CONCERT: WITNESS: REJOICE

2021-2022 SEASON

SPECIAL THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT OF THIS CONCERT

Madeline Betsch James and Mary Gilbert Lawrence Sue Shepard and Don Helgeson John and Mary Anne Mauriel Doug and Mary Platt

WITNESS: REJOICE!

FEATURING: The Aeolians of Oakwood University VocalEssence Chorus VocalEssence Singers Of This Age Frankie McGinnis, Jr ., piano Mary Jo Gothmann, piano Jason Max Ferdinand, conductor G . Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor

SPECIAL THANKS

Cheryl Saunders Joseph Osowski St. Michael Albertville High School Newtrax Southview Seventh Day Adventist Church Westwood Lutheran Church

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.

Friends, we have “so many reasons to rejoice” as we celebrate thirty-two years of WITNESS. Welcome to you all! In 1991, when Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle decided to honor Black History month with a concert dedicated to bringing greater visibility and awareness to the music of composers from the African diaspora, not even he could have predicted the profound and lasting impact that decision would have.

VocalEssence WITNESS celebrates the outstanding contributions the Black community makes to our shared cultural heritage through concerts, conversations, recitals, workshops, and programming in churches, community centers, and schools throughout the metropolitan region. Each year, with the help of our phenomenal roster of Teaching Artists, thousands of students participate in interactive workshops based on a curated theme which highlights Black brilliance, past and present, and illuminates our role in making today’s society more equitable for all. This is truly a reason to rejoice! I’m thrilled that we have the privilege of sharing the stage with an ensemble that I’ve watched blossom into a transformational force over the past fourteen years. Under the direction of Jason Max Ferdinand, the Aeolians were named the “2017 Choir of the World” at the World Choir Games and we are delighted to host them for their first appearance in Minnesota! I’ve admired Jason’s work for many years and am so grateful for our friendship and this opportunity to make music together.

Now, I invite you to sit back and soak in the joy-filled sounds of our community coming together in song. As you listen, I encourage you to follow the artist statement that is included with the texts and translations for a richer experience with our journey together. I trust that you will leave Orchestra Hall with the inspiration to bring more love, more equity, more cooperation, and more joy into our world!

—G. Phillip Shoultz, III,

Associate Artistic Director

VocalEssence Chorus and Singers Of This Age

Come By Here arr. Kyle Pederson

So Many Reasons to Rejoice Eddie Robinson, arr. Brandon Waddles

VocalEssence Singers Of This Age

Avulekile Amasango (The Gates of Heaven) Traditional South African

I Choose Love Mark Miller

Veni Sancte Spiritus (Come, Holy Spirit) Zanaida Robles

Stand Up Cynthia Erivo and Joshuah Brian Campbell

from Harriet

The Aeolians of Oakwood University

Zion’s Walls

When Memory Fades

I’ve Got a Song

No Color

There Is a Balm in Gilead arr. William L. Dawson

arr. Eric Nelson

Colin Lett

Shawn Kirchner and Stacey Gibbs

arr. William L. Dawson

Combined Choirs

I Sing Because I’m Happy Charles H. Gabriel, arr. Rollo Dilworth

Photo ©Adja Gildersleve

Artistic Notes written by G. Phillip Shoultz, III, with thanks to Kyle Pederson, Jason Max Ferdinand, Boosey and Hawkes, Hal Leonard, and MorningStar Music Publishing for information shared in these notes.

After enduring the last two years of pandemic life, bringing so much anxiety, grief, loss, and trauma into our lives, I felt it was especially important that this year’s VocalEssence WITNESS concert be life-giving. Each of us needs opportunities to soak up beauty and goodness, ways to refill our reservoir so that healing can begin from within, thus affording us renewed capacity to share compassion, kindness, and understanding with our fellow human siblings. It is my sincere hope that in this concert, you will find both refuge and joy as we affirm the Black experience with powerful spirituals, toe-tapping gospel, and choral symphonic masterworks. Our concert opens with an invitation. Kum Ba Ya (also known as Come By Here) is a song of enslaved Africans with origins in the Sea Islands off the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina. In Kum Ba Ya, we call out—inviting the creative and life-giving force to meet us in our time of need. It’s an acknowledgement that life’s journey was meant to be traveled in community—that I AM because WE ARE— Ubuntu. I chose this particular arrangement of Come By Here by our dear friend Kyle Pederson because of the way he clearly articulates that in all our circumstances—joy, grief, rising, falling, living, and dying, God is there with us, working towards wholeness and healing.

COME BY HERE

arr. Kyle Pederson Come by here, my Lord, come by here. O Lord, come by here.

Someone’s praying, Lord, come by here. O Lord, come by here.

Someone’s crying, Lord, come by here. O Lord, come by here.

In the morning, Lord, you are here. In the evening, Lord, you are here. In my waking, Lord, you are here. In my sleeping, Lord, you are here. In my pleading, Lord, you are here. In my waiting, caring, blessing, Lord, you are here. In my loving, hoping, grieving, you are here. In my longing, falling, hiding, rising, healing, aching, laughing, praising, seeking, finding, breathing, dying, Lord, you are here.

