Choral Union
Emily Hobson-Gallardo, conductor
Kyung-Mi Kim, piano
Kidd Lee & James Wooten, percussion
I Wanna Be Ready
arr. by Rosephanye Powell (b. 1962)
Traditional Spiritual
Jacob Thatch McDonald, conductor
Amaria Bell & Jazmine Mobley, soloists
The Arranger
Dr. Rosephanye Powell has been hailed as one of America’s premier women composers of solo vocal and choral music. She has an impressive catalogue of works published by some of the nation’s leading publishers.
Rosephanye Powell has made a name for herself in the choral worlds of composotion, singing, music education, and research study in the preservation and performance of African-American spirituals and gospel music." - Chanticleer, Grammy award-wining vocal ensemble
Where Shall I Be?
arr. William Grant Still (1895-1978)
MORE ON THIS COMPOSER
William Grant Still was known as “The Dean of Afro-American Composers." Still broke many barriers during his career, including being the first African-American composer to write orchestral works and have them performed by major symphony orchestras, as well as being the first conductor of color to lead a major American symphony. His musical style incorporates a variety of African-American styles, from spirituals to blues and jazz, in addition to European, Latin American, and other folk music genres.
Thixo Onothando
arr. by Michael Barrett (b. 1983)
Traditional isiXhosa
Allessandra Harms Roberson, conductor
THIS TRADITIONAL SOUTH AFRICAN PIECE
In 2015, I was invited to give workshops to community choirs in the Mpumalanga Province which is situated on the Eastern border of South Africa. A school choir sang this very simple religious hymn, and I remember being truly moved by their performance. I approached these learners and asked them to teach me this beautiful melody. I transcribed it, and a year later,Thixo Onothando was arranged for and performed by the Tuks Camerata at the South African University Choir Competition called Varsity Sing. Thixo Onothando is a popular isiXhosa hymn performed throughout churches in South Africa. It is an uplifting song of praise that is led by a group of soloists who portray the role of religious leaders. In traditional South African music, it is appropriate to add movement to songs, be they sacred or secular.
- program note from the arranger
Thixo onothando, - God of love,
ndimi phambi kwakho - I stand before thee
Thixo onothando, - God of love,
ndiph’ uthando ndifakaze ngawe. - give me love so I may testify about you.
Hosanna phezulu, - Hossana above,
hosann’ enyangweni - hosanna in the highest.
Thixo ndila namhla, - God I am here today,
hosanna. - hosanna.
Três Cantos Nativos
Marcos Leite (b. 1953)
THIS WORK
Composed in 1982, Três Cantos Nativos dos Indios Kraó is freely based on melodiessung by the Kraó tribe - a group of native Brazilian indians who live in the Xingú river area of the Amazônia forest of northwestern Brazil. The meaning of the text is not known; it was treated by the composer as a group of phonemes.
Marcos Leite is well-known in Brazil as a conductor, composer, pianist, and musical director of many theater productions. He has performed with some of the most important popular artists and arranged popular tunes for vocal groups for the last 15 years. His arrangements typically bring the essence of Brasilian urban popular music to the vocal music universe. Currently Leite is the arranger and director of the vocal quartet GargantaProfunda and a member of the Conservatório de Música Popular Brasileira de Curitiba where he teaches and directs a choir.
-Daniel Rufino Afonso, Ir., Editor
Tenor–Bass Choir
Patrick K. Freer, conductor
Andrew Choi, piano
Foreword
The four pieces we share this evening through a series of emotional states. The program is offered in acknowledgment of the 25th anniversary of the events that led to the murder of Matthew Shepard. On October 6, 1998, Matthew Shepard was a young college student at the University of Wyoming who went to a gay bar in search of a welcoming, safe community. Early the next morning, Matthew was brutally attacked by two bar patrons who drove him to a field and tied him to a fence to die. The violent killing transfixed the nation and brought attention to the needs of LGBTQ youth. Matthew's grieving parents later established the Matthew Shepard Foundation which, among other goals, worked successfully to pass 2009's Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
- all TB Choir program notes by conductor Dr. Freer
Joy - Anguish - Perseverance
JOY
Bonk’ abaphandle
arr. Michael Barrett (b.1983)/Mbuso Ndlovu (b. 1982)
Traditional isiZulu
Nyla Hardy, percussion
JOY
We perform "Bonk' abaphandle" to indicate the welcoming, joyful community that Matthew sought on that October evening.
Translation:
All those who are outside, call them in.
All those who are outside, come inside.
We have made a passage for them, let them in.
We have made a passage for them, come inside.
ANGUISH
O Absalom
Stanley M. Hoffman (b. 1959)
José Azurdia Lamadrid, conductor
ANGUISH
"O Absalom" expresses the grief of a father upon learning of his son's murder. The text is drawn from 2 Samuel 18:33, depicting the moment King David heard that his treacherous son, Absalom, had been killed. The composition is a set of three variations on a dirge, each followed by a refrain.
TEXT
Dirge:
When David heard that his son was dead, he was deeply moved.
