northwest community gospel chorus oregon symphony
charles floyd, conductor About Gospel Christmas Gospel Christmas
December 2018 marks the 20th anniversary of Gospel Christmas, an extraordinary collaboration 1 King of Kings 4. 09 between the Northwest Community Gospel Chorus and the Oregon Symphony. For years, their DeMarcus Williams celebrated concerts in Portland, Oregon have ranked among the most highly attended gospel (Alonzo Chadwick, soloist) performances in the United States. With generous recording support, the Oregon Symphony now is able to share this music with the world. 2 Sacrifice of Praise 5. 06 Bill Winston (Robin Henderson, soloist)
3 Jesus Is Born 5. 13 Milton Biggham (Quiana Crittenden, soloist)
4 And His Name Shall Be Called 5. 40 Terry Davis
5 You Oughta Know 2. 57 Michael McElroy/Joseph Joubert/Buryl Red (Jelani Greenidge, soloist)
6 Emmanuel 5. 00 Norman Hutchins (Alonzo Chadwick, soloist) 7 Jesus Savior, Come as a Child 4. 58 11 Christmas Worship Medley 10. 27 Gary Hemenway/Charles Floyd Erasmus Mutambira: Alpha and Omega (Chelsea Hostetler, soloist; Tracey Harris/Ashley Seamster/ Traditional: O Come All Ye Faithful Saeeda Wright, trio) Gary Sadler/Lynn DeShazo: Be Unto Your Name Israel Houghton: Magnificent and Holy 8 Go Tell It/ Wonderful Child 6. 07 Israel Houghton: The Almighty Reigns James Fortune (Clairece Rosati-Hemenway, soloist; Alonzo Chadwick, soloist; (arr. AyRon Lewis) Jonathan Vaughn, soloist; Tracey Harris, soloist; MaryEtta Callier, soloist) (Wendy Jackson, soloist; Alonzo Chadwick, soloist) 12 Joy to the World 5. 59 9 Zion Rejoice 5. 08 George Frideric Handel Joseph Pace II (arr. Mervyn Warren, words by Isaac Watts) (Marla Sampson, soloist) (Saeeda Wright, soloist) Total playing time: 68. 29 10 Hallelujah (from Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration) 7. 38 Northwest Community Gospel Chorus George Frideric Handel Choral conductor: Gary Hemenway (arr. Mervyn Warren, Michael Jackson, Mark Kible) (Emmanuel Henreid, soloist; Marilyn Keller, soloist) Rhythm section: Chris Turner, piano Jerry Harris, bass Rodrick Nightingale, drums
Oregon Symphony Conductor and orchestrator: Charles Floyd CHARLES FLOYD Symphony, the Houston Symphony, and the Saint Louis Symphony with such artists Conductor, pianist, and composer Charles as Micah Stampley, Marvin Winans, CeCe Floyd has been heard in concert with Winans, Edwin Hawkins, Daryl Coley, Oleta more than 500 orchestras since 1991 in Adams, Yolanda Adams, and Patti LaBelle. performances including classical music and Floyd now celebrates 20 years with the pops. His eleven-year partnership with singer Oregon Symphony and Gospel Christmas. Natalie Cole included such projects as the multiple Grammy Award-winning tribute to His compositions range from chamber Nat King Cole entitled “Unforgettable, With music to large orchestral and vocal works. Love,” the Emmy Award-winning PBS Great A tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Performances concert video of the same title, One Man’s Dream for narrator and orchestra, and the Grammy-winning releases “Take a was commissioned and premiered by the Look” and “Stardust.” Charlotte Symphony Orchestra in 2001. His Four Spirituals for soprano and orchestra was As an annual guest conductor of the premiered at Boston’s Symphony Hall with the Boston Pops Orchestra since 1994, his Boston Pops in 1995, and his oratorio Hosanna performances have included Gospel Night for gospel chorus and orchestra premiered at Pops at Boston’s Symphony Hall, a there in 2000. Other compositions include program that features orchestral classics a Cello Concerto (2014), a Piano Concerto CHARLES FLOYD as well as a 120-voice gospel chorus. He has (2014), a song cycle entitled Song of Solomon done similar concerts since 1995 with the (2014), and numerous orchestral adaptations Atlanta Symphony, the Akron Symphony, and arrangements. the Baltimore Symphony, the Cincinnati
