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Home , Deniece Williams, Howard Hewett, Jacksonville Symphony, Jesse Williams (actor), Jonathan Biss, Music festival

The St. Augustine Presents

Let Freedom Sing AT THE ST. AUGUSTINE AMPHITHEATRE The St. Augustine Music Festival Chamber Orchestra and The Ritz Chamber Players & Choir SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2021 | 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM

The St. Augustine Music Festival and the Ritz Chamber Players celebrate Juneteenth – also known as Freedom Day! June 19, 1865 celebrates the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the . The SAMF Chamber Orchestra and the Ritz Chamber Players, bring together a united, multi-community choir performing an inspiring selection of Negro Spirituals and classical works all rejoicing in the triumphs of the civil rights movement. The Festival Choir will be joined by renowned choral conduc- tors Dr. Herbert Vincent-Ricardo Pea’dro Jones and Deborah McDuffie. Enjoy this musical celebration of of freedom spanning the African Diaspora and beyond. Let Freedom Sing! In the evening, the SAMF Festival Chamber Orchestra – joined by the Ritz Chamber Players – present an evening of musical diver- sity and classics with featured pianist Terrence Wilson performing Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 5.

PROGRAM 3:00 PM | Exsultate, Jubilate Exsultate, Jubilate ~ Allegro. Alleluja ~ Molto allegro Alison Buchanan, Soprano. Gabriela Peña, Violin. Megan Rios , Violin. Lauren Hodges, Viola. Betsy Federman, Cello. ADOLPHUS HAILSTORK | Songs of Love and Justice (words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) I. Love II. Decisions MARGARET BONDS | Three Dream Portraits, (Text: Langston Hughes) Mistrel Man ~ Dream Variation ~ I, Too HALL JOHNSON | Ride on King Jesus Alison Buchanan, Soprano. Terrence Wilson, Piano. | Trio in D Major, Op. 70, No. 1, Ghost Allegro vivace e con brio ~ Largo assai ed espressivo ~ Presto. Gabriela Peña, Violin. Betsy Federman, Cello. Terrence Wilson, Piano.

• • • PAUSE • • • PROGRAM (CONT.) JAMES W. JOHNSON | Lift Every Voice And Sing – arr. Carter JAMES W. JOHNSON | In Bright Mansions Above – arr. Carter KEITH HAMPTON | True Light A. JEFFREY LAVALLEY | O Give Thanks JESSE WILLIAMS | We Praise Your Name JAMES WEST | The 150th Psalm Juneteenth Festival Choir Dr. Herbert Vincent-Ricardo Pea’dro Jones, Conductor Jason Alexander, Keyboard. Richard Christie, Bass Guitar and Drummer. Bryant Wesley, Drums.

PROGRAM NOTES

THE RITZ CHAMBER PLAYERS are hailed by The Sun as “one of the most interesting and dynamic ensembles to emerge in recent years.” Boasting some of the world’s preeminent spanning the African diaspora, it brings a fresh, new to the classical . Its members perform with prestigious orga- nizations such as the , Boston Symphony, Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Orchestra and the London Symphony. Founded in 2002 by clarinetist and Artistic Di- rector Terrance Patterson, the Ritz Chamber Players combines excep- tional artistry on stage with inspiring educational programs in schools and throughout the community. Through its series in Jacksonville and performances across the United States, the Ritz Chamber Players continues to build the participation of multicultural audiences that reflect our diverse society. ALISON BUCHANAN, SOPRANO Praised for her musical versatility, her luscious voice and her ability to communicate with an audience, British soprano Al- ison Buchanan is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music in London and the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. Alison is the winner of the Kathleen Ferrier, the , the Washington International and the Maggie Teyte competitions. As a young artist with San Francisco Opera, Alison made her debut with the company as Mimi in La Boheme whilst an Adler she was invited to L.A Opera to sing Nedda in I Pagliacci working with Placido Domingo and Franco Zeffirelli. Alison has performed with Opera as Bess in Porgy & Bess and Elvira in Don Giovanni, Opera com- pany of Philadelphia, Michigan Opera and Wexford Opera. She has performed under the batons of Sir. Simon Rattle, Sir. Colin Davis, Donald Runnicles and David Robertson to name but a few, with orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic, the Philippines Philharmonic, the London Symphony, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Israel Kibbutz Orchestra and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. More recently, Ms. Buchanan joined Marin Alsop for performances in Brazil with the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra, returned to the Boston Symphony Orchestra to perform in Porgy & Bess, gave recitals in St. Louis, Washington DC and in Jacksonville, performed the role of Janthe in Der Vampyr with the American Symphony Orchestra at , performed with the Symphony and gave a recital at National Saw- dust in Brooklyn. Buchanan recently released a recording of the songs of Dr. George Walker accompanied by the for Albany records, sang Knoxville Summer 1915, Barber, at the Kennedy Center with the Apollo Orchestra and joined members of the Boston Symphony, the New York Philharmonic and the Atlanta Symphony for the Classical Pops Festival in Barbados. PROGRAM NOTES (CONT.)

