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Lineage

Tzor Te-udah William Sharlin (1920-2012) Soloists, Audrey Jeswilkowski & Ava Pacheco All Choirs

Es tönen die Lieder German folk round Fra’ Martino traditional round Canticle

Yo, Le Canto Todo El Día David L. Brunner (b.1953) Piano, Dr. Helga Scheibert Cerf-Volant C. Barratier (b. 1963) & B. Coulais (b. 1954) Soloists, Breanna Stoner & Marissa Wycinsky Concordia & Cadenza

The Dove and the Maple Tree Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) Piano, Dr. Helga Scheibert I Have Had Singing Ron Jeffers (1943-2017) Concordia & Cadenza

Inscription of Hope Z. Randall Stroope (b.1953) All Choirs

intermission

The Rutherford & Robertson arr. Philip Lawson, SSA arr. J. Nolan All Choirs

Oh, Dear! What Can the Matter Be? arr. Russell Robinson Canticle Blessing Katie Moran Bart (b.1956) All Choirs Old Time Religion Spiritual, arr. Stacey V. Gibbs (b. 1962) Chattanooga Choo Choo Gordon & Warren, arr. Mac Huff Lineage Andrea Ramsey percussion: George Willis, Lisa Marie Brinson, Lydia Nolan Concordia & Cadenza

Mountain Randy Owen (b.1949), arr. Mac Huff Guitar, Richard Roberts; Stand-up Bass, Laura Roberts; Spoons, George Willis; piano, Dr. Helga Scheibert All Choirs

Music Alone Shall Live arr. Emily Crocker (b. 1949) Soloist, Riley Kirik

Program Notes Family. Who would have thought we’d miss them so much in this difficult year? Tonight’s concert celebrates the richness of our families through our selection of . Each of these pieces has been chosen to represent part of the diverse chord that binds us together as families and, dare I say it, a choir family. Here are just some of the ways our loved ones--that lineage of love, tradition, faith, and belonging--have impacted our singers. JIN, May 7, 2021

“My family is a support, and I trust them to always encourage and love me. My choir family is connected by our beautiful singing, and I love how much we laugh together.” -Marissa

“They give me unconditional love, more than I could hope for. . . [in choir] we all know how to speak the same musical language, and it’s really special to me.” -Ava

“My family is important to me. I love them and enjoy spending time with them. [In choir] they’re special to me because they are all my friends.” -a Canticle chorister

“My family means everything to me. My family is my life.” -Arjun “My family means life. My choir family is special to me because it makes me happy and brings out the joy hidden in me.” -Mady

“My family means love, kindness, peace. They care about me. They teach me about how important Jesus is in my life. They want me to be happy. I feel comfortable and safe with my family. I love all of the smiles that surround me in my choir family. . .” -a Concordia chorister

“Tzor Te-udah” text Isaiah 8:6, music William Sharlin Tzor te-udah chatom Torah May the words of my mouth and b’limudai. the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, O God.

What makes singing different from other music, perhaps even superior? The words. This daily used commodity sprinkled over a melody creates enlightening, memorable moments of truth. During rehearsals we have talked much about our words and their value. We acknowledged the desire for them to matter, to impart good, and to say lasting things. In a sense, this Hebrew is a fitting prayer for this concert as we explore the rich tapestry of our heritage and tell the good stories that make us who we are.

“Es tönen die Lieder” text H. von Fallersleben, music Volksweise Es tönen die Lieder, der Frühling The songs resound, spring kehrt wieder, es spielet der Hirte, returns, a shepherd plays on his auf seiner Schalmei. La la la…. shawm.

This German round has been sung for hundreds of years. I rediscovered the tune in a children’s folk song book I picked up at the Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin in 2007. Since a number of singers have German heritage this little ditty is apropos.

“Fra’ Martino” text Italian, music Trad. round Fra’ Martino, dormi tu? Suona la Father Martin, are you asleep? campane, din don dan! Ring the bell.

