Saturday, April 6, 2024
Kopleff Recital Hall
Georgia State University Treble Choir
Dr. Emily Hobson-Gallardo, conductor
Austen Smith, piano
El Vito
Traditional Spanish Folksong
arr. Joni Jensen
Both Sides Now
Joni Mitchell
arr. Tim Brent
Juliana Bolaño, conductor
Vichten
Angele Arsenault
La Paloma
"The Dove" - Traditional Venezuelan
arr. Cristian Grases
Tenor-Bass Choir
Dr. Patrick K. Freer, conductor
Dr. Andrew Choi, piano
Alleluia
Rachel Stenson
Brothers of the Singing Void
David L. Brunner
Commissioned for the 2010 Southern Division ACDA tenor-bass Honor Choir, David Brunner's majestic music and James Broughton's powerful words combine to make this amazing piece for men's chorus. In the text are found unusual juxtapositions of seeming opposites: “percussive silences,” “the intimate roar,” “the singing void,” and the strong bonds of friendship, camaraderie, and brotherhood: “thriving on affection” and “closer to me than my own children.”
Song of Peace
Vincent Persichetti
Caleb Cole, conductor
Maybe (excerpt)
Robbie Smith
arr. Mark Sirett
Ritmo
Dan Davison
José Azurdia Lamadrid, conductor
Choral Union
Dr. Emily Hobson-Gallardo, conductor
Dr. Kyung-Mi Kim, piano
Nda Wana
Traditional Venda
arr. Michael Barrett
Oliveria Dos Cen Anos
TC. Tangana
arr. by members of Choral Union
The song "Oliveira Dos Cen Años" by C. Tangana is a heartfelt plea for the return of a loved one. The lyrics express the singer's sadness and longing, as he tells his sadness to go and inform his beloved that life cannot go on without her. He prays for her to come back, as he can no longer bear the pain of her absence. The song emphasizes the emptiness and melancholy that consumes him without her presence. However, if she were to return, it would be a beautiful and crazy thing, as the love and affection he would shower upon her would be immeasurable. The lyrics paint a picture of countless hugs, kisses, and endless affection, all in an effort to end the distance between them. The singer declares that he no longer wants to live without her and urges her to stop living without him. It is a passionate and emotional plea for their reunion, capturing the depth of his love and longing.
Estrela a Lua Nova
Hector Villa-Lobos
Temporal
Traditional Puerto Rican plena
arr. Diana V. Sáez/ Suzette Ortiz
Dr. Patrick K. Freer is Professor of Music at Georgia State University where he conducts the Tenor-Bass Choir and directs the masters & doctoral programs in music education. Dr. Freer has held Visiting Professorships at the Universität Mozarteum Salzburg (Austria) and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain). He has been conductor-in-residence conductor for the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra (Colombia). His degrees are from Westminster Choir College and Teachers College-Columbia University. Dr. Freer has guest conducted or presented in 40 states and 30 countries.
Dr. Freer is Editor of the International Journal of Research in Choral Singing and former longtime editor of Music Educators Journal. He serves on ACDA’s National Standing Committee for Research and Publications and has chaired all three of ACDA’s International Symposia for Research in Choral Singing. He was elected to three terms as National Chair for NAfME’s Special Research Group on Gender & Sexuality. He also chaired the philosophy sub-group within the task force responding to COVID-19 concerns for the National Collegiate Choral Organization (USA). Dr. Freer’s research and pedagogical expertise centers on working with adolescent males and their changing voices, from prepubescence to young adulthood. Dr. Freer is a recipient of the Outstanding Senior Faculty Award for Research & Creative Activity in GSU’s College of the Arts, and he holds multiple elected leadership roles in the University community.
Dr. Emily Hobson-Gallardo is serving as a Lecturer in Choral Studies at the Georgia State University School of Music. At GSU she conducts the Treble Choir, Choral Union, and teaches courses in conducting. She recently returned to the Atlanta area after completing her Doctorate in Choral Conducting at the University of Houston Moores School of Music. Prior to this appointment she served as the Director of Choirs at Oglethorpe University. In Houston, she served as the Assistant Conductor of the Mercury Chamber Orchestra, Rehearsal Conductor of the Houston Symphony Chorus, and as the Assistant Conductor/Choral Conducting Intern with the GRAMMY award-winning Houston Chamber Choir for the 2019-2021 seasons. Prior to relocating to Houston, she was the Assistant Director of Choirs at the University of West Georgia. At UWG she conducted the Concert Choir, taught the Aural Skills sequence, Choral Methods and Materials, as well as Music Appreciation. She was a conductor of the Greater Atlanta Girls Choir, and also taught middle and high choral school programs in Fayette County and Marietta City Schools.
