From the Artistic Director:

It is with great delight that I have accepted the position of Artistic Director and Principal Conductor for ProMusica ! I look forward to taking ProMusica to the next level and programming future concerts that will entertain, inspire and even stretch you, musically. Our presentation of Mountain Days will do just that. John Muir’s passion for making sure the beauty of America was preserved for generations to come has been gloriously captured in story and song by my long-time friend and mentor, composer , and lyricist Mary Bracken-Phillips. To be able to bring a work of this magnitude to you is the experience of a lifetime. A production of epic proportion! Much of the text in the script and songs are Muir’s own words from his journals and books – beautifully brought to life by our award-winning cast. Through words and music, you will get to know the passionate John Muir and his unquenchable thirst for exploring this great country of ours, his love for his wife Louie, his friendship with Theodore Roosevelt, the struggle and heartbreak of losing Hetch Hetchy Valley – and his beloved wife. Sweeping melodies and intensely glorious orchestrations will transport you to the grandeur of Yosemite. We'd also like to invite you to join us for our free “Bon Voyage” concert on June 2nd as we prepare to go to Ireland on concert tour with a small ensemble from the Chorale. The program is all American music, including Musical Theater, Folk Songs and Spirituals. Planning for our 2019-2020 season is underway and our programs will be announced very soon. In the meantime save these dates: October 19 & 20, December 14 & 15 and March 21 & 22. Musically yours, Patti Graetz If you are interested in joining the ProMusica Chorale and Orchestra, visit our Website at pmaz.org and click on the Audition tab.

ProMusica Arizona is supported in part by the Arizona Commission on the Arts, which receives support from the State of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts. Biographies Craig Bohmler, Composer Craig Bohmler (b.1956) is a pianist and composer whose works have been frequently performed in Europe, North America and Japan. Primarily a composer for the “singing theater” and the solo voice, Mr. Bohmler has four and 12 musicals to his credit as well as 200 art songs and numerous choral, orchestral, and band works. He has written operas for the Grand , Opera San Jose, and Arizona Opera who premiered his Riders of the Purple Sage to record ticket sales and sold-out houses. His musical Gunmetal Blues (which premiered at Phoenix Theatre) has had over 250 productions and played in London in 2016. Enter the Guardsman won first prize in the International Musical of the Year competition and premiered in London where it was nominated for an Olivier Award for “best musical.” Both musicals have played Off-Broadway. He has a long-time relationship with the San Jose Chamber Orchestra who has recorded his works, including a piano concerto written for him by composer . He is grateful for an ongoing relationship with Phoenix Theatre (Phoenix, AZ) which has premiered five of his musicals. Craig has been the recipient of several grants, including three NEA grants and three "meet the composer" grants. His works are published by Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW), Santa Barbara Music Publishing, Samuel French, and Dramatic Publishing and have been recorded by Columbus, Centaur, Original Cast, and BMS records. Helen Brons, Accompanist Helen was born and raised in the Netherlands. In 2000, her family moved to a small town in . In 7th grade, she started to accompany her grade school choir, which sparked her interest in accompanying. In high school, she became the accompanist for the Siouxland Boys Choir, toured with them, and recorded 12 CDs. She also served as a local church organist. During high school and college, she was the rehearsal and performance pianist for many musical and opera productions such as Oklahoma!, the Sound of Music, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte. Helen moved from Iowa to Arizona and graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance with an emphasis on accompanying. She went on to complete her Master of Music degree in Collaborative Piano from . During her years of study, she had the opportunity to participate in many master classes, including those led by Jeffrey Swan, Dmitry Rachmanov, and Zuill Bailey. Helen has studied privately with Prof. Rita Borden, Dr. Walter Cosand, and Prof. Russell Ryan and is currently a music faculty adjunct at Grand Canyon University.

Trisha Ditsworth, Louie Strentzel Muir Trisha Hart Ditsworth is honored to be here singing this incredible music. Favorite credits: Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins), The Sound of Music (Maria), The Spitfire Grill (Percy), Funny Girl (Fanny Brice), Sweeney Todd (Johanna), The Secret Garden (Martha), Hair (Crissy), Hairspray (Penny), Trailer Park (Pickles), Lucky Stiff (Annabel), The Toxic Avenger (Sarah), Pippin (Catherine), and Legally Blonde (Enid). She has a BFA in Musical Theater from the University of Arizona and has lived and worked out of both New York and . She now resides in Phoenix and feels incredibly lucky to be part of such a lovely community of artists. She also enjoys spending time teaching voice lessons. For more information, email her through her website. Thank you to Mom, Dad and Matravius for your endless love and support! www.trishaditsworth.com