Artists GARY HEMENWAY including classical, film score, gospel, jazz, Will Vinton Studios, George Fox University, and The joy of his life, his wife, Clairece, and his pop, and rock. His work has appeared in Nike more. His greatest joy has been found in the three daughters (Sarah, Olivia, and Amelia) At four years old Gary Hemenway’s first & Avia videos and events, as well as at the people that he has worked with. They include are all accomplished artists in their own right. musical question to his mother was, “when do World Olympics. His live performance work Dr. Charles Floyd, Mick Gillette and Lenny I get to play piano in church?” Raised in the has taken him throughout the United States, Pickett (Tower of Power), Daniel Cox, Tim Ellis, small town of Pilot Rock in Eastern Oregon, Europe, Dr. Dennis Piles, and many others. Hemenway’s early interest grew to encompass and Asia. a wide variety of musical styles. As a pre- teen, he was captured by the sounds of André Amongst his many musical abilities, choral Crouch and the Disciples, Stevie Wonder, Elton work has become one of his greatest musical John, Chicago, and The Temptations. It was strengths. As the choral conductor of the while attending Warner Pacific College in Oregon Symphony’s Northwest Community arts-rich Portland, Oregon, that Gary saw his Gospel Chorus for 18 years, he has enjoyed abilities expand. With a passion for excellence working with the Grammy-nominated Oregon and a love for many styles of music, countless Symphony. Hemenway also serves as the doors have been opened to him. artistic director for the Walla Walla Choral Society and the director of worship at Walla Hemenway’s diverse abilities have afforded Walla Presbyterian Church. He enjoys sharing him plentiful opportunities to work in the his talent and expertise as a studio music fields of soundtrack, production, direction, instructor of jazz piano at Whitman College in composition, arrangement, teaching, work Walla Walla, Washington. shopping, and live performance. Hemenway GARY HEMENWAY has composed and arranged numerous vocal, His other credits include work with the Oregon choral, and instrumental pieces in every style Symphony, the Heritage Singers, Pink Martini, DOROTHY DAVIS for the organization. Dorothy is an original Church, Portland, OR). She is grandmother TERRY DAVIS member of the Sermonettes gospel singing to Talia and Isaiah Sampson. Dorothy Davis is one of the founding group, whose ministry has spanned more Terry Davis is one of the founding members members of the Northwest Community than thirty years. She graduated from Dorothy humbly, yet skillfully, uses her of the Northwest Community Gospel Chorus, Gospel Chorus and has served as manager Clark College on a music scholarship. God-given gifts to teach, direct, interpret, serving as the chorus’ music director for the since its inception in 1999. support, and encourage anyone with a desire initial two years. A native of the Portland/ Dorothy has received several awards and to sing. Vancouver area, Terry has been involved in Dorothy has been serving in music honors during her ministry, which include music as a singer, gospel songwriter, musician, ministry since the age of thirteen. She the following: was appointed by the late Pastor Rev. A.A. -New Hope Missionary Baptist Church’s Newton, New Hope Missionary Baptist “Woman of the Year” Church, as senior choir director. She has -2014 Oregon’s Gospel Greats at Highland served as Sunday school teacher and Christian Center, Portland, OR women’s retreat coordinator. She continues -2015 Gospel Music’s Living Legends of the to serve as choir director (more than sixty Pacific Northwest, Tacoma, WA years) in the Senior, Mass, and Women of -2018 Portland Alumnae Chapter of Delta Hope choirs. A former minister of music Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. 37th Women of and director of the Angels & Followers of Excellence Award Christ Choir, she was installed as the first chapter representative of the Portland/ Dorothy, a faithful wife to the late Bobby Vancouver Chapter of the Gospel Music Davis for 48 years, is the mother of Terry Workshop of American, Inc., in 1994. Davis (minister of music, Worship Center Currently, as chapter representative of Central Ohio, Columbus, OH) and Marla TERRY DAVIS emeritus, she serves as one of the directors Sampson (choir director of New Song and choir director for over 30 years. From his that God has given him. Terry is married to his Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel, and BET’s Super drummer for Gospel Christmas for seventeen beginnings