PRESENTS
UNIVERSITY CHOIR & CHAMBER CHOIR
TUESDAY, MAY 7TH, 7 PM
UTRGV PAC, EDINBURG
PROGRAM
ALL THE SMALL THINGS
The Three Ravens arr Sarah Malin Young Chamber Choir Tenors and Basses
Marianne Bosita, student conductor
Hotaru Koi arr. Rō Ogura
Chamber Choir Sopranos and Altos
Elyssia Fe, student conductor
Voice on the Wind Sarah Quartel
Marianne Bosita, Kaylee Lopez, Nathan Cavazos, Daniel De Leon
Shenandoah arr Michael John Trotta Issa Karr, Nestor Silva, Manuel Martinez
Dance the Night Dua Lipa/arr. Rob Dietz Alexa Gonzalez, Zarah Zamora, Allysa Perez, Joshua Parra, Caleb Franks
Sesere eeye arr Matthew Doyle
Layevska Golinsky, Dacia Villa, Wendy Garcia, Samantha Rojas,
Natasia Sanchez, Perla Cortez, Mariah Guel, Mia Ramirez
Run on for a Long Time
Johnny Cash/arr. J. David Moore Elijah Adame, Gregorio Zuniga, Moises Garcia
As Torrents in Summer Edward Elgar
Melodee Rodriguez, Gemma Moreno, Sergio Reyna, Zachary Ramsey
Warrior
The Wyrd Sisters/arr. Kim Baryluk
Elyssia Fe, Marisol Mireles, Danielle Rocha
Vichten arr Hart Rouge
Citlali Benavides, Delaney Dwyer, Alyssa Salinas, Danielle Hörr, Karen Mendoza, Sarah Rowe, Naria Garcia, Mia Lopez, Cindy Ruiz
The Long Day Closes Arthur Sullivan
Valeria Cruz, Tony Ballesteros, Jason Goyre, Adam Garcia
PROGRAM NOTES
All program notes were written by the students performing the piece unless otherwise noted.
The Three Ravens
“The Three Ravens” is an English folk ballad that tells the story of three birds discussing what they should eat, only to find that their desired meal is being heavily guarded. The earliest known printing of the tune is in a Thomas Ravenscroft song book that is dated 1611.
Arranger Sarah Malin Young is a choir director at Knox Junior High School in The Woodlands, Texas – Matthew Coffey
Hotaru Koi
“Hotaru Koi” originated during the Edo period and was sung while firefly catching – which was a special summer attraction in Japan. There is also a close relationship between fireflies and Japanese culture, most evident in Japanese literature. Poetry and tales written during the Heian period use the light of fireflies as symbols of feelings of love. At the end of the Heian period, fireflies became a symbol of reincarnation originating with the story of a defeated clan leader’s soul, which became a firefly. – Melissa Headrick
Voice on the Wind
Sarah Quartel, born in 1982, is a Canadian educator and composer based in London, Ontario Quartel composes music that not only sounds pleasing to the ear but connects with all involved with the piece on a deep level. Her compositional style is energetic, with a contemporary feel She grew up in the church and became an organist and a choir member, which expanded her love and passion for music. She has been commissioned by the American Choral Directors Association, the New Dublin Voices, and many other choral programs. “Voice on the Wind” consists of imitative scat singing, as well as a catchy beating hand drum and impactful lyrics, written by Quartel herself,
PROGRAM NOTES
that empower the art of singing freely and confidently.
Shenandoah
Michael John Trotta is an American composer whose works are frequently heard at national choral conventions. His arrangement of “Shenandoah” incorporates a driving rhythmic vocal ostinato that underscores the familiar melody, creating a dynamic and textured listening experience that captures the beauty and nostalgia of the American frontier setting. The underlying rhythm ebbs and flows with the soaring melodic line, evoking a sense of calm and peacefulness that mirrors the Shenandoah Valley's natural wonder and beauty. In the piece's closing, Trotta brings the music to a gentle, almost contemplative resolution, echoing the peacefulness of the valley at rest, a testament to Trotta's artistry as a composer as well as his ability to capture the essence of such a beloved folk song in a choral setting.
Dance the Night
This arrangement of “Dance the Night” was written by Rob Dietz but originally performed by world renowned superstar Dua Lipa for the hit 2023 movie, “Barbie.” Dietz is a professional singer and teacher specializing in acapella contemporary music. He has worked with Pentatonix and The Swingles, Voiceplay, Kings Return, and many more The 2023 film “Barbie” is an awardwinning movie which shook the world and explored how feminism and sexism are present in the world we live in today. Dua Lipa’s song dazzled listeners with its inspiration from disco and pop music In this arrangement, Dietz incorporates body percussion and vocal harmonies to pay tribute to the fun lyrics that Dua wrote. This song continues to become a “Pop Girl Classic” by the day, having been nominated for a Grammy and other awards of significance.