"Therefore we are all, in some sense, mountaineers, and going to the mountains is going home." Steep Trails, by John Muir Biographies Rusty Ferracane, John Muir As an entertainer whose professional career spans over four decades, Rusty has performed with theatre companies across the country, including the American premier of the musical Enter the Guardsman Off- Broadway. Some of his favorite roles include Don Quixote in Man of LaMancha, Georges in La Cage Aux Folles, Harold Hill in The Music Man and Emile De Becque in South Pacific with the Phoenix Symphony, Father Flynn in Doubt, Joe Pitt in Angels in America (Parts I & II) and Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol. Other theatre highlights include All the More to Love, No Way to Treat a Lady, Curtains, Spitfire Grill, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, and Time Stands Still. He was the Producing Artistic Director for the Actors Group, producing Bent, The Grapes of Wrath, Love! Valour! Compassion! and David’s Mother. Rusty is also a theatre director and has directed at Theater Works, Fountain Hills Theatre, Mesa Encore Theatre, Arizona Opera, Chandler Center for the Arts and Phoenix Theatre. He has recorded two CDs and also sings in numerous churches, concerts, conventions, galas and private parties throughout the Valley.

Patti Graetz, Artistic Director/Principal Conductor With a music career spanning more than 30 years, Patti Graetz has been with ProMusica Arizona since 2015, first as Assistant Conductor and Conductor of the Women in Song vocal ensemble, and now as the newly- appointed Artistic Director and Principal Conductor. Not only is she a skilled conductor, but she is an award- winning soprano, having sung leading roles with major opera companies, including and Arizona Opera. A Valley resident since 1989, she was head of vocal departments at the Arizona Conservatory for Arts and Academics in 2003 and at the Arizona School for the Arts from 1998-2002. She was Director of Music at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Phoenix from 1995-2004. Before that, she was Director of Music at Scottsdale Presbyterian Church. Patti attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, where she was a soloist in the world-renowned Concordia Choir under the direction of Paul J. Christiansen. Patti lived in Australia from 2004 to 2012 where she was a featured soloist with Australian Music Events, sang numerous recitals and concerts, was vocal teacher for the Opera Scholars Australia young-artist program, and was the Conductor of the Murray Conservatorium Choir and the Murray Conservatorium Youth Choir. She was principal soprano for professional ensembles “Opera-tunity” and the Royal Renaissance Singers starting in 1990 and sang in hundreds of performances during her 12-year tenure. Upon her return to the US, she began singing again with the Royal Renaissance Singers during the holiday season. She is married to Australian husband, Trevor, and has three children and three grandchildren. She teaches private voice and piano at home and recently sold her successful mobile teaching studio, The Music Bus. You might spot Patti getting some “wind-therapy” on her Can-Am Spyder three-wheeled motorcycle, riding to rehearsals and even cross- country. In the summer of 2018, she and her husband rode – on separate bikes - almost 5,000 miles to Colorado, the Black Hills, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons before returning home. Matt Newhard, Chilwell Matt is honored to once again sing with ProMusica Arizona after sharing the stage with some of its members at Carnegie Hall in the Spring of 2018. Since then, he has become a father, and is loving this new adventure with his wife of five years, Lindsay. Notable Credits: A Christmas Carol (Bob Cratchit), Beauty and the Beast (Beast), Decided (Dad - NYA Nom), The Secret Garden (Archibald Craven - NYA Nom), The Importance of Being Earnest (John/Jack/Earnest Worthing), Kiss of the Spider Woman (Valentin), To Kill a Mockingbird (Atticus Finch), Mary Poppins (Bert - NYA Nom), Hello Dolly! (Cornelius Hackl) Les Misérables (Valjean), Lend Me a Tenor (Max), Jesus Christ Superstar (Pilate), Cabaret (Emcee), Dial 'M' for Murder (Tony), The Music Man (Harold Hill), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Jimmy), Man of La Mancha (Padre), Fiddler on the Roof (Motel), The Scarlet Pimpernel (Chauvelin - Zoni Nom), Annie (Rooster - Zoni, NYA Nom), Oliver! (Fagin), Carousel (Enoch Snow), Peter Pan (Mr. Darling\Hook - Zoni), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Andre - Zoni), Oklahoma! (Jud Fry - Zoni Nom, Ali Hakim - Zoni Nom), Ragtime (Houdini), Jekyll & Hyde (Utterson), Sweeney Todd (Sweeney, Anthony - Zoni). "Love to Lindsay & Finn!" Biographies