He went up to the chamber o’er the gate and wept. And as he wept he said:
Refrain:
“Oh my son Absalom, Would I had died instead of you.
My son, my son!”
We Are All Sons
from “Considering Matthew Shepard”
Craig Hella-Johnson (b. 1962)
José Azurdia Lamadrid, conductor
ANGUISH
"We Are All Sons" is a brief elegy for tenor and bass voices, drawn from Considering Matthew Shepard for SATB chorus, soloists, and orchestra; the sequence of presentation is non-linear and invites multiple interpretations. In the larger work, "We Are All Sons" is preceded by an imagined soliloquy addressing Matthew’s murderers: despite our differences, we have many similarities . . . including being sons. "We Are All Sons" begins in unison as a continuation of the soliloquy, shifting to four-part harmony as Matthew repositions to address society at large.
One of the most original and innovative American works of the past several decades.” - Robert Kyr
TEXT
We are all sons of fathers and mothers, we are all sons.
We are all rivers, the roar of waters, we are all sons.
Sometimes no home for us here on the earth; no place to lay our heads.
If you could know for one moment
how it is to live in our bodies within the world, if you could know,
you ask too much of us;
you ask too little.
PERSERVERANCE
Hold On!
arr. Uzee Brown Jr. (b. 1950)
Traditional Spiritual
Lucas Gray, conductor
THIS SPIRITUAL
We close with "Hold On!," set by Uzee Brown Jr., Professor of Music at Morehouse College.
Noah, Noah, let me come in
doors all fastened and the window's pinned,
Keep your hand on the plow, Hold on.
Noah said, "You done los' your track,
can't plow straight and keep a-lookin' back,”
Keep your hand on the plow, Hold on.
Mary had a golden chain,
every link was in my Jesus' name.
Keep your hand on the plow, Hold on.
Keep on plowin' an' don't you tire,
every round goes higher and higher,
Keep your hand on the plow, Hold on.
If you wanna go to heaven I'II tell you how,
keep your hand on the gospel plow,
Keep your hand on the plow, Hold on.
If that plow stays in your hand,
gonna land you straight in the promised land
Keep your hand on the plow, Hold on.
Treble Choir
Emily Hobson-Gallardo, conductor
Austen Smith, piano
V’la bon von
arr. Allison Girvan
traditional French Canadian
Anneliese Depenthal, conductor
Texts & Translations
Refrain:
Vià l'bon vent, vlà l'jolie vent,
Via l'bon vent, ma mie m'appelle,
Vlà l'bon vent, vlà l'jolie vent,
Vlà l'bon vent, ma mie m'attend.
Go good wind, go pretty wind
Go good wind, my friend is calling
Go good wind, go pretty wind
Go good wind, she waits for me
Verses:
1.Derrièr' chez nous y'a t'un étang, Trois beaux canards s'en vont baignant,
2.Trois beaux canards s'en vont baignant, Le fils du Roi s'en va chassant,
3.Le fils du Roi s'en va chassant, Ave son grand fusil d'argent,
4. Avec son grand fusil d'argent, Visa le noir, tua le blanc,
5. Visa le noir, tua le blanc, O fils du Roi tu es méchant!
6. O fils du Roi tu es méchant! D'avoir tué mon canard blanc.
1. Behind our house there is a pond - Three handsome ducks went for a swim
2. Three handsome ducks went for a swim - The king's son went hunting
3. The king's son went hunting - With his great silver gun
4. With his great silver gun - Wounded the black, killed the white
5. Wounded the black, killed the white - O, son of the king, you are cruel
6. O, son of the king, you are cruel - You have killed my white duck
Storm Comin’
arr. Ruth Moody (b. 1975)
THE WAILIN' JENNYS
The Wailin’ Jennys Are Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody And Heather Masse. Starting as a happy accident of solo singer/songwriters getting together for a one-time-only performance at a tiny guitar shop in Winnipeg, Manitoba, The Wailin’ Jennys have grown over the years into one of today’s most beloved international folk acts. Founding members Moody and Mehta along with New York-based Masse continue to create some of the most exciting music on the folk-roots scene, stepping up their musical game with each critically lauded recording, and thrilling audiences with their renowned live performances.
Song of Miriam
Elaine Hagenberg (b. 1979)
Elizabeth Daly, conductor
THIS PIECE
Inspired by the empowering poem by Rabbi Ruth Sohn, this piece describes the journey of a young woman who finds bravery amid uncertainty and fear. Middle Eastern harmonies paint an expansive desert landscape following Miriam from the Bible, while the voices search for faith and risk taking the first step, ultimately conquering fear to find the "song in my heart."
Ave Maria
Kathryn Chomik Parrotta
Ave Maria
Ave Maria (English Hail Mary) is the salutation given by the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary at the Annunciation (Luke 1:28): Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum ("Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee"). To these words many additions have been made, both as prayers addressed to the Blessed Virgin (such as that prayed in The Rosary) and as musical texts.
