. ¡Oh, mi Belén! ¡Oh, mi Belén! Llegó tu hora bien amada, ¡oh, mi Belén!
La luz que irradias sin cesar, es como un faro que nos guía en nuestra ruta, noche y día.
Oh, my Bethlehem! Your hour has come, beloved, oh, my Bethlehem!
The light that shines without ceasing, is like a beacon that guides us on our way, night and day.
II. El Desembre Congelat
El desembre congelat, confús es retira. Abril, de flors coronat, tot el món admira, Quan en un jardí d'amor, neix una divina flor D'una rosa bella fecunda y poncella. El primer Pare causà la nit tenebrosa Que a tot el mon ofusca la vista penosa. Mes en una mitja nit, brilla el sol que n'és eixit D'una bella aurora que el cel enamora. El mes de maig ha florit, sense ser encara, Un lliri blanc i polit de fragancia rara, Que per tot el món se sent, de Llevant fins a Ponent, Tota sa dulcura i olor amb ventura.
The frozen December retreats. The whole world admires April, crowned by flowers. When in a garden of love, a divine flower is born from a beautiful rose, fruitful and fragrant. Our first Father brought on the night which shrouded the world in darkness
But at midnight, the risen sun shines announcing a beautiful dawn, delighting the sky. The month of May has blossomed, not yet in full flower, a white and polished lily, of such rare fragrance, that from East to West, all the world can breathe in its sweetness and scent with blessedness.
III. Alegría
Hacia Belén se encaminan María con su amante esposo, llevando en su compañía un todo un Dios poderoso.
Refrain: ¡Alegría y placer! Que la virgen va de paso con su esposo hacia Belén.
Towards Bethlehem they walk, Mary with her lovely husband, traveling in the company of an almighty God.
Joy and pleasure!
For the virgin passes by, with her husband, towards Bethlehem.
En cuanto Belén llegaron, posada el punto pidieron, nadie les quiso hospedar, porque tan pobres les Vieron.
Los pajarillos del bosque, al ver pasar los esposos, les cantaban melodías con sus trinos harmoniosos.
When they arrived in Bethlehem, they searched for an inn, but no one would accommodate them, because they were so poor. Refrain
The birds of the forest, seeing Mary and Joseph, sang songs with their harmonious trills. Refrain
IV. A la Nanita Nana
*A la nanita nana, nanita ea... [a cooing sound from mother to baby]
Mi Jesús tiene sueño bendito sea nanita sea. Fuentecilla que corres clara y sonora, Ruiseñor q’en la selva, cantando lloras, Callad mientras la cuna se balancea.
My Jesus is sleepy, blessed be He. Fountain that runs clear and sonorous, Nightingale in the forest, singing sadlyHush, while the cradle rocks.
V. Las Posadas
¿Quieres que te quite, mi bien, de las pajas?
¿Quieres que te adoren todos los pastores?
Refrain:
A la rural, niño chiquito, ya está arrulladito el niño.
Mi querido Padre, mi Díos y señor, Que sufriste alegre del frio su rigor.
Shall I lift you, my darling, out of the manger?
Shall I bring the shepherds to adore you?
A la rurru, little child; the child is already almost lulled to sleep.
My dear Father, my God and Lord, you gladly suffered our sorrow. Refrain
VI. Campana sobre Campana
¡Campana sobre compana, y sobre compana una! Asómate a la ventana, y verás al Niño en la cuna.
Belén, campanas de Belén, que los ángeles tocan ¿Que nuevas me traéis? Recogido tu rebaño, ¿Adónde vas pastorcito? Voy a llevar al portal requesón, manteca y vino.
Si aún las estrellas alumbran, ¿Pastor dónde quieres ir? Voy al portal por si el Niño con Él me deja dormir.
VII. En Belén Tocan A Fuego
En Belén tocan a fuego, del portal salen las llamas. Porque dicen que ha nacido El Redentor de las almas.
Refrain:
Brincan y bailan los peces en el río, Brincan y bailan de ver a Dios nacido Brincan y bailan los peces en el agua, Brincan y bailan de ver nacida el alba.
En el Portal de Belén nació un clavel encarnado, que por redimir el mundo se ha vuelto lirio morado. La Virgen lava pañales, y los tiende en el romero. Los pajarillos cantaban y el agua se iba riendo.
Bell after bell, one bell after another! Come to the window, and see the child in the cradle.
Bethlehem, bells of Bethlehem, that the angels play, what news do you bring to me?
You rounded up your flock: Little shepherd, where are you going? I’m going to bring to the stable cheese, butter and wine.
If the stars still shine, Shepherd, where do you want to go? I’m going to the stable to see if the child will let me sleep beside him.
In Bethlehem a fire begins, from the manger come the flames; for they say he was born, the Redeemer of souls.
Fish in the river jump and dance, they jump and dance to see God’s birth. Fish in the water jump and dance, they jump & dance to see the dawn’s birth.
In Bethlehem’s stable, a carnation was born, the incarnate, that by redeeming the world, has turned into a purple lily. Refrain The Virgin washes clothes, and hangs them on the rosemary bush. The birds sang, and the water flowed rejoicing. Refrain
VIII. El Noi de la Mare
¿Qué li darem a n'el Noi de la Mare?
