Schola Sings Solo presents “Group Therapy”

Saturday, January 21 • 8:00 pm St. John’s in the Village This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Please silence all electronic devices. Please do not take flash photographs of the singers during the performance. Thank you! Program “The New World,”Songs for a New World Full Cast “I have dreamt,” Wuthering Heights Bernard Hermann Jennifer Gaskins, mezzo soprano

Grateful John Bucchino Deborah King, mezzo soprano “I Bought Me a Cat,” Old American Songs, I Aaron Copland Dorian Lake, baritone

“Il est doux, il est bon,” Hérodiade arr. Undine Smith Moore Barbara Nowicki, soprano Phanuel, I search without cease for my mother! He speaks! A voice cried to me: “Have hope, Ah! When will he return! When shall I hear him? hasten to Jerusalem!” I did not find her, alas! I suffered, I was alone, and my heart was calmed And I remain alone here below. listening to his voice melodious and tender! He whose word effaces all sorrow, Can I live without you, beloved Prophet! the Prophet is here! It is to him that I go! It was there, in that desert, to which the astounded He is kind, he is good; his speech is serene, crowd had followed his steps, he speaks, all is silent! Lighter on the palm that he received me one day, abandoned child, the attentive breeze passes noiselessly. and that he opened to me his arms!.

What a Wonderful World You raise me up Brendan Graham and Rolf Lovland Betsy Mackenzie-Stubbs, soprano; Kerry Stubbs, baritone

Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In Galt MacDermot words by and Full Cast

2

Intermission

“Vedrai, carino,” Don Giovanni Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Mary Ellen Assue, soprano You will see, my dear It’s a certain balm if you’ll be good I carry within me the cure which I can give you, I have for you! if you’ll try it. It’s natural You want to know It won’t give you disgust where I keep it? though no apothecary Then feel it beating, can prescribe it. put your hand here.

“Being Alive,” Company Deborah King, mezzo-soprano

“Bess, You is My Woman,” Porgy and Bess George Gershwin Mary Ellen Assue, soprano; Dorian Lake, baritone

“I Whistle a Happy Tune,” The King and I Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein Barbara Nowicki, soprano

Where the Music Comes Lee Hoiby Laura Greenwald-Strom, soprano;

How Can I Keep From Singing Robert I. Hugh, arr. Full Cast

“A Simple Song,” Mass Leonard Bernstein Laura Greenwald-Strom, soprano; Dorian Lake, baritone

Alleluia Ned Rorem Jennifer Gaskins, mezzo-soprano

“Over the Rainbow,” The Wizard of Oz Harold Arlen Betsy Mackenzie-Stubbs, mezzo-soprano

Will there really be a morning Craig Hella-Johnson Laura Greenwald-Strom, soprano; Deborah King, mezzo-soprano