at New Hope Missionary Baptist beautiful wife, Jennifer, and currently resides Bowl Gospel Celebration with various artists. years. His mother has sung in the choir since Church to local/regional community workshop in Columbus, OH. Chris has been a member of the Gospel its inception. He fosters a humble spirit and choirs and the Gospel Music Workshop of Christmas rhythm section for fifteen years. has a great love for musicianship. Rod is America, Terry has had the privilege of CHRIS TURNER committed to his work with Gospel Christmas presenting and recording his music. His JERRY HARRIS and returns each year to support its success. music has been performed and recorded by Chris Turner is a native of Portland, OR. He Portland Mass Choir, GMWA Youth Mass Choir, took an interest in music at a young age. Jerry Harris has played music his entire life New Song Church (Portland, OR), Pacific He honed his ability to hear, play, and read and has been playing for Gospel Christmas Northwest Mass Choir, and many other music through jazz band, church, and various for fifteen years. He enjoys playing many artists. Recently, one of Terry’s compositions local bands and artists working in the music different instruments, including drums, guitar, was published and released in the new GIA scene. His musical influences are George Duke, bass, and keyboards. He has toured with Publications hymnal, “One Lord, One Faith, Ramsey Lewis, and Herbie Hancock. Chris several notable artists. Jerry loves God. He is One Baptism,” and in 2017 he presented music produced and co-wrote songs featured on the the father of three wonderful young people in the New Music Seminar during the Gospel “Bespeak Love” project, which soared to #1 on and has been married for 23 years to his Music Workshop of America’s 50th Anniversary the UK Soul charts featuring some of the best wife, Velaida. Convention. Some of his musical influences artists from the Northwest. This project led to include Stevie Wonder, jazz keyboardist Alex Chris’ most recent work, which can be found RODRICK NIGHTINGALE Bugnon, Gospel musician Jeffrey LaValley, and on a project he co-produced called “AKA the late Thomas Whitfield. BESPEAK,” featuring local artist Ronnie Wright. Rodrick Nightingale loves God, food, and Chris has been producing and working on his football. His passion for music is the common He currently serves as minister of music for debut project set to release in 2019 entitled thread that runs through all three of them. He the Worship Center of Central Ohio. It is “Party Time.” He has appeared on television is a former Portland resident and has returned Terry’s desire to share with the world the gifts programs, such as Jimmy Fallon, David to his native Texas. Rod has been the resident NORTHWEST COMMUNITY GOSPEL Dorothy Davis, a highly-respected leader CHORUS in the Portland/Vancouver Gospel Music Workshop of America; Terry Davis, music The multi-cultural choir consists of minister at New Hope Missionary Baptist approximately 90 members from 33 houses of Church; and Susan Nielsen, director of faith and organizations in the Portland area operations for the Oregon Symphony. Terry and beyond. There are approximately twenty Davis relocated to Columbus, OH, following singers who have been choir members since the first two years, and the choir was the inception of Gospel Christmas. There are fortunate to have engaged Gary Hemenway also several families who sing in the choir. to serve as choral conductor, for which he has been dedicated for 18 years. The choir’s mission and commitment is to bring a message of faith, hope, love, and joy through the perpetuation of gospel music as an original American art form. The 20th anniversary is the culmination of hard work, dedication, and fellowship. It is a true blessing to have been able to share the Good News with our audiences for these many years and now to have the opportunity to share this recording.
