2020 VIRTUAL PERFORMANCE

ISLAND HOLIDAY LIVESTREAM PERFORMANCE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2020, 3PM ISLAND HOLIDAY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2020 | YOUTUBE LIVE

with Special Guests

Kronos Quartet David Harrington, violin John Sherba, violin Hank Dutt, viola Sunny Yang, cello

Kronos Quartet appears courtesy of Kronos Performing Arts Association

Sean San José, stage director Joan Osato, video designer Florante Aguilar, ukulele and guitar Robert Huw Morgan, organ The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Sirkhane Social Circus School, Turkey

2 PROGRAM

CHORUS SCHOOL LEVEL II Monica Covitt, director; Astghik Sakanyan, piano Addison Li, Madison Chow, Giovanna Barroso, soloists

¡Ay, Mi Palomita! (Oh! My Little Dove) Traditional Lullaby from the Dominican Republic and other Latin American Countries arr. Juan Tony Guzmán

CHORUS SCHOOL LEVEL IV Anne Hege, director; Level IV Sectional Leaders, body percussion

Son de Camaguey Cuban folk song, arr. with additional music by Stephen Hatfield

CHORUS SCHOOL TRAINING CHORUS, in collaboration with BAYVIEW OPERA HOUSE Othello Jefferson, Christopher Street, directors Othello Jefferson, piano

Bassez Down (Dance Low Down) West Indian Folk Song, arr. Othello Jefferson

CHORUS SCHOOL PREP CHORUS, in collaboration with BAYVIEW OPERA HOUSE Christopher Street, director

Three Little Birds Bob Marley, arr. Christopher Street

PREMIER ENSEMBLE Valérie Sainte-Agathe, Artistic Director

Seven Principles Bernice Johnson Reagon

3 CHORUS SCHOOL LEVEL III Terry Alvord, director; Angela Rey, piano

Selections from Cinq Chansons Folkloriques d’Haiti arr. Electo Silva Feill’ oh Dodo Titit

PREMIER ENSEMBLE Valérie Sainte-Agathe, Artistic Director Chesley Mok, piano; Maggie Lu, flute

Mi Zeh Hidlik Yiddish Traditional, arr. Elliot Z. Levine

Deck the Hall Traditional Welsh Carol, arr. John Rutter

CHORUS SCHOOL LEVEL II Monica Covitt, director with special guests Kronos Quartet, The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and the Sirkhane Circus School, Turkey Gabriella Cave, Lillian Escher, Level II soloists

Music of the Birds Sahba Aminikia, World premiere

CHORUS SCHOOL PREP CHORUS Emily Kusnadi, director Florante Aguilar, guitar

El Coquí Puerto Rican Folk Song

PREMIER ENSEMBLE Valérie Sainte-Agathe, Artistic Director

Cosecha Angélica Negrón, World premiere SFGC commission Florante Aguilar and Fides Enriquez (New Art Media), audio engineering and video production

4 CHORUS SCHOOL LEVEL I Natascha Bach, Ariel Estebez, directors Matt Bourne, piano

Paruparong Bukid (The Butterfly Field) Traditional Filipino Folk Song, arr. by Martin Ellis & Henry Leck

CHORUS SCHOOL TRAINING CHORUS Kaitlin Bertschi, director Elisabeth Easton, piano

Bahay Kubo Traditional Filipino Folk Song

PREMIER ENSEMBLE Valérie Sainte-Agathe, Artistic Director

Tomorrow’s Memories: A Little Manila Diary Matthew Welch Scene Four: “Joe Calls Me and You Greens”

The SFGC commission of Tomorrow’s Memories: A Little Manila Diary, and this Scene Four world premiere, are made possible in part by a grant from The Creative Work Fund, a program of the Walter and Elise Haas Fund that also is supported by The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Libretto adapted by Matthew Welch based on Tomorrow’s Memories: A Diary, 1924–1928 by Angeles Monrayo, edited by Rizaline R. Raymundo, (University of Hawai’i Press)

Samantha Fung-Lee, Angeles Erin Enriquez, Mary Johann Joson, Joe Florante Aguilar, ukulele Sean San José, stage director Joan Osato, video designer Florante Aguilar, audio engineer and music producer

PREMIER ENSEMBLE, CHORUS SCHOOL, AND SFGC ALUMS Robert Huw Morgan, organ

Silent Night Franz Gruber (1787–1863), arr. John Rutter SSAA voicing by Pat Parr

5 TEXTS

Ay! Mi Palomita Music: Traditional Lullaby from Dominican Republic, arr. Juan Tony Guzmán

¡Ay, mi Palomita! Oh! My little dove, La que yo adoré; the one I adored; Le crecieron alas When she grew her wings Y voló y se fue. she flew away.

Ella no comía She ate neither Ni trigo ni arroz, wheat nor rice Y se mantenía and was nourished Sólo con mi amor. only with my love.

Son de Camaguey Music: Cuban Folk Song, arr. with additional music Stephen Hatfield

Esta es a cosa linda. This is a lovely thing. Esta es costa brava. This is a splendid coast. Camaguey, ay linda. Camaguey, so marvelous. Son de Camaguey. The rhythm of Camaguey.

Bassez Down Music: West Indian Folk Song, arr. Othello Jefferson

Bassez, mama, bassez down Dance, mama, dance low down Bassez in the morning Dance in the morning Bassez down Miss Mary Dance low down Miss Mary Bassez in the morning Dance in the morning

6 Three Little Birds Music: Bob Marley, arr. Christopher Street Words: Bob Marley

Don’t worry about a thing, ‘cause ev’ry little thing gonna be alright. Singin’, “Don’t worry about a thing, ‘cause ev’ry little thing gonna be alright.” Rise up this morning, smiled with the rising sun. Three little birds pitch by my doorstep, singin’ sweet songs of melodies pure and true, Sayin’, “This is my message to you-u-u.”

Seven Principles Music and Words: Bernice Johnson Reagon

Umoja. Unity that brings us together.

Kuujichagalia. We will determine who we are.

Ujima. Working and building our union.

Ujamaa. We’ll spend our money wisely.

Nia. We know the purpose of our lives.

Kuumba. All that we touch is more beautiful.

Imani. We believe that we can, We know that we can, We will any way that we can.

7 Selections from Cinq Chansons Folkloriques d’Haiti Music: Folk Songs from Haiti, arr. Electo Silva

Feill’ oh Feill’ oh, Sove la vi muen nan mise muen Herbs oh ie oh. Save my life from the misery oh! Pitit muen malad muen curi caill’ gangan My son is sick. I run to the home of the Similo. healer Similo. Simi bon gangan va Sove la vi muen nan If you are a good healer you will save my mise muen ie oh. life from the misery oh!

Dodo Titit Dodo ti pitit manman dodo do ti pitit Sleep mommy’s little one manman. Si li pa dodo crab la va manjel, If you don’t sleep the crab will eat you.

Maman lipa la lale la rivie papa li pala la Your mommy is away at the river lale peche crab. Your daddy is away he’s trapping some Si li pa dodo crab la va manjel, crabs Dodo titit crab nan kalalou If you don’t sleep the crab will eat you Sleep little one, crab’s in the gumbo.

Mi Zeh Hidlik Music: Folk melody, arr. Elliot Z. Levine Words: Levin Kipnis (1894-1990) English translation: William Zukof

Mi zeh hidlik neirot dakim Who here has lit these slender candles Kakochavim barom? twinkling like stars in the night? Yod’im gam tinokot rakim Come children, let us gaze upon them, Ki Chanukah hayom. This is the Festival of Light. It’s Chanukah tonight!

Kol neir aliz, kol neir chaviv Each candle burns, each candle glints, Doleik, romeiz, notzteiz. Each happy candle sings; Hatinokot omdim saviv Come children, let us feel the joy Velasimchah ein keitz. This happy holiday brings! Joy without end!

8 Deck the Hall El Coqui Music: Traditional Welsh Carol, Music and Words: Puerto Rican Folk Song arr. John Rutter Words: Traditional El coquí, el coquí so delights me With his song I need never count sheep Deck the hall with boughs of holly, Every night when I lie on my pillow Fa la la la la His singing will lull me to sleep Fa la la la. Coquí, coquí, coquí-quí-quí-quí ‘Tis the season to be jolly, Coquí, coquí, coquí-quí-quí-quí Fa la la la la Fa la la la. Fill the mead cup, drain the barrel, Fa la la la la la la la la, Cosecha Troll the ancient Christmas carol, Music: Angélica Negrón Fa la la la la Words: Inspired by Muestrario Botánico Fa la la la. Tropical by Rosaura Rodríguez

See the flowing bowl before us, Uva playera Fa la la la la Pitanga Fa la la la. Cacao Strike the harp and join the chorus, Quenepas Fa la la la la Guayaba Fa la la la. Gandules Follow me in merry measure, Malagueta Fa la la la la la la la la, Tamarindo While I sing of beauty’s treasure, Papaya Fa la la la la Parcha Fa la la la. Mangó

Fast away the old year passes, Fa la la la la Fa la la la. Hail the new, ye lads and lassies, Fa la la la la Fa la la la. Laughing, quaffing, all together, Fa la la la la la la la la, Heedless of the wind and weather, Fa la la la la Fa la la la.

9 Paruparong Bukid Music: Traditional Filipino Folk Song, arr. Martin Ellis & Henry Leck English translation: Arlene Chongson

Paruparong bukid na lilipad lipad The provincial butterfly flies sa gitna ng daan papaga-pagaspas in the middle of the road, fluttering its ‘sang barra ang tapis wings ‘sang dangkal ang manggas one measurement of cloth at sayang de kola half a hand’s span is the sleeve ‘sang pyesa ang saya the skirt has a train May payneta pa s’ya the bottom of the skirt is a single piece. May suklay pamandin Look, she even has a fine hair pin! Nagwas de Ohetes ang palalabasin And even a comb! Haharap sa altar at mananalamin her embroidered underskirt is what she at saka lalakad nang pakendeng- displays kendeng She goes before the altar and looks at her reflection Then walks, swaying her hips.

Bahay Kubo Music: Traditional Filipino Folk Song English translation: Precy Anza

Bahay-kubo, kahit munti Nipa hut, even though it’s small, Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari The plants that grow around it are varied: Singkamas at talong Turnip & eggplant, winged bean & Sigarilyas at mani peanut, Sitaw, bataw, patani String bean, hyacinth bean, lima bean. Kundol, patola, upo’t kalabasa Wax gourd, sponge gourd, white squash At tsaka mayro’n pang & pumpkin, Labanos, mustasa And there’s also radish, mustard, Sibuyas, kamatis, bawang at luya Onion, tomato, garlic & ginger Sa paligid-ligid ay puno ng linga And all around are sesame seeds.