Every child in America has sung “Are You Sleeping?”. But then, so have countless kids across Europe, , and more. This well known round reminds us of the heart of our heritage: out of many lands comes one people, out of many histories comes a common story. Our songs unite us across cultures. “Yo, Le Canto Todo El Día” by David L. Brunner Ya me voy de corazón. I'm leaving my heart. Ya me voy con un tambor. I'm leaving with a drum. Yo le canto todo el día. I sing to him all day. Yo le canto! Yo le canto! I sing to him! I sing to him! Con cariño y alegría, ya me voy With love and joy, I am leaving con un tambor. with a drum. Con cariño y emoción. La la la.... With love and emotion. La la la...

In the style of a Venezuelan song, this lively piece captures the musical flavors of the Latino culture. David Brunner, who wrote this piece to commemorate the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Miami Choral Society, imbued this song with energetic, rhythmic, and infectious similarities to the music of .1 Syncopation, dissonance, and a piano part con mucho calor add bursts of harmonic hues, colorful, just like our choir community.

“Cerf-Volant” arr. Christophe Barratier & Bruno Coulais

Cerf volant, volant un enfant to voit. Kite, flying a child sees you. Insolent, Troubles enivrants, Insolent, Intoxicating troubles, Amours innecents. Innocent loves. Cerf volant, volant au vent. Kite flying in the wind. Dans les airs. Tes ailes triomphantes! In the air. Your triumphant wings! N’oublie pas de revenir, ver moi Don’t forget to come back to me.

This song comes from the touching French film, Les Choristes. Set in a post World War II, a new teacher joins an unruly school for delinquent boys. He soon discovers that more is needed than the headmaster’s hourly quip of “Action. Reaction!” The teacher, an unsuccessful composer, begins a choir, and before long these listless and troublesome boys find a hopeful outlet. Their singing unites them, heals them, and opens their eyes to the world.

1 davidbrunner.com “The Dove and the Maple Tree” by Antonín Dvorák Letěl holúbek na pole, aby Down from her nest a wild dove flew nazobal své vole. Jak své volátko towards a field where ripe corn grew, nazobal, pod javorečkem posedal. Filled her crop, then sought her nest, Pod javorečkem má milá zelený high in the willow, there to rest. šátek vyšívá. Vyšívá na něm There sits and weeps a maid so fair. Hot víneček, Že ju opustil syneček. tears trill thro' her gold silken hair; Vyšívá na něm z růže květ, Že ju Sits and broiders a wreath and two opustil celý svět. rings. "Forsaken am I!" she softly sings. Že ju opustil celý svět. Broiders a rose, and makes a sweet moan: "How could he leave me to die alone. Czech composer Antonín Dvořák wrote music inspired by his heritage. This piece, sung tonight in Moravian, basks in his folk traditions. Originally penned as a duet for soprano and alto, unrequited love and melodic drama make it an interesting choral work. Dvořák, who wrote The New World Symphony, incorporated sounds, motifs, and folk songs from regions where he lived and visited; New World contains melodic ideas from his US tour. “The Dove…”, the second duet in the Third Series of Moravian Duets, highlights the language, music, and spirit of the Czech Republic, a land of rich Ukrainian, Moravian, Slovakian, Bohemian, Hungarian, and Austrian cultures .

“I Have Had Singing” Words, Fred Mitchell; Music, Ron Jeffers “The chapels were full of singing. When the first war came, it was singing, singing all the time. . . I have had pleasure. I have had singing.” So said English ploughman “Fred Mitchell”. His words inspired Ron Jeffers to write a simple, melodic, and moving choral piece which he offered gratis to all choirs everywhere simply because the message is so powerful. Imagine a day, week, month, or even life without music in it? Singing gives hope, joy, fellowship, purpose, and focus. It bestows satisfaction in the singer and happiness in the heart of the hearer.. “There was such a lot of singing in the villages then, and it was my pleasure, too.”2

“Inscription of Hope” by Z. Randall Stroope The poetry of this piece was found etched on a cellar wall in Cologne, Germany. A hiding place for Jews fleeing the Nazi massacre, one young survivor saw the truth that a world without hope and love is a harrowing place to live. Dr. Stroope commented that “the Holocaust is a stunning reminder of the tragic results of prejudice and hate toward other people. But it is also a reminder that hope held firm will eventually reign victorious over the greatest of odds. . . hope was all they had to hold on to; hope was their only bridge to a brighter tomorrow.”