A diverse choral conductor and music educator, she is originally from Mississippi where she received her Bachelor’s of Music Education degree from Mississippi State University graduating cum laude with an emphasis in piano and voice, studying with Dr. Gary Packwood and Dr. Rosangela Yazbec Sebba. She then went on to obtain her Master’s degree in Choral Conducting graduating summa cum laude from Georgia State University in Atlanta, studying with Dr. Deanna Joseph. As a clinician and adjudicator, she has conducted all ages and skill levels as well as worked with many different organizations and schools in the southeast.
She has maintained a private studio teaching and coaching students of all ages. As a singer she has sung in a variety of professional choral ensembles; most recently the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Chamber Chorus. In Houston, she sang with the University of Houston Moores School of Music Concert Chorale, St Phillip Presbyterian Staff Singers, and the Houston Symphony Orchestra Chorus. Her research is primarily concerning the Performance Practice of Italian Convent Musicians of the Early Modern Period. She recently presented a session entitled; Gratifying and Engaging Early Music Repertoire for Treble Choirs at the 2021 Texas Music Educators Association Conference.
Pianist Kyung-Mi Kim received both Doctor of Music and Master of Music degrees in piano performance from Indiana University. She also received master’s and bachelor’s degrees in piano from Ewha Woman’s University in Seoul, Korea. Her major teachers include Jin-Woo Chung and Yoon-Bo Chung in Korea. At Indiana University, she studied with the late Leonard Hokanson , a pupil of legendary pianist Artur Schnabel, Shigeo Neriki, and Evelyne Brancart.
Dr. Kim has performed extensively as a solo and collaborative pianist throughout her career. In 1993, she premiered the woodwind quintet by Heinrich von Herxogenberg at Indiana University. She has performed in major recital halls in South Korea, such as the Se-Jong Cultural Center.
Dr. Kim served as a collaborative pianist at DePauw University from 1998-2000.
Throughout her career, she has performed more than 500 recitals, collaborating with numerous outstanding vocalists and instrumentalists in Asia and throughout the United States. Dr. Kim has played for many summer music programs, masterclasses, and summer opera workshops as a coach. She was invited to be the pianist for the Michael Palmer International Conducting Workshop in 2007 and 2008. She has also been invited to the 2009 American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition to serve as pianist. Recently, Dr. Kim performed in recital with award winning tenor Russell Thomas, for Atlanta Symphony Orchestra 2014-2015 Artist in Residence series.
Dr. Kim moved to Atlanta in 2006 and became one of the most active collaborative pianists in the Atlanta area. She joined the Georgia State University School of Music in 2006.
A Korean-American pianist, Andrew Choi has performed in the United States, Czech Republic, and South Korea. He has played at venues such as the Kosciuszko Foundation, Pilzen Summer Music Academy, and Spears Center for the Arts. His achievements include winning prizes at the Charleston International Music Competition, Quebec International Music Competition, Grand Metropolitan International Music Competition, Golden Classic Musical Awards, and North International Music Competition. An avid collaborator, he has collaborated with many singers and instrumentalists in concerts, competitions, and masterclasses. He has also served as a young juror at the 2020 Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition. His recent activities include a performance at #StigmaFree concert at Converse University in South Carolina and a staff collaborative pianist at NATS Southeastern Regional Audition.
As a recipient of the President Award Scholarship, Andrew Choi holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees, and Professional Studies Certificate from Manhattan School of Music. He received a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of South Carolina in August 2022. His previous teachers include Dr. Joseph Rackers, Dr. Marc Silverman, and Dr. Donn-Alexandre Feder.
Austen Smith is a music educator, conductor, pianist, and vocalist. A second-year master's student in Choral Conducting at Georgia State University, he serves as a graduate assistant, a choral intern at All Saints Episcopal Church, and as pianist to GSU's treble choir. He received his bachelor's degree in music education with a choral emphasis from the University of South Carolina in 2019 where he was awarded the Theodore Presser Scholar award. Prior to his studies at GSU, Austen served as the director of choirs at Pelion Middle School in South Carolina for three years.