| MUSIC MOVES US 2021-2022 SEASON
SATAN’S FALL
Legendary rock drummer and film composer Stewart Copeland imagines John Milton’s poem “Paradise Lost”
VOCALESSENCE
CONTENTS
1900 Nicollet Avenue Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403 612-547-1451 vocalessence.org
CONCERT: SATAN’S FALL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
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PLEASE NOTE: • Concerts will be recorded for broadcast—please help us keep the performance space quiet. Take a moment now to check that all cell phones, paging devices, wristwatch alarms, and the like are turned off before the concert begins. Thank you. • Out of respect for the performers and the music creators, please refrain from using cameras or other recording devices during the performance. • VocalEssence documents its concerts and events through audio and video. As a ticket holder to this event, you consent to use your likeness, without compensation, in any or all media. Please contact info@vocalessence.org with questions. • Student and group discounts are available for most VocalEssence concerts. Half-price tickets are available to students (ages 6-18 and college) with a student ID. Groups of 10 or more save 15% on tickets. • Minimum age to attend VocalEssence concerts is six years, except for special concerts that are designated as open to all ages. • Accessible seating is available at all of our concert venues. However, some of our facilities do not have elevator access to the balcony level. Please make your needs known when you order tickets. • Not able to attend? Your tickets can be donated, exchanged, or refunded. If you decide to donate your tickets, VocalEssence is happy to send you a receipt for your tax-deductible contribution. (VocalEssence subscribers may call 612-371-5642 to request free ticket exchanges and lost ticket replacement.)
ABOUT VOCALESSENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Nancy F. Nelson Treasurer
Ann Barkelew Ann Buran Art Kaemmer Nikki Lewis Mike McCarthy* Dave Mona Dorene Wernke
Daniel Fernelius Secretary
HONORARY DIRECTORS
David Myers President Torrie Allen Vice President
Mary Ann Aufderheide Philip Brunelle Cassidy McCrea Burns Barbara Burwell Margaret Chutich Martha Driessen Cassie Garnett Carolina Gustafson R.J. Heckman Valton Henderson Daniel Kantor Lisa Lewis Paul McDonough Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed Fred Moore Richard Neuner Kristen Hoeschler O’Brien Jim Odland Joanne Reeck Don Shelby Jeff Smith Kristina Rodel Sorum Tim Takach Rabindra Tambyraja
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
LIFETIME DIRECTORS
Mary Ann Aufderheide Executive Director Azure Anderson Executive Assistant Jeff Bina Director of Finance and Operations
Dominick Argento* William Bolcom Dave Brubeck* Aaron Copland* Håkan Hagegård Louise Heffelfinger* Eskil Hemberg* Betty Hulings* Sigrid Johnson James Earl Jones Garrison Keillor Donald Mitchell* Helmuth Rilling John Rutter Peter Schickele Dr. André J. Thomas Eric Whitacre *In remembrance
Rhiannon Fiskradatz Learning and Engagement Manager | Social Media Storyteller Robert Graham Learning and Engagement Manager | Conductor, Vintage Voices Laura Holst Development and Marketing Associate Ethan Johnson Director of Artistic Operations
ARTISTIC STAFF Philip Brunelle Artistic Director and Founder G. Phillip Shoultz, III Associate Artistic Director
Amanda Timmer Director of Marketing and Communications Elissa Weller Director of Development
Mary Jo Gothmann Accompanist
• Latecomers will be seated at appropriate pauses in the concert according to the conductor’s wishes. Please plan plenty of time for locating the concert venue and parking.
