VIRTUAL SPRING CONCERT Saturday 8 May 2021, 7:30PM Stream on Facebook or YouTube

www.SchubertMaleChorus.org Voices SINCE 1883 SCHUBERT MALE CHORUS MAY 2021

And We Sing On Phil Pletcher, Artistic Director What a year this has been! Writing about the pandemic seems like beating the proverbial dead horse. Yet what else is there to write about? When we recount the details someday to our great-grandchildren, they will roll their eyes skeptically the same way we did when our grandparents bragged about walking five miles uphill to and from school while lugging a cello. Few people in the world have escaped the effects of Covid-19 – and musicians are no exception. The members of the Schubert Male Chorus have not met for an in-person rehearsal for thirteen months. Our major live concerts were canceled, along with our regular appearances at retirement homes, naturalization ceremonies, and other community events. However, we sing on. Despite the downsides of technology, without its benefits these past thirteen months would have been much bleaker for us. The Schuberts have been able to hold weekly virtual rehearsals on Zoom, and the marvel of social media has made it possible for us to proclaim that we have given a concert every year since 1883. The challenges have sometimes seemed formidable. However, I join other choral conductors around the world in saying that this has proven to be beneficial in many ways. In a choral setting it is often tempting for the singers to depend on the person standing next to them. That has not been possible this year and the guys had to learn their own parts and videotape themselves with confidence. This format allowed me to learn much about each member’s voice. I have become aware of solo voices that I didn’t realize we had among us. I’ve also discovered information about our strengths and areas on which we must focus when we convene for live rehearsals. A warm welcome goes to our new collaborative pianist, Dr. Ryan Holley-Mallo, who will be taking my place on the bench starting in July. He brings with him a wealth of experience and is excited about making music with us. I’m especially proud of the way that the chorus members have faced our challenges head-on and have made our virtual concerts wonderful and successful. I extend a huge “thank you” to each singer. Kudos also go to our tech guru Jake Bierema. Without his dedication and expertise, the concerts would not have been possible. My brothers: may we sing on!

Give Our Regards to Broadway Steve Chapdelaine, Voices Editor, Second Tenor

Another Op’nin’, Another Show Get Me to the Church on Time From “Kiss Me, Kate!” (1948) From “My Fair Lady” (1956) Written by – one of the greatest and wrote the contributors to the Great American Songbook – score and lyrics to this musical, which is based this classic tune from Kiss Me, Kate! has come to on George Bernard Shaw’s 1914 play Pygmalion. epitomize the life of musicians and artists everywhere. “Four The father of Eliza Doolittle, Alfred P. Doolittle, a dustman from weeks you rehearse and rehearse, three weeks and it couldn’t be the lower classes, sings this upbeat song while on a bachelor party worse. One week will it ever be right? Then out of the hat, it’s with friends the night before his wedding. Doolittle implores his that big first night.” Along with “There’s No Business Like Show mates to ensure he arrives at the church at the appointed hour Business” and “42nd Street,” this song is quintessential Broadway. for his wedding.

Bring Him Home The Impossible Dream From “Les Misérables” (1985) From “” (1965) This gorgeous piece, written by Claude-Michel The most recognized number from “Man of La Schönberg with lyrics by and Mancha” – whose score was written by Mitch , is from Les Misérables, based on Leigh and lyrics by – has been the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo. “Bring Him Home” is sung by covered by dozens – if not hundreds – of artists including Jack Jean Valjean (the main protagonist), begging God to keep Marius Jones, Glen Campbell, Cher, and Josh Groban. The musical is Pontmercy, a young student, safe after participating in the June based on the novel Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, written 1832 rebellion. “God on high, hear my prayer. In my need You in two parts in 1605 and 1615. “The Impossible Dream” is sung have always been there. He is young, he’s afraid. Let him rest, by the character Don Quixote, who was jailed for his debts, but heaven blessed. Bring him home.” who strives to become a knight – his “quest.”