Come by here, my Lord, come by here. O Lord, you are here. —African American spiritual with additional lyrics by Kyle Pederson From here we move to the song which inspired tonight’s theme, So Many Reasons to Rejoice as arranged by Morehouse College alumnus Brandon Waddles. As we sing of all the ways God intercedes and makes a way out of no way, we are compelled to live in gratitude. And, for the first time of the evening, all of our singers—The Aeolians, VocalEssence Chorus and Singers Of This Age—share the stage together as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

SO MANY REASONS TO REJOICE

Eddie A. Robinson, arr. Brandon Waddles Delivered out of darkness Into the Kingdom of his Son, Forgiven of my sins, and redeemed through his blood. Oh yes! I have so many reasons to rejoice!

He woke me up this morning And he started me on my way; he gave me health and strength, let me see another day. Oh yes! I have so many reasons to rejoice! —Eddie A. Robinson

The young artists of VocalEssence Singers Of This Age begin their set by sharing a rendition of Avulekile Amasango, a beautiful South African song sung at weddings, funerals, graduations… in celebration and in grief. Then we present our call to embrace the beloved community through an embodied presentation of Mark Miller’s I Choose Love, which was written in memory of the victims of the Mother Emmanuel AME mass murder.

AVULEKILE AMASANGO (THE GATES OF HEAVEN)

Traditional South African

Sung in Zulu

The gates of heaven have opened. We have come out of great tribulation. We have been set free. Amen. —Traditional South African

I CHOOSE LOVE

Mark Miller

In the midst of pain, I choose love. In the midst of pain, sorrow falling down like rain, I await the sun again, I choose love.

In the midst of war, I choose peace. In the midst of war, hate and anger keeping score, I will seek the good once more, I choose peace.

When my world falls down, I will rise. When my world falls down, explanations can’t be found, I will climb to holy ground, I will rise.

In the midst of pain, I choose love. In the midst of pain, sorrow falling down like rain, I await the sun again, I choose love. —Lindy Thompson

VENI SANCTE SPIRITUS (COME HOLY SPIRIT)

Zanaida Robles

Sung in Latin

Come, thou Holy Spirit, come, And from thy celestial home Shed a ray of light divine; Come, thou Father of the poor, Come, thou source of all our store, Come, within our hearts to shine.

Thou of comforters the best, Thou the soul’s most welcome guest, Sweet refreshment here below; In our labor rest most sweet, Grateful coolness in the heat, Solace in the midst of woe.

Come, Holy Spirit. Send from heaven thy rays of light.

O most blessèd Light divine, Shine within these hearts of thine, And our inmost being fill; Where thou art not, we hath naught, Nothing good in deed or thought, Nothing free from taint of ill. —poetic translation by Edward Caswall

STAND UP from Harriet

Cynthia Erivo and Joshuah Brian Campbell I been walkin’ with my face turned to the sun Weight on my shoulders a bullet in my gun Oh, I got eyes in the back of my head just in case I have to run I do what I can when I can while I can for my people While the clouds roll back and the stars fill the night

Refrain That’s when I’m gonna stand up Take my people with me Together we are going To a brand new home Far across the river Can you hear freedom calling? Calling me to answer Gonna keep on keepin’ on I can feel it in my bones Early in the mornin’ Before the sun begins to shine We’re gonna start movin’ Towards that separating line I’m wadin’ through muddy waters You know I got a made up mind And I don’t mind if I lose any blood on the way to salvation And I’ll fight with the strength that I got until I die Refrain:

And I know what’s around the bend Might be hard to face ‘cause I’m alone And I just might fail But Lord knows I tried Sure as stars fill up the sky Refrain:

I go to prepare a place for you —Cynthia Erivo and Joshuah Brian Campbell

The Aeolians open their set with an iconic arrangement of Zion’s Walls by the legendary director of the Tuskegee Institute (now University) choirs. William Dawson’s settings of spirituals have been sung by choirs around the world for many years. When Memory Fades is based on Mary Louise Bringle’s comforting text that invites us to embrace the disruptions of dementia with love, patience, and gratitude. Colin Lett is a rising star in the choral and ministerial worlds, and his new rendition of I Got a Song is sure to have you singing along in your seats. No Color is an impassioned call to embrace difference, a unique collaboration between two well-established American composers, Stacey Gibbs and Shawn Kirchner, who identify with different cultural backgrounds. This set closes with Dawson’s soul stirring rendition of There is a Balm in Gilead that is sure to warm your heart.

ZION’S WALLS

arr. William L. Dawson

Refrain: Great day! Great day, the righteous marching; Great day! God’s going to build up Zion’s walls! Great day! Great day, the righteous marching; Great day! God’s going to build up Zion’s walls!

This is the day of jubilee, God’s going to build up Zion’s walls! The Lord has set His people free, God’s going to build up Zion’s walls! Refrain:

I’m born of God, I know I am, God’s going to build up Zion’s walls! I’ve been redeemed by the dying lamb. God’s going to build up Zion’s walls! Refrain: —Traditional Negro spiritual

WHEN MEMORY FADES arr. Eric Nelson

When memory fades and recognition falters, When eyes we love grow dim, and minds, confused, Speak to our souls of love that never alters; Speak to our hearts by pain and fear abused.