10 Tomorrow’s Memories: A Little Manila Diary Scene Four: “Joe Calls Me and You Greens” Music: Matthew Welch Words: Libretto adapted by Matthew Welch based on Tomorrow’s Memories: A Diary, 1924–1928 by Angeles Monrayo, edited by Rizaline R. Raymundo, (University of Hawai’i Press)

MARY CHORUS (to Diary) Oh say, an old friend of your Manong I have noticed Joe looking at me all the Julian’s just moved in below us with his time now. aunt. His name is Joe Flores. ANGELES ANGELES Why are you always looking at me that He is good at the ukulele! I kind of like way? him. ANGELES and CHORUS MARY I like him, the first boy that I can say “I He is as old as Manong Julian, 19 years like.” I feel excited and sort of thrilled. old. ANGELES, MARY, JOE ANGELES We know a few songs and Joe taught us They talk English all the time. new songs and I learn them fast. I think it I have not heard him speak Visayan or is because I like to sing. Tagalog. and CHORUS MARY and ANGELES We are practicing to sing trios and if I say Joe calls me and you “greens,” because so myself, we sound good. we are only 12 years old. JOE ANGELES and CHORUS Angeles, Do you believe in love at first Manong Julian and Joe would play the sight? ukulele. I can play the ukulele too! But not as good as they are so Mary and I sing. ANGELES (to Joe) I must tell you, I learned how to dance the JOE new dance. They call it “the Charleston.” “Good-evening, Angeles.” When I first saw it, I called it the “Crazy- dance” ‘cause you see legs flying forward ANGELES and backward and at first I could not I was surprised because this is the first catch on. But then I watch closely how time he called me by my first name. they move the feet in tune with the music— JOE I dance the dance when I come in thru “Good-evening, Angeles.” the door. I Charleston to the kitchen, to the bedroom, even to the bathroom!

11 JOE JOE You really like to do that dance, huh?— I don’t think so . . . but anyway we can hear them if they are going to come in. ANGELES (to Mary) I was washing dishes tonite when Joe ANGELES, MARY, JOE and CHORUS got behind, turned me around, and And so that is the way it is around here, kissed me long. At nights we sing, Manong Julian, Joe, Mary, and I, MARY out on the porch, and do you know, Joe I’m surprised, I did not know. kisses Mary too,

JOE ANGELES Do not tell. Not the way he kisses me though. I do not get angry or jealous. ANGELES Mary’s mother might come back in here ANGELES, MARY, and JOE He always kisses me good-night and it’s always a stolen moment of happiness for us.

Silent Night Music: Franz Gruber, arr. John Rutter, SSAA voicing by Pat Parr Words: Josef Mohr

Douce nuit, sainte nuit! Silent night, holy night! Dans les cieux, l’astre luit. All is calm, all is bright Le mystère annoncé s’accomplit Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child Cet enfant sur la paille endormi, Holy Infant so tender and mild C’est l’amour infini Sleep in heavenly peace C’est l’amour infini Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight Glories stream from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ the Savior is born Christ the Savior is born

Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face With dawn of redeeming grace Jesus Lord, at Thy birth Jesus Lord, at Thy birth

12 SAN FRANCISCO GIRLS CHORUS

PREMIER ENSEMBLE Valérie Sainte-Agathe, Artistic Director

Alia Azad Sadie Habas Sophia Mugin Noa Baghdassarian Gabrielle Haddick Elaine Peng Ellee Bamberger Adea Hansen-Whistler Alexandra Peregudova Maia Brockstedt Bibiane Huang Annika Pyo Vera Chandler Eva Jackson Ruby Rae Recht-Appel Charlotte Chanezon Audrey Johnson Nadia Rouag Natalie Chin Adela Kelemen Asha Grace Sager Coco Close Sarah Kelly Eliana Schiller Maireid McAfee Cohen Samantha Kingsbury Clara Sewell Maya Dluzak Victoria Ko Angelina Sorensen Anaïs Dunbar Valentina Kornach Sophia Stolte Erin Enriquez Calla Kra-Caskey Stella Vale Oliver Eschen Angelyn Liu Olivia White Alexandra Fisher Sarah Liu Noelani Williams Caroline Freeman-Cherry Maggie Lu Maeve Wood-Soloff Samantha Fung-Lee Cécile Marsh Isabel Yang Ava Gaughan Darya Massih Linda Ye Hannah Gonzales Molly McLean Sophia Zuzga Kelsey Shei Greenberg Lois McTrang

CHORUS SCHOOL

PREP CHORUS Delilah Lopez TRAINING CHORUS Evelyn Bernhard Louise Marenbach Adeleh Aghevli Esther BloomKing Amélia Matthews Isabella (Eggy) Ahn- Ashley Boussina Seraphina Sambajon Robertson Camila Cifka Mercado Mila Ajanovic Runa Cook Aimee Nadeau-Rip Sophie Anderson- Amalthea Crist Isabel Vasigh Papp Schwarz Valiana DeVine Genesis Scales Eliza Annunziata Ellie Early King Emeline Schreiner Flora Barry Anya Eidenmuller Lucia Shoemaker Ellie Beerle Eden Gaw Alessandra Solis Imogen Bender Natalie Hsiao Teagan Trahan Sydney Brown Nia Jackson Ainsley Weir Anastasia Bufiy Kate Jamil Colette Wong Sierra Chen Jalyn Jones Sybil Wyatt Avigail Cohen Adelaide Lee Vienna Zagal Naya Cuellar Rachel Lei June DiMento 13 Valentina Evangelista Emma Wang Abigail Lim Victoria Evangelista Mira Woerner Danica Lipetsky Annabelle Falla Claire Yan Rosie Lopez Maia Goldbrenner Karisse Yeung Emelia Louis Sophie Aurora Hamel- Rica Yu Avery Makma Pena Paige Makma Diva Harris LEVEL I Emily McLean Matilda Hart Sersha Acworth Mariana Meléndez Sirota Olivia Quinn Hidalgo Sara Afaghi Gitanjali Menon Sona Hixson Anushka Ak Bia O’Hara Claire Hogan Beatrice Appler Kaixin Ouyang Sachi Honeyman Safa Barazangi Eleanor June Pai Iris Huang Kaeya Bautista Freya Pakiam Amelia Ikuta Eden Beerle Josephine Perea Phoebe Jenny Kaia Blackwood Patricia-Blue Pharr Aurelia Kapasi Eleanor Bloomking Jolie Piliero Aria Koehn Evelyn Bodway Sofia Quinn Alexandra Kovatchev Naia Bove Isabella Quiros Savannah Liu Avery Brandstetter Eva Ricci Juhi Madhok Frances Cai Josephine Hanako Riley Anushka Mazumdar Elena Carvajal Savanna Sanchez Trinity Mcintosh Chloe Chen Poppy Sanchez Colette Michaud Alice Cleland Charlotte Saunders Paloma Miller Harper Dandridge Zazie Schlegel Zenaida Molina Koupal Cubba-Penick Mary Scott Lacie Moore Emilia Dorie Paloma Seligman Viktoria Papp Eloise Egan Shiva Sharma Opal Pater Gabriela Ford Alexandra Shepard Kharis Patton Gloria Furquim Ribeiro Paloma Anais Siliezar Angel Lucciana Raygoza Audrey Glasscock Harper Skirbe Robles Logan Gourgoutis Julia Stone Cate Rembert-Morfit Priya Grunwald Allyson Tam Capri Restani Stella Guneri Alison Wong Amy Scott Valentina Hall Quirena Sophia Wong Myra Singhal Josephine Hastings Stacy Wu Minna Smith Tabitha Herron Wilson Kylie Xu Bennett Smithson Serafina Hogan Zihan Xu Miri Stein Maya Hunter Renee Yang Eliana Swenson Studley Eloise Iurato Joanna Yu Lily Belle Takashima Zamora Jackson-Jones Yarbrough Sylvia Castille Johannsen LEVEL II Isabella Talavera Quinn Le Nina Al-Badeh Nicolette Tokar Zoë Lepper Meher Arvind Adelaide Turner Winn Lydia Lewis Giovanna Barroso Catalina Magdalena Jessie Li Luciana Baubert Vazquez

14 Devon Blumenfeld LEVEL III Anushka Chandran Gabriela Bogiages-Garcia Nyara Afshar Cate Cross Sofia Bourgon-Trujillo Elizabeth Benton- Ariana Frey Gabriella Cave Aufterbeck Sofia Fung-Lee Madison Chow Amelia Berger Rebecca Jia Ella Cody Gloria Cebrian Charlotte Kelly Rowan Cranley Natasha Charas Alisa Kozmin Aleksandra Das Yasmin Charkin Lucinda Laughlin Sofia Rose DeLuca Charlotte B. Choi Simone Lee Elizabeth Dominguez Maya Cody Francisca Li Aida Beatriz Donahue Vivienne Colombano Sierra Valencia Lyon Lillian Escher Samsara Dluzak Magdalena Sambajon Tolifili Fa Natalie Falero Mercado Zuri Hart-Porter Embley Fuchs Elinore Pett-Ridge Leena Heck Catherine Galvez Henessey Anya Jayaraman Sophie Guneri Lillian Prouty Angelina Jia Julia Howe Vivian Prouty Avah Keyhani Aram Kim Vibhuti Singh Taisia Kozmin Katharine MacKenzie Azaria Stauffer-Barney Sophia L’Don-Hayuk Lavanna Maharjan Madeline Swain Anabel Laughlin Elise March Shiva Swaminathan Addison Li Katherine Marshall Strickland Zara Nelson Chloe Medanic-Watt Naia Valenzuela- Aubrey Nettesheim Eliana Sambajon Mercado Aperribay Maya Ng Ishika Kashyap Parulkar Venus Yu Samantha Nieper Mackenzie Pederson Lily Naumann Normanly Iris Pradal SFGC ALUMS Alyssa Novakovic Wilhelmina Naumann Arianne Abela Sophia Ohliger-Yang Ratto Sabrina Adler Ava Pollard Nevina Richard Jungah Ahn Evie Poynter Elizabeth Rogers Sarai Carpio Au Olivia Preston Katherine Rogers Larkin Barnard-Bahn Ava Saddler Calista Stone Christina Bogiages Carissa Satuito Shunnisha Tate Andrea Butler Shayla Sauvie Anayah Tin Livia Camperi Thalia Savage Irene Wang Elena Rosenberg-Carlson Ashni Singh Sara Wolfe Alison Cleary Kennedy Sink Violet Wolfe Meaghan Clifford Willow Stokes Ellie Wong Isabela Colmenar Dorothea Tompkins Naomi Wong Joyce Lin-Conrad Kiyomi Treanor Alyssa Yuen Rachel Daines Valentina Esperanza Miroslava Zagal Faye Donnelley Sabine Vazquez Lucienne Downes Avery Wong LEVEL IV Ariel Estebez Grace Zhao Claire Algazi Evelyn Fajardo Sophia Alling Bekka Fink

15 Shayna Bomfim- Jen Kessler Mirabai Weismehl Finkelstein Radha Kindler Rosenfeld Rohini Govier Emily Kusnadi Elisabeth Rothenbuhler Edith Gowan Marisa Lenhardt Juliette Saux Samantha Graff Ronika McClain Lauren Schwartz Sarah Harvey Alissa McLean Nia Caiani Spaulding Charlotte He Harmony Murphy Amy Strauss Lizzy Hewitt Jocelyn Newman Thaila Sundaresan Natasha Hoehn Kristen Faith Oei Maggie Tenenbaum Erin Ichimura Cialin Mills Ostwald Mary Townsend Katie Innes Jennifer Park Gabriella Vulakh Kathleen Isaza Rachel Plotinsky Ellie Murphy-Weise Jennie Ellis Kampani Emma Powell Delilah Whitaker Allegra Kelly Isabelle Rim Elizabeth Zobel Katherine Kendrick Natalie Zuckerman