“” Rutherford, Robertson, SSA arr. J. Nolan The old adage, “Seek to understand before being understood” summarizes this song. Just how did a hit find its way onto the 2021 program of a youth choir? Simply, the message of this classic 80’s song speaks wisely and succinctly about our pasts, our families, our regrets, and moving forward. , former bassist for Genesis, partnered with B.A. Robertson to pen a piece about misplaced moments with their fathers as they welcomed the birth of their sons.3 The message still rings true: “Say it loud, say it clear. You can listen as well as you hear.”

“Oh, Dear! What Can the Matter Be?” Trad., arr. Russell Robinson I grew up hearing this sung in my grandparents’ homes. Hopeful, happy memories surround the songs sung in our childhoods. This song has its root in English folk melodies as far back as the 1700’s. Perhaps its fame truly comes from the illustrious Julie Andrews, who performed an orchestrated version in Carnegie Hall in 1962.4

“Blessing” Traditional Irish blessing, music, Katie M. Bart

2 Score liner. 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14fO-hHuk5s 4 https://youtu.be/DKfAN-rg6bM In many cultures, blessings are pronounced during significant moments, ceremonies, family gatherings, and as a part of church services. My Irish ancestors pronounced blessings similar to this one on those traveling. We bless because we love, cherish, and want the best for another. Here’s to our Irish grans and grandads.

“Old Time Religion” Trad. Spiritual, arr. Stacey V. Gibbs Maestro Gibbs spent an April afternoon coaching SHCC in the nuances of this spiritual, and soulful singing happened! Our esteemed composer shared a little about his life and a whole lot about comfort and connection, family and church, and “real good”everyday things. “I set ‘Ol’ Time Religion’ because it’s an old favorite and I wanted to set a song accessible for [SSA] voices,” Mr. Gibbs explained. He alluded to the strength and stability that his church family gave him during his upbringing in Detroit. Classic harmonies and recurring refrain, set by countless and covered by as many pop artists, pay a moving memento.

“Chattanooga Choo Choo” by Mack Gordon & Harry Warren,arr. Mac Huff This song was featured by the Glenn Miller Orchestra in the 1941 movie Sun Valley Serenade, showcasing the dancing talents of one of the greatest tap duos of the age, the Nicholas Brothers. They became known for their “Jumpin’ Jive” routine that can still be viewed on YouTube5. This top-tapping song about train travel is loosely based on the Southern Railway’s Birmingham Special. A little vocal jazz, a pinch of swing, and a twist of harmony make this a perfect flavor for our Lineage celebration.

“Lineage” Words Margaret Walker, Music Andrea Ramsey Margaret Walker, a Black poet of the Twentieth Century, collected her history in poetry. This Is My Century was published in 1989. From this lyrical collection comes the soulful poem “Lineage”, superbly set by Ms. Ramsey to evoke the strength found in bygone generations. As we’ve explored our heritage this spring, we’ve learned and remembered bits of ancestry, unearthed family histories, and recalled ancestors with

5 https://youtube/_8yGGtVKrD8 strength of mind, body, and character. We dedicate this song to our strong grandmothers, grandfathers, parents, and more. You inspire us!

“Mountain Music” by Randy Owen, arranged by Mac Huff Bluegrass grew into its own just after World War II from the music of Appalachia. It features banjos, mandolins, uprights, fiddles, guitars, spoons, jaw harps, jugs, and more. Fast and lively, this music, named for the Kentucky grass puo, is steeped in Irish, English, and Scottish folk tunes and Black church music. Fame came when the Alabama released this song in 1982. It seems fitting to close tonight’s concert weaving the stories of our lineage back here to Appalachia. SHCC families hail from many places, but there’s something to be said for how many generations were born and raised right here.