It’s a Grand Night for Singing The Sound of Music From “State Fair” (1945) From “The Sound of Music” (1959) “State Fair,” based on a 1932 book by Phil “The Sound of Music,” based on the 1949 Stong, began as a movie – first in 1933 starring memoir The Story of the Von Trapp Family Will Rogers – and then in 1945 starring Dana Singers, is set in Austria just before the 1938 Andrews and Jeanne Crain, and again in 1962 starring Pat Boone, Anschluss. This medley of tunes from and Ann-Margret, and Bobby Darin. “State Fair” didn’t make it to Oscar Hammerstein II is well-known to almost all. With the help Broadway until 1996! The score and lyrics were penned by of arranger Clay Warnick the Chorus stitches together songs Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. from this musical including “The Sound of Music,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” and “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.” The 1965 movie version, starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face won five Academy Awards (the Broadway version won five Tony From “My Fair Lady” (1956) Awards). Sadly, this was the last collaboration between composer Another classic tune from Frederick Loewe and and lyricist: Oscar Hammerstein died within a year after the Alan Jay Lerner, the musical’s plot centers opening in 1959. His last lyric written was around Professor Henry Higgins – a confirmed “Edelweiss.” bachelor – tutoring Eliza Doolittle in speaking with received pronunciation rather than her “native” cockney. Professor Higgins admits to himself that he’s “grown accustomed to her In Memoriam face, she almost makes the day begin ….” CHET TRYBUS (1945 – 2021) The Chorus lost a dear friend and colleague in Lida Rose March. Chet Trybus, second tenor, always lit up From “The Music Man” (1957) a room with his great wit and humor. He had “The Music Man,” whose score and lyrics were sung with the Chorus since 1982, having authored this penned by Meredith Willson, went through at publication, Voices, for many years. In addition to serving as least 30 drafts. It debuted in 1957, with Robert Chorus President, Chet also served as the Chorus’ historian – no Preston as Professor Harold Hill. In the 1962 film version, “Lida small task! Moreover, Chet received the Chorus’ very first Spirit Rose” was sung by the incomparable Buffalo Bills. The Chorus Award. Our heartfelt condolences go to his wife of 52 years, adds some twists by making this version more upbeat and less Jeannine, and to his entire family. Don Huls, Chorus conductor legato than the musical, and by incorporating a solo descant the for 25 years, reminisced that Chet “was the ultimate Schubert second time through. Grab a sarsaparilla and enjoy the summery Male Chorus member.” Chet, you’re vocalizing with all the sounds of River City, Iowa. heavenly choirs now. Brother, sing on!

138 YEARS AND COUNTING Bernie Stanko, President 2020-2021, Baritone As I come to the end of my third term as president of the Schubert Male Chorus I have had a lot of time to reflect on our group’s resilience, spirit of camaraderie, and ability to bring joy to so many lives we touch. Our members come and go; people join, quit, come back, and die. Yet we keep going. Like you, I remember these people who come in and out of our lives. Recently with the loss of brother Chet Trybus I remember all those who have gone before us. It doesn’t seem that long ago that Chet was persuading me to join the Schuberts. Change happens. We have a new artistic director, Phil Pletcher, who assumed the position after Don Huls retired last season. We have a new pianist joining us in the fall – Dr. Ryan Holley-Mallo. Hopefully we will have a new business manager in place to assume the responsibilities John Pesano has carried all these years, as he is retiring at the end of this season from that role. Yes, there are many changes. And yet the Schubert Male Chorus keeps going, reinventing itself for 138 years and counting. This year and last we have all faced the pandemic, something not seen in our lifetimes – not since 1918. We have the benefit of technology to allow us to practice virtually and produce a virtual concert. How did our brothers in the past do it? We really don’t know. I’m not aware of any records that shed light on their experience. And yet they did find way to keep going so that the Chorus endures. Now it is our turn. Those of us who have sung this season have kept the group alive so that the Chorus can keep going. For each of you who persevered, I am grateful to have been there with you. Members will come and go; presidents will come and go; directors and pianists will come and go. But each of us, in our own way, has contributed something far bigger than ourselves: we kept the Schubert Male Chorus alive – reinventing ourselves and our group as we go! Here’s to another 138 years! May future generations hear our clarion call. Brothers, sing on!

The Schubert Male Chorus relies heavily on ticket sales to help pay our bills. As this is a virtual ticketless concert, the Chorus would greatly appreciate any donations. Click on our donation page to contribute. Thank you! Virtual Spring Concert: Saturday 8 May 2021, 7:30PM – Stream on Facebook or YouTube