TERRENCE WILSON, PIANO Acclaimed by the Baltimore Sun as “one of the biggest pianistic talents to have emerged in this country in the last 25 years” pianist Terrence Wilson has appeared as soloist with the symphony orchestras of Atlanta, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Washington, DC (Nation- al Symphony), San Francisco, St. Louis, and with the orchestras of Cleve- land, Minnesota, and Philadelphia and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Conductors with whom he has worked include Christoph Eschenbach, Alan Gilbert, Neeme Järvi, Jesús López-Cobos, Lawrence Renes, Robert Spano, Yuri Temirkanov, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski and Gunther Herbig. Abroad, Terrence Wilson has played concerti with such ensembles as the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra in Swit- zerland, the Malaysian Philharmonic, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and the Orquestra Sinfonica do Estado de Minas Gerais in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. He has toured with orchestras in the US and abroad, including a tour of the US with the Sofia Festival Orchestra (Bulgaria) and in Europe with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra conducted by Yuri Temirkanov. Terrence Wilson has received numerous awards and prizes, including the SONY ES Award for Musical Excel- lence, an Avery Fisher Career Grant, and the Juilliard Petschek Award. He has also been featured on several radio and television broadcasts, including NPR’s “Performance Today,” WQXR radio in New York, and programs on the BRAVO Network, the Arts & Network, public television, and as a guest on late night network television. In 2011, Wilson was nominated for a Grammy in the category of “Best Instrumental Soloist With an Orchestra” for his (world premiere) recording with the Nashville Symphony conducted by Giancarlo Guerrero of Michael Daugherty’s Deus ex Machina for piano and orchestra - written for Wilson in 2007. In the spring of 2021, Terrence Wilson was appointed to the piano faculty at Bard College Conservatory of Music in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY. Terrence Wilson is a graduate of The , where he studied with Yoheved Kaplinsky. He has also enjoyed the invaluable mentorship of the Romanian pianist and teacher Zitta Zohar. A native of the Bronx, he resides in Montclair, . HERBERT VINCENT-RICARDO PEA’DRO JONES Dr. Herbert Vincent-Ricardo Pea’dro Jones is one of the nation’s foremost figures in choral and pedagogy and an expert in the intersec- tion between theology and musical expression. A Southern transplant to Pennsylvania, Dr. Jones has cultivated a broad-based, multifaceted career as a choral conductor, educator, operatic and oratorio bass, liturgical dancer, orator and pastor, teaching and performing across the United States and Europe. Dr. Jones holds numerous degrees: B.S. in Music, M.S. in Coun- seling Psychology, M.Mus. in Choral Conducting/Music Educa- tion, M.Divinity (M.Div.) in Sacred Music, Dance & Drama, D.M.A. in Music, Choral Conducting, Performance Pedagogy & Choral , and has done Ph.D Studies in . Dr. Jones has taught in the Public Schools of Mississippi (grades 6-12), the Private High School sector (The Piney Woods School, Mississippi, The Neighborhood Academy-Pittsburgh) and colleges in universities in North Dakota, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, and Mississippi, respectively. Dr. Jones continues to maintain an active schedule conducting seminars and workshops, guest conducting, and adjudicating choral and competitions. DEBORAH MCDUFFIE 2016 Onyx Magazine “Woman on the Move”, 2014 Interpublic Group of Companies “Pioneer in Advertising”, 2006 Cultural Council Arts Awards “Educator of the Year” and African American Literary and Media Lifetime Achievement “Phoenix” Award winner Deborah McDuffie has an impressive forty year career combining talents in production, performance, composing, arranging, marketing, advertising, special promotions, lecturing and teaching. PROGRAM NOTES (CONT.)