“You’ll Never Walk Alone,” Carousel Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein Full Cast 3 About the Artists Mary Ellen Assue, soprano, is a Jennifer teaches music at DePaul Catholic High School Silver Spring, Maryland native whose in Wayne, New Jersey, directs the youth choirs at Calvary experience has led her to travels abroad Lutheran Church in Cranford, New Jersey, and is a member where she gained her first professional of Schola Cantorum on Hudson. music contract singing in Otsu, Japan. Since returning to the United States, she Laura Greenwald-Strom, soprano, has worked as a teacher of piano and voice, and a singer is a Professor in the Caldwell College of various styles of music, including commercial, jazz, Music Department where she serves as concert, and opera. Ms. Assue has performed with various Director of the College Choir, the Opera arts organizations such as the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Workshop and the Concert Series. Dr. Opera Colorado, Florida Grand Opera, and others. She Greenwald has taught voice at Caldwell has most recently portrayed the roles of Clara in Porgy and College, Drew University and privately for over 20 years Bess with Fresno Grand Opera and Despina in Così fan in NJ. She received her DMA from Manhattan School of tutte with Commonwealth Opera. Music, and her MM in Voice Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College. She was awarded the 2011 Caldwell College Jennifer Gaskins, mezzo-soprano, Excellence in Teaching Award. holds degrees in voice performance from Dr. Greenwald has specialized in music by women Westminster choir College of Rider composers, many of whose compositions she has performed University in Princeton, New Jersey in recital at Caldwell College, Drew University, the Festival and Concordia University in River of Women Composers at IUP and Ohio University’s Forest, Illinois. While at Westminster, Conference on Women in Music. Dr. Greenwald has Jennifer was a member of the Westminster Symphonic performed as a member of the professional vocal quartet Choir. She sang the role of Meg Page in Verdi’s Falstaff Chantez! and is now a member of the highly acclaimed with the Westminster Opera Workshop and acted as a ensembles of Schola Cantorum on Hudson. She resides in supernumerary in Handel’s Oreste with the Westminster West Orange with her son, Andrew and husband, David Opera Theater. At Concordia, Jennifer participated in the Strom. Kapelle Choir and in honors recitals, toured nationally and internationally, appeared as a soloist in daily chapel services, Deborah King, mezzo-soprano, is and was a two-time winner of the annual solo and concerto a conductor, singer, and educator, active competition. A native of the Chicago suburbs, Jennifer was most prominently in the northern New a member of the New Classic Singers, a professional choral Jersey and Manhattan areas. As a mezzo ensemble, and appeared in the chorus of the DuPage soloist, she has done recital, oratorio, Opera Theater’s production of Gounod’s Faust. Jennifer and small-ensemble work primarily; has performed with many of the world’s major orchestras, and her voice studio is active with adult singers, and high including the Berlin Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, school singers preparing for conservatory auditions. She Lucerne Festival, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and is Artistic Director and Founder of the choral ensemble the Ravinia Festival. She has sung for such conductors as Schola Cantorum on Hudson, and of its international Pierre Boulez, Christoph Eschenbach, Neeme Järvi, Leif initiative in support of new choral music, Project : Encore™. Segerstam, and Sir Georg Solti. Most recently Jennifer She serves frequently as an adjudicator, workshop performed the mezzo-sopano solo of Haydn’s Missa in clinician, and guest conductor. Dr. King has served on the Angustiis with the Westminster Community Chorus and faculties of several colleges and universities, and is known orchestra, and was an Associate Artist with the Princeton for building church music programs recognized for their Festival’s production of Puccini’s La Bohéme. Jennifer is an excellence and passion in worship leadership. Locally, she active church musician and has been a soloist in Chicago, has coordinated the Annual High School Choral Festival Philadelphia, and New York area churches. Currently, for the New Jersey Chapter of the American Choral 4 For more information about tonight’s performers, call (888) 407-6002, ext. 4, or email [email protected] About the Artists Directors Association since 1995, and is Coordinator competitions. She performs in opera, recital, and oratorio; of the Repertoire Committee for the New York Choral and has performed as soloist with the Choral Arts Society of Consortium. Dr. King’s experiences as a vocal performer, New Jersey; the Oratorio Singers of Westfield, New Jersey; writer and editor add to her understanding of the demands the Morris Choral Society; the Hunterdon Choral Union; on choral singers. Dr. King holds a Ph.D. in Musicology and with Voice’s, Inc., an ensemble of professional soloists, from the University of North Texas as well as a Master where she appeared as Mary in Laud to the Nativity. Ms. of Music in Music Education from North Texas State Mackenzie-Stubbs has performed with the Trenton Civic University, and a Bachelor’s degreee in vocal performance Opera as Suzuki in Madame Butterfly; and most recently from Texas Christian University. with the Little Opera Company of New Jersey, where she appeared as Flora in La Traviata. Other operatic roles with Dorian Lake, baritone, is an active the Little Opera Company of NJ include: Dorabella in vocalist, percussionist, and composer/ Cosi fan tutte; Marcellina in Le Nozze de Figaro; and Mama arranger within the NYC Tri-state area. Lucia in Cavalleria Rusticana. Other roles include: Mother He graduated with a B.A. in Music in Amahl and the Night Visitors; Mrs. Page in The Merry from Wagner College, , Wives of Windsor; and Hansel in Hansel and Gretel. NY. Recruited by fellow alumni of his alma mater, he became a member of Schola Cantorum Ms. Mackenzie-Stubbs and her husband, tenor Kerry on Hudson in 2008. Mr. Lake has an eclectic array of Stubbs, maintain a private voice studio in Kenilworth, NJ. musical background and experience, working with choirs Select students are members of the NJ All State Chorus of all sizes, concert bands, orchestras, operas (he recently and Women’s Ensemble and can be seen performing leading premiered the lead role of Sor Giuseppe in the new opera roles in their school musicals and summer theater programs and as soloists in school concerts. Ms. Mackenzie-Stubbs Il Negozio di Campagna), plays and musicals, as well as smaller bands playing everything from Jazz to Pop and is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Rock. His