2021-2022 Season
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WELCOME Over the VocalEssence decades, music about the Creation has appeared—beginning with the first season when Aaron Copland was here to conduct his composition, In the Beginning, a work that has appeared again most recently to celebrate the opening of our 50th season. Adam and Eve have appeared from time to time in music of Conrad Susa (Adam lay in bondage), Sean Sweeden (Adam lay ybounden), and Marisha Chamberlain’s libretto for Carol Barnett’s The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass. And one of our early cabaret programs included Vern Sutton singing Albert von Tilzer’s Eve Wasn’t Modest ‘Til She Ate That Apple! The other early Biblical account—Noah’s Flood—occurred in 1971 and 1976 in Benjamin Britten’s children’s opera Noye’s Fludde, and in 1981 when we presented The Deluge by Camille Saint-Saëns in its U.S. premiere. Today’s concert opens with an array of music with texts that seem appropriate to Adam and Eve, though they did not know them! The composers and poets include music of American and British artists offering our VocalEssence singers the opportunity to display their vocal dexterity and beauty for all of you! The featured work on our program is Satan’s Fall by Stewart Copeland, a work that VocalEssence is proud to have shared in commissioning. I am grateful to Dr. Matthew Mehaffey, University of Minnesota School of Music professor and Music Director of the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, who suggested the project to me. The words are by the 17th century poet John Milton from his Paradise Lost; Milton has appeared with us before—in 1982 we performed Handel’s oratorio Samson, with his libretto. For Satan’s Fall Stewart Copeland writes: In the vast 17th century epic of John Milton’s Paradise Lost there lives a story within the story. It concerns the essential prequel to the sacred tale: Why did Satan do it? How and why does Almighty God have an adversary? In Books V and VI we learn of Satan’s journey to the dark side and of the mighty battle that cast him out of heaven. The story is told by the archangels Raphael and Raphaella, accompanied by the choir in various configurations, along with God, Satan, and Messiah. It is an honor and delight to have Stewart Copeland with us for the Midwest premiere of Satan’s Fall—Stewart is a rock star, acclaimed film composer, founder of The Police, recent winner of his 5th Grammy, and a terrific guy! —Philip Brunelle, Artistic Director and Founder
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2021-2022 Season
2021-2022 SEASON SPECIAL THANKS
Chris and Kelly Gulbrandson and the Apple Autos Team Larry Brandts Tim Brunelle Robb Burnham Central Lutheran Church Mark Kieffer Peter Nycklemoe Ilaria Faleschini Dave Groth Katie Johnston Steve Kumagai Mall of America Meri Ryan Pam McFerrin Matthew Mehaffey Jake Nyberg Moema Parrott Dean Phillips Lowell Pickett Natalia Romero Arbeláez Peter Rothstein
SATAN’S FALL
Sunday, May 8, 2022 at 4 PM Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis FEATURING: VocalEssence Chorus VocalEssence Ensemble Singers Jamie Chamberlain, soprano Nathan Granner, tenor Mary Jo Gothmann, piano Chamber Orchestra Peter Rothstein, stage director Philip Brunelle, conductor G. Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor
2021-2022 SEASON SPONSORS
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
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PROGRAM VocalEssence Chorus
In the Beginning Paul Schulz, clarinet
Kyle Pederson (2018)
VocalEssence Ensemble Singers
The Eyes of All Wait Upon Thee Jean Berger (1959) My Beloved is Mine, and I am His from The Best-Beloved string orchestra
Chris DeBlasio (1990)
VocalEssence Chorus
Set Me as a Seal Upon Thine Heart Adolphus Hailstork (1979)
VocalEssence Ensemble Singers
a blue true dream of sky Judith Weir (2003) Jennifer Bevington, soprano solo Robin Helgen and Kristina Rodel Sorum, alto duet Deo Gracias from A Ceremony of Carols Mary Jo Gothmann, piano
Benjamin Britten (1942)
A Golden Day Patrick Vu (2020)
VocalEssence Chorus and Ensemble Singers
Ye Shall Have a Song from The Peaceable Kingdom
Randall Thompson (1936)
INTERMISSION Satan’s Fall Stewart Copeland (2019)
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TEXT IN THE BEGINNING Kyle Pederson
SET ME AS A SEAL UPON THINE HEART Adolphus Hailstork
In the beginning, God moved. And God spoke creation into being. And of the new creation God declared it good. Good were the earth and the waters. Good were the evening and the day. Good were all living things that first drew breath, and good were the creatures made in God’s image.
Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm; For love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave. Flashes thereof are flashes of fire, a very flame of the Lord.