MUSIC OF THE BIRDS

ORNITHOLOGISTS Smithsonian National Museum Stephanie Aguillon – Cornell University of Natural History Dr Alice Boyle – Kansas State University Dr Sahas Barve Diego Calderón-Franco – Colombia Dr Peri Bolton Birding @diegoCOLbirding Dr Carla Dove Dr David P Craig – Willamette University Dr Sarah Luttrell Dr Tyler Imfield – Regis University Jim Whatton Dr Roland Kays – North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences East Carolina University Dr Nicola Khan – Nottingham Trent Dr Chris Balakrishnan University Dr Peri Bolton Katie Schroeder – University of Kristen Orr Massachusetts, Amherst

SIRKHANE SOCIAL CIRCUS SCHOOL, TURKEY Pinar Demiral, Co-Founder Sahba Aminikia, Musical Director

Darişan İbrahim Ömer Fatma İrem Pinar Hamit Mahmut Refik Hemrevin Muhammet Sahba Hevin Mustafa Ziyat

16 PRODUCTION

Florante Aguilar and Fides Enriquez (New Art Media), audio engineering and video production, Cosecha Taylor Joshua Rankin, audio and video engineering and production Florante Aguilar, audio engineer and music producer, Tomorrow’s Memories: A Little Manila Diary Joan Osato, video designer, Tomorrow’s Memories: A Little Manila Diary Sahba Aminikia, video design and production, Music of the Birds Carolyn Donarski, graphic design

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO

San Francisco War Memorial Performing Arts Center Rob Levin, Booking Manager Jim Jacobs, Head House Electrician, Davies Symphony Hall

17 BIOGRAPHIES

SAN FRANCISCO GIRLS CHORUS Praised by Gramophone Magazine as a Stunning range, flexibility, drama, and “remarkable tapestry of teenage voices,” power are among the hallmarks of the SFGC has been a champion of the music 42-year-old San Francisco Girls Chorus’s of our time since its founding, having Premier Ensemble, recognized as one commissioned more than three dozen of the world’s leading youth vocal works by leading composers including ensembles. Led by Artistic Director Valérie Philip Glass, Richard Danielpour, Aaron Sainte-Agathe, the Premier Ensemble has Jay Kernis, Gabriel Kahane, Augusta achieved an incomparable sound that Read Thomas, and Chen Yi. underscores the unique clarity and force of impeccably trained treble voices. In September 2019, SFGC released its most recent album, My Outstretched Highlights from the 2019–2020 season Hand, on Supertrain Records featuring include a fully-staged choral music and The Knights and Trinity Youth Chorus. dance co-production with Berkeley The album includes world premiere Ballet Theater featuring two world recordings of choral-orchestral works premieres by Angélica Negrón and by three American composers, Lisa Aviya Kopelman, commissioned and co- Bielawa, Aaron Jay Kernis and If I Were commissioned with the Israel Institute, Not Me by Colin Jacobsen. Further respectively; a debut appearance at San demonstrating its commitment to the Francisco’s renowned Hardly Strictly music of today, SFGC’s February 2018 Bluegrass Festival in collaboration album release, Final Answer, includes with Kronos Quartet; and the works by nine living composers, among ensemble’s first-ever Virtual Festival them Philip Glass, Aleksandra Vrebalov, featuring three unique live-streamed Lisa Bielawa, John Zorn, and Gabriel performances. Additional highlights Kahane. The Premier Ensemble has from recent seasons include a July been a recipient of numerous music 2019 tour of England and France that industry awards, including five GRAMMY featured six performances in London, Awards, four ASCAP/Chorus America Windsor, Cambridge, and Paris; debut Awards for Adventurous Programming, performances in February 2018 at and the Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Carnegie Hall alongside Philip Glass and Excellence from Chorus America. the Philip Glass Ensemble; and an April 2017 debut performance at the John F. In addition to its Premier Ensemble, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts SFGC is renowned as a regional with The Knights for SHIFT: A Festival center for choral music education and of American Orchestras. SFGC has performance for girls and young women also traveled the world as a musical ages 4–18. Hundreds of singers from ambassador for San Francisco, with tours 46 Bay Area cities participate in this to the Nordic countries, Germany, Japan, internationally-recognized six-level China, South Korea, and Cuba, and Chorus School, hailed as “a model in performed for the 2009 inauguration of the country for training girls’ voices” by President Barack Obama. the California Arts Council. Launched

18 in March 2020, in response to the in Residence for KRONOS FESTIVAL COVID-19 pandemic, SFGC created an 2019 and performed with DJ Spooky innovative Online Learning Program that conducting a multi-media, virtual reality utilizes technology to bring choral music piece entitled Quantopia: The Evolution education to the homes of choristers of the Internet. She also served as Choir across the Bay Area. Master with Taylor Mac, recipient of MacArthur Foundation’s “Genius Grant,” For more information, visit for the “Holiday Sauce” production at www.sfgirlschorus.org. the Curran Theater.

Ms. Sainte-Agathe served as Music VALÉRIE SAINTE-AGATHE, Artistic Director for the Young Singers program Director, has conducted the San of the Montpellier National Symphony Francisco Girls Chorus since 2013, and Opera in France from 1998-2011. In including in performances with this capacity, she trained young singers renowned artists such as Jon Nakamatsu, for opera and symphony concerts Deborah Voigt, Laurie Rubin, Philip and productions. She participated in Glass, Aaron Jay Kernis, Gustavo eight recordings with the Montpellier Dudamel, and Michael Tilson Thomas. A National Orchestra and The Radio strong believer in musical collaborations, France Festival. She is a recipient of she has performed with the New Victoires de la Musique, and a two-time Century Chamber Orchestra, Kronos recipient of the Orphée d’Or award—for Quartet, Magik*Magik Orchestra and Honegger’s Jeanne d’Arc au bûcher and Tenet Ensemble. In February 2018 she d’Indy’s L’Étranger. Ms. Sainte-Agathe made her Carnegie Hall debut with the studied at the Montpellier Conservatory Philip Glass Ensemble, conducting with in piano performance. She received her Michael Riesman in Glass’s Music with bachelor’s degree in conducting and a Changing Parts. She also conducted The Master in Management from Université Photographer by Philip Glass in October Paul Valery in Montpellier. 2017. In June 2016, she conducted the Chorus alongside The Knights Orchestra and Brooklyn Youth Chorus for the New KRONOS QUARTET York Philharmonic’s NY PHIL BIENNIAL For over 45 years, San Francisco’s festival at Lincoln Center. She also Kronos Quartet—David Harrington collaborated with The Knights for the (violin), John Sherba (violin), Hank Dutt SHIFT A Festival of American Orchestras (viola), and Sunny Yang (cello)—has at the Kennedy Center in Washington, combined a spirit of fearless exploration DC. After five years in the United States, with a commitment to continually her first recording as SFGC’s Music reimagine the string quartet experience. Director, Final Answer, was released In the process, Kronos has become on Orange Mountain Music in February one of the world’s most celebrated 2018. Between 2014 and 2016, she was and influential ensembles, performing assistant conductor for Lisa Bielawa’s thousands of concerts, releasing more made-for-TV opera, Vireo. During the than 60 recordings, collaborating with 2018-2019 season, she served as Artist an eclectic mix of composers and

19 performers, and commissioning over Puerto Rican-born composer and multi- 1000 works and arrangements for instrumentalist ANGÉLICA NEGRÓN string quartet. The group has won over writes music for accordions, robotic 40 awards, including two Grammys, instruments, toys and electronics the prestigious Polar Music and Avery as well as chamber ensembles and Fisher Prizes, and Edison Klassiek orchestras. Her music has been Oeuvreprijs. The nonprofit Kronos described as “wistfully idiosyncratic Performing Arts Association manages all and contemplative” (WQXR/Q2) and aspects of Kronos’ work, including the “mesmerizing and affecting” (Feast commissioning of new works, concert of Music) while The New York Times tours and home season performances, noted her “capacity to surprise” and her education programs, and the annual “quirky approach to scoring.” Angélica Kronos Festival. In 2015, Kronos has been commissioned by the Bang launched 50 for the Future: The Kronos on a Can All-Stars, loadbang, MATA Learning Repertoire, an education and Festival, Brooklyn Youth Chorus, Sō legacy project that is commissioning— Percussion, the American Composers and distributing online for free—50 new Orchestra, and the New York Botanical works for string quartet composed by 25 Garden, among others. Her music has women and 25 men. been performed at the Kennedy Center, the Ecstatic Music Festival, EMPAC, Bang on a Can Marathon and the 2016 SAHBA AMINIKIA is an Iranian-American New York Philharmonic Biennial and her San Francisco-based composer, film scores have been heard numerous musically exploring the dichotomy of times at the Tribeca Film Festival. She light and dark. Trained classically and has collaborated with artists like Sō influenced globally, Aminikia’s work has Percussion, The Knights, Face the Music, been widely performed around the world and NOVUS NY, among others and and commissioned by theatre troops, is a founding member of the tropical contemporary classical ensembles, electronic band Balún. Angélica holds a film scores, Persian traditional music Master’s degree in music composition groups as well as jazz bands including from New York University and pursued Kronos Quartet, San Francisco Girls doctoral studies at The Graduate Center Chorus, Brooklyn Youth Chorus, ICE, (CUNY) under the guidance of Tania ZOFO Duet, Mobius Trio, One Found León. She’s a teaching artist for New York Sound, Circadian Quartet, Delphi Trio Philharmonic’s Very Young Composers and Living Earth Show. Aminikia was Program working with young learners the artist-in-residence at Kronos Festival on creative composition projects. 2017, an annual festival held by grammy- Upcoming premieres include works for winning Kronos Quartet at San Francisco the LA Philharmonic, Dallas Symphony SFJAZZ throughout which ten of his Orchestra and National Symphony works including four new commissioned Orchestra, and NY Philharmonic Project pieces were premiered. Aminikia is also 19 initiative. Negrón continues to perform the Artistic Director for Flying Carpet and compose for film. Festival, a mobile music festival which serves children in need in war zones.