O God of life and healing peace, empower us With patient courage, by your grace infused.

As frailness grows and youthful strengths diminish In weary arms that worked their earnest fill, Your aging servants labor now to finish Their earthly tasks, as fits your mystery’s will.

We grieve their waning, yet rejoice, believing Your arms, unwearied shall uphold us still.

Within your Spirit, goodness lives unfading. The past and future mingle into one. All joys remain, unshadowed light pervading. No valued deed will ever be undone.

Your mind enfolds all finite acts and offerings. Held in your heart, our deathless life is won!

When memory fades and recognition falters, Your arms unwearied, shall uphold us still. —Mary Louise Bringle

I’VE GOT A SONG Colin Lett

I got a song that the angels can’t sing! God gave me a song that the angels can’t sing! Oh, I been washed in the blood of the Lamb!

Well, now, if you don’t believe I been redeemed, Just follow me down to the Jordan stream. Well, it chilled my body, but not my soul.

I am redeemed! Yes! Bought with a price! Oh yes, the blood has changed my whole life! And if anybody asks you just who I am, Just tell them that I am redeemed! —Colin Lett

NO COLOR

Stacey V. Gibbs and Shawn Kirchner No color can come between us, No shade to be thrown, No tone be taken to demean us, No hue of hate to shown, No color, no shade, no tone; Let me be transparent with you

Whose history is whose? Who’s walking in whose shoes? Who’s making whose rules? Who’s learning in whose schools? Whose history, whose shoes, whose rules? Let me be transparent with you.

More love is our intention, Stop—did we forget to mention that We are more alike than we are different? United we take a stand, Ignited with hand in hand, To build a band of harmony. No time to wait, don’t hesitate!

Within me there’s a love so strong, Within me there’s a hope to belong, Within me there’s a fire to right all wrongs. Within me there’s a love to share, Within me there’s a need to care, Within my heart is a risk to dare. —Stacey V. Gibbs and Shawn Kirchner

THERE IS A BALM IN GILEAD

arr. William L. Dawson

Refrain: There is a Balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole, there is a Balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.

Sometimes I feel discouraged and think my work’s in vain, but then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again. Refrain:

If you cannot sing like angels, if you cannot preach like Paul, you can tell the love of Jesus, and say, He died for all. Refrain: —Traditional Negro spiritual

How do you close a concert like this? Well, I believe you bring all the singers on stage together to proudly proclaim “I’m so happy, yes I am! For His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.” Being from Georgia (the state of champions), I grew up listening to the Georgia Mass Choir and Kenneth Paden’s gospel interpretation of Charles Gabriel’s hymn, His eye is on the Sparrow, which has always resonated with me. I cannot think of a better way to go back into the world to affirm Black brilliance, Black joy, Black lives, and our many reasons to rejoice.

I SING BECAUSE I’M HAPPY

Charles H. Gabriel, adapt. Rollo Dilworth I sing because I’m happy; I sing because I’m free. For His eye is on the sparrow And I know He watches me. I’m so happy, yes! I’m so happy, yes I am! —Civilla D. Martin

RHYTHM SECTION COMBO

KEYBOARD Sam Reeves

BASS GUITAR Erik Yates

DRUMS Brian Kendrick

WITNESS ADVISORY COUNCIL

Martha Arradondo Torrie Allen Stanley Brown Tazha Buckner James Burroughs Eric Clark Ashley Dubose Jacob Gayle Valton Henderson, co-chair Tricia Kaufman Reatha Clark King Kevin Lindsey Laverne McCartney Knighton Rhoda Miriphiri-Reed Maria Mitchell Philomena Morrissey Satre Amanda Norman Jonathan Palmer Chadwick Phillips Joanne Reeck Sharon Smith-Akinsanya Lezlie Taylor George Thompson THE AEOLIANS The Aeolians of Oakwood University was originally organized in 1946 by the late Dr. Eva B. Dykes. Since its inception, the choir has traveled widely, touching the hearts of both young and old with their inspirational singing. Aeolian concerts present a repertoire of choral music which ranges from the Baroque era to the twentieth century. Moreover, the Aeolians is an authoritative exponent of Negro spirituals and work songs which express the yearnings of our forefathers to be free. They have won a host of awards including World Choir Games Spirituals Champions, Four-Peat Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Choir of the Year and Choir of the World Champions 2017.

JASON MAX FERDINAND Jason Max Ferdinand, Professor – Conductor – Composer – Speaker, is the founding artistic director of The Jason Max Ferdinand Singers: An Ensemble of Exceptional Talents, and is director of choral activities, chair of the music department, and a full professor at Oakwood University, where he conducts the Aeolians of Oakwood University. He is a published author and composer with GIA Publications, featuring the book Teaching with Heart: Tools for Addressing Societal Challenges Through Music, and The Jason Max Ferdinand Choral Series (Walton Music). He maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor and lecturer at schools, universities, churches, and choral festivals and conferences, domestic and international.