PRESENTS
HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR INVITATIONAL MONDAY, OCTOBER 30TH, 7 PM UTRGV PAC, EDINBURG
PROGRAM Harlingen High School Chorale When the Saints Go Marching In
arr. John Rutter (b. 1945)
Ginger Wheelock, conductor Ruben Reyes, piano
Nikki Rowe High School Chorale The Bartered Bride (Opening Chorus) Bedrich Smetana arr. Emily Ellsworth (1824-1884) Esto Les Digo
Kinley Lange (b. 1950) Lauren Rodriguez, soprano Joshua Watkins, conductor Daniel Steenken, piano
Robert Vela High School Chorale Neighbors’ Chorus from La jolie Parfumeuse
Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880)
Kenneth Rivens, conductor Teresa Peralez, piano
UTRGV University Choir The Lake Isle of Innisfree
Eleanor Daley (b. 1955)
Stabat Mater, P. 77 1. Stabat Mater Dolorosa
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710-1736)
Songs for Women’s Voices 6. I Will Be Earth
Gwyneth Walker (b. 1947)
Norwegian Trilogy arr. 2. Ekorn gjekk på volln og slo Dr. Matthew Coffey, conductor Dr. Brendan Kinsella, piano
Margaret King (b. 1972)
PROGRAM UTRGV Debut Chorale Sweet Day
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) Rayza Benitez, conductor
Want to Be Ready
arr. Moses Hogan (1957-2003)
Moises Garcia, Cristian Contreras, Adam Garcia, bass soloists Alexa Gonzalez, conductor
UTRGV Chamber Choir This is My Father’s World
arr. Ēriks Ešenvalds (b. 1977)
Marianne Bosita, soprano Daemon Irrepit Callidus
György Orbán (b. 1947)
Mass for Four Voices 5. Agnus Dei
William Byrd (c.1540-1623)
Time
Jennifer Lucy Cook (b. 1988)
Combined Choirs Only in Sleep
Ēriks Ešenvalds (b. 1977) Elyssia Fe, soprano Dr. Matthew Coffey, conductor
TEXTS & TRANSLATIONS When the Saints Go Marching In American Traditional Song Glory, glory hallelujah! The Lord goes marching on! Oh, when the saints go marching in: Oh, Lord I want to be in that number, When the saints go marching in. And when the revelation comes: Oh, Lord I want to be in that number, When the revelation comes. Oh, when the new world is revealed: Oh, Lord I want to be in that number, When the new world is revealed. Oh, when they gather round the throne: Oh, Lord I want to be in that number, When they gather round the throne. Hallelujah, brothers, hallelujah sisters! Hear the music going round and around, While the saints go marching up into glory, Oh, hear those angel trumpets sound! And when they crown him King of Kings: Oh, Lord I want to be in that number, When they crown him King of Kings. And when the sun no more will shine: Oh, Lord I want to be in that number, When the sun no more will shine. And when the moon has turned to blood: Oh, Lord I want to be in that number, When the moon has turned to blood. And on that hallelujah day: Oh, Lord I want to be in that number, On that hallelujah day.
TEXTS & TRANSLATIONS When the Saints Go Marching In American Traditional Song Glory, glory hallelujah! The Lord goes marching on! Oh, when the saints go marching in: Oh, Lord I want to be in that number, When the saints go marching in. And when the revelation comes: Oh, Lord I want to be in that number, When the revelation comes. Oh, when the new world is revealed: Oh, Lord I want to be in that number, When the new world is revealed. Oh, when they gather round the throne: Oh, Lord I want to be in that number, When they gather round the throne. Hallelujah, brothers, hallelujah sisters! Hear the music going round and around, While the saints go marching up into glory, Oh, hear those angel trumpets sound! And when they crown him King of Kings: Oh, Lord I want to be in that number, When they crown him King of Kings. And when the sun no more will shine: Oh, Lord I want to be in that number, When the sun no more will shine. And when the moon has turned to blood: Oh, Lord I want to be in that number, When the moon has turned to blood. And on that hallelujah day: Oh, Lord I want to be in that number, On that hallelujah day.