20 MATTHEW WELCH is a composer of National Museum of Natural History innovative opera and genre-resisting (NMNH) is a haven for ornithologists: it concert music. Named one of “14 houses the third largest bird collection in artists changing the future of opera,” the world, with over 620,000 specimens. by Huffington Post, and regarded Representing about 85% of the world’s as “a composer possessed of both 10,500 bird species, the NMNH rich imagination and the skill to bring collection supports leading scientific his fancies to life” (Time Out NYC), research on conservation, ecology, Matthew’s musical adventures and evolution, genomics, taxonomy and collaborative spirit have brought him anatomy. Research on the collections to work with some of today’s most is conducted by Smithsonian scientists, noted musical personalities: Anthony as well as visiting scientists from across Braxton, Martin Bresnick, Aaron Jay the globe. The study of birds is vital Kernis, David Lang, Alvin Lucier, Ikue because birds are important indicators Mori, Zeena Parkins, Julia Wolfe, and of the health of ecosystems, which John Zorn. Mixing his backgrounds support all life, and in turn, human health in bagpipes, gamelan, experimental, and prosperity. Bird division scientists classical, rock and improvised music, also help to keep our skies safer by Welch’s compositional sound is identifying birds involved in collisions worldly and eclectic in material, yet with aircraft. Knowing the identity of personal and seamless in style. these birds enables the prevention of Praised by the New York Times as future birdstrikes. We at the Bird Division, “exquisitely ethereal” and “borderbusting; and other participating ornithologists, catchy,” Matthew’s music has been are delighted to share our personal and performed in the US, Canada, South professional love of birds in this project. America, Europe and Asia. Matthew holds degrees in Music Composition from Yale, Wesleyan and Simon SIRKHANE (HOUSE OF CIRCUS) is a non- Fraser Universities, and as a bagpiper, governmental and non-profit social circus he has won three World Pipe Band school based in the city of Mardin near Championship titles. His ensemble, Turkish Syrian border. Sirkhane served Blarvuster, has been based in New York children affected by war and conflict City since 2002. Welch co-founded mostly from Syrian, Kurdish and Turkish Experiments in Opera in 2011. origin. Sirkhane is established in 2012, in the beginning of Syrian-war by Pinar Demiral and Serdal Adam and has served BIRD DIVISION, SMITHSONIAN over 500,000 children in refugee camps NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL and those resettled in the region through HISTORY circus, music and arts. The organization Birds bring most of us joy through their has partnered with several organizations beautiful appearance and their song, but such as Welthungerhilfe, EU Humanitarian some people are so fascinated by birds Aid. Goethe Institute, UNHCR, and United that they make a career out of studying States embassy in Ankara. them—these people are ornithologists. The Bird Division at the Smithsonian

21 SEAN SAN JOSÉ is co-founder of Campo FLORANTE AGUILAR Santo, the award-winning resident Manila-born guitarist/composer Florante theater company of San Francisco’s Aguilar was classically trained at the Intersection for the Arts. Program SF Conservatory of Music. A seasoned Director of Theatre for Intersection for solo recording artist, Aguilar has won the Arts, San José has helped create and composition awards most notably from curate a new program called the Hybrid the National Endowment for the Arts Project, formed to bring together artists and the Gerbode Foundation. He has of all genres, merging differing and performed at the Lincoln Center and emerging styles of performance in order Hollywood Bowl. Florante’s work can be to find a new performance language. He seen nationally on the PBS documentary also conceived the theater project Pieces Harana chronicling his search for the last of the Quilt, a collection of short plays surviving practitioners of serenade music confronting the AIDS epidemic. San José in the Philippines. Florante has written organized and created the AIDS Service for musical theater, dance, solo guitar, Arts organization Alma Delfina Group- chamber, and Philippine ethnic music. Teatro Contra el SIDA, to distribute funds and present benefit performances. As Founding Director he has worked, ROBERT HUW MORGAN commissioning these pieces and then Internationally acclaimed organist Robert presenting the plays in theatres, schools, Huw Morgan is University Organist, libraries, clinics and community centers. Lecturer in Organ, and Director of both He has recently been awarded one of the Stanford University Singers and the Audrey Skirball-Kennis TIME Grant the Memorial Church Choir at Stanford Awards to support the development of University. The native of Wales holds his new work. He has also been awarded dual doctorates in Organ Performance a San Francisco Arts Commission and Orchestral Conducting from the Individual Artist Commission, two University of Washington, Seattle. residencies at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts from the Wattis Artist Residency, He is an active recitalist whose a Bay Area Critics’ Circle Award, the repertoire runs from the earliest sources DramaLogue Award, Backstage West, to contemporary­ music. In 2005 he the Cable Car Award, and the Bay performed the complete works of Guardian Goldie Artistic Achievement Dieterich Buxtehude and in 2010–2011 in Theatre Award. Productions he has he performed the complete works of conceived, created and produced Johann Sebastian Bach in a series of have also garnered numerous awards 14 concerts at Stanford. He has toured in excellence, including; the Bay Area as both a soloist and accompanist in Reporter Best of the Season, Cable Europe, the Americas and Australia, Car Award, DramaLogue and Bay Area and his recorded perfor­mances have Critics’ Circle Award. been broadcast in the U.S. and abroad. In addition to his doctorates, he holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Cambridge University, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists.

22 Robert is delighted to be joining again MATT BOURNE is a pianist who performs in performance with the San Francisco and accompanies for vocalists and Girls Chorus, albeit virtually. choral groups all around the Bay Area. He is a musical director and conductor THE BAYVIEW OPERA HOUSE, for theatrical productions at many local the oldest operating theater in San companies. He is staff accompanist for Francisco, sits in the heart of Bayview Campolindo High School, pianist at First Hunters Point at the corner of 3rd United Methodist Church of Hayward, a and Newcomb. Established in 1888, piano teacher, and a composer. He is a The Opera House is the cultural hub Bay Area native and a graduate of the of Bayview, San Francisco’s African music program at UCLA. American Arts and Cultural District. The year-round programming at The Opera House honors the belief that art ASTGHIK SAKANYAN started her piano is an essential part of a vibrant, just, career in Armenia at Yerevan’s Sayat and healthy society. From community Nova School of Music. Later she moved festivals + celebrations to contemporary to Spain (Valencia), where she received dance and performance, art shows her bachelor’s degree from the Joaquin and youth programs the Opera House Rodrigo Conservatory of Music. During cultivates an environment dedicated to the last year of her undergraduate studies, creative excellence and ambition with the she was awarded a full scholarship to knowledge that increasing access to art study at the Franz Liszt Academy of will inspire, educate, and transform lives. Music in Budapest, Hungary, under Dr. Falvai Sandor where she graduated with honors. She received her Masters degree CHESLEY MOK graduated from the in Collaborative Piano under Dr. Timothy University of California, Irvine with a Bach. After graduating Mrs. Sakanyan Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance started working as a School Pianist at and received a Master of Music at San Francisco Ballet. Currently, Astghik San Francisco Conservatory of Music, forms part of the San Francisco Girls studying Collaborative Piano with Chorus as a Level II Piano Accompanist Timothy Bach. A diverse pianist, Chesley while also working as an independent works with both vocalists and teaching and performing artist. instrumentalists across a wide range of genres, including championing new music written by her colleagues and the ANGELA REY is a professional pianist classical repertory. A Bay Area native, of 17 years that specializes in classical Chesley has performed with many local and salsa music and is pursuing a organizations including the El Camino degree in Global Jazz at UCLA. Aside Youth Symphony, California Youth from studying the piano, she is also Symphony, and the Crystal Children’s a music teacher of seven years and Choir. Currently, she is also the pianist for holds workshops in the Bay Area that the SF Girls Chorus Premier Ensemble. teach youth about songwriting and the Aside from her collaborative work, importance of community. She has been Chesley also enjoys teaching piano and working with the San Francisco Girls’ violin to youth across the Bay Area. Chorus since 2018 as a guest artist,

23 director, and accompanist with different NEW ART MEDIA started as an outfit levels of the program. Angela seeks to that produced Florante Aguilar’s music stay in California to eventually pursue a recordings. When Fides Enriquez DMA in music-making and collaboration joined, the husband and wife team and stay a part of the SFGC family! quickly realized their combined skill sets can turn the company into full-blown film, theater, music and ELISABETH EASTON is beyond excited digital media production to create to be accompanying the Training Chorus original content. Fides specializes this season. She was a chorister at SFGC in directing and producing films and for ten years, and was a member of the theater, cinematography and concept Premier Ensemble for six, traveling and development while Florante’s focus is singing with the group. Now, she is a in music recording and post production vocalist and pianist earning her Jazz audio/video editing. New Art Media is Studies degree in vocal performance at based in Napa, CA. the USC Thornton School of Music. www.newartmedia.com

JOAN OSATO has played a pivotal role TAYLOR JOSHUA RANKIN (b. 1991) in local and national theater for over a is a filmmaker and composer based decade and has been an indispensable on the Bay Area. Taylor’s music has part of Youth Speaks / The Living Word been performed by ensembles across Project since 2001. She has brought the United States, such as Grammy her multiplicity of producing and design Award winning ensemble Third talents to LWP Repertory works such Coast percussion, the San Francisco as The Break/s, Word Becomes Flesh, Contemporary Music Players, Friction Scourge, Tree City Legends and Mirrors Quartet, and the NYU Marimba in Every Corner, and plays for Campo Ensemble. Taylor’s music has been Santo including The River by Richard programmed by the Current’s concert Montoya, and Alleluia by Luis Alfaro, series in Chicago, Abchordis Ensemble directed by Jonathan Moscone. In in Italy, SFCMP’s At the Crossroads 2014 she is producing plays Chasing series, Pop Up Magazine’s 2018 season, Mehserle by Chinaka Hodge, Spiritrials as well as the 2016, 2017, and 2018 Hot by Dahlak Brathwaite; both directed by Air Music Festivals. As a filmmaker Taylor Marc Bamuthi Joseph, and Nogales by has collaborated with many Bay Area Richard Montoya and Sean San José. artists and ensembles, most recently as Her current projects include a state-wide the sole video editor for Nico Muhly’s community engagement project called Throughline piece for the San Francisco Califas (recipient of the Rockefeller Symphony. Taylor has a masters degree MAPFund), Reflections of Healing with in composition from the San Francisco muralist Brett Cook, and Life is Living, Conservatory of Music where he studied a project in neglected parks in urban privately with Mason Bates. centers around the country.

24 SAN FRANCISCO GIRLS CHORUS FACULTY

JUSTIN MONTIGNE, Director of Voice at the San Francisco Conservatory, NYU, Studies Berklee College of Music, Stanford, Justin Montigne, voice teacher, Northwestern, USC, and Oberlin, and countertenor soloist, and registered Dr. Montigne’s students are regularly yoga teacher—teaches workshops, accepted at top conservatories and classes, and private lessons in the universities in this country and abroad. Bay Area and around the country. Dr. Dr. Montigne is an expressive Montigne’s interest in the free and easy countertenor fluent in many styles and alignment of body and instrument led time periods of music. He toured the him to yoga, which helped revolutionize world for three years as an alto with his singing and teaching. He hopes to the Grammy Award winning “orchestra share the same tools he discovered of voices,” Chanticleer, performing in with singers and players everywhere. venues from Carnegie Hall to Vienna’s He received his bachelor’s degree in Musikverein to the Concertgebouw voice from Drake University, and his in Amsterdam, and appearing on master’s and doctorate degrees from the several Chanticleer recordings. He as University of Minnesota. Dr. Montigne sung numerous alto and tenor solos has taught on the voice faculties of in oratorios of Handel, Bach, Purcell, UC Davis and UC Berkeley, and has Mozart, and Haydn, as well as many presented SingAsana–yoga for singing— contemporary choral works with the Des workshops for the San Francisco Moines Symphony, Exultate Orchestra Conservatory, Seraphic Fire; Miami, FL; and Chamber Chorus, Minnesota Studio Arsis, Tokyo, Japan; Sonoma Orchestra, Oregon Bach Festival, County Bach Society–Sonoma State City Concert Opera Orchestra, San University; San Francisco Bay Area NATS Francisco Girls Chorus, San Francisco Symposium; College of Marin; Chorus Contemporary Players, Philharmonia America Conferences in San Francisco Baroque Orchestra, Seraphic Fire, and Washington, D.C.; Henderson State EUOUAE, Conspirare and Volti. Dr. University, Arkadelphia, AR; and The Montigne is a founding member of the Urban School, San Francisco, CA. He is 9-voice Bay Area men’s ensemble, currently the Director of Voice Studies Clerestory, and was instrumental in for the Grammy award winning San curating thirty-six different concert Francisco Girls Chorus, co-director of the programs over twelve seasons, as Bay Area Vocal Academy, and teaches well as appearing and co-producing vocal courses and voice lessons at Clerestory’s two commercially-available Sonoma State University. Throughout his recordings. He specializes in early twenty years of teaching, Dr. Montigne’s music, but has premiered numerous students have sung with Chanticleer, contemporary works with orchestra the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, and in recital, and enjoys programming Opera San Jose, Philharmonia Baroque, French chansons, German lieder, and American Bach Soloists, Minnesota tunes from the the Great American Opera, and New York City Opera. Songbook alongside the works of Former students are currently studying Handel and Bach.