PROGRAM NOTES
Sesere eeye
“Sesere eeye” is from Moa Island, and is about the wind, and the effects of the wind blowing on the mountains. This version was taught to the Sydney Children’s Choir by Australian indigenous music performer and teacher Matthew Doyle. – Mark O’Leary
Run On for a Long Time
“Run On for a Long Time” is an American folk song that is often referred to as “God’s Gonna Cut You Down.” It has been performed by artists in many different genres including rock, country, and folk. The song conveys a message that no matter who you are it is inevitable to avoid the judgment of God. Though originally written in 1949 by Bill Landford & The Landfordaires, Johnny Cash’s version of the song is the one most listeners know.
As Torrents in Summer
“As Torrents in Summer” is an SATB choral piece written by British composer, Edward Elgar. The text is taken from “The Saga of King Olaf,” a poetic work written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Its sentiment is meant to evoke feelings of accessing your inner strength and maintaining a deeply rooted faith. With imagery depicting a convent, the abbess is knelt praying when she hears a mysterious voice. The voice, which belongs to Saint John, leaves her with these words, “Patience is powerful; He that o’ercometh hath power o’er the nations … As Torrents in Summer.” Elgar’s work is a lovely and moving choral work meant to be a reminder that patience is a virtue
Warrior
Kim Baryluk co-founded the Juno-nominated Canadian folk band Wyrd Sisters in 1990, celebrated for albums like "Raw Voice" (1997) that blend folk, pop, jazz, and feminist themes. Despite starting with no musical background, they've evolved into a respected ensemble,
PROGRAM NOTES
earning accolades and fostering a strong bond with their audience through hopeful music. "Warrior" vividly portrays the journey from vulnerability to inner strength, particularly in womanhood and solidarity. The text beautifully tracks this evolution, emphasizing the recurring line, "I cannot fight, I cannot a warrior be," before embracing the resolve to fight for justice. The conclusion reaffirms a steadfast commitment to advocating fiercely until all women are liberated from suffering, capturing the profound impact of solidarity and collective empowerment in Wyrd Sisters' music.
Vichten
Many people in Canada mistake “Vichten” as a traditional Acadian folk song. It is not. It is a newly composed folk song that was written by Arthur Arsenault for his children and made popular by his daughter Angèle Arsenault. Angèle was the eighth of fourteen children, born on Prince Edward Island in 1943, and she recorded and performed “Vichten” throughout her long career as an Acadian folk singer and TV host. – Hart Rouge
The Long Day Closes
The Long Day Closes is a partsong by English composer Sir Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900). He is best known for his comic operas, including HMS Pinafore and Pirates of Penzance, although he also produced a considerable number of hymns and partsongs. His work is especially emblematic of the Victorian period of English history. The song itself is marked by a reflective and peaceful atmosphere, featuring text by Henry Fothergill Chorley Lush four-part harmonies emanate out and make the impression that one is laid in a bed, drifting off to a long and deep sleep. This is all too fitting, as the poem paints the image of the stillness of the world on one’s passing. Sullivan’s setting does not impose itself upon the audience, preferring instead to exist in its own ebb and flow, as rustling leaves in autumn, or a lake’s calm waves.
PERSONNEL
University Choir
Citlali Benavides, Music Technology
Perla Cortez, Mass Communication
Delaney Dwyer, Spanish Translation & Interpretation
Naria Garcia, Psychology
Wendy Garcia, Vocal Performance
Layevska Golinsky, Music Education
Mariah Guel, Music Education
Alekxa Guevara, Biomedical Sciences
Danielle Hörr, Civil Engineering
Mia Lopez, Music Education
Karen Mendoza, Music Education
Dominick Pietrzak, Psychology
Mia Ramirez, Vocal Performance
Yaretzi Ramirez, Integrated Health Science
Samantha Rojas, Vocal Performance
Sarah Rowe, UTRGV Faculty
Cindy Ruiz, Criminal Justice
Alyssa Salinas, Music Education
Natasia Sanchez, Studio Art
Dacia Villa, Music Education
PERSONNEL
Chamber Choir
Elijah Adame, Vocal Performance
Tony Ballesteros, Vocal Performance
Marianne Bosita, Music Education
Nathan Cavazos, Graphic Design
Valeria Cruz, Music Education
Daniel De Leon, Vocal Performance
Caleb Franks, Music Education
Elyssia Fe, Vocal Performance
Adam Garcia, Vocal Performance
Moises Garcia, Music Education
Alexa Gonzalez, Music Education
Jason Goyre, Music Education
Issa Karr, History
Kaylee Lopez, Music Education
Manuel Martinez, Integrated Health Sciences
Marisol Mireles, Music Education
Gemma Moreno, Music Education
Joshua Parra, Vocal Performance
Allysa Perez, Music Education
Zachary Ramsey, Music Education
Sergio Reyna, Music Composition
Danielle Rocha, Music Education
Melodee Rodriguez, Music Education
Nestor Silva, Music Education
Zarah Zamora, Music Education
Gregorio Zuniga, Music Education
Dr. Matthew Coffey, conductor Dr Brendan Kinsella, piano
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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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