TEXTS & TRANSLATIONS The Bartered Bride (Opening Chorus) Karel Sabina Proč bychom se netěšili, když nám pán bůh zdraví da. Kdož znás ví, zda po ut’ budo ucí, vesele tak uhlídá. A kdo ženat, která vdaná, rozžehnej se s radovánky! Žena doma hospodaři, muž se uklídá za džbánky. Ouvej! Konec radostí! hrnou se starosti, zlosti, mrzutosti, Jenom ten je v prav dě št’asten, kdo života uživá. Why should we not be happy, when God gives us good health? Who knows if on our future journey we’ll find happiness? Married men and married women say goodbye to joy! Women at home face housework a man hides himself behind a pitcher. Oh dear! The end of pleasure! brewing worries, angers, grievances The only ones who are truly happy make the most of life. Esto Les Digo San Mateo 18:19-20 Esto les digo, si dos de ustedes se ponen en acuerdo aquí en la tierra para pedir algo en oración, mi padre que está en el cielo, se lo dará. This I tell you, if two of you are in agreement here on the earth to ask for something in prayer, my Father who is in heaven, will give it to you.
TEXTS & TRANSLATIONS Porque donde dos o tres, se reúnen en mi nombre, allí estoy yo, en medio de ellos. Because where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there, in the midst of them. The Lake Isle of Innisfree William Butler Yeats I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree, And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made; Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee, And live alone in the bee-loud glade. And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow, Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings; There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow, And evening full of the linnet’s wings. I will arise and go now, for always night and day I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore; While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey, I hear it in the deep heart’s core. Stabat Mater dolorosa 13th Century Latin Hymn Stabat Mater dolorosa Juxta crucem lacrymosa, Dum pendebat Filius.
There stood the Mother grieving, Beside the cross weeping While on it hung her Son.
I Will Be Earth May Swenson I will be earth, you be the flower. You have found my root, you are the rain. I will be boat, and you the rower. You rock me and toss me, you are the sea. How be steady earth that is now a flood. The root is the oar afloat where has blown our bud. We will be desert, pure salt the seed. Burn radiant love, born scorpion need.
TEXTS & TRANSLATIONS Ekorn gjekk på volln og slo Traditional Norwegian Folk Song Ekorn gjekk på volln og slo og ekorn ljåen førte, Skjora lesste, kråka drog og vessle pusekatten kjørte The squirrel mowed the hay on the field and the squirrel worked the scythe. The magpie loaded, the crow pulled and the little cat was driving. This is My Father’s World Maltbie D. Babcock This is my Father’s world, and to my list’ning ears all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father’s world, I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; His hand the wonders wrought. This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise, the morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise. This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair; in the rustling grass I hear Him pass; He speaks to me everywhere. This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my Father’s world: why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King; let the heavens ring! God reigns; let the earth be glad! Daemon Irrepit Callidus Anonymous Medieval Goliardic Text Daemon irrepit callidus, Allicit cor honoribus, Ponit frauds inter laudes, cantus, saltus. Quidquid amabile Demon dat, Cor Jesu minus aestimat.
TEXTS & TRANSLATIONS The Demon sneaks expertly Tempting the honorable heart; He mixes trickery with praise, song & dance However amiably the Demon acts, It is still worth less than the heart of Jesus. Caro venatur sensibus; Sensus adhaeret dapibus; Inescatur, impinguatur, dilatator. Quidquid amabile Caro dat, Cor Jesu minus aestimat. The Flesh is tempted by sensuality; Gluttony clings to our senses; It overgrows, it encroaches, it stretches. However appealing the Flesh is, It is still worth less than the heart of Jesus. Adde mundorum milia, Mille millena gaudia; Cordis aestum non explebunt, non arcebunt. Quidquid amabile Totum dat, Cor Jesu minus aestimat. Though the Universe may confer Thousands upon thousands of praises, They don’t fulfill or put out a heart’s desires However appealing the whole Universe is, It is still worth less than the heart of Jesus. Agnus Dei Mass Ordinary Agnus Dei Lamb of God qui tollis peccata mundi Who takest away the sin of the world miserere nobis have mercy upon us. Agnus Dei Lamb of God qui tollis peccata mundi Who takest away the sin of the world dona nobis pacem have mercy upon us.
TEXTS & TRANSLATIONS Time Jennifer Lucy Cook You can spend it When you spend it Then you’re running out of Time You can save it But to save it is to take a little Time In a minute When youre in it Can you feel the passing Time Is an illusion There’s confusion When they tell you now it’s Time To get older Time To work and Time to waste and there’s no Time Left to hold her Time To tell him how you feel While there’s still Time Three two one, eleven thirty Two AM, then dinner Time Now to kill I said I will, and still It flies and flies, oh Time
TEXTS & TRANSLATIONS Only In Sleep Ēriks Ešenvalds Only in sleep I see their faces Children I played with when I was a child Louise comes back with her brown hair braided Annie with ringlets warm and wild Only in sleep Time is forgotten— What may have come to them, who can know? Yet we played last night as long ago And the doll-house stood at the turn of the stair The years had not sharpened their smooth round faces I met their eyes and found them mild— Do they, too, dream of me, I wonder And for them am I too a child?