Credited with being the first female jingle composer/producer in the , Ms. McDuffie is a multi-award-winning pioneer, a “behind the scenes” legend, so to speak. Most recently she was nominated for Grammy’s “Educator of the Year” Award in 2014. She has composed, produced and worked with Patti Austin, , Janet Jackson, Gladys Knight, , Grover Washington, Jr., Jose Feliciano, Patti Labelle, , Michael Bolton, , Teddy Riley, Ashford & Simp- son, Bobby Caldwell, Ruben Blades, Peter Allen, Branford Marsalis, Deniece Williams, James Ingram, Jennifer Holliday, Tito Puente, Gerald Albright, Howard Hewett, Teddy Pendergrass, Temptations, Barretto, Four Tops, Spinners…And the list goes on and on. Ms. McDuffie was hired as Production Manager of the newly renovated Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum in 1999. She was responsible for events and programs there, developing the local hit show Ritz Amateur Night and the award-winning Ritz Voices all-city youth chorus. She returned to the Ritz Voices as Artistic Director in August of 2016 and will once again take the reins as producer of Ritz Amateur Night in Janu- ary of 2017. In 2004 Ms. McDuffie founded Arts4Jax, Inc. a not-for-profit 501(c3) arts organization specializing in community arts programs. The foundation has received grants from the NFL Foundation, Jaguars Foundation, Ben Carter Properties and Foundations, Inc.

PROGRAM 7:30 PM JOSEPH BOULOGNE | L’Amant Anonyme Overture JESSIE MONTGOMERY | Strum for String Orchestra IGOR STRAVINSKY | Pulcinella Suite • • • PAUSE • • • LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN | Piano Concerto No. 5 I. Allegro in Eb major ~ II. Adagio un poco mosso in B major ~ III. Rondo: Allegro in Eb major. Terrence Wilson, Piano Soloist Piano graciously provided by

PROGRAM NOTES

JOSEPH BOULOGNE (1745 - 1799) L’Amant Anonyme Overture Recent research and attention to diversity within the arts have brought greater awareness of Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint Georges (1745- 1799), historically known as the first classical composer of African ancestry and even referenced as the “Le Mozart Noir” (the Black Mozart). Born in the French-ruled Caribbean island of Guadalupe as the son of a wealthy planter and an African slave, Boulogne was not only a virtuoso violinist, composer, and conductor, but also colonel during the French Revolution. He was even judged as the best swordsman in France. His most successful opéra comique was L’Amant anonyme (ca. 1780). JESSIE MONTGOMERY (b. 1981 - ) Jessie Montgomery is an American composer, chamber , and music educator. Her compositions focus on the vernacular, improvisation, language, and social justice. She was raised in ’s Lower East Side by parents work- ing in music and theater and involved in neighborhood arts. She holds a bachelor’s degree in violin performance from the Juilliard School, and a master’s degree in Composition for Film and Multimedia at New York University in 2012. She has increasingly focused on composing solo, chamber, vocal, and orchestral works. Montgomery has completed commissions for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the Albany Symphony, the Sphinx Organization, the Joyce Foundation, the National Choral Society, and the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America. She has received numerous grants and awards. PROGRAM NOTES (CONT.)

Her Strum for String Quartet received reviews. Her music has been performed by orchestras all over the United States including the Jacksonville Symphony, Jacksonville, Florida in 2021. IGOR STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Pulcinella Suite “Pulcinella was my discovery of the past, the epiphany through which the whole of my late work became possible.” Igor Stravinsky’s ballet Pulcinella was written for Les Ballets Russes after the great triumph of The Firebird and the great scandal of , but it marked a new compositional direction. Stravinsky would later remark, “Pulcinella was my discovery of the past, the epiphany through which the whole of my late work became possible.” The inspiration for Pulcinella, outside of the music of the past, was commedia dell’arte, Italian improvised theater and its stock characters. In the staged ballet, Stravinsky reinvented the music with movement, lively characters, and even singing roles. Pulcinella Suite is a pared-down version of the ballet (nearly half the movements are omitted in the suite) with instrumental passages replacing the singing roles. LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Beethoven’s last piano concerto dates from the beginning of May 1809, when Napoleon’s army besieged Vienna. Beethoven found a temporary haven in the cellar of his brother’s house. Once the bombardment had ceased and the Austrian forces had surrendered, Vienna was described as “a city filled with nothing but drums, cannon, marching men, and misery of all sorts.” After the summer, Beethoven was able to get away from the city where he composed the Piano Concerto. The Concerto premiered in Leipzig in 1811. Beethoven, who had written his four previous piano concertos for his own performance, was by now too deaf to perform with orchestra. Nonetheless, it was at that concert that, a French army officer, supposedly called this work “an emperor among concertos” (aloud, in the auditorium?). Perhaps this is the source of the nickname, or perhaps an early publisher named it “Emperor.”