25 Body awareness, breath, and Conservatory’s chamber vocal communication are central tenets of ensemble, assisting Maestro Ragnar Dr. Montigne’s vocal pedagogy and Bohlin. She has also been one of his own singing. SingAsana is about four assistant conductors for the San flexibility and balance in all aspects of Francisco Symphony’s Community singing. JustinMontigne.com of Music Makers “Sing Out Davies” program since its inception in 2011.

ANNE HEGE, Level IV Director For the 2015–2016 season, Ms. Alvord Born in Oakland, CA, Dr. Anne Katherine was the interim artistic director for Hege began her musical studies singing Resound Ensemble, a 50 member mixed with the Piedmont East Bay Children’s voice choir based in San Francisco. Choir and the Oakland Youth Chorus’ Last summer, Ms. Alvord was a featured touring ensemble, Vocal Motion. She conductor in a program of sacred music completed her BA studies in music at in Sarteano, Italy. She is currently music Wesleyan University and received an director at Trinity United Methodist MA in composition at Mills College. In Church in Berkeley. 2014, she completed her PhD in Music Composition at Princeton University In addition to conducting, Ms. Alvord where she studied the role of the is an active soloist and choral singer. body in musical performance. She She has appeared as soloist in James has founded and directed various MacMillan’s Seven Last Words from the vocal ensembles including the Albany Cross with the Berkeley Symphony and Community Chorus (California), Cuatro with many other groups in performances Vientos (Mexico City), and Celestial of Handel’s Messiah, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Mechanics (New Jersey). Hege performs Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, Beethoven’s as a vocalist, composer, improviser, and Choral Fantasy and Bach’s Magnificat. electronic musician in her performance Ms. Alvord has sung with many Bay duo, New Prosthetics; with the laptop Area opera companies in roles such as ensemble, Sideband; and for the Carrie Dorabella in Cosi fan tutte, Cherubino in Ahern Dance Company. She currently Le Nozze di Figaro, Siebel in Faust, and loves her role as the artistic director of Hansel in Hansel and Gretel. She has Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble, teaching been a professional member of the San voice and chorus classes at Holy Names Francisco Symphony Chorus since 2000, University, and directing Level IV of the and has also sung with San Francisco San Francisco Girls Chorus. Opera Chorus and Philharmonia Baroque Chorale.

TERRY ALVORD, Level III Director Terry Alvord, a mezzo soprano MONICA COVITT, Director of Chorus and conductor, has conducted the School Operations and Community San Francisco Symphony Chorus Engagement in rehearsals of Brahms’ Requiem Monica Covitt, a Los Angeles native, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 3, and joined the San Francisco Girls Chorus has conducted the San Francisco team in the summer of 2018. After a

26 season as the Director of Chorus School NATASCHA BACH, Director Of Chorus Administration and Programs and Level I School Programs and Level I Director Director, she is thrilled to be the Level II Natascha Bach is thrilled to be a part of Director for the 2019–2020 season. the San Francisco Girls Chorus as the Director of Chorus School Programs and Prior to her work with SFGC, Ms. Covitt Level I Director. Natascha has served as a spent eight years as a choir director in choir director, music educator, and private the Palo Alto Unified School District, voice teacher for over 20 years. She where she taught music and choir at earned her degree in Music Education the elementary, middle, and high school at the University of North Dakota, with levels. Under her direction, the choral an emphasis in Choral Studies. She is program at Greene Middle School passionate about the role music plays in (formerly known as Jordan Middle learning and well-being and is a strong School) grew from 13 to 250 singers in advocate for music literacy. Utilizing her grades 6–8 in four years. Before her expertise in vocal pedagogy, her work time in the Bay Area, Ms. Covitt lived in with vocal students focuses on raising Washington, D.C., where she promoted awareness of their physical positioning arts education outreach and advocacy and how adjustments to each aspect at the national level with the John F. of their body influences vocal results, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. empowering singers. Ms. Covitt is a proud singer with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, Natascha is a classically trained mezzo- and has sung under such batons as soprano who performs varied repertoire Michael Tilson Thomas, Jane Glover, in opera, oratorio, and song recital. Grant Gershon, and Ragnar Bohlin. She has been featured as a soloist in She has completed her certification in Handel’s Messiah, Bernstein’s Candide, Orff-Schulwerk from the San Francisco Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Humperdinck’s International Orff Course, and has Hansel and Gretel, Vivaldi’s Gloria, completed Level 1 of her Kodaly Bach’s Magnificat, Gluck’s Orfeo ed Certification at Holy Names University. Euridice, Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, and She is a magna cum laude graduate Mozart’s Magic Flute. of the Music Education program at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. In January 2020, she will be leading a ARIEL ESTEBEZ, Level I Director reading session as part of the California Ariel Estebez grew up singing in San Music Educators Association: Bay Francisco, and spent 11 years in the San Section Conference, with a focus on Francisco Girls Chorus. She received repertoire for elementary and middle a Bachelor of Arts from Santa Clara school choirs. University (English Literature, music) and a Masters of Music (Vocal Performance) from the University of Redlands. She has sung with such groups as the San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Symphony, Tokyo Philharmonic, Northwest Opera, Crux Vocal Ensemble,

27 and is currently a member of Systir and always maintained a passion for both the renowned Irish vocal ensemble teaching and performing. ANÚNA. Along with an extensive performance history, she also has a She loves connecting with singers of breadth of experience in education, and all ages and backgrounds using music has taught in four different countries. as a conduit for self-expression and Some past educational highlights exploration. Kaitlin is especially excited include serving as the founder and to join the San Francisco Girls Chorus Director of the Music Education Program faculty as Director of the Training Chorus and Choir through Centro Arte para la this year. She also currently serves as Paz in Suchitoto, El Salvador, elementary Director of Vocalise, her beloved treble school music teacher for the non profit choir within the Pre-College Division Music for Minors, voice instructor for the at the San Francisco Conservatory of Redlands Community School of music, Music. She cherishes her students from instructor at Maoin Cheoil na Gaillimh former ensembles in both private and in Ireland, and the founder and director public schools across the country, as of the Children’s Stage Workshop for well as those in her private voice studio. Northwest Opera A sought after classical Kaitlin is a Mezzo Soprano and has soloist in the United States and abroad, enjoyed singing with professional choirs she has also served as a cantor in the throughout the U.S., most recently at dioceses of San Francisco and San Jose, Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall, and as the Santa Clara Mission, and the Galway a soloist with the California Symphony. Cathedral. Her active musical career includes international performances in classical As a teacher, Ariel is known for her and contemporary opera, recitals, and fun-filled lessons, her enthusiasm and musical theater. encouragement, and her drive to make the gift of music accessible to everyone. With the recognition that each voice OTHELLO JEFFERSON, Training Chorus is exquisitely unique, she creates safe Co-Director spaces for musicians to explore their Othello Jefferson holds a Bachelor of instrument and experience exponential Music degree in Voice from the San growth. She is delighted to be able to Francisco Conservatory of Music and return to her first musical home in the a music teaching credential from San role of Level I Director. Francisco State University. An award- winning Choir Director while teaching at San Francisco’s Lowell High School KAITLIN BERTSCHI, Training Chorus for 10 years, he is currently the Choir Director Director at Sequoia High School and Kaitlin Bertschi, a New York native Accompanist/ Organist for the Ragazzi with a Bachelor of Music Education Boys Chorus, both in Redwood City, CA. degree from Loyola University New He also serves as Minister of Music for Orleans, a Master of Music degree and the First African Methodist Episcopal a Post-Graduate Diploma from the San Zion Church in San Francisco as well as Francisco Conservatory of Music, has the denomination’s Western Episcopal

28 District. Othello received a Gospel Music of Arts in Music from San Francisco Award from San Francisco’s Academy of State University and a Masters in Music Gospel and a Negro Spirituals Heritage Education from Holy Names University. Keepers Award from the Friends of Negro Spirituals in Oakland. RENÉE WITON, Theory Instructor Renée Witon teaches piano, music CHRISTOPHER STREET, Prep Chorus history, theory, and appears as a soloist, Director & Training Chorus Co-Director chamber musician and accompanist Christopher Street is currently entering in the Bay Area and beyond. She is his seventh year as a teaching artist and Associate Professor at St. Mary’s College composer with the San Francisco Opera. of California. Witon has received degrees Originally from the East End of Long from Alverno College (BMus) and The Island, New York, Street has performed Catholic University of America (MMus). with large and small gospel concert She studied piano with Benedicta choirs, and bands across the U.S. since Fritz, James Norden, Béla Nagy and the age of 16. He also serves as an chamber music with Robert Gerle. Elementary School Behavioral Specialist Further studies include composition with within the San Francisco Unified School Robert Parris at The George Washington District and has worked with varied Bay University. Witon has also taught piano Area neighborhood youth programs for at The George Washington University over two decades. In his work, Street in Washington, DC, and has worked aims to facilitate students’ motivation as a music specialist at the Library of in accessing their inner strengths and Congress. She produced and hosted abilities through project-based activities KUSF-FM’s contemporary classical that truly inspire them. Street specializes showcase program, Classics Without in providing a culturally, stimulating, Walls. Her solo piano CD, features hands-on learning environment that music of Brahms, Beethoven, Suk, fosters confidence and encourages Ravel and her own compositions. She children to reach their fullest potential. also maintains a private piano studio in Oakland, California.

