Choral Program

Welcome

Junior Chorus Marilyn Buzy, Conductor Caitlin Geishaker, Manager Ben Rafuse, Accompanist

Glorificamus Te Jerry Estes

Jambo, Karibu kwa Afrika Patsy Ford Simms

A Merry Madrigal Donald Moore

Durme, Durme arr. Audrey Snyder

Give Us Hope Jim Papoulis arr. Francisco J. Nunez

Senior Chorus Dr. Richard G. Nickerson, Conductor Renae Misner, Manager Lynne Burney, Accompanist

Fanfare for a Festival Ron Nelson

Ubi Caritas Ola Gjeilo

Tres Cantos Marcos Leite

He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother Arr. Mark Hayes

Praise His Holy Name Keith Hampton

Marilyn Buzy, Junior Chorus Conductor

Originally from western NewYork, Ms Marilyn Buzy received her undergraduate degree from West Virginia University. She has been a music educator for the last 25 years having taught in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine with the last 14 years at Winslow Junior High School.

Professional affiliations include membership with: the Music Educators National Conference, Maine Music Educator's Association as well as former president and managerial positions with the KV Music Association.

Ms Buzy has been a guest conductor of: The Dist VII HS Honors Band, The Skowhegan Choral-A-Rama, District III Honors Jazz Band, All-Aroostoock Jr. Band, KVMEA Junior Honors Chorus 2003, and KVMEA Junior Bands in 1999 and 1996. She currently serves as the musical and choir director at Temple Beth El in Bangor, Maine.

Ms Buzy also performs professionally as a percussionist throughout New England. She has played “in the pit” for area high school musical productions and for the Waterville Opera House's musical productions. Classically she plays for Farmington, Bates, Bowdoin and Colby College ensembles and is the drummer for Maine's premiere all woman's jazz band, The Edith Jones Project.

Ms. Buzy is very excited to conduct this year's KVMEA Junior Chorus and looks forward to a wonderful festival!

Dr. Richard G. Nickerson, Senior Chorus Conductor

Richard G. Nickerson received a Bachelor's Degree in Vocal Music Education, the Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Maine and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting from the Conservatory of Music - University of Missouri - Kansas City. He has studied conducting with Dr. Eph Ehly, Dr. Charles Robinson, Dr. Dennis Cox, Werner Torkanowsky, Robert Shaw, Eric Ericson and Rodney Eichenberger. He is President of the Maine chapter of the American Choral Directors Association and has served as Repertoire and Standards Chair for Ethnic and Multi - Cultural Perspectives.

For the past 22 years Dr. Nickerson has been Director of Choral Activities at Windham High School in Windham, Maine where he conducts 3 choirs and teaches courses in music theory and music history. In addition to his duties in Windham, Dr. Nickerson teaches at St. Joseph’s College. He is also the conductor of the “Magic of Christmas” Chorus with the Portland Symphony Orchestra.

In constant demand as a guest conductor and clinician, Nickerson has made guest appearances in 18 states, 3 Canadian provinces and 6 European countries. He has conducted in major concert venues throughout the world including Carnegie Hall, Notre Dame in Paris, La Salle de Musique in La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, the White House, St. Paul’s in Antwerp, Belgium and The Austria Center in Vienna. During the summer of 2008, he made his 5th guest conducting appearance with the United States Youth Chorale in a 3-week European concert tour. He was the children's choir director for the nationally broadcast Tim Janis special, The American Christmas Carol narrated by James Earl Jones. His choirs have performed in concert with Kenny Rogers, Andy Williams, Josh Groban, Jodi Benson, Susan Egan, Noel Paul Stookey, John Rutter, Capathia Jenkins and the Barenaked Ladies.

Dr. Nickerson is listed in 2 editions of Who's Who in America, 6 editions of Who's Who among America's Teachers, has been named a finalist for Maine Teacher of the Year and, in 1996, was named Maine Music Educator of the Year. In 1997 he was presented an Academy Award from the Maine State Academy for the Performing Arts for outstanding contributions to the performing arts in the State of Maine. In May 2007, he was named Distinguished Choral Director by the Maine ACDA chapter. In January, 2009, he was honored by Choral Director Magazine as one of 10 “Choral Directors of Note” in the United States.

Nickerson would like to thank the three women in his life who keep him grounded; his “soon-to be wife” Linda and his twin daughters, Sarah and Arianna.