ABOUT THE ST. AUGUSTINE MUSIC FESTIVAL (SAMF) Entertain, Educate and Elevate Through Music The St. Augustine Music Festival (SAMF) was founded in 2006 by Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra members Jorge A. Peña (viola) and Jin Kim-Peña (cello), with the invaluable participation and support of many other musicians and the local community. SAMF is the nation’s largest, free festival. Held annually each June in the historic Cathedral Basili- ca, it is now celebrating its 15th year and garnering national attention. SAMF is furthering St. Augustine’s stature as a place where music and the arts flourish. It has been referred to as a “gift to the city.” Being free of charge and welcoming of new and avid concert-goers, the festival educates and increases appreciation for classical music in the Cathedral’s uplifting setting. In 2021, SAMF introduced SUNDAYS with SAMF, small, intimate chamber music concerts in historic and cultural sites in St. Augustine and the first SAMF concert in the St. Augustine Amphithe- ater celebrating Juneteenth, SAMF’s 15th anniversary and its return to live concerts. JORGE A. PEÑA, VIOLA, SAMF co-Founder and Artistic Director. A former member of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, Mr. Peña came to the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra in 1996. He was born in Honduras and educated in the U.S., attending Columbus State University and earning a degree in performance and chamber music from the Peabody Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Philadelphia Orchestra principal viola and president of the Cur- tis Institute Roberto Diaz, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra principal viola Richard Field, and Julliard Quartet member Earl Carlys. His chamber music experience in- cludes the National Gallery of Art Chamber Orchestra, Virginia Chamber Orchestra, Atlanta Virtuosi, Tanglewood Music Center, Grand Teton Music Festival, University of North Florida and the Ritz Chamber Players as well as solo and small ensemble recitals in North America, Central America, Europe and Asia. He is a teacher and clini- cian for chamber music as well as solo master classes at LaVilla School of the Arts, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and the University of North Florida. Mr. Peña coaches violin and viola for the Jack- ABOUT THE ST. AUGUSTINE MUSIC FESTIVAL (CONT.) sonville Symphony Youth Orchestra and coaches chamber music in the JSYO chamber music program and is on the faculty of Prelude Chamber Music Camp. Mr. Peña is a founder of the Sonora Ensemble, the Movado String Quartet; and founder and Artistic Director of the St. Augustine Music Festival. He is conductor and music direc- tor of the Coastal Youth Orchestra, and General Manager of the Coastal Symphony of in Brunswick, GA. JIN KIM-PEÑA, CELLO, SAMF co-Founder. Mrs. Kim has appeared as soloist with the Savannah Symphony Orchestra, Korean National Orchestra, In Chun Symphony Orchestra and Korean youth Symphony. Her orchestral experience includes performances with the Colum- bus and Macon Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, New York Festival Orchestra, Savannah Symphony, and Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Jin has been heard in recitals over many states including Maryland, Georgia, Cleveland, and her native country Korea. Mrs. Kim studied Cello performance at the Columbus State University, and Hart School of Music in Hartford, Con- necticut. She coaches for the Jacksonville Youth Symphony and teaches a small studio of Cello students. She co-founded the St. Augustine Music Festival with her husband and violist Jorge Peña together they have three beautiful daughters, Ines, Gaby, and Elisa. GABRIELA PEÑA, VIOLIN, comes from a musical and diverse family, her father a native of Honduras and her mother from South Korea. She graduated from the Jacobs School of Music at University, where she studied with Alexander Kerr, concertmaster of Dallas Symphony. Her main focus has been on orchestral playing, attending numerous music festivals, including; Music Academy of the West, Pacific Music Festival, Schelswig-Holstein Musik Festival and Aspen Music Festival. She sat alongside Stephen Rose as Principal Second violin at PMF and was a finalist for the concerto competition at Music Academy. Gabriela has had the privilege to work under notable conductors such as Alan Gilbert, Larry Rachleff, Valery Gergiev, Christoph Eschenbach and Robert Spano. For the past two years, she has been playing with the Jacksonville Symphony under music director, Courtney Lewis. She has also been a frequent guest artist with the Lawson Ensemble; resident trio at the University of Florida in Jacksonville. Along with being a part of the St. Augustine Music Festival for the past 8 years; perform- ing with the Diaz Trio as well as leading the chamber orchestra, she is also involved in managing the festival with her parents, the founders. Gabriela is currently a Resident Fellow with The Los Angeles Philharmonic. NIGEL ARMSTRONG, VIOLIN, is emerging as a dynamic and creative art- ist both within and beyond the realm of classical music. From his musical beginnings as a member of “The Little Fiddlers” in Sonoma, California to collaborations with tango musicians in Argentina, he’s enjoyed using the vio- lin in a versatile manner throughout his life. As a soloist, Nigel has performed with orchestras such as Düsseldorf Symphony, Los Angeles Chamber Orches- tra, St. Petersburg Philharmonic, YOA Orchestra of the Americas, and the Bos- ton Pops, and with conductors including Sir Neville Marriner and Carlos Mi- guel Prieto. As a chamber musician, his concerts have taken him across the United States and abroad including opportunities to share the stage with the Tokyo String Quartet and pianist Jonathan Biss.