¿Qué li darem que li sápiga bo? Li darem panses en unes balances, li darem figues en un paneró.
¿Qué li darem a n'el Noi de la Mare?
¿Qué li darem a l’hermos Infantó? Panses i figues anous i olives, panses i figues i mel i mató.
¿Tam-pa-tan-tam, que les figues son verdes
¿Tam-pa-tan-tam, que ja madurarán?
Si no maduren el día de Pasqua, madurarán en el día del Ram.
IX. Chiquirriquitín
Refrain:
Ay, del chiquirritín, chiquirriquitín, metidito entre pajas, Ay, del chiquirritín, chiquirriquitín, Queridi, Queridito del alma.
Por debajo del arco del portaliño se descubre a María, José y el Niño.
Refrain
Entre el buey y la mula Dios ha nacido, y en un pobre pesebre lo han recogido.
Refrain
What shall we give to the Child of the Mother?
What shall we give that the babe will enjoy? We shall give him a tray full of raisins, then we shall give him figs in a basket.
What shall we give to the Child of the Mother?
What shall we give to her beautiful Child? Raisins and dried figs and olives, raisins & figs and honey & cheese.
What shall we do if the figs are green?
What shall we do if the figs will not ripen?
If they are not ripe for Easter, they will ripen on Palm Sunday.
Oh, in the manger, lying in the straw, Oh, in the manger, darling boy, little darling of our soul.
Below the arch of the stable, we find Mary, Joseph, and the Child.
Between an ox and a donkey, and in a poor manger God was born, they received him.
X. El Rorro
A la rururru, niño chiquito, duérmase ya mi Jesucito.
Del elefante hasta el mosquito guarden silencio, no le hagan ruido
Noche venturosa, noche de alegría, bendita la dulce divina María.
A la rurru, little child, go to sleep now, my tiny Jesus.
From the elephant to the mosquito, keep quiet, do not make noise. Refrain
Divine night, night of joy, Blessed be sweet, divine Mary. Refrain
Coros celestiales con su dulce acento, canten la ventura de este nacimiento.
Celestial choirs with your sweet voices, sing the blessing of this birth.
UALBANY CHAMBER SINGERS Soprano Brittany Clarke Helena Danzinger Camille McCalla Kathleen Miller Chizi Okieche Alyssa Rouchon Briana Start Alto Candace Erni Bria Knox Christina Rust Jillian Sharp Alexandria Sisti Lucy Skidmore Samantha Streeter Tenor Evan Belkin Nathan Gillespie Chai Kam Jara Manatan Emmanuel Nwade Alen Stupar Bass Chris Carmack Eitan Goldmeer Jean-Paul Klem Bruce Konopa Ben Pasternack Richard Serafin FESTIVAL CELEBRATION CHOIR Soprano Cenzi Brynolfson Julie Collier Anne Cronin Luella Dozois Peggy Drew Nancy Hall Kaila Harrienger Carol Ann Mele Sandy O’Connor Laura Rogers Barbara Urgento Alto Brenda Austin Melissa DePaoli Susan DiFiore Mary Diroff Carole Farraro Lois Gundrum Jody Hilliker Roseanna Hilliker Jane Kasten-Jolly Martha Mahoney Linda Meinhart Missy O’Brien Elinor Obuchowski Tenor Lisa Bryant Michael Glazier David Hains David Presson Bass Don Drew Gary Hewitt Dan Rogers Albert Yasus
The Festival Celebration Choir is an ecumenical choral group of mixed voices dedicated to the joy of singing music in praise of God. Members of the choir represent some 30 different churches throughout the Capital Region. The Choir, now in its 38th year, often sings at special ecumenical events and benefit concerts, and at nursing/rehabilitation facilities. If you wish to support their work or join the group, you can contact them by writing to PO Box 3731, Albany, NY 12203, speaking to any choir member, or going to their website at www.festivalcelebrationchoir.org Additionally, they award an annual vocal music scholarship of $800. The winning applicant must be a graduating high school senior, who will be planning on attending college. Applications may be found on the choir’s website.
Conductor Julie Panke has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, where she trained at the Lawrence Conservatory of Music, and a Master of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She served as Director of Music at the First Reformed Church of Schenectady for seventeen years and previously served churches in Albany, Burnt Hills, and Glenville. Ms. Panke also directs the Thursday Musical Club, a women's chorus based in Schenectady and Capital Community Voices, a mixed chorus based in East Greenbush. She is a member of the American Choral Directors Association and American Guild of Organists. She assisted the late UAlbany Professor Emeritus Joel Chadabe in the founding of the Electronic Music Foundation where she served as Executive Director. In 2015 she was named a Woman of Achievement by the YWCA of Northeastern New York.
Accompanist and Assistant Director Daniel White is excited to be back with Festival Celebration this season. He teaches Middle School Chorus in the Schenectady City School District. He also sings at Saint John's Lutheran Church in Colonie, accompanies the Cornerstone Ministry at UAlbany, and directs the Albany Gay Men's Chorus. He holds a Bachelor
of Science degree in Vocal Music Education from the College of Saint Rose. When he is not behind the piano, Daniel loves to enjoy time outside and see theater productions throughout the region!