About the Artists Jennie Nolan, founder and director, received her Bachelor of , Voice at Biola University and is certified in the Kodály methodology. She recently completed a Masters in Choral at Messiah University. Formerly the director of the San Diego Children’s Choir, Mrs. Nolan has led church choirs, taught classroom music, band, and English. She has sung as a member of the Pittsburgh Camerata, the Bach Choir, among others. She currently directs music activities at View Crest Presbyterian Church and teaches music and writing to 3rd-10th graders at Blackburn Study Center.

Lisa Marie Brinson brings over 20 years of choral and instrumental education experience to the choir, as she joins us this first year as director of Concordia. She has taken her choirs to festivals, earning multiple superior ratings. She has had the privilege of being a founding member of both County and Local Honor Choirs and enjoys accompanying her private students to All-State and Festival events. Together with her husband, the Brinson’s enjoy a house full of all kinds of music.

Laura Roberts grew up in Virginia, starting piano lessons in third grade. Wanting to use her love of music to help others, she received a degree in in 1997 from Charleston Southern University. She moved to western Pennsylvania in 1999 where she now teaches piano lessons and plays for church choirs. Laura became a Kindermusik educator in 2011, after attending classes with her three children. She moved to McMurray in 2013 and began teaching piano lessons at Kathy’s Music. Additionally, she serves as the pianist for two United Methodist Churches, and plays the string bass in her husband’s bluegrass band. She loves reading, walking, geocaching, eating outside, and spending time with family.

Dr. Helga Scheibert began her musical training in Transylvania at age 7. She has experience performing with orchestras as a soloist and a collaborator. She has performed recitals in the U.S. and Europe. She is the winner of numerous piano auditions and competitions, and she received a full scholarship to Gheorge Dima Music Academy (Transylvania) where she earned her Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance. Ms. Scheibert got her Artist Diploma and Masters from Duquesne University, where she had full assistantship, and studied with pianist David Allen Wehr. Recently she received a Doctorate in Piano Performance at West Virginia University. Her dissertation focused on Hungarian folk piano music. She serves as faculty at Carnegie Mellon Preparatory School, and teaches at Hope Academy and Seton Center School of Music in Pittsburgh. She is the Music Director at First United Methodist Church in Bridgeville and Washington PA. She enjoys composing, improvising, and experimenting with classical, jazz, folk, and modern music.

Heather Black, SHCC administrator, graduated from Geneva College with a BS in Sociology. While there, she sang in the Genevans. A former member of Washington County Art Chorale and Pittsburgh Concert Chorale, she continues her vocal studies with former SHCC board member, Melanie Catana, and is currently a member of the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh and the William Billings Singers, a small ensemble performing early American music. Heather has assisted Mrs. Nolan in teaching various music camps and classes for children in Pennsylvania and Latvia and enjoys being her general Girl Friday.

Canticle Anna Brinson Katie Orbin Mady Zirngibl Ciera Erbrect Abby Roberts Arjun Kairi Maggie Sortwell

Concordia Morgan Elias Audrey Jeswilkowski Abigail Walsh Samara Guzman Natalie Saternos

Cadenza Maddie Anderson Lydia Nolan Breanna Stoner Emelia Hickman Enrique Ochoa Marissa Wycinsky Riley Kirik Ava Pacheco Sydney Zottola Emma Nolan Adam Saternos

Special Thanks to… Unity Presbyterian Church, performance venue Wrights United Methodist Church, rehearsal venue Shaun Nolan, poster design, Mike and the Mechanics fan Jessica Hickman, uniform coordinator Clare Nolan , attendance table volunteer Jonathan & Katie Black, library volunteers Lisa Zotolla, Scrip fundraiser coordinator Usher, Barb Wycinsky Our parent and friend volunteers, who have made this concert possible!

Staff Jennie Nolan, Artistic Director Lisa Marie Brinson, Concordia Director Heather Black, Office Administrator Shaun Nolan, Webmaster

Board Members George Willis, President Shaun Nolan, Treasurer Director of Percussion Studies, Pastor, West Virginia University View Crest Presbyterian Church

Andy Foulke Jennie Nolan, Chairman Senior Software Engineer, SHCC Director Smith Micro Software