And in the beginning was the Word; the Word would become flesh, the Word would dwell among us. In Him was light, in Him was life. The light was given for us, it overcame the darkness. In Him was grace and truth. And we have seen His glory. Emmanuel —Kyle Pederson, b. 1971, based on Genesis 1 and John 1 THE EYES OF ALL WAIT UPON THEE Jean Berger The eyes of all wait upon thee, and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. —Psalm 145:15-16 MY BELOVED IS MINE, AND I AM HIS from The Best-Beloved Chris DeBlasio E’en like two little bank-dividing brooks, That wash the pebbles with their wanton streams, And having ranged and search’d a thousand nooks, Meet both at length in silver-breasted Thames, Where in a greater current they conjoin: So I my Best-belovèd’s am; so He is mine.
Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it. For love is strong as death. Set me as a seal upon thine heart. —The Song of Solomon 8:6-7 a blue true dream of sky Judith Weir i thank You God for most this amazing day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes (i who have died am alive again today, and this is the sun’s birthday; this is the birth day of life and of love and wings and of the gay great happening illimitably earth) how should tasting touching hearing seeing breathing any—lifted from the no of all nothing—human merely being doubt unimaginable You? (now the ears of my ears awake and now the eyes of my eyes are opened) —e.e. cummings, 1894-1962 DEO GRACIAS from A Ceremony of Carols Benjamin Britten Adam lay ibounden, bounden in a bond; Four thousand winter thought he not to long. And all was for an appil, an appil that he took, As clerkès finden written in their book.
E’en so we met; and after long pursuit, E’en so we joined; we both became entire; No need for either to renew a suit, For I was flax, and He was flames of fire: Our firm-united souls did more than twine; So I my Best-belovèd’s am; so He is mine.
Ne had the appil taken ben, the appil taken ben, Ne haddè never our lady a ben hevenè queen. Blessed be the time that appil takè was. Therefore we must singen: Deo gracias! —Anonymous 15th century poem
If all those glittering Monarchs, that command The servile quarters of this earthly ball, Should tender in exchange their shares of land, I would not change my fortunes for them all: Their wealth is but a counter to my coin: The world’s but theirs; but my Belovèd’s mine. —Francis Quarles, 1592-1644
A GOLDEN DAY Patrick Vu I found you and I lost you, All on a gleaming day. The day was filled with sunshine, And the land was full of May.
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A golden bird was singing Its melody divine, I found you and I loved you, And all the world was mine. I found you and I lost you, All on a golden day, But when I dream of you, dear, It is always brimming May. —Paul Lawrence Dunbar, 1872-1906, from “Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow” YE SHALL HAVE A SONG from The Peaceable Kingdom Randall Thompson Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the Lord. —Isaiah 30:29 SATAN’S FALL Stewart Copeland Words by John Milton, from Paradise Lost, books V and VI CAST (in order of appearance): Angels and Henchmen: VocalEssence Chorus and Ensemble Singers God: G. Phillip Shoultz, III Raphaella: Jamie Chamberlin Raphael: Nathan Granner Satan: Nathan Petersen-Kindem Abdiel: Peter Aldrich Belial: Joshua Conroy Zophiel: Carey Shunskis Messiah: JoAnna Johnson SYNOPSIS Preface: Paradise Lost recreates the biblical story of the first fall of mankind, a group of rebel angels in Heaven. Satan, one of God’s most powerful angels, grows angry when God creates the Son, proclaiming him leader. Satan asserts his own power, organizing a group of rebel angels against God, leading to the Angelic War. The Son defeats the rebels, who are cast into Hell. In an act of revenge, Satan concocts a plan to destroy mankind.
ACT III On the third day the Son rode forth with his fierce chariots with ten thousand thunders in His right hand. After nine days of battle they drove Satan’s warriors down to the bottomless pit—”a bottomless serpent on his belly prone”! Then Messiah triumphantly returned to Heaven to meet all his Saints. Satan’s pride had cast him out from Heaven: Remember this and fear to transgress!