The UAlbany Chamber Singers is a select ensemble of approximately 24 singers that is open to all students regardless of major. Chamber Singers perform many times during the semester, both on campus and around the Capital District. The music performed ranges from standard repertory to music from many cultures. During the summer, the Chamber Singers have toured to such places as Ireland, Central Europe, and Costa Rica. Students who are interested in joining the ensemble may contact director Michael Lister at mclister@ualbany.edu.
Michael Lister holds a Doctor of Arts degree in Choral Conducting at Ball State University, a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance from Mount Vernon Nazarene University, and a Master of Music in Music Theory from Indiana University. For six years, Dr. Lister was the Director of Choirs at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, a private junior high and high school in Ohio. He has also served on the faculty of Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio, and Butler University in Indianapolis, and The College of Saint Rose in the Capital Region. In his capacity of Visiting Professor of Music at The University at Albany, he conducts the university choral ensembles and teaches courses in conducting and other music topics. Throughout his career, Dr. Lister has remained an active conductor, clinician, and performer. He has conducted several New York All County and Area All-State festivals, and his choirs have been featured in NYSSMA and New York ACDA conferences. Dr. Lister has also published several reviews in The American Organist and The Choral Journal and has presented at several regional and international conferences. As a singer and pianist, Dr. Lister has performed regularly in the Capital Region and currently serves as the Music Director of First Presbyterian Church in Albany, New York, and as Guest Director of Saratoga Voices for the 2022-2023 season.
Sten Isachsen has performed as a concerto soloist with the University at Albany Orchestra and the Ithaca College String Quartet. He has Bachelor’s and Master of Music degrees in Guitar Performance from Ithaca College, as well as an Associate Degree in Music Performance from Schenectady County Community College. He has studied guitar with Frederick Hand, Ed Flower, and Joel Brown, and has participated in master classes with Manuel Barrueco, Sergio and Odair Assad, and Benjamin Verdery. Sten is a founding member of the Finger Lakes Guitar Quartet which has commissioned works from composer Anthony Holland. He is also a member of Musicians of Ma’alwyck, a classical trio in residence at the Schuyler Mansion, the Pruyn House and Schenectady County Community College.
In addition to his work as a classical guitarist, Sten performs regularly on steel string and electric guitars, as well as mandolin, providing support for many well-known artists. Sten is endorsed by Martin Guitars and D’Addario Strings. A dedicated teacher, he’s a Professor at SUNY/Schenectady and also maintains a private studio. Sten is owner of North Albany Studios, a rehearsal studio complex and recording facility, and he is also engineer and producer at Bender Studios a recording facility.
Karlinda Caldicott is Principal Harpist with the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra, Catskill Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestra Pro Musica (the accompanying orchestra for Albany Pro Musica). She also appears periodically with Symphoria (formerly Syracuse Symphony Orchestra) and Binghamton Philharmonic, as well as other regional and/or pickup orchestras for various events throughout the Capital Region. Karlinda is also in her tenth year of providing music (on the harp) for weekly worship services at State Street Presbyterian Church in Schenectady, NY. In the chamber music arena, she was leader/member of the North Country Harp Band (a trio of lever-harp players, disbanded August 2022), had a long-time flute and harp duo, Iridescence, with Jan Vinci, and has been
a periodic guest artist with The Musicians of Ma’alwyck. Karlinda is currently active as a private lesson instructor at Hartwick College, and has served as adjunct harp instructor at other regional colleges, including most recently RPI and SUNY/Schenectady, and less recently SUNY/Oneonta and The College of Saint Rose. She also has several private students of all ages and interests throughout the Capital Region and in the Oneonta/Cooperstown region. In addition to her very active schedule with classical performances, Karlinda enjoys performing at lighter functions such as weddings and other private events (www.thelivingharp.com). Karlinda is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she received a Bachelor’s of Music in Harp Performance as a student of legendary teacher Alice Chalifoux. Other teachers and coaches include Marilyn Costello, Lucile Lawrence and Corkey Christman. Karlinda and her family live in Saratoga Springs, NY with their two slightly-insane cats, Koko & Widgit.
Eugene Lorini teaches general music, band, and chorus for grades Kindergarten-8 at St. Mary’s School in Waterford. He earned his B.S. in Music Education from the College of Saint Rose, and is currently working to earn his M.M. in Music Education. Eugene has been a private music instructor at the Guilderland Music Academy for the last five years. Eugene also has experience in liturgical music. He served as interim director of the Youth Choir at the Parish of Mater Christi in Albany, and continues to sing in the Adult Choir.
Next on the Music Program Schedule
Hilary & Duncan Cumming – Sunday, February 5 at 3pm
This faculty couple performs music for violin and piano by Robert Schumann, Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms.
Albagli & Friends – Friday, February 17 at 7pm Faculty member Richard Albagli and William Lauricella, his top high school student, perform a duo percussion recital.