EMILY KUSNADI, Prep Chorus Director Emily Ryan started singing with the San BOBBY CHASTAIN, AP Music Theory Francisco Girls Chorus at the age of Instructor seven. She has continued to sing with Composer, conductor, bassoonist, and many local ensembles, including the San singer Robert “Bobby” Chastain entered Francisco Symphony Chorus and the UC the SFGC family as interim conductor Berkeley Chamber Chorus. Currently, for the Level IV chorus and now teaches Emily sings with Volti, EUQUAE, and ear training and AP Music Theory. His the Parish Choir at St. Mary the Virgin diverse background gives him a creative Church. In addition to directing at the approach to pedagogy, emphasizing SF Girls Chorus, she teaches classroom music as a hearing art, a performative music for the Cantare Children’s Choirs art, as well as a written one. of Oakland. Emily holds a Bachelor

29 His music is often highly contrapuntal CÉLINE RICCI, Soloist Intensive and richly textured, with an occasional Instructor & Artistic Projects Assistant return to simplicity. Composer John Céline is Ars Minerva’s Founder. She Corigliano described Chastain as being stage directed Ars Minerva’s productions “a virtuoso with the orchestra, [and with] La Cleopatra, The Amazons in the a distinctive sound.” Arts SF described Fortunate Isles, La Circe and Ifigenia in his music as being “irresistible” with Aulide. Her recent staging of Domenico “great momentum,” while SF Classical Freschi’s Ermelinda garnered great Voice described his orchestral and wind critical praise: “Ars Minerva revives an ensemble work, Metanoia, as a “sound unknown opera with beauty and style.” poem with well-rendered effects and a Joshua Kosman, The Chronicle. rich texture… will have a lasting appeal for Céline, born in Florence of Italian and wind ensembles around the world.” As French parents, studied in Paris and a composer of orchestral, chamber, and continued her post-graduate studies choral works, he has won the Susan and at the Guildhall School of Music and Ford Schumann Fellowship to the Aspen Drama in London. Selected by renowned Summer Music Festival and School as conductor William Christie for his well as a Williamson Foundation Grant to academy, Le Jardin des Voix, she was the European American Musical Alliance named one of opera’s promising new in Paris, France. talents in 2005 by Opernwelt. During the 2016–2017 season, she joins West As a conductor, Chastain is equally Edge Opera as Nero in Agrippina and comfortable with instrumental and vocal returns to Akademie für Alte Musik for ensembles. His current ensembles performances in Rome. include “Collegium,” the SATB chorus of the San Francisco Conservatory Pre- Ms. Ricci has an impressive discography College Division, “Mouthscape,” the that includes a number of audio new music chorus of the San Francisco recordings and two DVDs. She has Conservatory, and Bella Musica of performed with many distinguished Berkeley, CA. Chastain’s music can now conductors, including Nicolas McGegan, be heard on iTunes and Naxos with a William Christie, Jean-Christophe recording of his Metanoia by the San Spinosi, Martin Haselbock, Martin Gester, Francisco Wind Ensemble. Matthew Dirst, and Attilio Cremonesi, among others. In addition, she has When he is not composing, Bobby worked with choreographer Sasha enjoys spending time with his wife and Waltz and director Deborah Warner on 2 sons, learning aviation, and practicing a number of projects. Her touring has the ancient art of fermentation. taken her to New York, Los Angeles, Berlin, London, Brussels, Israel, and Barcelona, Paris, Vienna, Amsterdam, Moscow, and St. Petersburg.

30 TONIA D’AMELIO, Soloist Intensive Byrd Festival in Portland, Oregon, and at Instructor the Edington Festival of Music within the Called “extravagantly charismatic” by the Liturgy in Wiltshire, U.K. Next season, Tonia San Francisco Chronicle and praised by looks forward to her European debut in San Francisco Classical Voice for her Jean-Marie LeClair’s Scylla et Glaucus at “vivid and technically assured” singing, the Royal Opera of Versailles. soprano Tonia D’Amelio has sung with opera companies, orchestras, chamber In addition to singing and teaching voice, ensembles, and vocal consorts across Tonia teaches alignment-focused barre the U.S. and abroad. fitness classes at The Dailey Method’s Piedmont and Berkeley studios. A versatile singer with a repertoire spanning five centuries, Tonia particularly enjoys premiering opera and SILVIE JENSEN, Soloist Intensive concert works. She created the role of Instructor Celia in Allen Shearer’s Middlemarch “Marvelous,” “elegant,” “beautiful”—so has in Spring for the world premiere in the New York Times described mezzo- San Francisco and the revival with soprano Silvie Jensen. Ms. Jensen has Charlottesville Opera, sang in the first appeared recently with the San Francisco performance of Ryan Brown’s Mortal Symphony, as alto soloist in St John Lessons at the Hot Air Festival, and Passion, as the Nurse in Boris Godunov, joined the Grace Cathedral Choir of Men and as alto soloist in the Bach Magnificat. and Boys to premiere Ben Bachmann’s Ms. Jensen has recently been engaged Fantasia on American Christmas Carols. with Lyric Opera of Chicago and San Tonia also performed featured roles in Francisco Opera in Die Meistersinger von the modern stage premieres of Jean- Nürnberg, with Island City Opera and the Philippe Rameau’s Le Temple de la Mendocino Music Festival; with American Gloire (1745 version) with Philharmonia Chamber Opera in Chicago as Carmen; Baroque Orchestra and Chorale, and with One World Symphony as Olga in Carlo Pallavicino’s Le Amazzoni nell’Isole Eugene Onegin, and has premiered new Fortunate (1679) with Ars Minerva. operas with Riverside Opera, Stonington Opera House, at the Ostrava Days Other favorite opera and concert credits Festival the in Czech Republic, and at the include The Queen of the Night (Die Carolina Chamber Music Festival. She Zauberflöte), Musetta (La Bohème), has created and performed new works at Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Elisetta (Il London’s Barbican Centre with Ornette matrimonio segreto), and soprano solos in Coleman, Teatro Comunale di Ferrara Mozart’s Mass in C minor, Mendelssohn’s with Meredith Monk, and Carnegie Hall Lobgesang, and Orff’s Carmina Burana. with Philip Glass. Ms. Jensen made her As a passionate advocate for sacred music solo debut at Carnegie Hall singing St. in sacred spaces, Tonia has been a soloist Matthew Passion with Ivan Fischer and for liturgical performances of Monteverdi’s the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. She also Vespers of 1610, Mozart’s Requiem, and appeared at Carnegie Hall as the alto J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion, and has soloist in Handel’s Messiah with Musica participated as a guest artist at the William Sacra. She has appeared in recital in

31 New York at Weill Recital Hall, Steinway specializes in infant/early childhood Hall, Symphony Space, Americas Society, mental health and trauma work within the Liederkranz Club, The Stone, Bonhams, foster care system. She also maintains Nicholas Roerich Museum, The Cell a small private and early childhood Theatre, and at the Ethical Humanist consultation practice in San Francisco. Society in Philadelphia. Her solo album Who Is Silvie? is available on iTunes. Visit www.silviejensen.com for more VIRGINIA PEDEN, Dean Of Choristers EB information. Virginia is an Associate Marriage and Family therapist registered in California Silvie is an alumna of SFGC and is and Louisiana. She has a Master’s delighted to be teaching with the Soloist degree in Counseling Psychology with Intensive for the second year. a focus in Expressive Arts Therapy from California Institute of Integral Studies. Since graduating in 2013, she has RACHEL CLEE, Dean Of Choristers SF enjoyed working with young people and Rachel Clee, Dean of Choristers (San families in a variety of settings. Virginia Francisco), is a licensed Marriage and is also a certified yoga teacher and has Family Therapist. She received her MS in a background in mindfulness education. Clinical Psychology from San Francisco She is particularly passionate about State University, with an additional integrating mindfulness into her work post-graduate certification from the with young people as she sees this as a Napa Infant-Parent Mental Health valuable tool for building self awareness, Fellowship Certificate Program, and honing executive functioning skills and holds a California state endorsement as developing self care strategies. She an Infant/family Early Childhood Mental is thrilled to be returning to SFGC this Health Specialist. In her current role semester and is looking forward to an as a supervisor in the San Francisco exciting year of music making. Department of Public Health, Rachel

32 PROGRAM NOTES

Ay, mi palomita! is a traditional lullaby with quiet and graceful gliding and from the Dominican Republic, and it walking motions, with more lively versions is also known with some variations in involving leaping or jumping. “Bassez the text in Argentina, Venezuela, Cuba, Down” (the word “bassez” being of French Puerto Rico, and other Latin American Creole origin) means ‘dance low down.’ countries. The peaceful tune and simple text is about an adored little dove that is This song is a wonderful way to explore able to grow strong and spread its wings music from another culture, engage due to the love it received. choristers with a short but challenging ~ arranger, Juan Tony Guzmán melody that helps to improve their vocal and rhythmic ability, and invite young singers to experience another joyful Son de Camaguey “The Spanish word point of destination in their journey of son translates as “sound,” but in this music and singing! case son should be taken to mean ~ Othello Jefferson “rhythm,” the rhythm of the Son Cubano, which spread from Cuba in the 1930s and influenced many other styles such Cinq Chansons Folkloriques d’Haiti is as salsa. Costa means “coast” and arranged by Electo Silva, a composer tradiciones, “traditions.” The other words from Santiago, Cuba. Level III will be have more layers of meaning. Linda can singing #3 and #4 of the 5 folk songs. mean pretty, lovely, marvellous. Brava is not only “brave,” but also “splendid, wild Feill’ oh, is a song about a parent going and stormy.” Cosa is a “thing,” but also to a voodoo priest or priestess to can refer to how things are handled in a get help for their sick child. Feill’oh is more general sense, as in eso es cosa translated literally as “leaves” but in this mia—“that’s my business.” The verse context it means “herbs.” The herbs are of the song praises not only the music what is used to help cure the child. The and scenery of Camaguey, but also how words are repeated rhythmically as part naturally good-looking the people are. of the healing charm. ~ Stephen Hatfield Dodo Titit (sleep little one) is a lullaby. The child is being asked to fall asleep or Bassez Down a crab will come and eat them! Luckily, For our selection, the Training Chorus the crab goes into the gumbo, so all is from the Bayview Opera House campus well for a good night’s sleep! is singing a West Indian Folk Song called ~ Terry Alvord “Bassez Down.” The Chorus loves to dance and move in rehearsal and this song is a good way to combine a love The words for Mi Zeh Hidlik were written for singing with a love for movement! by Levin Kipnis (1894–1990). Born in the In the Renaissance Era, the “basse danse” Ukraine, his first story was published (low dance) was a popular court dance in a children’s magazine when he was

33 thirteen. In 1913, he immigrated to Israel words sung by the Prep Chorus are a and was a pioneer in creating children’s poetic translation of the original Spanish literature in modern Hebrew. Kipnis text. The young singers enjoyed exploring published more than 800 stories, 600 their voices in imitating the beautiful poems, and 100 books in his lifetime. sound of the coquí. ~ Transcontinental Music Publications ~ Emily Kusnadi

