Treble Choir
Prof. Meghan Stoll, conductor Dr. Anna Lent, guest conductor Carolyn Mielke, Madison Tiegreen, Rae Laury & Kelly Grba, graduate conductors Nick Johns-Cooper, piano
O frondens virga
Hildegard von Bingen | 1098-1197
Dr. Anna Lenti, conductor
Stars in Your Bones
Joan Szymko | B. 1957
Kelly Grba, conductor
"Stars In Your Bones" was composed as a gift to Aurora Chorus to celebrate the ensemble as "A Place Where You Belong", the theme of its 25th Anniversary Season (2016-17).The opening chords and exuberant opening unison suggests the “big bang”— the singular explosion theorized by astronomers as the origin of our expanding universe. (black note clusters at M.1-6 and at M.64-69 are to be played with forearm and side of hand). The piano ostinato that follows beginning at M.7 consists of a 5-note 16th-note pattern over a steady quarter-note 5/4 pulse, lending an unstable, fluctuating quality to the the lyrics: “Earth changes…” As the underlying rhythm in the accompaniment settles, the lyrical quality of the setting takes hold, building toward a galvanizing, uplifting expression of “belonging.” Drawn to Alla Bozarth’s imagery and to her universal expressions of spirituality, this is the third prose poem by Bozarth set by the composer.
Poem by Alla Renée Bozarth (b. 1947) The small plot of ground on which you were born cannot be expected to stay forever the same. Earth changes, and home becomes different places. You took flesh from clay but the clay did not come from just one place. To feel alive, important, and safe, know your own waters and hills, but know more. You have stars in your bones and oceans in blood. You have opposing terrain in each eye you belong to the land and sky of your first cry, you belong to infinity.
Wandl’ ich in dem Wald des Abends
Fanny Hensel | 1805-1847
Carolyn Mielke, conductor
Text by Heinrich Heine (1797-1856) When I wander in the evening woods, In the dream-like woods, Even at my side wanders Your tender form. Is this not your white veil? Is this not your mild face? Or is it only moonlight Breaking through the darkness of the firs? Is it my own tears That I hear softly running? Or are you, beloved, truly walking here, Weeping close beside me?
Moon Bridge
Florence Price | 1887-1953
Rae Laury, conductor
Sing, Wearing the Sky
Jake Runestad | B. 1986
Seth Byrd, violin Madison Tiegreen, conductor
Excerpts of text by Lalla (14 c.) Meditate within eternity. Don’t stay in the mind. The soul, like the moon, is new, and always new again. Since I scoured my mind and my body, I too, Lalla, am new, each moment new. My teacher told me, live in the soul. When that was so, I began to go naked, and dance. Dance, Lalla, with nothing on but air. Sing, Lalla, wearing the sky. Look at this glowing day! What clothes could be more beautiful, or more sacred?
Tenor-Bass Choir
Dr. Patrick K. Freer, conductor Aaron Cummings & Logan Kropp, graduate conductors Owen Talley, piano
In Meeting We Are Blessed
Troy Robertson | B. 1978
Aaron Cummings, conductor
Text: R Gatsnahos, after Donne We are met together and in meeting we are blessed. Peace in coming and in going, peace in labor and in rest. Hold on, dear sister! Hold on to me. You're not alone and you never more will be. I will be with you, and I will carry you with me. Friendship endures, and surely we will prove it's ourselves, but our bodies that move. Hold on, dear brother! Hold on to me.
There is a Meeting Here Tonight
arr. Bob Gibson | B. 1989
Logan Kropp, conductor
Text: Don MacDonald There is a meeting here tonight! Well, there's a meeting here tonight, There's a meeting here tonight, I can tell by your friendly face there's a meeting here tonight.
Well I went down in the valley one day, met old Satan on my way, What do you reckon old Satan did say He said, "Turn back, young man you're too young to pray."
Satan got mad and I am glad, Lost a soul he thought he had. Satan is a liar and a conjuror too, You better watch out brother he'll conjure you.
Well, there's a meeting here tonight, There's a meeting here tonight, I can tell by your friendly face there's a meeting here tonight.
Love: Then and Still
Susan LaBarr | B. 1981
JAM!