ORCHESTRA VIOLIN 1 Alastair Brown Mary Alice Hutton Claire Loudon
BASS Irving Steinberg OBOE Sarah Carmak
VIOLIN 2 Zack Saathoff Renata Steve Stephanie Skor
CLARINET Paul Schulz BASS CLARINET Paul Schimming
VIOLA Justin Knoepfel Kelsey Farr CELLO Darin Anderson Rosa Thompson-Vieira
BASSOON Mathew Bertrand
TRUMPET Martin Hodel Jonathan Brandt TROMBONE Larry Zimmerman BASS TROMBONE Carson King-Fournier DRUM SET Dave Hagedorn ORGAN Isaac Drewes
BIOGRAPHIES
JAMIE CHAMBERLAIN, soprano
STEWART COPELAND, composer
OVERTURE ACT I God, the Omnipotent, proclaimed to the Angels and Henchmen the plan of Satan to erect a throne equal to God’s. A battle ensued and Satan was defeated; but he swore to avenge himself and his army. ACT II A second battle began, more fierce than the first. God, seeing the ravages of war on Heaven sent the Son (Messiah) to drive them down to Hell. The Son, armed with God’s might rid Satan’s armies from heaven and the saints sang ‘hosanna’. Page 8
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NATHAN GRANNER, tenor
PETER ROTHSTEIN, stage direction
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ABOUT VOCALESSENCE For more than five decades, VocalEssence has provided opportunities for singers from the Twin Cities area to create incredible music together and build connections as part of the vibrant arts community in Minnesota. VocalEssence is known for introducing audiences to music and artists who are not yet known, often welcoming guest artists, composers, and conductors who are emerging, have unknown works, or represent a variety of cultures. Welcoming all members of the greater community, VocalEssence embodies the motto: Together We Sing. PHILIP BRUNELLE Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle, artistic director and founder of VocalEssence 53 years ago, is an internationally-renowned conductor, choral scholar, and visionary. Philip has conducted symphonies, choral festivals, and operas on six continents. He holds five honorary degrees, served 9 years as Vice President of IFCM (International Federation for Choral Music), and has been recognized for his commitment to choral music by the governments of Norway, Hungary, Sweden, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. In 2019, he was awarded the American Prize in Choral Conducting and, in 2020, was given the Honorary Member Award by the Society for American Music. Philip is also Organist-Choirmaster at Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis. During the pandemic Philip recorded almost 300 “Musical Moments” which can be accessed at https://www.vocalessence.org/what-we-do/virtual-projects/musical-moments-with-philip-brunelle/ and his thoughts on music are at RenaissanceManpodcast.com. http://vocalessence.org/ philipbrunelle
G. PHILLIP SHOULTZ, III Associate Artistic Director G. Phillip Shoultz, III, associate artistic director, uses the power of the spoken word and song to foster community and inspire action among people of all ages and abilities. Phillip conducts festival choirs and leads workshops across the United States and beyond. He serves on the faculty of the University of St. Thomas and guides the ministries of worship, music, and the arts at Westwood Lutheran Church. The Minnesota Orchestra regularly engages Phillip to host their Young People’s Concerts and his online presence continues to grow as his pandemic livestream, Take 5 with GPS, rapidly approaches the 450 episode milestone. The winner of numerous honors, including the ACDA Graduate Conducting Competition and multiple Teacher of the Year awards, Phillip founded “Table for More” in the summer of 2020 to help organizations address issues related to innovation, equity, and belonging in the arts. Phillip lives in St. Louis Park with his wife, Michelle, and their two children (Malachi and Lydia Grace). https://www.vocalessence.org/who-we-are/staff/g-phillip-shoultz-iii/ MARY JO GOTHMANN Accompanist Mary Jo Gothmann joined VocalEssence as staff accompanist in 2015. She enjoys a varied career as a chamber musician, soloist, opera coach, and organist. Mary Jo performs frequently with the Minnesota Orchestra and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and is a graduate of Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young Artist Program, University of Minnesota, New England Conservatory, and St. Olaf College. Mary Jo is the founder and Artistic Director of the Joya Chamber Music Series at Zion Lutheran Church in Anoka. https://www.vocalessence.org/whowe-are/staff/mary-jo-gothmann/
