Choral Union
Meghan Stoll, conductor
Dr. Kyung-Mi Kim, piano
Nick Coppola, drums
Ke nna yo Morena
TRADITIONAL SOUTH AFRICAN
Rae Laury, graduate conductor
Pour the Holy Spirit down on us, Lord, Messiah. My eyes are like arrows, I fight for the Lord. Here I am Lord.
If Ye Love Me
THOMAS TALLIS | 1505-1585
(excerpt)
Liana Perlman, graduate conductor
If Ye Love Me is a beautiful motet composed by the English Renaissance composer Thomas Tallis. It is one of the most famous choral motets in history. Written in the mid-16th century, it is a serene and expressive piece of choral music. The text is based John 14:15-17, in which Jesus speaks to his disciples, urging them to follow his commandments. The motet reflects Tallis' mastery of polyphony
Selections from Choral Union’s Composition Project
I Sing Because I’m Happy
CHARLES H. GABRIEL | 1856-1932
arr. KENNETH PADEN
ad. ROLLO DILWOTH
This piece is a gospel-style interpretation of the hymn, "His Eye Is on the Sparrow."
"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."
Tenor-Bass Choir
Dr. Patrick K. Freer, conductor
Dr. Andrew Choi, piano
When Music Sounds
CONNOR J. KOPPIN | B. 1991
Allessandra Roberson, graduate conductor
"When music sounds, gone is the earth I know,
And all her lovely things even lovelier grow;
Her flowers in vision flame, her forest trees
Lift burdened branches, stilled with ecstasies.
When music sounds, out of the water rise
Naiads whose beauty dims my waking eyes,
Rapt in strange dreams burns each enchanted face,
With solemn echoing stirs their dwellingplace.
When music sounds, all that I was I am
Ere to this haunt of brooding dust I came;
And from Time's woods break into distant song
The swift-winged hours, as I hasten along."
Text by WALTER DE LA MARE (1873-1956)
Mis on iminene?
PÄRT UUSBERG | B. 1966
“What is human? The shadow of an angel? Or a cry of yearning towards a union of souls? Each of us a pipe for God's wind to whitsle: Take care, then you are cared for."
Text by DORIS KAREVA | B. 1958
Love is Patient
from What is Love?
TIMOTHY AMUKELE | B. 1976
Dr. Timothy Amukele is a Jack of trades: a working physician, and a composer and arranger of vocal music.
He has worked closely with the librettist Jarrod Lee on several commissions including a 2021 song cycle Journey To You based on the photography of William Christenberry (1936–2016), and Spirit Moves, a 2022 community opera for the IN Series opera company in DC. Jarrod Lee and Tim Amukele are working on Kandake.
Perhaps Love
JOHN DENVER | 1943-1997
arr. ALWYN HUMPHREYS
Shaun Gibbons, graduate conductor
"Perhaps Love" is a song that John Denver wrote and recorded as a duet with Plácido Domingo. The song appeared on Domingo's 1981 album of the same title. The song peaked at #22 on the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart and #59 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982.
The Times They Are A-Changin’
BOB DYLAN | B. 1941
ARR. ADAM PODD | B. 1986
"The Times They Are a-Changin'" is a song written by Bob Dylan and released as the title track of his 1964 album of the same name. Dylan wrote the song as a deliberate attempt to create an anthem of change for the time, influenced by Irish and Scottish ballads. Released as a 45-rpm single in Britain in 1965, it reached number 9 on the UK Singles Chart.
Ever since its release, the song has been influential to people's views on society, with critics noting the universal lyrics as contributing to the song's lasting message of change. According to Dylan's official website, between 1963 and 2009 he performed the song 633 times, which makes it his 23rd most-performed song!
Treble Choir
Meghan Stoll, conductor
Fernanda Miranda, piano
Nick Coppola, drums
Bobby Tony, bass
presents...
THE ELEMENTS
FIRE
Fire
KATERINA GIMON | B. 1993
Elements is set of choral works that abstractly depict the four classical elements and explores the wide range of capabilities of the human voice - from overtone singing, to vocal percussion, to colourful vocal timbres. Elements features no 'text' (at least not in the traditional sense), rather a series of syllables generated through improvisation meant to evoke the sound and energy of each element.
Fire is a fun, lively, and energetic work incorporating vocal percussion, body percussion, nasal singing, calls, nonsense syllables, as well as optional percussion. - note by composer
WATER
Take Me to the Water
ROLLO DILWORTH | B. 1970
Kelly Grba, graduate conductor
Rollo A. Dilworth is an American choral composer, arranger, conductor, and music educator from St. Louis, Missouri.
Both classical music and African-American folk music have influenced Dilworth's musical development and style. He recognizes Beethoven and Chopin as beloved classical icons in his life, but his compositional style is largely influenced by Gospel and Spiritual composers such as Robert Ray and Moses Hogan.[1] Dilworth also draws inspiration from African-American literary tradition. He has a particular affinity for the poetry of Langston Hughes and Paul Laurence Dunbar,[9] a love which has moved him to compose settings of their texts.
CONDUCTORS
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.