PROGRAM: LOS ANGELES CHILDREN ’S CHORUS APRIL 19 / 2:30 PM BING CONCERT HALL

ARTISTS PROGRAM Los Angeles Children’s Chorus Celebrating American Song! Anne Tomlinson, artistic director Twyla Meyer, pianist From the Transcendent Stanford Chamber Chorale Sgwa ti’ni se sdi yi howa Cherokee hymn (ca. 1821) Stephen M. Sano, director Let Us Sing! Southern Harmony 74b, arr. Linda Tutas Haugen Spanish Ave Maria Henry Mollicone (b. 1946) L’dor vador Meir Finkelstein (b. 1951), arr. Rebecca Thompson The Plentiful Peach world premiere was commissioned by the Los Angeles Children’s Madeleine Lew, soloist Chorus, with the generous support of Elizabeth Los Angeles Children’s Chorus—Concert Choir and Stanislas Debreu. Pueri Hebraeorum Randall Thompson (1899–1984) Los Angeles Children’s Chorus—Concert Choir and Stanford Chamber Chorale

Sitivit anima mea Gregorian chant Sitivit anima mea Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525–1594) Sitivit anima mea Richard Burchard (b. 1960) Beautiful River Robert Lowry (1826–1899), arr. William Hawley Get Away Jordan American spiritual, arr. Stacey V. Gibbs Stanford Chamber Chorale

From the People Shenandoah American folk song, arr. James Erb Los Angeles Children’s Chorus—Concert Choir and Stanford Chamber Chorale Ching-a-Ring Chaw! Minstrel song, arr. Aaron Copland Summertime George Gershwin (1898–1937), arr. Mark Hayes I’m Gonna Wait on the Lord Spiritual, arr. Damon H. Dandridge

The Newest Song…The Oldest Art The Plentiful Peach (World premiere) Mark Grey (b. 1967), text by Niloufar Talebi Los Angeles Children’s Chorus—Concert Choir A program insert will be provided at the performance. Running time is 70 minutes.

PROGRAM SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Please be considerate of others and turn off all phones, pagers, and watch alarms, and unwrap all lozenges prior to the performance. Photography and recording of any kind are not permitted. Thank you.

38 STANFORD LIVE MAGAZINE APRIL 2015 The Los Angeles Children’s Chorus nationally syndicated show From the Top, the 2001 Power of One Award given (LACC)—lauded as “one of the world’s among other credits. For more information, by the Facing History and Ourselves foremost children’s choirs” (Pasadena Star- please visit www.lachildrenschorus.org. organization, and the 2006 Educator of News) and described as “hauntingly beautiful” the Year Award given by the Harvard- (Los Angeles Times), “astonishingly polished” Anne Tomlinson (artistic director), now Radcliffe Club of Southern California. (Performances Magazine), “extraordinary in her 19th season with the Los Angeles in its abilities” (Culture Spot LA), and “one Children’s Chorus, oversees the educational Twyla Meyer (pianist), accompanist for heck of a talented group of kids” (LA and artistic development of the chorus and the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, Weekly)—is recognized throughout the conducts the LACC’s Concert Choir and holds a bachelor of fine arts degree in country for its exceptional artistic quality Chamber Singers. She is also the children’s piano performance from the University of and technical ability. Founded in 1986 and chorus mistress for the Los Angeles Opera. and a master of music degree led by artistic director Anne Tomlinson since During her tenure, she has prepared children in accompanying from the University of 1996, the LACC performs with such leading for major operatic works including the Southern California. Ms. Meyer was a organizations as the LA Opera, Los Angeles world premiere of Tobias Picker’s children’s staff accompanist and vocal coach and Philharmonic, Bowl Orchestra, opera Fantastic Mr. Fox, based upon the an adjunct keyboard faculty member at Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angeles story by Roald Dahl. In these productions, California State University, Los Angeles, Chamber Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony Ms. Tomlinson has worked with renowned from 1980–2010 and held similar positions and Pops, Calder Quartet, Jacaranda, and conductors Plácido Domingo, James Conlon, at Pasadena City College and Occidental MUSE/IQUE. The chorus serves more and Julius Rudel, among many others. She College. A specialist in 20th-century than 400 children from ages 6 to 18 from also has prepared children’s choirs for Gustavo chamber music, she is a founding member 50 communities across Los Angeles in six Dudamel, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Carlo Rizzi, and of the Matrix Chamber Ensemble, choirs—Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Marin Alsop for performing numerous concerts on the West Young Men’s Ensemble, Intermediate performances of ’s Persephone, Coast and in New York. Ms. Meyer has Choir, Apprentice Choir, and Preparatory John Adams’ El Niño, ’s been on the faculty of the Idyllwild Arts Choir—and a First Experiences in Singing Symphony No. 3, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, Academy and was a featured performer with program and First Experiences in Choral and a fully staged production of Leonard the Southern California Brahms Festival. Singing Ensemble for 6- to 9-year-olds. Bernstein’s Mass at the Hollywood Bowl. Los She also served as the principal pianist for Angeles Master Chorale performances include the annual Claremont Clarinet Festival. She The LACC—recipient of Chorus America’s Orff’s Carmina Burana under the direction has been on staff with the LACC for more 2014 Margaret Hillis Award for Choral of and Paul Salamunovich than 15 years and has toured with the choir Excellence, the nation’s highest choral as well as the world premiere of Christopher to Alaska, Brazil, the British Isles, Canada, honor—has toured North and South America, Rouse’s under Grant Gershon. Italy, China, Scandinavia, and South Africa. Africa, China, Australia, and Europe. It Ms. Meyer has recorded for Artel Records appears on the Los Angeles Master Chorale’s Ms. Tomlinson’s film work includes the 2002 with Metropolitan Opera heldentenor critically acclaimed Decca recording A Academy Award–nominated documentary Gary Lakes, with whom she also appeared Good Understanding and Plácido Domingo’s Sing!, which chronicles a year in the life of on The Tonight Show. In August 2007, Deutsche Grammophon recording Amore the LACC and appears frequently on public she toured Chile as a collaborative artist Infinito (Infinite Love). The subject of a television in Los Angeles. Her live broadcast in art song recitals and workshops. trilogy of documentaries by Academy work includes the January 2005 LACC Award–winning filmmaker Freida Mock, the Chamber Singers performance on the radio This past school year, Ms. Meyer has been LACC is featured in the Academy Award– program From the Top. Ms. Tomlinson is a working at the University of Redlands as an nominated Sing!, about a year in the life of frequent presenter at symposia, workshops, opera coach and continues to work on an the choir; Sing Opera!, which documents and festivals. She holds a bachelor of as-needed basis for the choirs at All Saints the production of the LACC-commissioned music degree from the Oberlin College Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California. family opera Keepers of the Night; and Sing Conservatory of Music and a master’s degree She is currently pursuing an active freelance China!, which chronicles its groundbreaking in from Northwestern University career, which includes work with the tour to China just prior to the Beijing where she studied with Margaret Hillis. Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Los Olympics. The LACC has performed with Ms. Tomlinson is the 2000 recipient of the Angeles Opera Education and Community John Mayer on NBC’s The Tonight Show Gold Crown Award for Music Education Programs Department, along with private and was featured on National Public Radio’s awarded by the Pasadena Arts Council, vocal and instrumental coaching.