band, Heavy Weather, has released two CDs, Singing. Miles of Mud and Fire. As a composer, he has numerous , soprano, has premieres to his credit, including pieces for concert band, Barbara Nowicki performed abroad and throughout the choir (jazz and legit) and jazz band. Mr. Lake’s numerous tri-state area in opera, concert, and musical endeavors have led to performances in venues as recital. Her credits include appearances varied as CBGB’s, B.B. King’s, and Carnegie Hall. He is with the Grande Theatre of Geneva, currently the Head Cantor at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Switzerland in Parsifal, Albert Herring, in Staten Island. La Bohéme, and a production of Boris Gudunov which Betsy Mackenzie-Stubbs, was televised throughout Europe. She has been a soloist mezzo-soprano, holds a Bachelor of Music with the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Pittsburgh Opera, degree in Applied Voice from Westminster the New York Lyric Opera, Mostly Opera, the Ossining College and a Master of Music degree Chorale, the Pittsburgh Chamber Opera Theater, the in Vocal Pedagogy/Performance, with Ridge Light Opera, Stony Hill Players, the New Jersey Distinction, from Westminster Choir Concert Opera, and the Baroque Orchestra of New College. Ms. Mackenzie-Stubbs teaches on the voice Jersey, among others. Ms. Nowicki earned a Doctorate of faculties of Caldwell College and Kean University. She Education in College Teaching and Vocal Pedagogy from is a former faculty member at Drew University, The Columbia University Teachers College.The topic of her Westminster Conservatory of Music, and The New Jersey doctoral research is the history of Polish music leading to Workshop for the Arts. the Polish art song of the 19th century. She is devoted to bringing this virtually unknown song repertoire to wider In 1994, Ms. Mackenzie-Stubbs took third place in the audiences. Recital venues have included New Jersey City Advanced Division of the NATS state and regional University, the University of Pittsburgh, the Northeast To inquire about hiring Schola Sings Solo for your event, call (888) 407-6002, ext. 4, or email [email protected] 5 About the Artists Theater of Scranton, and the Kosciuszko Foundation Warren Helms, accompanist, was in New York City among others. She was featured on recently seen on prime time television WQED-FM radio in Pittsburgh in a program entitled accompanying the world-famous Oginski to Szymanowski: The Polish Art Song of the 19th singer, Susan Boyle, in an NBC special. Century. Ms. Nowicki holds a Bachelor of Science He recently collaborated with Bill degree in Music Education from Wilkes University and Whelan, the composer of Riverdance a Master of Fine Arts degree in Vocal Performance from with the Atelier project at Princeton University. Carnegie-Mellon University. As a music educator, Ms. Warren is a faculty member of The Juilliard School at Nowicki has taught chorus and voice at Washington Lincoln Center, NYC and William Paterson University and Jefferson College, Teachers College Columbia in Wayne, New Jersey as well as Caldwell College. University, Carnegie-Mellon University and music in Warren was a faculty member of The Manhattan several public schools, including those in Madison and School of Music where he was musical director for the Millburn, New Jersey. Ms. Nowicki resides in Bayonne, American Musical Theatre Ensemble. At MSM he New Jersey, where she maintains a private voice studio. was a member of the opera department where he was a coach/accompanist, assisting in the preparation of Kerry Stubbs, tenor, native of opera productions. Mr. Helms was assistant conductor/ Jamaica, West Indies, currently resides pianist for the Broadway production of Showboat at the in Kenilworth, NJ. His classically Gershwin Theater. He recently performed with The trained but very versatile voice has Irish Tenors, Aretha Franklin, and Clay Aiken. Warren placed him in a variety of musical is also the Director of Music at the Immaculate Heart settings, from the Apollo Theater to of Mary Church in Wayne, New Jersey. Carnegie Hall. Mr. Stubbs received his Bachelor of Music degree in voice performance from Dan Yates, stage director and master Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ. He teaches teacher, is pleased to be working with voice privately and is a certified music educator in the Schola Cantorum on Hudson. Elizaabeth public school system. He is also a member of the voice faculty at the New Jersey Workshop for the Dan has worked with the Prospect Arts in Westfield, New Jersey. Theater Company in NYC, Rainbow Theatricals in NJ, White River Theatre Festival in Mr. Stubbs’ operatic roles include Aeneas, in Dido and Vermont, Starlight Musical Theatre in Indianapolis, Aeneas; Jailer, in Dialogue of the Carmelites; the Brave the Roundhouse Theater in Maryland, and the Forum in The Sunset Trail performed at the Opera House in Theatre in Metuchen, NJ. Dan directs and performs Geneva, New York; and Casper, in Amahl and the with the Yates Musical Theatre for Children, which Night Visitors. Other credits include: the Off Broadway has toured to venues such as the Paper Mill Playhouse, production of The Haggadah, at the Public Theatre, Westbury Music Fair, North Shore Music Theatre, produced by Joseph Papp, and directed by Elizabeth PNC Arts Center, Oakdale Music Theater, Cape Swados; Frederick, in Pirates of Penzance; and most Playhouse, and many more. recently as Father, in Children of Eden. Dan teaches Speech and Theater courses at Seton Hall Mr. Stubbs has been recognized by New York University, Kean University and Caldwell College. He Magazine, New York Times, Princeton Packet, Home lives in West Orange with his wife Deirdre and children News Tribune, WOR Radio, Radio, Fox, Alexandra and Emily. NBC, CNN, Channel 9, PBS and the Chocolate Cat Foundation of Princeton, NJ for his work as a troubadour. In 2005, Mr. Stubbs appeared with the professional gospel choir, the Tribe of Levi, at Alice Tully Hall, NY. 6 For more information about tonight’s performers, call (888) 407-6002, ext. 4, or email [email protected] Acknowledgements Board of Directors Andrew P. Jones, Chairman Alexander Wentworth, Vice-Chair Daniel P. Weick, Secretary; Fred Harrity, Treasurer Tim Carpenter, Scott Pollack, Deborah Spinella, Alison Self Staff Bridget Hogan, Executive Director Jack Whyte, Director of Marketing and Communications Dan Yates, Schola Sings Solo (SSS) Director Warren Helms, SSS Music Director and Accompanist Arterial Staff Ryan LaBoy, Coordinator of Community Engagement and Conducting Scholar Deborah Spinella, Audition Coordinator Karen Lea Siegel, Publications Manager Gordon King, Sectionals Director Sara Livolsi, Schola Sings Solo Manager Wayne Eastwood, New Music Initiative Coordinator Joyce Nestle, Member Care Coordinator Frances Marsh, Choral Scholar Coordinator Roger West, Personnel Records Coordinator