Tracy Wong
Marc-Alexandre Barbe & Noah Frett, percussion
JAM! (Jom – Ayuh – Mari!) is three-way play on words! (1) In Colloquial Malay, Jom, ayuh, and mari all have similar meanings – “come, let’s go!” Nada, in the context of singing, means vocal tone. (2) The catchy, repetitive, and conversation-like musical themes would also suggest a group of musicians coming together to make music (akin to a jam session). (3) “Jam” in Malay also translates to “clock” – suggesting a passing of time, represented by the consistent snapping of fingers in the music.
Arirang
arr. Hyo-Won Woo | B. 1974
Katie Kress & Rae Laury, percussion
Text and Translation You are going over Arirang hill. My love, you are leaving me. Your feet will be sore before you go ten.
About the Arranger One of Korea's most prominent composers, Hyo-Won Woo has emerged as a formidable voice in choral music. Her groundbreaking works blend traditional Korean musical elements and Western technique, and include settings of the Latin text, playful spatial music, and arrangements examining wordless human encounters.
Choral Union
Prof. Meghan Stoll, conductor Aaron Cummings, Shaun Gibbons, Katie Kress, Logan Kropp, & Alex Thompson, graduate conductors Kyung-Mi Kim, piano
Banks of Doon
Donna Gartman Schultz | 1948-2025
Seth Byrd, violin Logan Kropp, conductor
Donna Gartman Schultz is the composer of numerous works for choirs which are regularly performed throughout both the United States and internationally. She has written for and been commissioned by choral groups at all levels, from children’s to university and professional organizations. A native of Louisiana, Dr. Schultz earned a degree in piano performance from Louisiana State University before pursuing graduate degrees in theory and composition at Michigan State University, where she subsequently taught as a full-time member of the faculty. After moving to the Pacific Northwest, she continued teaching as an adjunct member of the faculty at The Evergreen State College in Olympia for several years. Her professional time now is devoted primarily to composition, both choral and instrumental.
The Word Was God
Rosephanye Powell | B. 1962
Katie Kress, conductor
The Road Home
Stephen Paulus | 1949-2014
Alex Thompson, conductor
The Road Home Tell me, where is the road I can call my own, That I left, that I lost, So long ago? All these years I have wandered, Oh, when will I know There's a way, there's a road That will lead me home? After wind, after rain, When the dark is done. As I wake from a dream In the gold of day, Through the air there's a calling From far away, There's a voice I can hear That will lead me home. Rise up, follow me, Come away, is the call, With the love in your heart As the only song; There is no such beauty As where you belong: Rise up, follow me, I will lead you home.
Personnel
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.
Meghan Stoll
Meghan Stoll is Visiting Lecturer and Associate Director of Choirs at Georgia State University School of Music where she conducts Treble Chorus, Choral Union, and teaches conducting and choral literature. She also serves as Associate Conductor with the GRAMMY® Award-winning National Children’s Chorus.
Prior to her appointment at Georgia State University, Ms. Stoll served as guest conductor with the Richmond Symphony Chorus, Director of Choral Activities at the National Cathedral School and St. Alban’s School, Director of Choral Activities at St. Catherine’s Episcopal School in Richmond, Virginia, Director of Music at the University Church at Yale, and Conductor of the Yale Chamber Orchestra. She has also held Assistant Conductor positions with the Yale Camerata and Georgia State University Singers, along with teaching appointments in Aural Skills at the collegiate level.
While at Yale, Meghan received the Richard Paul DeLong Prize for excellence in church music. As a mezzo-soprano, she has performed roles such as Mère Marie in Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites and Dinah in Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti with Oberlin Opera Theater. Meghan regularly performs as an ensemble artist with groups including Ensemble Altera, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Servire, The Thirteen, Yale Choral Artists, and New Muses Project. She sings with the choir of the Basilica of the National Shrine and can also be seen singing with the choir of the Washington National Cathedral.
Meghan holds an Artist Diploma (AD) from Georgia State University, a Master of Music (MM) from Yale School of Music, and a Bachelor of Music (BM) from Oberlin Conservatory. She has trained in conducting under esteemed professionals such as David Hill, Masaaki Suzuki, Greg Ristow, Deanna Joseph, Jeffrey Douma, Marguerite Brooks, and Raphael Jiménez.