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The Stanford Chamber Chorale is the to the small choral ensemble, the Chamber He has studied at the Tanglewood Music Stanford Department of Music’s most select Chorale has had the honor of receiving Center and is in frequent demand as a master choir, comprising 24 students drawn from works from renowned composers Randall class teacher, conductor, and adjudicator in both graduate and undergraduate populations Thompson, Kirke Mechem, Christopher Tin, choral music. To date, he has taught master at Stanford University. Hailing from across Howard Helvey, Giancarlo Aquilanti, Takeo classes in and conducted festival, honor, the and around the world, Kudo, Jiri Laburda, and Paul Crabtree. municipal, and collegiate choirs from more these singers represent a broad diversity of than 20 U.S. states as well as England, Austria, academic disciplines and degree programs. Through its recordings and tours, the Germany, Canada, Australia, and Japan. As members of the Chamber Chorale, these chorale continues to gain recognition in Stanford students meet a demanding schedule the international choral community. The An accomplished pianist, Professor Sano has of performing, touring, and recording while ensemble’s most recent CD, Illumine: won numerous piano competitions and has maintaining their rigorous academic programs. Christmas at Stanford, qualified in five served as accompanist to many leading artists Over the years, the chorale has toured in the categories for the 2013 Grammy Award visiting the Bay Area and as harpsichordist United States, Canada, Japan, China, Great preliminary ballot, including for the category with the International Chamber Orchestra of Britain, Austria, Germany, Israel, Italy, and of Best Choral Performance. The chorale’s . He is also active in his ancillary fields France. On tour, the ensemble has appeared in extensive touring activities continue to of interest: Hawaiian choral music, the music a notable list of venues, including the National heighten the visibility of both the ensemble of Queen Lili’uokalani, kī hō‘alu (Hawaiian Gallery of Art; the Smithsonian American Art and Stanford University’s commitment slack-key guitar), and North American taiko Museum; the great British cathedrals in Ely, to music performance and the arts. (Japanese American drumming). As a slack- Exeter, Lincoln, Newport, Salisbury, Wells, key artist, his recordings have been nominated and York; Llandaff Cathedral (Cardiff); St. Stephen M. Sano is a professor and the as finalists for the prestigious Nā Hōkū James’s Church, Piccadilly (London); the chair of the Department of Music at Stanford Hanohano Award and the Hawaiian Music chapels of St. John’s College and Trinity University, the Rachford and Carlota A. Award. His most recent release, Songs from the College (Cambridge); the chapels of New Harris University Fellow in Undergraduate Taro Patch, was on the preliminary ballot for the College, Magdalen College, and Jesus Education, and the inaugural chair holder of 2008 Grammy Award. Professor Sano’s choral College (Oxford); the Berlin Philharmonie; the Professor Harold C. Schmidt Directorship recordings can be heard on the Arsis Audio, Rikkyo University Chapel, Hakodate Geijutsu of Choral Studies at Stanford University, where Pictoria, and Daniel Ho Creations labels. His Hall, and Kitahiroshima-shi Geijutsu Bunka he directs the Stanford Chamber Chorale slack-key guitar recordings can be heard on the Hall in Japan; the Great Hall of the People and Symphonic Chorus. He holds master’s Daniel Ho Creations and Ward Records labels. (Beijing); Shanghai Concert Hall and and doctoral degrees in both orchestral Oriental Art Center; and Benaroya Music and choral conducting from Stanford and Mark Grey, who was raised in Palo Alto, Center (Seattle). The Chamber Chorale a bachelor’s degree in piano performance California, made his Carnegie Hall debut also has been featured on broadcasts from and theory from San Jose State University. as a composer with the Kronos Quartet in BBC Radio, Austrian national television, Professor Sano has appeared as guest 2003 and has since been commissioned by and the American Forces Network. conductor with many of the world’s leading such prestigious artists and organizations choral organizations, including the Choir as the Los Angeles Philharmonic; the The chorale has performed collaboratively of Trinity College, Cambridge; the Joyful Atlanta, Berkeley, Green Bay, and California with some of the most renowned performing Company of Singers (London); the Choir of Symphonies; Carnegie Hall; the Los Angeles organizations in the world, including the Tallis Royal Holloway, University of London; the Master Chorale; violinist Leila Josefowicz; Scholars; the Joyful Company of Singers; the Kammerchor der Universität der Künste Berlin; Meet the Composer; the Los Angeles Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge; the Choir and the Kammerchor der Universität Wien Children’s Chorus; and the Salt Lake Choral of Royal Holloway, University of London; the (Vienna). He has served on the conducting Artists. His substantial body of work ranges Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra; the St. Hedwig faculty of the Wilkes University Encore from solo, chamber, and orchestra pieces to Cathedral Choir (Berlin); the Chamber Choir Music Festival of Pennsylvania and frequently staged opera and choral works and has been of the Berlin University of the Arts; the Kronos appears as guest conductor of the Peninsula performed worldwide in venues such as the Quartet; the specialist period-instrument Symphony Orchestra in its collaborative Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, Théâtre ensembles Chatham Baroque and the National concerts with the Stanford Symphonic de la Ville (Paris), Barbican Centre (London), Gallery of Art Chamber Players; and master Chorus. A dedicated teacher at Stanford, Het Muziektheater (Amsterdam), Carnegie flamenco guitarist Paco Peña. Dedicated Professor Sano was recipient of the 2005 Hall (New York City), Walt Disney Hall (Los to the performance of literature best suited Dean’s Award for Distinguished Teaching. Angeles), and Atlanta Symphony Hall as