THE ST. AUGUSTINE MUSIC FESTIVAL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA VIOLIN I: Nigel Armstrong, Gabriel Peña, Piotr Szewczyk, Melissa Barrett, Ingang Han VIOLIN II: Aurica Duca, Clinton Dewing, Ann Hertler, Megan McClendon Rios VIOLAS: Jorge Peña, Greg Perrin, Lauren Hodges CELLI: Jin Kim-Peña, Betsy Federman, Victor Hulls BASS: Paul Strassofer, Pete Casseday FLUTE: Les Roettges, Sarah Jane Young OBOE: Daniel Rios, Xiaodi Liu CLARINET: Patrick Graham, Sunshine Simmons BASSOON: Conrad Cornelison Anthony Anurca HORN: Katharine Caliendo, Matt Monroe TRUMPET: Randy Tinnin, Trey Moore TIMPANI: Joel Panian Upcoming SAMF Concert Schedule SAMF2021 AT CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF ST. AUGUSTINE June 24, 2021, 7:30pm, Cathedral Basilica MOZART | Serenade Bb Major, No. 10 for winds, Gran Partita KV 361 June 25, 2021, 7:30pm, Cathedral Basilica PROKOFIEV | Quintet in G Minor MENDELSSOHN | String Octet June 26, 2021, 7:30pm, Cathedral Basilica FANNY MENDELSSOHN | Overture in C Major JOAQUIN RODRIGO | Fantasia para un Gentil Hombre-Guitar and Chamber Orchestra BEETHOVEN | Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 August 20, 2021, 7:30pm, Cathedral Basilica PAGANINI | Guitar Quartet No. 15 ALEXANDER BORODIN | String Quartet No. 2 RAVEL | Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet and String Quartet Encore: TCHAIKOVSKY | Adagio Molto for String Quartet and Harp August 21, 2021, 7:30pm, Cathedral Basilica BLOCH | Concerto Grosso for String Orchestra and Piano DEBUSSY | Danses Profanes L 103 No. 1 and 2 for Harp and Strings | Entr’acte for String Orchestra FRANZ LISZT | Malédiction for Piano and String Orchestra (1833)

SAMF – SPECIAL EVENT Collaboration with Beaches Fine Arts November 6, 2021, 7:30pm, Cathedral Basilica MARIA DOLORES GAITÁN Distinguished Spanish pianist and cultural ambassador in cooperation with Instituto Nauta. Joined by Jorge Peña, Viola. Program TBA.

ALL CONCERTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Visit: www.SAMFestival.org HELP SAMF GROW. SUPPORT SAMF. Use the attached envelope or visit: www.SAMFestival.org/support/

SAMF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jorge Peña, Artistic Director, Founder Bill Boxer, Chairman Renée Jones, Vice Chairman Peggy Cinberg, Secretary Rose Francis, Operations Manager Jin Kim-Peña, Founder Debra Bergstrom Robert Bergstrom Michele Bova Kimberlyn Elliott Jennifer Flynt Peter Gladstone Katheryn Hancock Felicia Regan Jorge Rivera Antonio Scott Kathy Simic Kathy Wallis PERFORMANCES MADE POSSIBLE WITH SUPPORT FROM:

The Benjamin and Jean Troemel Arts Foundation

Artistic Director/FounderJorge A. Peña

BillChairman Boxer SAMFestival.org