My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord
arr. Moses Hogan (1957-2003)
ad. Rollo Dilworth (b. 1970)
Traditional Spiritual
Leaija Stevenson, soloist
THIS SPIRITUAL
The iconic spiritual arrangement by Moses Hogan has been masterfully adapted for treble voices by Rollo Dilworth. The powerful opening chords and the exhilarating call and response sections makes this into a classic spiritual.
Emily Hobson-Gallardo
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 Presbysterian 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.
Jacob Thatch McDonald
Graduate Choral Conducting Student
Jacob Thatch McDonald is a Georgia-native, Atlanta-based musician currently enrolled in a Dual-Track Master of Music program at Georgia State, concentrating in Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting. He has been a member of Voces Amicis since its inception in the fall of 2021 and looks forward to the future and evolution of the group. Born in Macon, GA, Jacob began his performing career in choirs and community theatres in middle Georgia before pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville. There, he developed a fondness for performing dramatic music, whether that music be choral, operatic, musical theatre, or even particularly rousing art songs. Outside of his musical pursuits, Jacob loves playing table-top games, storytelling, and spending time with his wife Sara and their adorable cat, Percy.
Allessandra Roberson
Graduate Choral Conducting Student
Allessandra Roberson moved from Portland, OR to Peachtree City, GA with her family in 2012, where she started her choral career singing with a women’s choir and select high school chorus. After finding her passion for choral music, she studied Choral and General Music Education at Georgia State University, where she held active membership in the Collegiate chapter of the American Choral Directors Association and National Association for Music Educators. During her time at Georgia State, she was a member of the school’s internationally renowned ensemble, University Singers, where she toured Austria and Southern Germany in the summer of 2017 with her colleagues. When she wasn’t singing, people would find her playing flute or piccolo for the marching band, Wind Orchestra or University Concert Band. After graduating GSU, she taught elementary music in Rockdale County. She joined Morningside Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir, where she performed Brahms’ Requiem, Faure’s Requiem, Dan Forrest’s “Requiem for the Living,” and Dan Forrest’s “LUX: From the Dawn on High.” Allessandra is excited to begin working toward her masters in Choral Conducting at Georgia State this fall while interning at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Stone Mountain. Allessandra resides in Atlanta with her husband, Ty, and two kitties, Jumble and Yvette.
Patrick K. Freer
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.
José Azurdia Lamadrid
Graduate Choral Conducting Student
Originally from Guatemala, José began his musical journey as a choral singer with Coro Victoria. He later moved to Costa Rica to pursue his bachelor's degree in Choral Conducting. Conducted the choirs of the Pre-University Program at Universidad Nacional in Costa Rica and also served as a guest conductor with Vocalis choir, Guatemala, during their seasons titled "First Love" and "Bajo La Noche." In 2023, he was selected to participate and conduct in the Masterclass Concert at the World Symposium of Choral Music in Istanbul. Currently, he's pursuing a master's in Choral Conducting with Dr. Deanna Joseph at Georgia State University.
Lucas Gray
Graduate Choral Conducting Student
Lucas Gray is in his final year as a Choral Conducting graduate student at Georgia State University. Prior to coming to Georgia State, Lucas was the Director of Choirs at Allegro Charter School of Music in Charleston, South Carolina, where he led a choral program of over 100 singers. In addition to his passion for conducting and teaching, Lucas is an avid singer and frequently performs with choirs across the globe. His specialty in singing includes Renaissance and Baroque music, as well as music from the Anglican choral tradition. Lucas holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Kennesaw State University. After graduating this May, Lucas plans to return to the high-school classroom.
Anneliese Depenthal
Graduate Choral Conducting Student
Anneliese Depenthal is a second-year master student in Choral Conducting at Georgia State University (GSU). She originally hails from Orlando, FL, where she discovered her love of singing as a chorister in the Orlando Deanery Girls Choir. A graduate of Valparaiso University, she was a member, section leader, and eventual president of the Valparaiso University Chorale. Before beginning her time at GSU, Anneliese interned with the music ministry at the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany before starting her employment as the Music Minister, Children’s Ministry Coordinator, and Tech Coordinator at St. Michael Lutheran Church in Wellington, FL. When not making music, Anneliese enjoys long walks, coffee with friends, traveling, reading, and sailing with her family.
Elizabeth Daly
Graduate Choral Conducting Student
Elizabeth Daly is a second year graduate student in choral conducting at Georgia State University. Originally hailing from Syracuse, NY, Elizabeth recently graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Music Education with Performance honors. At SU, Elizabeth was a Research Assistant with Chorosynthesis, collaborating on their ESV (Empowering Silenced Voices) Database for music on topics of social consciousness, was the recipient of the Frances and William Buecheler Scholarship, and was a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, the national music honor’s society. Here in Atlanta, Elizabeth teaches fundamentals of aural skills at GSU, is a music intern with Central Presbyterian Church, Assistant conducts the Georgia Festival Chorus, works for the choral area as a graduate assistant, and sings/conducts with Voces Amicis. During her first year, she also presented her research on Italian nun composers of the Italian Renaissance at the University of Toronto Graduate Music Conference and the Georgia State University Graduate Conference for Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity. Elizabeth lives with her Husband in Decatur, GA.