In-residence at Illinois Central College The Philharmonic Chorale presents Christmas with the Philharmonic Chorale Lara Reem, director Carol Spayer, accompanist Sunday, December 2, 2018 • 2:30 pm ICC Performing Arts Center A Members of ArtsPartners • ArtsAtICC.com [F][T][4] ---------------------- Sing We Now of Christmas ......................................................................................... arr. Mark Hayes This traditional French carol dates from the late 15th century. The text indicates it may also be a song to celebrate the New Year. For Unto Us a Child Is Born ........................................................................................ Georg F Handel Staged as an oratorio in 1741, Messiah contains over 75 pieces of music. For Unto Us a Child Is Born serves as the twelfth piece of Part I, which foretells the birth of Christ. Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head ........................................................................... arr. Paul Christiansen This Appalachian folk carol was arranged for the Concordia Choir by one of its earliest conductors, Paul Christiansen. From Three Nativity Carols ......................................................................................... Stephen Paulus The Holly and the Ivy This Endris Night Anna Rothfusz, Oboe Stephen Paulus, a Minnesota composer, composed many works for choirs. His work was commissioned for such ensembles as the Atlanta Symphony Chorus, the Dale Warland Singers and the Minnesota Orchestra. In total, Paulus wrote over 450 works, ranging from opera to choral music to solo work. In the Bleak Midwinter ................................................................................................. arr. Mark Hayes In the Bleak Midwinter is a Christmas carol based on a poem by Christina Rossetti. The poem was published under the title A Christmas Carol in 1872. The poem first appeared set to music in The English Hymnal in 1906 with a setting by Gustav Holst. Ding! Dong! Merrily on High ................................................................................... arr. Howard Helvey Carol Spayer and Walter Stout, piano Though first published as a dance tune much earlier, Ding Dong Merrily on High was first published as an English Christmas song in 1924. Its poetry uses both English and Latin texts. We welcome ICC faculty member Walter Stout to the piano to join accompanist Carol Spayer. -- INTERMISSION -- White Christmas .................................................................................................................Irving Berlin arr. M. Huff Written in 1942, White Christmas has been recorded over 500 times and is the most-recorded Christmas song in history. Originally written for the movie Holiday Inn, the most popular recording was created by Bing Crosby and is the biggest-selling single of all time worldwide. A Shoot Shall Come Forth .............................................................................................. Richard Horn Richard Horn spent over 50 years as a composer and organist in service to churches in Pennsylvania, California and Wisconsin. While most of his compositions are for organ, his choral music has become a favorite repertoire for many singers. The Holly and the Ivy ......................................................................................... arr. Russell Robinson This British carol was first published in the 1800s and its melody has been arranged by many composers. This arrangement features rhythmic interest with the traditional melody. Coventry Carol ................................................................................................... arr. Victor C. Johnson The carol was traditionally performed in Coventry in England, first in the 16th century as part of a mystery play called The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors. The play depicts the Christmas story from Chapter 2 in the Gospel of Matthew. There Shall a Star from Jacob ................................................................................ Felix Mendelssohn Felix Mendelssohn began to write an oratorio entitled Christus, but it remained unfinished at the time of his death in 1847. The work was published posthumously as Op. 49. From this work, the well- known chorus There Shall a Star became one of Mendelssohn’s best-known choral works. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing ..................................................................................... arr. Dan Forrest Carol Spayer and Walter Stout, piano The traditional carol is arranged for choir and four-hand piano accompaniment by pianist and choral composer-arranger Dan Forrest. Once again, Walter Stout of the ICC faculty joins Philharmonic accompanist Carol Spayer on the piano in this arrangement. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas ....................................................................... arr. Mark Hayes First sung by Judy Garland in the 1944 musical Meet Me in St. Louis, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas is one of the most-performed Christmas songs of all time. Mark Hayes’ arrangement includes a dynamic piano accompaniment, featuring Philharmonic accompanist Carol Spayer. --------------- Audience members are invited to the studio theatre following the concert for a cookies and punch reception --------------- Save the Date for our spring concert! Sunday, May 5, 2018 • 2:30 pm ICC Performing Arts Center Tickets: $12 general public, $10 students and senior citizens Tickets available at ArtsAtICC.com or (309) 694-5136 --------------- Philharmonic Chorale Sponsors - Fall 2018 Friends: ($25.00 - $49.00) Family of Mariane Bean In Memory of Mariane Bean Bob & Linda Cooper Dottie Strickler In memory of J. Michael Morris Sponsors: ($50.00 - $99.00) Greg Hampy In Grateful Memory of Msgr Joseph Zube Sherrill Morris In Loving Memory of Mike Morris Waxwing Books In the Old Carnegie Library Building in Chillicothe Gary & Jeanne Setterlund Keep Singing, Nana & Papa! Sophie, Poppy, Luka, Wren Ann Ragsdale In Memory of Herb Ragsdale Kidder Music Service, Inc. Supporting Music Today and Tomorrow John & Jane Rosenbohm Benefactors: ($100.00+ ) Ronald Rabjohns “Let the Beauty of What You Love Be What You Do” - Rumi Morton Animal Hospital “All creatures great and small, the Lord God made them all.” -Cecil Alexander Debbie Dornaus Counseling Works ------------- Fall 2018 Philharmonic Chorale Singers Soprano Zene Baker Mary Casterline Linda Cooper Debbie Dornaus Barbara Eisfelder Michelle Mayer Sherrill Morris Deborah Naff Karleen Peterson Ann Ragsdale Jeanne Setterlund Linda Von Behren Alto Tracey Beckner Dianne Edwards Cindy Johnson Jennifer Lindsey Jolynn Lottman Kay Michael Anamarie Morris Kathleen Murray Kathy Newhall Lisa Smith Danielle Stanley Dottie Strickler Amber Walker Bev Yackley Tenor Art Herm William Lindgren Ed Peterson Ronald Rabjohns James Rimington Arlan Roberds Marilyn Roberds Gary Setterlund Jan Teufel Bass Steve Johnson Johannes Kahrs Phil Lopez Tim McGowan Alan Newhall Scott Paulsen Paul Resnick David Schlicksup Adam Vestal Walter Wilkins Cody Winkler Carl Williams Director, Lara Reem Lara Reem, director of the Philharmonic Chorale, holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in music education from the University of Illinois, and is currently continuing doctoral studies in the Learning Design and Leadership program at the University of Illinois. She is in her 24th year serving as a teacher of vocal music at Washington Community High School. At WCHS, Lara teaches three choirs, assists with instrumental music, teaches History of Rock and Music Theory courses, and works with the Panther Academic Coach program. In addition, she is a co-producer and music director of the annual school musical, producer of the annual madrigal dinner and prepares students throughout the school year for Illinois Music Education Association and Illinois High School Association events. Accompanist, Carol Spayer Accompanist for the Chorale since 2004, Carol is a retired educator who was a counselor at Peoria Central High School for 10 years and a music teacher and accompanist for 25 years. She earned her bachelor degree in music education from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1977. In 1996, she earned her master degree in liberal studies, and in 2002 she earned her master degree in human development and counseling, both from Bradley University. She and her husband Terry are the parents of two grown children, Megan and Micah. Philharmonic Chorale Officers President .......................................................................................................................... Carl Williams Vice president ..................................................................................................................Paul Resnick Recording secretary ...................................................................................................... Dottie Strickler Treasurer ....................................................................................................................... Arlan Roberds Concert/ticket chair .................................................................................................... Marilyn Roberds Membership chair ............................................................................................................Paul Resnick Uniform chair .............................................................................................................. Jennifer Lindsey Social chairs ................................................................................ Sherrill Morris and Karleen Peterson Digital goddess ............................................................................................................ Michelle Mayer Historian ............................................................................................................................ Bev Yackley .