Mary Bracken Phillips, Lyricist Mary Bracken Phillips is a Broadway veteran whose credits include Martha Jefferson in 1776 and Grace Farrell in Annie. She was nominated for a 1992 Tony Award for her lyrics for the Broadway musical Metro. OFF BROADWAY credits include book and lyrics for Cradle Song, and she was a contributing writer for My Name is Still Alice with Stephen Schwartz. Large scale musicals include book and lyrics for Brimstone supported by an NEA development grant (1993). Productions: Berkshire Theatre Festival, 1994; Willows Theatre, 1998; Majestic Theatre, 2002. Recipient of nine Bay Area Critics’ Awards including “Best Musical”; Silver Dollar with productions at Goodspeed at Chester and Stage One. Book and lyrics with Craig Bohmler (composer) include Mountain Days, (winner 2002 Bay Area Critics’ Award “Best Original Book And Lyrics”), The Haunting Of Winchester for the San Jose Repertory Theatre’s 25th anniversary, and supported by an NEA development grant and premiered at the Willows Theatre (2005)

Meghan Ruel, Concertmaster Meghan Ruel is a vibrant performer and educator, connecting communities and youth through art and energizing audiences of all ages across the country. As a performer, she has collaborated in chamber music and orchestral settings across Canada and the United States, including the Orford Arts Academy, Luminato International Music Festival, Austin Baroque Orchestra, True Concord Voices and Orchestra, and will be returning next fall as concertmaster with ProMusica Arizona for the third season. She has conducted several high school musical productions, including Desert Marigold School’s Anything Goes. She established, with the help of executive director Regina Nixon, a mixed-ability string ensemble at the Phoenix Conservatory of Music and also leads the Orquesta Infantil at Harmony Project Phoenix, where she teaches every day in their after- school programs. Meghan has given lecture presentations on music psychology and audience engagement at Arizona Christian University, and is thrilled to join ACU as their first String Department Director, where she will develop a new home of teaching and performing exploration for string students. Meghan spends her summers designing outreach programs at Madeline Island Chamber Music (WI), where she has been Community Engagement Manager since 2016. She teaches injury prevention masterclasses for communities and conferences, including the Arizona String Teachers Association and founded her accessible program, FitForte, after receiving her certification from the American College of Sports Medicine. Meghan finds the most joy for musical collaboration when writing with her husband and guitarist, Diego Miranda. They perform regularly in Phoenix as a classical duo and are planning a 2020 tour. Meghan earned her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the University of and her Master of Music in Violin Performance from Arizona State University. Her teachers have included Joan Milkson, Annalee Patipatanakoon, Timothy Ying and Jonathan Swartz.

Thomas (Tommy) Strawser, Young John Muir A native of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, Tommy enjoys an extensive and diverse career as a performing artist. He was a former resident artist for Brevard Music Center in North Carolina, College Light Opera Company in Massachusetts, and Fulton Theatre in Lancaster, PA. His professional choral experience consists of the Singers during the organization’s tenure with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Manhattan Chorale, Solis Camerata, a choral residency at St. Alban's Cathedral with The Cathedral Choir at Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix, the Grammy-nominated True Concord Voices and Orchestra, and the Grammy-award winning Phoenix Chorale including their album “Rachmaninoff: All-Night Vigil”, which received the 58th Grammy’s “Best Choral Performance” award. Tommy currently resides in Phoenix where he is in his sixth season as part of the acting company with Childsplay, and is one of the founding members for A/C Theatre Company who specialize in alternative/commercial musical productions. He has also been involved in other Valley productions with Arizona Opera, Phoenix Theatre, Arizona Broadway Theatre, Showtune Productions, and Nearly Naked Theatre. Tommy holds a Master of Music in Opera/Musical Theatre Performance from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from West Chester University of Pennsylvania.

