Presented by the GSU Repertory Singers
October 9, 2024, 12 P.M.
Kopleff Recital Hall
O schöne Nacht
from “Vier Quartette, Op. 92, No. 1
JOHANNES BRAHMS | 1833-1897
Allessandra Harms Roberson, graduate conductor
The amount of vocal ensemble music composed by Johannes Brahms is often underestimated. In fact, vocal compositions comprise more than half of Brahms’s compositional output. In addition to his Ein Deutsches Requiem, two sets of Liebeslieder Waltzes and motets, Brahms wrote several pieces for accompanied quartet of mixed voices. Written in 1877, O Schöne Nacht is among the best known.
I love my love.
GUSTAV HOLST | 1874-1934
Kelly Grba, graduate conductor
Gustav Holst was an English composer, arranger and teacher. Best known for his orchestral suite The Planets, he composed many other works across a range of genres, although none achieved comparable success. His distinctive compositional style was the product of many influences, Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss being most crucial early in his development.
Abroad as I was walking
One evening in the spring
I heard a maid in Bedlam
So sweetly for to sing;
Her chain she rattled with her hands
And thus replied she:
Chorus:
I love my love because I know
My love loves me (end chorus)
Oh cruel were his parents
Who sent my love to sea
And cruel was the ship
That bore my love from me:
Yet I love his parents since they’re his
Although they’ve ruined me:
Chorus
"With straw I'll weave a garland,
I'll weave it very fine;
With roses, lilies, daisies,
I'll mix the eglantine;
And I'll present it to my love when he returns from sea.
Chorus
Just as she there sat weeping
Her love he came on land
Then, hearing she was in Bedlam
He ran straight out of hand;
He flew into her snow-white arms
And thus replied he:
Chorus
She said: “My love don’t frighten me,
are you my love or no?”
“O yes, my dearest Nancy,
I am your love, also
I am returned to make amends
for all your injury.”
Chorus
So now these two are married,
And happy may they be
Like turtle doves together,
In love and unity.
All pretty maids with patience wait
That have got loves at sea;
Chorus
Vere languores
TOMÁS LUIS DE VICTORIA | C. 1548-1611
Nathan Schreer, graduate conductor
Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548-1611), a prominent figure of the late Renaissance, is the most well known Spanish composer of the 16th century. While Victoria may have studied with Palestrina during his twenty-year tenure in Rome, his music departs from his Italian mentors via its more direct, passionate emotional appeal. Vere languores, a profoundly poignant and fervent lament, utilizes a variety of motives and textures to capture mystery and awe of the text from Isaiah 53: 4-5.
I’ve Been in the Storm so Long
ARR. JEFFERY L. AMES
Rebecca Simantov, graduate conductor
Kelly Grba, soloist
A traditional spiritual setting that is a tribute to those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Hurricane Katrina was a devastating tropical cyclone that caused 1,392 fatalities and damages estimated at $125 billion in late August 2005, particularly in the city of New Orleans and its surrounding area.
Gloria
GIOVANNI BATTISTA PERGOLESI | 1710-1736
Trevor Kytola, graduate conductor
Carolyn Mielke, Madison Tiegreen, Allessandra Roberson & Christian Aycock, soloists
Born at Jesi, Pergolesi was one of the most important composers of early opera buffa (comic opera). La Serva Padrona, (1733), which originated as an intermezzo, soon became a popular opera in its own right. He also wrote sacred music, including a Mass in F but his Stabat Mater (1736), is his best-known sacred work
Allessandra Harms Roberson
Allessandra Harms 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.
Kelly Grba
Kelly Grba is a conductor, vocalist, and teacher from Bolingbrook, Illinois. As a first-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. Prior to beginning her studies at Georgia State, Kelly taught choir, music theory, and music production classes for four years at Plainfield East High School in Plainfield, Illinois. Kelly graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Luther College (Decorah, IA) in 2020. While at Luther, Kelly sang in choirs under the direction of Dr. Andrew Last and Dr. Jennaya Robison. 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.
Nathan Schreer
Nathan Schreer is an experienced 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 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. 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.
Rebecca Simantov
Rebecca Simantov is a choral conductor and music educator from New York City, currently working on her Masters of Choral Conducting at Georgia State University. Last year, Rebecca served as the Associate Director of Music at the Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Atlanta, and is currently a Choral Scholar at Holy Trinity Parish in Decatur. She has sung with the Kenyon College Chamber Singers (OH), the Angeles Chorale (CA), the Angel City Chorale (CA), and currently sings and assists with many of the fabulous choirs at Georgia State. Back in New York, Rebecca worked as a middle school teaching artist in music and theater. Rebecca is excited to be teaching undergraduate music classes at Georgia State this year, and to be pursuing her love of musical connection, communication, and community with her peers and mentors at GSU.
Trevor Kytola
Trevor Kytola is a second-year candidate for the Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting at Georgia State University. He received his Bachelor of Music Education from Pacific Lutheran University while also obtaining a K-12 Teaching Certificate for the State of Washington. While there, he was a member of The Choir of the West, Choral Union, and University Chorale. With these ensembles, Trevor appeared at the 2022 NWACDA Conference and with Pacific Northwest Ballet as a chorus member at McCaw Hall. In Georgia, Trevor has appeared with the Georgia State University Singers at the 2023 Georgia ACDA Conference, as well as multiple engagements with the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra. Trevor is also a member of the Charleston, South Carolina-based professional choir, the Taylor Festival Choir. Trevor serves as an Assistant Conductor for the Georgia Festival Chorus while maintaining his positions as a Graduate Assistant for the Choral Area at GSU and assisting with Georgia State University Choral Union. He also leads the St. Cecilia Children’s Choir and is a staff singer at St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church.