40 STANFORD LIVE MAGAZINE APRIL 2015 well as at the Ravinia, Cabrillo, Other Minds, Her work has been published by Catamaran for the Arts fellowship. Her work has been Perth International, and Spoleto festivals. Literary Reader, World Literature Today, PBS’s commissioned and presented by Carnegie Frontline, ArteEast, Poetry International, Hall, Cal Performances, the Atlanta Symphony In June 2016, La Monnaie in Brussels will give Rattapallax, Mother Jones, Harvard Divinity Orchestra, the Riverside Theatre, Farhang the world premiere of a new evening-length Bulletin, and Two Lines. Foundation, the Los Angeles County grand opera it commissioned from Mr. Grey, Museum of Art, the Kennedy Center, and directed by Alex Olle, which is based on Mary Ms. Talebi is the recipient of numerous grants the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Visit her Shelley’s Frankenstein in commemoration and awards, including a National Endowment at www.niloufartalebi.com.• of the 200-year anniversary of the novel.

In addition to his work as a composer, Mr. Grey was the first sound designer in history to design for the New York Philharmonic, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and Metropolitan Opera. His designs have been heard for more than two decades throughout most major concert halls, theaters, opera houses, and HD simulcast locations worldwide. He continues his 25-year tenure as sound designer and close collaborator with John Adams and was resident sound designer with the Kronos Quartet for more than a decade. Recent projects also include critically acclaimed presentations by the Berlin Philharmonic and Houston Grand Opera both at the Park Avenue Armory, New York City, in 2014 along with several productions for the Lyric Opera of Chicago and Metropolitan Opera in New York City.

Niloufar Talebi is a writer and librettist, award-winning translator, and multidisciplinary artist. Ms. Talebi is the editor and translator of Belonging: New Poetry by Iranians Around the World (North Atlantic Books, 2008); the translator of Vis & I by Farideh Razi (Pusteblume Books, 2015); and the creator/ performer of the multimedia works Four Springs (2004), Midnight Approaches (2006), ICARUS/RISE (2007), The Persian Rite of Spring (2010), and everyonedies (2012).

Ms. Talebi holds opera residencies with the American Lyric Theater in New York City and the Washington National Opera in Washington, DC, where her operas have premiered. She is the librettist for Atash Sorushan (Fire Angels) (2011), The Disinherited (2014), The Investment (2014), and Epiphany, A Requiem (2015). She teaches at Plymouth State University.

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