Musical Synopsis of Scenes Act I

"Overture" Orchestra SCENE 1: Glasgow, Scotland and a ship at sea (1849) "Come Away" Immigrants, Muir Family SCENE 2: Hickory Hill Farm, Wisconsin and the Wisconsin State Fair (summer, 1860) "Curious Machines" Young John, Daniel Muir and Farmers SCENE 3: The Carr House, Madison, Wisconsin (immediately following) "Every Now and Then" Jeanne Carr & Young John SCENE 4: The Osgood Factory, Indianapolis, Indiana (1867) SCENE 5: Hickory Hill Farm, Wisconsin (1867) SCENE 6: Indiana to the Gulf of Mexico (the months following) "The Thousand Mile Walk" Young John, Adult John, Muir family, Kentucky Farmer, Postal Clerk, Savannah Woman SCENE 7: San Francisco Warf (March 28, 1868) "No Place as Wild as San Francisco" Denizens of San Francisco, Young John, Chilwell SCENE 8: The Sierra Navada Mountains (that summer) "Climb the Mountains" Young John, Chilwell, Adult John SCENE 9: The Hutchings Hotel, Yosemite (several years later) "What a Lark" Louella, Athea, Campsadelle, Terese, Ladies, Hutchings, Chilwell and John SCENE 10: Jean Carr's Estate, Oakland, CA (September, 1874) "Altitude" John and Louie SCENE 11: Yosemite (three years later) "On My Mind" John, William Keith

Intermission

Act II

"Entr'Acte" Orchestra SCENE 1: The Strenzel Ranch, Martinez, California (several weeks later) SCENE 2: A House in San Francisco and the Strenzel Ranch (1877-1880) "Love's in Bloom" Louella, Athea, Campsadelle and Ladies SCENE 3: The Muir home on Strenzel ranch (10 years later) "The Political Waltz" Phelan, Pinchot, John and Politicians and Men "Love is Knowing When to Let You Go" Louie

Musical Synopsis of Scenes Act II (cont’d)

SCENE 4: Mirabella Woods, Yosemite (1903) "Bully" Theodore Roosevelt and John SCENE 5: The Muir home (a few weeks later) "Ordinary Things" John and Louie SCENE 7: Europe and The Muir Home (1904-1906) “Louie’s Death - Love is Knowing When to Let You Go" (reprise) John SCENE 8: The Muir Home and Washington, D.C. (1906-1913) "A Valley Has a Soul" John SCENE 9: A Hospital Room, Los Angeles and John's mind (December, 1914) "John’s Death” Politicians, John, William Keith, Pinchot, Phelan, Daniel Muir, Louie SCENE 10: FINALE "Climb the Mountains" (reprise) Louie and All

Orchestra

Violin 1 Oboe/Sax Horn 3 Meghan Ruel** Anita Crider* Del May Sue Leach Clarinet Trombone 1 Sandy Henriquez Madison Holmes Anne Diamos * Frank Darmento* Serena James Violin 2 Trombone 2 Bassoon Luke Hill* Tom Pendergast Laura Weaver Diego Miranda Tuba Cathy Warmack Trumpet Joe Savard Cello Glen Graca* Harp Shawna Kervin* Bill Suit Ashtyn Dial William Glaser Horn 1 Double Bass Deannah Uranga* Percussion T.J. Maliszewski Martha Sharpe Liz Patronik Maryanne Kremer-ames Flute/Piccolo Horn 2

Leslie Lewis* Tom Alongi Sean McGarry ** Concertmaster Flute * Principal Ligia Silva

"It is by far the grandest of all the special temples of Nature I was ever permitted to enter." Letters to a Friend, July 26, 1868 (about Yosemite), John Muir Cast

Rusty Ferracane John Muir Trisha Ditsworth Louie Strentzel Muir Tommy Strawser Young John Muir Matt Newhard Chilwell

Bethany Baca Wanda Muir (adult) Jane Brambilla Louella Craig Caldwell Kentucky Farmer, San Francisco Man 5, Gifford Pinchot Sebastian Cisneros Danny Muir, Delivery Boy, Politician 1 Sara Drago Annie Muir Parker Gates Davy Muir, San Francisco Man 2, Ranger, Politician 4 Bob Genoisky Minister, James Hutchings, Dr. Kellogg Abigayle Glazner Sarah Muir, Wanda Muir (young) Molly Glazner Joanna Muir, Helen Muir (young) Charissa Glazner Therese Yelverton Arielle Leiser Wanda Muir (teen) Francine Leiser Athea Sue Mayfield Ann Muir, Dowager Bruce Porter Daniel Muir Brad Routh Teddy Roosevelt Jan Sandoz Mrs. Strentzel Scott Farmer, William Keith Jennifer Scott Helen Muir (adult) Elitanna Shimoni Helen Muir (teen) Morielle Shimoni Mary Muir Esmeraldo Silva Postal Clerk, San Francisco Man 3 Aaron Smith Duncan, San Francisco Man 1, Politician 3 Michele Southerland Savannah Woman Mark Stoddard Farmer, San Francisco Man 6, James Phelan, Riley, Captain, Dr. Strenzel Mary Thompson Jeanne Carr Grace Waltermire Maggie Muir Lissi Weiss Campsedelle Horace Williams Farmer, Politician 2