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US! What did you think? Share your voice—scan the QR code to take our survey. 2021-2022 Season
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Photo © Bruce Silcox
VOCALESSENCE ENSEMBLE SINGERS
Photo © Bruce Silcox
VOCALESSENCE CHORUS
The VocalEssence Chorus is a group of talented and enthusiastic singers from many different walks of life, united by their love of singing and community. Performing a wide variety of musical styles, premiering new works, and sharing the stage with a diverse array of guest artists, the Chorus is a welcome home for singers who wish to continue making music throughout their adult lives. https://www.vocalessence.org/who-we-are/performing-ensembles/vocalessence-chorus/
The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers have established an international reputation because of their extensive catalog of recordings and broad range of unique repertoire. This chamber choir, whose members hail from a wide variety of professions, is bound together by their skilled artistry to create what The Times of London has described as a “flawless” sound. https://www.vocalessence.org/who-we-are/performing-ensembles/vocalessence-ensemble-singers/
SOPRANO AnnaLisa Anderson Madison Asher Jessica Belt Corey Cellurale Lorinda Chagnon Cassidy Coats Amanda Connolly Judy Drobeck Kristina Guiffre Becca Hovsepian Sally Jaffray Lisa Moncur Ashley Nicksic Christina Pederson Alexa Rosenbaum Emma Schlabach LeAnn Stein Abbie Sulik Dana Terres Amanda Troolin Jen Vickerman Laura Walket Jacobsen Laura Williams Dannika Wright
SOPRANO Jennifer Bevington Jenny French JoAnna Johnson Emi Kaliski Maggie Sabin Mari Scott Carey Shunskis
ALTO Akosua Addo Azure Anderson Jo Beld Katelyn Belden
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Autumn Gurgel Marjorie Hakala Meg Hanna Dee Hein Wenie Lado Jessica Laven Johnson Jeenee Lee Rebecca Modert Kristi Mueller Elizabeth Neuenfeldt Marty Raymond Miriam Sahouani Katie Sandsmark Erin Sandsmark Lisa Schalla Sydney Schoeberle Forrest Schrader Sandra Swami Cassidy Sykes Laura Tanner Cat Terres Allie Wigley TENOR Steve Aggergaard Jason Bendezu Larry Brandts Justin Clark Ryan Coopergard Ben Demaree Charlie Hill
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Luke Holifield Owen Metzger Kurtis Parlin Thomas Sasdi Rabindra Tambyraja† Barry Tikalsky Justin Vanni BASS Robert Atendido Haskel Black David Erickson Evan Kelly Jordan Kiffmeyer Ben Kucera Mike LaFleur Noah Lucas William Marrujo Ken McGurran Nick Mroczek Declan O’Higgins Milo Oien-Rochat David Olson Ron Pearson Brian Ruhl Trent Stenoien Matthew Terhaar Dave Toht †
Board liaison
ALTO Robin Helgen Patty Kramer Marita Link Judith McClain Melander
Anna Meek Sadie Nelson Erin Peters Kristina Rodel Sorum† TENOR Peter Aldrich David Beccue Ben Brunnette Anders Eckman Rob Graham Nick Mattsson Bill Pederson Kjell Redpath
BASS Joshua Conroy Jimmy Deignan Joe Ellickson David Gindra Joe Kastner Erik Krohg Nathan Petersen-Kindem Mike Schmidt †
Board liaison
VOCALESSENCE VINTAGE VOICES VocalEssence Vintage Voices is an exciting choral program that integrates the arts into the everyday lives of older adults. Guided by a desire to create a welcoming atmosphere and remove barriers for participation, these choirs sing to build community, combat loneliness and isolation, and improve physical and emotional wellbeing. https://www.vocalessence.org/who-we-are/performing-ensembles/vintage-voices/
Photo © Kyndell Harkness
VOCALESSENCE SINGERS OF THIS AGE
The VocalEssence Singers Of This Age (VESOTA) is a community of Twin Cities high schoolers engaged in expanding what it means to be a choir and encouraging a wider circle of participation in the artform. Presenting music ranging from classical to hip-hop, they use creativity and collaboration to build an accepting community, equipped with the skills to lead social change in our society. https://www.vocalessence.org/who-we-are/performing-ensembles/vocalessence-sota/
2021-2022 DIGITAL CONCERT SEASON
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THANK YOU, VOCALESSENCE SUPPORTERS VocalEssence has a large group of committed supporters and is honored by the many gifts received in memory, appreciation, and celebration of friends and family that are too many to list in this concert program. Please visit our website to see a full list of supporters and special tributes. 2021-2022 Season
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