Music of the Birds Cosecha (Harvest) is a piece inspired by We are all different birds! All our birds’ the botanic illustrations of Puerto Rican songs are important but they only form a artist and educator Rosaura Rodríguez tiny particle of life existing on our planet which showcase plants, tropical fruits, earth. Let’s hope for all the songs of life to vegetables and native herbs from the remain and to be preserved. The seven island. Rosaura is part of an important bird songs, imitated by young artists movement of young farmers reclaiming and professional biologists, are curated Puerto Rico’s agricultural history fostering in collaboration with The Smithsonian sustainable practices and driven by a National Museum of Natural History deep sense of community and local action. scholars, Kronos Quartet, San Francisco Girls Chorus and Sirkhane Social Circus At a difficult time of continuous natural School, a circus organization on the disasters on the island, an ongoing Turkish Syrian border dedicated to economic crisis, blatant government children affected by conflicts and war. corruption and centuries of colonialism, The seven types of birds are selected I see in Rosaura’s work a beautiful as an homage to seven valleys of love reminder of the richness of our natural depicted in the 12th-century Persian resources which underlines the poetic masterpiece, “The Conference importance of protecting and nurturing of the Birds.” Let’s listen to the Music of them. This piece is a celebration of Puerto the Birds and momentarily connect with Rico’s gorgeous and delicious natural ourselves again through the alchemy of resources as well as a celebration of the nature, music and magic. young people that are advocating for ~ Sahba Aminikia the island’s agricultural sovereignty and building resilience through sustainability. ~ Angélica Negrón El coquí, a children’s folk song, tells of a tiny tree frog that can only be found on the island of Puerto Rico. Every night, Paruparong Bukid is a traditional from dusk to dawn, the male coquí Filipino folk song which originated sings it’s quiet mating song—“coquí, from “Mariposa Bella,” a Filipino song coquí”—to attract the female frog. The in Spanish, which originated in the coquí has been part of Puerto Rican 1890s. The song “Mariposa Bella” history for centuries and has become was composed during the time of the a quintessential Puerto Rican symbol. American invasion of the Philippines. There is even a common saying in Puerto During the American occupation of Rico that exclaims, “Soy de aquí como el the Philippines in 1898, the Spanish coquí” (I’m from here, like the coquí). The speaking Filipinos commenced including

34 the song itself. Paruparong Bukid is a About Scene Four: “Joe Calls Me and very popular Tagalog folk song. The You Greens” song depicts a flirtatious meadow In the fourth scene, presented here, our butterfly that goes fluttering about in protagonist Angeles Monrayo is coming the middle of the street, showing off her into her own, as she explores fun and finery. She wears a one-yard tunic over romance with her friends. Long after a little petticoat, a skirt with an incredibly living in a Strike Camp (scene 1), Angeles long train, and an ornamental comb. and her god-sister Mary, along with their ~ George Gemora Hernandez families, have moved in together into a small apartment in Honolulu. Angeles, now portrayed by an older singer, takes a Bahay Kubo is a traditional Filipino folk romantic liking to Joe Flores; their ukulele song, and a favorite among children. This playing downstairs Filipino neighbor. cheerful song describes various fruits and Angeles and Joe explore a relationship, vegetables growing around a Nipa hut, often in the company of Mary, telling of an architectural icon of the Philippines. the poverty and lack of privacy continuing The SFGC Training Chorus examined the from the Strike Camp. Mary and Angeles language of this piece and each singer chat about Joe, and how they cannot made their own artistic representation of figure out where in the Philippines he is the small hut, indigenous of to the native from, as he has abandoned his native people of the Philippines, and the garden tongue for the American English and local that grows around it. Japanese (from a prior immigration wave ~ Kaitlin Bertschi of indentured-servitude from Japan). Both Angie and Joe play ukulele, and “Tomorrow’s Memories: A Little Manila they all celebrate their time together by Diary” is a choral-opera for SFGC and singing popular American songs as a takes its name from the published diary trio. Joe and Angeles grow closer into of Filipina-American Angeles Monrayo an innocent romance, yet their age gap (her diary spans from 1924–1928). The points to the rarity of young women opera pulls a thread from her eloquent in the Filipino immigrant population at personal reflections and anecdotes to the time, a shocking 14 men to every 1 fashion a young woman’s coming-of-age woman. The flavor of popular Hawaiian story and tale of immigration to the US and Continental US music, so lovingly from the Philippines during the American- absorbed by Angeles, is abstracted into Philippine Colonial Era. Angeles is a lover a musical landscape culled from the of song and music which represents her harmonic and rhythmic worlds of Aloha life’s range, from her native birthplace Oe and the stand out hit from the 1920s: in Romblon in the Visaya’s, through her The Charleston! stay in Hawaii, and eventual settling in ~ Matthew Welch Stockton, California, in a neighborhood known then as Little Manila. Her tale is Tomorrow’s Memories: A Little Manila Diary set as a metaphor for the unique cultural is made possible in part by a grant from The forming of Philippine-American diaspora Creative Work Fund, a program of the Walter and Elise Haas Fund that also is supported by and also as a mirror held up to our The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. current socio-political issues of equality in immigration, labor, gender, and culture.

35 SFGC STAFF AND FACULTY

SFGC LEADERSHIP ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Valérie Sainte-Agathe, Artistic Director Alison Bernet, Director of Development Adriana Marcial, Interim Executive Director Monica Covitt, Director of Chorus School Beth Schecter, Interim Managing Director Operations & Community Engagement Elaine Robertson, Director of Production and Artistic Administration ARTISTIC FACULTY Anna Leal, Development Manager Catherine Tan, Finance Associate , Director of Voice Studies Dr. Justin Montigne Michelle Markey, Bookkeeper Johann Joson, Chorus School Coordinator LEVEL DIRECTORS Rachel Clee, Dean of Choristers , Level IV Director Dr. Anne Hege Virginia Peden, Dean of Choristers , Level III Director Terry Alvord Brenden Guy, Marketing and PR Consultant Monica Covitt, Level II Director Natascha Bach, Level I Director; Director of REHEARSAL & OFFICE ASSISTANTS Programs Premier Ensemble: Delilah Whitaker , Level I Director Ariel Estebez Level IV: Lola Miller-Henline , Training Chorus Director Kaitlin Bertschi Level III: Charlotte Hall , Training Chorus Co-Director Othello Jefferson Level II: Christina Bogiages Training Chorus Christopher Street, Level I: Maya Dluzak, Olivia Kendrick, Co-Director; Prep Chorus Director Emma Powell, Renee Theodore , Prep Chorus Director Emily Ryan Kusnadi Training Chorus: Gabrielle Haddick, Sarah Liu, Lola Miller-Henline, Renee Theodore MUSIC THEORY INSTRUCTORS Prep Chorus: Gabrielle Haddick, Eva Jackson, Renée Witon, Music Theory Instructor Lola Miller-Henline, Annika Pyo Levels I–IV Development and Administrative Office , AP Music Theory, Bobby Chastain Aides: Jungah Ahn, Renee Theodore Ear Training, and Conducting Instructor

SOLOIST INTENSIVE INSTRUCTORS BAYVIEW OPERA HOUSE: Tonia D’Amelio, Soloist Intensive and Chorus RUTH WILLIAMS MEMORIAL THEATER School Voice Instructor Silvie Jensen, Soloist Intensive Voice Instructor Barbara Ockel, Executive Director Celine Ricci, Soloist Intensive Voice Instructor; Allegra Handy-Madsen, Director of Programs Artistic Assistant Zarahia “Z” Perdomo, Production Manager Ashley “Smiley” Smiley, Theater Manager/ PIANISTS SFGC Liaison Chesley Mok, Premier Ensemble Pianist Cesar Cancino, Level IV Pianist Angela Rey, Level III Pianist BOARD OF DIRECTORS Katelyn Tan, Level III Pianist; Level I Pianist Mary Ruppert, President Astghik Sakanyan, Level II Pianist Sarah Hollenbeck, Vice President Annie Hargraves, Level II Pianist Hon. Charles Ferguson, Treasurer Matt Bourne, Level I Pianist Leah Fitschen Schloss, Secretary Xiaoxiao Ji, Level I Pianist Carrie Zhang, Level I Pianist Shaina Anderson Doug Hall Elisabeth Easton, Training Chorus Pianist JD Beltran Alison Huang, MD Nathan Crowe, Music Librarian Madhavi Dandu, MD Ann Miller

36 Son de Camaguey Seven Principles Arranged with special music by Written by Bernice Reagon Stephen Hatfield Published by Songtalk Publishing Co. Copyright © 2012 by Boosey & Hawkes, Inc. International Copyright Secured All Rights Reserved Mi Zeh Hidlik Traditional, arr. Elliot Z. Levine Rights Administered by Transcontinental Music “Ay! Mi Palomita (Oh! My Little Dove)” Publications Written by Juan Guzman Boosey & Hawkes, Inc. By arrangement with Concord Deck the Hall Traditional Welsh Carol Arranged by John Rutter Three Little Birds Copyright © 1980 by Oxford University Press Written by Bob Marley Reproduced by permission Rights administered by Blue Mountain Music All rights reserved.

Paruparong Bukid (The Butterfly Field) Cosecha Traditional Filipino Folk Song Angélica Negrón, composer Arranged by Henry Leck and Ellis Martin © Big Branch Music Publishing, Inc. Copyright (c) 2004 by HAL LEONARD Used by permission. CORPORATION International Copyright Secured All Rights Reserved Stille Nacht (Silent Night) By Franz Gruber (1787–1863), arranged by John Rutter, Words by Josef Mohr (1792–1848) Cinq Chansons Folkloriques d’Haiti / 6269 From ‘Carols for Choirs 4’ Arranged by Electo Silva Copyright © 1980 Oxford University Press Copyright © 1997 Neil A. Kjos Music Co. All rights reserved.

37 Uplifting and empowering girls for a lifetime of success through transformative music education

PREP OPEN FOR NO GIRLS CHORUS AUDITION AGES 4–7 Spring 2021 REQUIRED

Classes will be offered online starting in January, and take place for 45-minutes, once per week, on Saturdays, Mondays, or Tuesdays.

ENROLL TODAY! For more information or to register, please visit sfgirlschorus.org/prep-chorus 38 SAN FRANCISCO GIRLS CHORUS DONORS

San Francisco Girls Chorus gratefully acknowledges the following individuals, foundations, and corporations whose support makes possible the 2020–21 season.

FOUNDER’S CIRCLE The Founders Circle recognizes the generosity of our long-time donors whose cumulative contributions to the Chorus through the years have reached $100,000 or more.

Kay Bishop Carol and Richard Harris Jeannik Méquet Littlefield Lynne A. Carmichael Marie and George Hecksher Louise and Paul Renne Dorian Kingman Chong and Mary and Doug Ireland SFGC Alumna Family Gordon Chong Ms. Wendy E. Jordan Sheila and Ellen and Joffa Dale Jordan Real Estate Toby Schwartzburg Peter M. Drake Investments Diane B. Wilsey Spencer and Rena Fulweiler The Kanbar Charitable Trust Isabelle and Charles Hamker Karen J. Kubin

INDIVIDUAL DONORS SFGC extends sincere thanks to all individual donors for contributions received between July 1, 2019 and December 13, 2020. We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of our lists. If we have made errors or omissions, please accept our apologies and contact the Development Department at [email protected].

THE ELIZABETH AVAKIAN LEADERSHIP CIRCLE The Elizabeth Avakian Leadership Circle was established in honor of Chorus School Founder and Director Emeritus, Elizabeth Avakian, and her extraordinary contributions to the San Francisco Girls Chorus. SFGC recognizes all annual donors of $5,000 and above as members of the Avakian Circle.