PROGRAM NOTES Except where indicated, all program notes were written by UTRGV choir students. The Lake Isle of Innisfree William Butler Yeats' 1888 poem "The Lake Isle of Innisfree" paints a longing for a serene life on a small island in Ireland where he spent time as a young boy. The author envisions a departure from urban life to the tranquility of Innisfree, intending to build a small house, cultivate a bean garden, and collect honey from a nearby hive of bees. However, the poem concludes with the acknowledgment that the speaker remains rooted in the urban setting, only dreaming of the idyllic retreat. Composer Eleanor Daley was born and raised in Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada where she received her Bachelor of Music Degree in Organ Performance from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. She has been a Director of Music at Fairlawn Avenue United Church in Toronto, Ontario since 1982 where she has established a flourishing choir. Daley has published over 150 choral compositions which have been performed worldwide. Stabat Mater dolorosa The "Stabat Mater Dolorosa" text portrays a poignant depiction of a sorrowful mother witnessing her son's crucifixion. The hymn itself originates from the 13th century and has been attributed to Jacopone da Todi or Pope Innocent III, but its exact origin remains unknown. Pergolesi, who received his musical education in Naples, played a significant role in shaping the hymn's popularity. His version quickly gained favor over Alessandro Scarlatti’s, which had been performed yearly in Naples. Pergolesi's setting, one of his final compositions prior to his passing, was initially designed for chamber vocal performances and not intended for public church services. The piece skillfully employs two contrasting voice parts with dissonances reflecting the agony and despair felt by Mary as she witnesses her son's suffering. I Will Be Earth Gwyneth Walker, an esteemed American composer from New Canaan, Connecticut, has published over 400 works that have been performed worldwide. Her academic journey, marked by a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in composition from Brown University, laid the foundation for her influential career.
PROGRAM NOTES In “I Will Be Earth,” Walker paints a scene of love and devotion through a narrator's comparison of herself to the earth and her beloved to elements like rain, flowers, and the sea. The piece initially expresses a serene and idyllic love, reflected in the peaceful major key, but pivots dramatically during its climax, portraying the emergence of challenges or turmoil within the relationship. The shift in rhythm and tonality, marked by a flood reference and the allusion to “scorpion need,” embodies a more tumultuous and urgent phase of love, underscored by a darker, minor key. This interplay between contrasting musical sections and lyrical themes captures the intricate and multifaceted nature of love, illustrating its many complexities and shades. Ekorn gjekk på volln og slo Margaret King is a composer and arranger hailing from Swift Current, Saskatchewan. King’s musical adaptations have seen performances throughout Canada, the United States, and Europe. Her musical education began under her mother’s guidance before pursuing formal training at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta. King’s arrangement of “Ekorn gjekk på volln og slo” is part of the Norwegian Trilogy, a collection of folk songs written by Norwegian clergyman and hymnwriter, Anders Hovden which depict a lively scene from the Sunnmøre district in Norway. The song portrays a squirrel bustling through a meadow, wielding a scythe, a task typically associated with human activity. In this imaginative narrative, other animals such as a magpie, a crow, and a little cat join in, collaborating to tend to the field. This is My Father’s World Ēriks Ešenvalds was born in Priekule, Latvia, and pursued his musical education at the Latvian Baptist Theological Seminary and the Latvian Academy of Music, eventually obtaining a master’s degree in composition. "This Is My Father's World," written by Maltbie Davenport Babcock in 1901, is a beloved hymn that celebrates the beauty of the natural world. Babcock, a Presbyterian minister, drew inspiration from his experiences in the beautiful Niagara Falls, where he was amazed at the wonders of nature. Ešenvalds’ setting reflects the hymn's poetic journey, beginning with joyful observations of nature's wonders and culminating in a profound declaration of the Earth's divine beauty despite its imperfections.