The founding members of the choir are Charles Floyd, conductor and orchestrator; SOPRANO TENOR Malinda Dixon Buckles Mary Harper Mariah Taylor ReShawn Brown Greg Supriano Zetta Burton Chelsea Hostetler Gail Thomas Alonzo Chadwick Linda Tellis-Kennedy MaryEtta Callier Ruby Jones Pearl Thomas Amber Cobb III Jerry Thomas Phinizea Chadwick Rochelle McElroy Denise Pruitt Townley Dorothy Davis Jonathan Vaughn Natasha Dawson Ericka Marin Helen Warren Gladys Foster Sybrough Williams Christina Estes Ashley Minnieweather Carlotta Washington Peter Gallagher Patrice Woods Madoria Gloud Clairece Rosati-Hemenway Jeannie Wiggins Jelani Greenidge Lissa Guyton Marla Sampson Saeeda Wright Emmanuel Henreid Gwen Hamilton Shirrell Shepherd Harry Hopkins Annette Hunt ALTO Cinda Jackson Camille Bass Sarah Hemenway Shaina Pasi Eldon Jones Diana Bustos Robin Henderson Jeanne Rennie Bruce Krieg Coleen Carey Janice Hopkins Antoinette Saunders Chrysanthius Lathan Sarah Carpenter Patricia Howard Dianne Smith Eugene Leverett, Jr. Quiana Crittenden Briana Jordan Justine Snyder Nate Orr Regina Cunningham Marilyn Keller Karen Stenzel Vivian Parker Darcell Dance Lisa Knox Candilyn Ushery Richard Probasco Wendy Daniels-Jackson Rosie Lovings Elaine Walpole Steven Robinson, Jr. Seritha Ford Lynn Mangum Teyona Watkins Blenda Ryles Lynn Green Mary Marshall Wanda West Jerel Scott Evelyn Gunels-Lewis Esther Martinez Ron Silver Tracey Harris Sheila Mitchell Ryan Smith THE OREGON SYMPHONY CELLO FLUTE CLARINET Carlos Kalmar, Jean Vollum music director chair Nancy Ives, Mr. & Mrs. Martha Long, Bruce & Judy James Shields, principal Edmund Hayes, Jr. principal Thesenga principal flute chair Todd Kuhns, assistant VIOLIN Emily Cole VIOLA cello chair Alicia DiDonato Paulsen, principal Sarah Kwak, Janet & Richard Julie Coleman^ Joël Belgique, Maybelle Clark Marilyn de Oliveira, assistant assistant principal Mark Dubac^ Geary concertmaster chair^ Eileen Deiss Macdonald Fund principal principal Zachariah Galatis^ Peter Frajola, Del M. Smith & Gregory Ewer viola chair Kenneth Finch^ BASS CLARINET Maria Stanley Smith associate Jonathan Dubay Charles Noble, assistant Trevor Fitzpatrick PICCOLO Todd Kuhns concertmaster chair Daniel Ge Feng principal Antoinette Gan Zachariah Galatis^ Erin Furbee, Harold & Lynne Finch Jennifer Arnold Kevin Kunkel^ BASSOON Jane Pollin assistant Shin-young Kwon Silu Fei^ Gayle Budd O’Grady OBOE Carin Miller Packwood, concertmaster chair^ Ryan Lee Leah Ilem Martin Hébert, Harold principal^ Chien Tan, Truman Collins, Sr. Hannah Leland* Brian Quincey BASS J. Schnitzer principal Evan Kuhlmann, assistant principal second violin chair Samuel Park^ Ningning Jin Colin Corner, principal oboe chair principal Inés Volgar Belgique, Searmi Park Kim Mai Nguyen* Nina DeCesare Karen Wagner, assistant Adam Trussell assistant principal Vali Phillips Viorel Russo^ Don Hermanns^ principal second violin Deborah Singer Martha Warrington^ Jeffrey Johnson Kyle Mustain^ CONTRABASSOON Fumino Ando Jason Schooler Evan Kuhlmann Keiko Araki ENGLISH HORN Clarisse Atcherson Kyle Mustain^ Lucia Atkinson* Ron Blessinger Lisbeth Carreno Ruby Chen HORN BASS TROMBONE John Cox, principal Charles Reneau Joseph Berger, associate principal TUBA Graham Kingsbury, assistant JáTtik Clark, principal principal Mary Grant TIMPANI Alicia Waite Jonathan Greeney, principal Sergio Carreno, assistant TRUMPET principal Jeffrey Work, principal David Bamonte, assistant PERCUSSION principal, Musicians of the Niel DePonte, principal Oregon Symphony Michael Roberts, assistant Richard Thornburg principal trumpet chair Sergio Carreno Doug Reneau HARP TROMBONE Jennifer Craig, principal^ Casey Jones, principal Robert Taylor, assistant *guest musician principal ^not heard on this recording Charles Reneau
Publishers credits
King of Kings Go Tell It / Wonderful Child Madimar Publishing FIYA World Entertainment & Light Records, a division of Entertainment One Sacrifice of Praise Bill Winston Presents Living Word Zion Rejoice Capitol CMG Publishing Jesus is Born Malaco, Inc. Hallelujah Warner/Chappell Music Publishing And His Name Shall Be Called Praise Place Music (ASCAP) Christmas Worship Medley Capitol CMG Publishing You Oughta Know True Vine JEJ Music Joy to the World Capitol CMG Publishing Emmanuel J Robersongs Music
Jesus Savior, Come as a Child Ex Mea Music Publishing (ASCAP) Moses’ Plea Publishing (BMI) Acknowledgments
PRODUCTION TEAM Producer: Blanton Alspaugh Recording engineers: John Newton and Mark Donahue Mixing and mastering: Mark Donahue What we stand for:
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