presented by GSU Repertory Singers
Thursday
September 24, 2025
12 p.m.
Kopleff Recital Hall
Conducted by Shaun Gibbons, Kelly Grba, Nathan Schreer & Carolyn Mielke
Justin Maxey, piano
Jesu, meine freude
BWV 227
J. S. Bach | 1685-1750
Jesu, meine Freude (Jesus, my joy), BWV 227, is a motet by Johann Sebastian Bach. The longest and most musically complex of Bach's motets, it is set in eleven movements for up to five voices. It is named after the Lutheran hymn "Jesu, meine Freude" with words by Johann Franck, first published in 1653.
The motet contains the six stanzas of the hymn in its odd-numbered movements. The hymn tune by Johann Crüger appears in all of these movements in different styles of chorale settings. The text of the motet's even-numbered movements is taken from the eighth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, a passage that influenced key Lutheran teachings. The hymn, written in the first person with a focus on an emotional bond with Jesus, forms a contrasting expansion of the doctrinal biblical text.
Bach set both texts alternating with and complementing each other, in a structure of symmetries on different layers.
No. 1 Jesu, meine freude
Shaun Gibbons, graduate conductor
I Believe This is Jesus
Undine Smith Moore | 1904-1989
Shaun Gibbons, graduate conductor
Jesu, meine freude
No. 5 Trotz dem alten Drachen
Carolyn Mielke, graduate conductor
No. 9 Gute Nacht, o Wesen
Kelly Grba, graduate conductor
Jesu, meine freude
No. 11 Weicht, ihr Trauergeister
Carolyn Mielke, graduate conductor
Liana Perlman
Liana Perlman is an aspiring choral conductor and music educator from Needham, MA. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance from Brandeis University in 2023, where she sang as a soprano in the Brandeis Chamber Singers. Liana toured in Normandy and Paris with the Brandeis Chamber Singers in May of 2022, both as a chorister and soloist. She also conducted Randall Thompson’s “The Last Words of David” with the Brandeis University Chorus in her senior year, under the tutorship of Dr. Robert Duff. During her undergraduate career and following, she also served as Conducting Intern for the Zamir Chorale of Boston, a Jewish community choir based in Newton, MA. There, she studied under conductor and artistic director Professor Joshua Jacobson, and under Mr. Andrew Mattfeld of Boston University.
After graduating, Liana held positions teaching AP Music Theory at Canton High School, Chorus and General Music at Robert H. Adams Middle School in Holliston, MA, and beginning voice and piano lessons at Needham Music and Dance. Liana has worked with students and singers ranging from 5 to 80+ years of age. While not performing, rehearsing and teaching, Liana enjoys substitute teaching at her synagogue’s year-round preschool program.
Liana is so looking forward to beginning her studies for a Master of Music in Choral Conducting at Georgia State University with Dr. Deanna Joseph!
Shaun Gibbons
Shaun Gibbons (he/him/his) is an educator, conductor, and tenor originally from Sayville, New York. Shaun recently received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Delaware. He will begin pursuing his Master’s in Choral Conducting at Georgia State University in the fall. Shaun has experience singing in various solo and ensemble settings, including art songs, opera, oratorio, musical theatre, popular music, and many educational and semi-professional choral settings. Shaun frequently performs with the Delaware Choral Scholars on their international tours to places like, Croatia, the greater United Kingdom, and New Zealand.
Shaun did not actively pursue singing growing up. His Mother forced him to do the middle school musical. From there, he has been hooked for life! Shaun loves singing in solo settings but believes there is no greater medium for a story to be told than by a group of people in a choral ensemble. Each person has a story they can tell, but if we all work together to tell one story, it can reach even further.
In his free time, Shaun enjoys slinging lattes at local coffee shops, playing video games, hanging out with friends, and seeking new experiences around the globe.
Nathan Schreer
Nathan Schreer is an experience music professional with a strong background in music education within various education and religious institutions. Currently the Assistant Director of Music and Student Ministries at Northside Church, Mr. Schreer spent seven years as a High School Choral Director in Georgia public schools, most recently at Milton High School, before joining the ministry full-time.
Mr. Schreer is currently the president of the Atlanta Chapter of the Choristers Guild, and an active member of the American Choral Directors Association and the National Association for Music Education. He is certified by the Technology in Music Education Association and has completed his Year 3 certification at the Choristers Guild Institute. Mr. Schreer served as the High School team leader for Fulton County’s Standards Mastery Framework and has enjoyed developing professional development for technology in collaboration with his colleagues.
A native to Georgia, Mr. Schreer holds an undergraduate degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia and received his Master of Music degree from Boston University. He has sung in a number of ensembles including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, the ASO Chamber Chorus, the Johns Creek Chorale, and the Orpheus Men’s Ensemble. Mr. Schreer resides in Roswell and in his free time enjoys cooking with his wife, Riley.
Kelly Grba
Kelly Grba is a conductor, vocalist, and teacher from Bolingbrook, Illinois. As a second-year Choral Conducting candidate at Georgia State University, Kelly will serve as a Graduate Assistant for the Choral Area at GSU, as well as director of the Central Presbyterian Children’s Choir and music intern at Central Presbyterian Church. Additionally, Kelly will serve as music intern for Georgia Festival Chorus, a community chorus based in Smyrna, GA. Prior to beginning her studies at Georgia State, Kelly taught choir, music theory, and music production for four years at Plainfield East High School in Plainfield, Illinois. In addition to her curricular classes, Kelly also led multiple extracurricular groups, including two treble madrigal ensembles, an intermediate treble chamber ensemble, and an “all-sing” treble a cappella group. Kelly maintains an Illinois Professional Educator License with a certification in K-12 Music.
Kelly graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Luther College (Decorah, IA) in 2020. While at Luther, Kelly was a member of the Nordic Choir under the direction of Dr. Andrew Last, where she served as Alto I section leader. After completing her undergraduate studies, Kelly joined St. Charles Singers, a professional nonprofit choir led by Jeff Hunt, located in the western suburbs of Chicago. Kelly’s love of performing has taken her across the globe, including multiple domestic choir tours, an international tour to Germany and Czechia with Nordic Choir in 2018, and most recently, to Spain and Portugal with St. Charles Singers in 2023. Kelly is an active member of both local and national chapters of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).
Carolyn Mielke
Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Carolyn Mielke is a second-year candidate for the Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting at Georgia State University. Carolyn earned bachelor’s degrees from Williams College in music and history, where she sang in the Concert and Chamber Choirs, performed in the Williams Opera Workshop, and appeared as a soloist with the Berkshire Symphony. Carolyn also received highest honors for her senior thesis in vocal performance in which she studied and analyzed works of female composers.
Carolyn serves as a Graduate Assistant for the Choral Area at GSU and as a Music Fellow at North Decatur Presbyterian Church (NDPC). At GSU, she regularly conducts Repertory Singers, Treble Choir, and Choral Union.