PROGRAM NOTES Daemon Irrepit Callidus György Orbán, a Romanian-born Hungarian composer, wrote in styles that range from Western avant-garde experimentation to a more neo-romantic approach in his later career. After his studies at the Cluj-Napoca Academy of Music, Orbán became a professor at the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest. His sacred choral music is a fusion of Baroque, jazz, and Liturgical influences that showcase his versatile musical palette. The words of “Daemon Irrepit Callidus” were taken from an anonymous, medieval Goliardic text entitled “Anonymi Hungari affectus in Jesum super amnia amabilem.” Orbán’s composition embodies the struggle between a valiant soul and the devil's temptation, conveyed through augmented chords and chromatic scales. Agnus Dei William Byrd, an influential English composer and organist, was born around 1540 in London and died in Stondon Massey, Essex in 1623. He was a towering figure in the Renaissance Era, deeply intertwined with the religious and political turmoil of his time. Byrd was a devout Catholic navigating a landscape of conflict between Catholicism and Protestantism during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. His “Agnus Dei,” from the Mass for Four Voices, debuted amidst this contentious period and was first performed around 1592-93. When printing and distributing this work, Byrd opted for unmarked and separated copies of the piece, as holding these religious texts during the English Reformation of the Catholic Church was banned and could lead to arrest. His deeply religious inclination and defiance against the political and religious climate of the time are evident in his compositions, particularly his choice to set the Ordinary of the Latin Mass. Time Time, like money or borders between one country and another, is one of those funny human-made concepts that dictate our lives but are fundamentally meaningless if we didn’t all agree to go along with it. And yet, we experience aging, the changing of seasons, and growth, undeniably. The line between time’s reality and its invention is blurry, and there was no better way I could think of to depict that than by writing a repeating lyric that erodes as the piece unfolds. As lyrics disappear, phrases take on new meaning, like the way a 30th
PROGRAM NOTES birthday differs from a fifth birthday, or how old memories can appear sharper than yesterday’s. We lose time when we try to keep it, we spend time as we try to save it – and since it insists upon eluding us, we can only notice the fact that time has been winking at us all along. This wit, this relentlessness, and this freedom is the spirit behind Time, and this piece is my way of winking back. – Jennifer Lucy Cook Only in Sleep The piece "Only in Sleep," inspired by Sara Teasdale's poem of the same name, delves into the realm of dreams, nostalgia, and memories of the past. Ēriks Ešenvalds’s composition reflects the bittersweet way we perceive the past as we grow older – childhood friends' faces linger in our minds but fade in clarity. These nostalgic memories only resurface in the realm of dreams, slipping away upon waking. Through simple phrases and regular meters, Ešenvalds captures the essence of childhood remembrance. The speaker clearly and colorfully describes her childhood friends, Louise and Annie, and the doll house they played with as if they were still present in her life. The poem also leaves us wondering whether our past companions might dream of us as we remember them.
PERSONNEL Harlingen High School Chorale Marcelo Arguelles Jorge Avalos Shelby Belmontes Tyler Benavides Ashlynn Burns Emmalee Corona Nathaniel Davila Christina De Leon Alexis Diaz Jhamilla Escober Valeria Garcia Emily Garza Kelly Gonzalez Gianna Lancara-Curbelo Alana Lujan Cassidy Lyons Naomi Macmanus Ashley Maldonado Santos Karina Marquez Julianna Montes Elaina Pizano Kaylee Ramirez Jeremiah Rodriguez Capri Schmitgen Mijael Silguero Christian Tapia Adauto Brianna Vargas Hilda Vela Xzavier Villegas Atliyan Wallace Silas White Ginger Wheelock and Alfonso Gonzalez, conductors Ruben Reyes, piano Nikki Rowe High School Chorale Iridiana Aguilar Gabriel Banda Michael Banda Nicolas Cantu Javier Carlos Camila Castro Nayelie Cavazos Cassus Cazares
PERSONNEL Jordan Flores Adamariz Garcia Gisela Garcia Nicholas Gomez Donovan Hernandez James Humphrey Sarah Lopez Nathan Luu Justin Maya Hannah Ng Diana Nguyen Morgan Nunez Carlos Ocadiz Annika Perez Ezequiel Perez Britney Ramos Armando Rodriguez Lauren Rodriguez Zaida Sauceda Alexia Serda Madison Urbina Alijah Valdez Jaxon Zamora Joshua Watkins and Gabriel Treviño, conductors Daniel Steenken, piano Robert Vela High School Chorale Sara Abreu Marques Aleman Faith Almaguer Allan Alvear Leslie Araguz Julianna Arredondo Alexis Artiaga Ximena Bernal Thalani Carreon Joshua Castro Martinez Alianna Cole-Ochoa Nathaniel De Leon Thoney Ley Elefante Adan Garcia Madalyn Garcia Natalie Garcia