Ensemble Deborah Austin Leslie French Marianne Marcek Jane Turner Rachel Barrett Ashley Grampp Laurie Porter Kathy Williams Lynn Bowers Lee Gunter Anne Roberts Janice Winscot Judi Buff Connie Henry Karen Robinson Marilyn Witt Barb Davis Donna Ice Karl Robinson Deborah Zohn Susan Finney Tiffany James Cynthia Schiffman Larry Zohn Shirley Fiske Darcy Knight Margaret Spicer-Chestnut Faith Forbis Fran LaPrairie Rachel Stoddard

Thank you to the City of Glendale's Centerline Arts and Culture Initiative for supporting the March 22 performance of Mountain Days! Help ProMusica Arizona reach new heights in our 2019-2020 Season!

100% MATCH up to first $7000 $25,000 GOAL

In honor of the appointment of Patti Graetz to the position of Artistic Director, we have received a “Jumpstart” challenge of a 100% match for all donations received by March 30 up to a total of $7000. Donations can be made online at www.pmaz.org/support or mailed to PMAZ, PO Box 74386, Phoenix, AZ 85087

Thank you to our chair sponsor!

Sponsor a Chair Our talented musicians and loyal patrons are at the heart of our organization. ProMusica Arizona has launched a program to connect supporters with an individual performer or an instrument of their choice through our “Sponsor a Chair Program.” Chair sponsors enjoy a sense of ownership and inclusion in each concert performance knowing they are supporting valuable music programs and helping to enrich the lives of musicians and audience members.  $1,500 Sponsors a Section Chair for the season Concertmaster Meghan Ruel and her  $2,000 Sponsors a Principal Chair for the season chair sponsor Brinley Thomas  $3,000 Sponsors the Concertmaster Chair for the season  $5,000 Sponsors the Accompanist for the season

Annual chair sponsorship benefits include:  Special recognition in every concert program throughout the season, including pictures with musicians and their instruments  Invitations to rehearsals  Sponsorship announcements on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram  Listing in ProMusica Arizona’s Annual Report  Invitation to our annual VIP donors’ reception  First rights to renew sponsorship the following season Contact Yvonne Dolby at [email protected] or 623-326-5172

Thank you from ProMusica Arizona Chorale & Orchestra! Your contributions of time, talent and financial support help ensure the success of our entire musical season and outreach programs. We could not do it without you!  Our sponsors, advertisers, donors and patrons for supporting our season.  ProMusica Arizona Chorale and Orchestra members for sharing their exceptional musical talents and volunteering with the many tasks necessary for successful productions.  ProMusica Arizona Board of Directors for outstanding leadership.  ProMusica Arizona outreach group, Women in Song, for providing entertainment at retirement communities, special events and other occasions to promote community goodwill.  Sean Gates and Huntington University Arizona Center for Digital Media Arts for creating promotional videos.  Front of House volunteers for ushering, working at the box office, concession sales and assisting with fundraising activities.  Logistics team volunteers for transportation, set up and break down of equipment for rehearsals and performances.  Leslie French for marketing materials and concert program layout and design.  Marketing Committee members for assisting with publicity, advertising, website maintenance and public relations for our concerts and for helping to build public awareness of ProMusica Arizona.  Programming Committee members for developing concert and production themes and ideas for the concert season.  Development Committee members for organizing fundraising events, grant writing and donor appeals.  Membership Committee for music distribution, assisting with concert attire, management of membership records and providing rehearsal recordings.  Finance Committee for sound fiscal management.  Governance Committee for policy oversight and ensuring the efficient functioning of the Board of Directors.  Non-member volunteers for assisting with fundraisers, marketing and other activities.  Bill & Linda Rehwalt for hosting our 2nd Annual Champagne Salon in their home.  Shirley Fiske and volunteers for recording our concerts.  Whitman and Jackson for accounting and tax preparation services.  Azy Scotten for concert photography. Join us for a FREE bon voyage concert to kick-off our singing tour of Ireland. "But in every walk with nature one receives SUNDAY, JUNE 2 | 4:00 p.m. far more than he seeks." Steep Trails, by John Muir All Saints Lutheran Church 15649 N. 7th St, Phoenix