$25,000–$49,999 Louise and Paul Renne $1,000–$2,499 Spencer and Rena Fulweiler Mary and Greg Ruppert Sabrina Adler ‘96 and Alison Huang and Kashya Shei and Joshua Hugo Hilton Jonathan Howe Greenberg, in memory of David Ahn SFGC Alumna Family Jeff and Lily Greenberg Shaina Anderson and Sheila and Toby Schwartzburg Julia Trujillo and Sanket Agarwal Richard Bourgon Anne and Brian Berger $10,000–$24,999 Maryanne Bertram and Carol and Richard Harris $2,500–$4,999 John Ayer, in honor of Sarah and Tim Kingsbury The Afshar Dandu Family, in Lynne Carmichael Diane B. Wilsey honor of Nyara Afshar Simon Bertrang and Elizabeth and Peter Andrews Marianne McCune $5,000–$9,999 Kelly and John Close Kathleen Burke and Ralph Davis, Elizabeth Avakian Charles Ferguson and Kay Dryden in honor of Dorian Kingman Sam and Walter De Brouwer Ying Fung and Kenneth Lee Chong Lynne A. Carmichael Frank and Sally Lopez, in memory Julie and Doug Carlucci Dorian Kingman Chong and Kathryn Lefever Shankar Chandran and Gordon Chong Ann Gray Miller Rong Pan Ellen and Joffa Dale Diane Compagno Miller Mary Jessie Cosnard des Sharon Gould Rhonda L. Nelson Closets, in honor of Sheila and Sarah Hollenbeck and The Dale T. Rogers Family Toby Schwartzburg David Serrano Sewell Leah Fitschen Schloss ‘85 and Janet Cluff C. Bradford Jeffries Cantor Randall Schloss Stephen and Shirley Easton Robert and Darci Kendrick Mark R. Grace

39 Marlene Grenon and The Kelly Family Mrs. and Mr. Edmond A. Garrett Koehn Jim and Leslie Kingsbury Kavounas Douglas Hall and Jim Kingsbury and Leslie Hom Linda and Robert Klett Diane Andrews Hall Jane V. Kite Cyra Koupal, in honor of The Hall Family Renee Lorda Christopher Street Isabelle and Charles Hamker, in Jennifer and Richard Lyons Wynne Kwee and honor of Valérie Sainte-Agathe Peter and June Mierau Cheuk Hung Tam Mary and Doug Ireland John and Debby Murphy Jeannette LaFors and Edward Ko, MD and Mindy Guan Roger Murray Matthew Kelemen Alexandra Kovach Catherine Naumann and Sara Epstein Lewin ‘02 and Noel and Irma Laxamana ‘89 John Ratto, in memory of Adam Lewin Suzanne and Jim Li Elizabeth Naumann Zhiqing Li The MacKenzie Family Michael Ohliger and Huaiyu Ali Linder and Kent David Barbara J. Meislin and Yang, in honor of Sophie’s Patricia and George Lundberg Stuart M. Kaplan Wonderful Grandparents Iain A. Macdonald and Therese Melinda and Ralph Mendelson Stefani Phipps C. Tuttle, in honor of Kathleen Natasha Mohanty and Christopher Saari Murray and Arthur Perkins Soham Mazumdar Kimberly Sargent Chandra and Laxmi Maharjan, in Marshall J. and Emily M. Mugge, Mario and Sandra Sewell honor of Lavanna Maharjan in memory of Harriet Barbanell David A. Shapiro, MD and Melina Mathur Lisa Murphy and Beth Weise Sharon L. Wheatley Kathryn McCarthy ‘01 and Kathleen Murray and Arthur Linda Skory John McCarthy Perkins, in memory of Stumpf Family A. Kirk McKenzie Anne Murray Ladd Emily and Robert Warden Sachiko Minowa and Jeanne E. Newman Jeffrey and Meredith Watts John Riley Janelle Noble and Brad Whitaker and Yuliya Oryol and Isaac Vulakh George Martin Maureen Sullivan Julia and Jonathan Pyo Karina and Bruno Pradal Anonymous (2) Adair Rosin John Sanger, in honor of Paola Rossaro Doug Hall $250–$499 Dremeco Seifert Kimberly Sargent Tali Alban Melanie Smith and Bill Pine Sandra Soderlund Zoee Astrachan and Rori Habas Smith, in memory of Marjorie and Andrew Swain, in Andrew Dunbar Paul Habas honor of Madeline Swain JD Beltran and Scott Minneman Jodi K. Swick Sowmya Swaminathan and Eileen Bernet, in honor of Mike Truesdell, Sheila Truesdell, Stuart Strickland Alison Bernet and Anna Leal’s and Rayanne Truesdell ‘96 Helgi and Marlene Tomasson hard work Moya and Alyosha Verzhbinsky, Cindy and Jonathan Tran Penny and Hoy Bertrang, in in honor of Darya Verzhbinsky Lee and Susan Woody, in honor honor of Lois McTrang June Wiley and Bruce McCubbrey of Embley Fuchs Diana Brito Priscilla Winslow and Rosalind Wyman Mark and Lucie Charkin Frances Feldon Lucia Yin Susanna Cheng Ling Zhan, D.D.S. Jacqueline Cherry Bin Zhang and Jifei Jia $500–$999 Michelle Clair Anonymous (4) Nadine and Richard Amarelo Christine Col Natascha L. Bach Cathy and Sandy Dean $100–$249 Charlotte Burchard Dr. Holly Downes, in honor of The Ancheta Family Christian and Amy Cebrian ‘92 Lucy Downes Nancy and Richard Anderson Charlotte B. Choi Family Joanna Foster and The Anderson-Schwarz Family Kathy Drake, in honor of Ernesto Catena Nina Atanassova, in honor of Carolyn Drake Phyllis and Paul Greenberg Alexandra Kovatchev Matt and Krista Easton Nancy and Nick Haritatos Dudley and Michael Del Balso Alex Feldman and RJ Huijsman Martha and Peter Hollenbeck David and Terry Bamberger Carolyn Zecca Ferris James Hudak, in honor of Mark Berman Kim and Neal Habas Jacqueline Hudak Wharton Alison Bernet and Ian Murphy Evelyn Xinfeng Hu Jennifer Jennings Susan Blinderman and Jeannine James Craig Kaiser

40 Jean Bogiages Semi and John Lim, in honor of $50–$99 John and Lisa Borgeson, in Abigail Lim Abels Family honor of Justin Montigne Yan Lin The Appler Family Elizabeth Richards Brashers ‘85 Denise Loughran Tiffany Unarce Barry and Per Brashers Sarah Norris Lundquist ‘85 and Benton-Aufterbeck family Luisa Buada Martin Lundquist Ariane Bicho Dr. Gnarity K. Burke and Eleanor Lyon and Matt Marostica Erin and Keith Blackwood Mr. Colman J. Burke, in honor Robert Lueck and Karen Martin Juliette Bobrow of Dr. Jasper Elizabeth Burke Shani Mahany and Jason Sauvie, Emily P. Brito Ninive Calegari in memory of Sue Lunbeck Butler, in honor of Deirdre Campbell Roger Mahany Andrea Butler ‘02 Jie Cao Mary Lee McCune Chih-Ying Chang Patrick and Dorothee Chanezon Alissa and Mark McLean Vidalia Cordon and Chi-Sheen Family Myrna Melgar and Melvin Galvez Leona Chen Sean Donahue Devan and Bethany Cross Evelyn Clair Sujata Menon Joe Dimento and Emily Murphy Arthur and Heidi Cinader Bernadette Meyler, in memory of Kathy Drake, in honor of Serena Culmone Joan Meyler Carolyn Drake Adela Darrow Natasha Mihal ‘87 The Ecker Family, in honor of Rio Dluzak Patel-Novakovic Family Leah Schloss Maria, Martin and Elizabeth Ebert Neil Penick and Louis Cubba, Nina Erickson and Phoenix and Josh Feinbloom in honor of Harper Dandridge Hisae Matsuda Cathy Fornaca Cubba-Penick Molly Forstall Molly Forstall Jennifer Pett-Ridge Jeanne Gerrity Kerry L. Francis Drucilla Ramey and Stephen and Margaret Gill Elizabeth Freeman, in memory of Marvin Stender Dawn Gordon and Caroline Freeman Maria Raven and Andrew Dreskin Jim Gourgoutis Michael R. Gordon Rachel Roberson and Edith Haritatos Vali and Simon Govier, in honor Allison Cain Marlene Harrison, in honor of of Rohini and Sashi Richard Rubin and Alison Bernet David and Melissa Haddick, in Marcia Smolens Paula and Dan Holcomb, in honor of Gabrielle Haddick Kathleen Rydar honor of Molly and Bill Hamilton June and Bob Safran Emily McLean Deirdre and Christopher Hedrick Karen and Stephane Saux MaryStarr Hope and Tamra C. Hege, in honor of Beth Schecter and Carl Oddo Matt Gaughan Anne Hege Ruchira Shah and David Grunwald Bridget Hurley, in honor of Rochelle and Ed Hidalgo Mark Shapiro, in honor of Zoe Lepper Cecilia Hogan Valérie Sainte-Agathe Mallory Jensen and Brian Crist Zhebin Benson Huang and Alexandra Siliezar Marian Kohlstedt, in memory of Limin Tjandrajati Marion and Ronald Stein, in Christine Kohlstedt ‘84 Cliff Jarrard honor of Louise and Paul Renne The Langmack Family Beverlee Johnson Carolyn Sweeney Kim and Jay Lee Rod and Sue Johnson, in honor Milena Talavera Megan Lemley of Marie and Audrey Johnson Vivien and Anthony Tin Mark and Jeanne Lepper, in Gary and Christina Jones Patricia Unterman honor of Zoë Lepper Barney Jones Nan Warren Sheng Li Liz Keim Stephanie M. Wei, in memory of Gimena Malcampo Rosemary Kendrick Stella Wei Pat and Jon Martin Jen Vlahos Kessler ‘84, Jay Weiss Andrew McCrary Gabriel Kessler, and Marjorie and Lester Westphal Rachel Medanic and Dave Watt Emma Powell ‘18 Jenny Williams Caterina Montaldo Salomeh Keyhani Patrick and Jennifer Wong Lainie and Jascha Narvefeffer Cindy Koehn and Camden Hicks Phillip Wong Deborah Newquist, in honor of David Kramer, in memory of James Wyatt and Stephanie Case June Murphy DiMento Susan Shargel Jianan Xu Korina Park and Mark Schiller Lila LaHood Tetyana Zelinska John, Natalie, and Kharis Patton Lorita Lai and Ken Chow Anonymous (11)

41 Bruce and MeMe Pederson, in Julie Rulyak Steinberg, in honor Dionne Wrights and David Falla honor of Mackenzie Pederson of Andrew Bradford Lori L. Yamauchi and Elaine Selsberg, in honor of Blanche Germain Streeter James D. Fagler Ruby Recht-Appel Anne Thompson ‘96 Audrey Zavell and Michael Bloom Polina Shishkina Kit Wall Renata Zuzga Sandi Smith ‘87 Dr. and Ms. David Whistler, in Anonymous (3) Patricia Somers honor of Adea Hansen-Whistler

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HENRY MAYO NEWHALL FOUNDATION

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