PERSONNEL Hannah Gener Tessa Gonzalez Janette Guel Maria Hernandez Nickolas Leal Sebastian Leal Axel Leon Lauren Martinez Emilee Mascorro Yalainna Molina Juan Montanez Sarah Montanez Anthony Moreno Sara Raadt Brianna Reyes Aidan Salinas Arnoldo Salinas Emmalyn Salinas Sarah Salinas Trinidad Santon Jared Solages Ashley Solis Matthew Solis Brianna Tijerina Daryl Trejo Lydia Vasquez Bo Zapata Carolina Zuniga Kenneth Rivens and Teresa Peralez, conductors Teresa Peralez, piano UTRGV University Choir Layla Arreola (Sharyland Pioneer HS) Sofia Barrera (Lamar HS) Valeria Cruz (Economedes HS) Delaney Dwyer (Saint Mary’s Hall) Sofia Flores (Mid-Valley Christian School) Naria Garcia (San Benito HS) Wendy Garcia (Juarez-Lincoln HS) Laylani Garza (PSJA Memorial HS) Maddox Gonzalez (Edinburg North HS) Mariah Guel (Edinburg North HS) Alekxa Guevara (Nikki Rowe HS) Danielle Hörr (Science Academy) Demi Lopez (Harlingen HS South) Samantha Marquez (Mercedes HS)
PERSONNEL Jaylah Martinez (PSJA North HS) Karen Mendoza (Mission HS) Marisol Mireles (PSJA ECHS) Gemma Moreno (Nikki Rowe HS) Mia Ramirez (Weslaco HS) Yaretzi Ramirez (STISD Health Professions) Samantha Rojas (Mercedes ECA) Cindy Ruiz (UAM Valle Hermoso) Natasia Sanchez (STISD Health Professions) Dacia Villa (PSJA Southwest HS) Zarah Zamora (McAllen Memorial HS) Dr. Matthew Coffey, conductor Dr. Brendan Kinsella, piano UTRGV Chamber Choir Elijah Adame (Edinburg HS) Sydney Alvarez (Edinburg HS) Leslie Arteaga (Vanguard Rembrandt HS) Tony Ballesteros (Robert Vela HS) Albeza Barrera (Roma HS) Diego Benavides (Robert Vela HS) Rayza Benitez (Nikki Rowe HS) Marianne Bosita (Weslaco HS) Nathan Cavazos (Mission HS) Cristian Contreras (PSJA Memorial HS) Caleb Franks (Harlingen HS) Elyssia Fe (Harlingen HS) Adam Garcia (Ray HS) Moises Garcia (PSJA North HS) Alexa Gonzalez (PSJA Memorial HS) Jason Goyre (PSJA North HS) Issa Karr (Edinburg North HS) Kaylee Lopez (Mayde Creek HS) Manuel Martinez (Edinburg HS) Joshua Parra (Robert Vela HS) Allysa Perez (Donna HS) Zachary Ramsey (Economedes HS) Danielle Rocha (Donna North HS) Melodee Rodriguez (Nikki Rowe HS) Nestor Silva (Roma HS) Brandon Tiu (McAllen Memorial HS) Gregorio Zuniga (Weslaco East HS) Dr. Matthew Coffey, conductor Dr. Brendan Kinsella, piano
ABOUT THE CONDUCTOR Dr. Matthew Coffey is Assistant Professor of Choral Studies at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley where he conducts the Chamber Choir, University Choir, teaches coursework in conducting and secondary choral methods, and supervises student teachers. He holds the Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) and degrees in Music Education from the University of Houston and Sam Houston State University. At the University of Cincinnati, he served as the conductor of the University of Cincinnati Men’s Chorus, a 100-year-old ensemble that comprises students from all 14 UC colleges. He also supervised undergraduate Music Education students in their student teaching placements, taught private conducting lessons to undergraduate and graduate students, and served as assistant conductor of the undergraduate opera. While in Cincinnati, he served on the music staff of Knox Presbyterian Church and sang professionally with the Vocal Arts Ensemble of Cincinnati, conducted by GRAMMY® award winner, Craig Hella Johnson. During his 11 years as a high school choral director in the Houston area, 45 of Dr. Coffey’s students were named to a Texas All-State Choir. While at Ridge Point High School in Fort Bend ISD, he oversaw a 346% increase in enrollment in choral programs and the institution of a yearly masterworks concert with professional chamber orchestra. His current research interests include the sacred choral music of Michael Haydn, pre-service music teacher education, and rehearsal pedagogy. He has studied conducting with Joe Miller, Earl Rivers, Brett Scott, and Allen Hightower and participated in conducting masterclasses with Simon Carrington, Donald Nally, Joshua Habermann, Louis Langrée, and Dale Warland. Dr. Coffey is frequently contracted as a guest conductor, clinician, and presenter. In recent years, he has given lectures and conducted honor choirs in Arkansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia. When he’s not buried in a score, he can be found on the couch rooting for the Houston Astros with his wife, Ashley, a grant writer for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and their oneyear-old son, Elliott. His other passions include hot wings, Mexican food, and iced coffee.
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