Grateful appreciation to all who assisted with the performance this evening.

7 Celebrating Our Seventeenth Season 2011–2012 Schola Sings Solo Saturday, January 21, 2012 • 8 pm St. John’s in the Village—218 West 11th Street, New York, NY

Estonian Independence Day Concert By invitation of the Estonian Consulate Saturday, February 25, 2012

Manhattan Concert Productions Debut Ensembles Concert Performing by invitation—Tickets can be purchased at Alice Tully Hall Box Office online Saturday, February 25, 2012 • 7:30 pm Lincoln Center: Alice Tully Hall, Starr Theater—1941 Broadway, New York, NY

Rebirth Saturday, March 10, 2012 • 8 pm St. Paul the Apostle RC Church—60th St. & Columbus Ave., NY, NY Sunday, March 11, 2012 • 5 pm St. Luke’s Episcopal Church—73 S. Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, NJ

Gala: Evening of Appreciation Further information to be announced Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Thresholds! Saturday, May 19, 2012 • 8 pm St. Paul the Apostle RC Church—60th St. & Columbus Ave., NY, NY Sunday, May 20, 2012 • 5 pm St. Luke’s Episcopal Church—73 S. Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, NJ

The “Big Sing” Monday, June 11, 2012 • 7 pm Featuring a premiere by a composer Venue: TBD selected from PROJECT : ENCORE™

All tickets are $15 in advance, and $20 at the door. Visit www.ScholaOnHudson.org or call (888) 407-6002, ext. 1 for more information or to reserve tickets.