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Welcome to our ConcertNYCC YOUTH

NYCC

Welcome

Welcome to the Spring Concerts of the inaugural season of New York Chamber Choirs. We are delighted that you are here this evening to celebrate the music of Royal Composers; and in particular our special guest, Paul Mealor. New York Chamber Choirs is the only dedicated chamber choir organization in New York City, and our mission is at the heart of everything we do:

NYCC celebrates and promotes chamber choir music at the highest level through innovative concerts, education and outreach with adults and young people.

As a non-profit organization, a very important part of our mission is to offer music education, choral training and individual voice lessons at no cost to members. We run our programs year-long and currently have two ensembles; NYCC and NYCC Youth. Looking ahead, our intention is to develop additional ensembles as we continue to promote chamber choir music in New York City.

The chamber choir is a unique art form that bridges solo and large-choral singing. It requires intimate human connection, delicate musicality and technical proficiency. The result: captivating dimensions of color and complexity. Singers share a greater sense of responsibility and sensitivity, and achieve shared artistic goals with the conductor.

Enjoy the show this evening, join our mailing list, and please take time to meet our singers afterwards.

Alistair Hamilton Founder & Artistic Director

A Royal Program

Tonight’s concert celebrates over 500 years of music performed for and commissioned by the English Royal Family. This music has been performed many events, including weddings, funerals, and coronations. The program commemorates many centuries of tradition and premieres, honoring composers as diverse as King Henry VIII in 1513, the earliest composer represented, to Paul Mealor in 2011, the most contemporary. Between those ends of the time spectrum are the varied musical traditions represented by Purcell, Handel, Parry, Holst, Britten, and Tavener.

The music is both traditional and contemporary, as are the texts. In contrasting these styles, we aim to show the diversity of musical voice. For example, we lead the concert with plainchant, arguably the purest form of song. We then immediately feature the same “Ubi Caritas” text from the plainchant, this time sung through Mealor’s complex and driven harmonies, at times presenting nine vocal parts simultaneously. We enable the listener to travel through time with musical harmonies, styles and themes of each era, while staying rooted in time-honored texts.

We are delighted to present the works of such a dignified array of composers. We have been privileged to work personally with the only living composer represented tonight, Paul Mealor, with whom we have consulted throughout both planning and rehearsal stages and whose music has inspired us from start to finish. Through his music featured tonight, Mealor, who will be in attendance at our June 6 performance, has laid claim to his place among the great and historic Royal Composers represented on our program. The tradition continues.

Lies’l HillAssistant Artistic Director

Program

Ubi Caritas Traditional NYCCProcessional, original plainchant 14th Century

Ubi Caritas Paul Mealor NYCCWedding of the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge b. 1975 Soloists Rosina Pohlmann / Cat Steinbrink

Ne Irascaris William Byrd NYCCDedicated to Elizabeth I 1540 - 1623

Ave Maria Paul Mealor NYCCComposed in 2008 b. 1975 Soloist Josh Lang

I Vow To Thee My Country Gustav Holst NYCC, NYCC Youth, Quartet, OrganFuneral of Diana, Princess of Wales 1874 - 1934 Soloists Kaijeh Johnson / Godson Nartey

A Spotless Rose Paul Mealor NYCCComposed in 2010 b. 1975

Time, Corcorde Benjamin Britten NYCCCoronation of Queen Elizabeth II 1913 - 1976

Coronation Ode: The Queen Gustav Holst NYCC, Quartet. Conducted by Lies’l HillCoronation of King Edward VII 1874 - 1934

Pastime and Good Company King Henry VIII NYCC Youth. Conducted by Lies’l HillEnglish folk song, composed by the King 1491 - 1547

The Lamb John Tavener NYCC YouthPoem by William Blake (1757 - 1827) 1944 - 2013

Song for Athene John Tavener NYCCFuneral of Diana, Princess of Wales 1944 - 2013 Soloists Bill Vanderson / Robin McClellan

The King Shall Rejoice (excerpt) G. F. Handel NYCC, Quartet, OrganCoronation of King George II 1685 - 1759

For God So Loved The World Paul Mealor NYCCNY Premiere, only at 6/6 b. 1975

Stabat Mater, mov. 2 Paul Mealor NYCC, Quartet, HarpComposed in 2009 b. 1975 Soloists Isabel Leonard / Sarah Brailey

Dido and Aeneas (excerpt) Henry Purcell NYCC, Quartet, HarpStory based on Book IV of Virgil’s Aeneid 1659 - 1695 Soloists Isabel Leonard / Sarah Brailey

God Save The Queen Traditional EveryoneCommonwealth National Anthem 17th Century

Jerusalem Hubert Parry EveryoneCoronation of King George IV 1848 - 1918 Soloists Katya Shykind / Kali Barisano

Psalm 84 (How Lovely is your Dwelling) Hubert Parry NYCCRecessional, Anglican hymn 1848 - 1918

Texts

A Spotless Rose

A Spotless Rose is growing,Sprung from a tender root,Of ancient seers’ foreshowing,Of Jesse promised fruit;Its fairest bud unfolds to lightAmid the cold, cold winter,And the dark midnight.

The Rose which I am singing,Whereof Isiah said,Is from its sweet root springingIn Mary, purest Maid;Through God’s great love and mightThe Blessed Babe she bare usIn a cold, cold winter’s night. Amen.

Time

Yes he is Time, Lusty and blithe,Time is at his apogee!Although you thought to seeA bearded ancient with a scythe.

No reaper he That cries “Take heed!”Time is at his apogee!Young and strong in his prime!Behold the sower of the seed!

Concord

Concord is here, our days to bless.And this our land, to endue With plenty, peace and happiness.

Concord and Time, each needeth each;The ripest fruit hangs where not one,But only two, can reach.

I Vow To Thee My Country

I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above,Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

And there’s another country, I’ve heard of long ago,Most dear to them that love her, Most great to them that know;We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace.

Coronation Ode: The Queen

True Queen of British homes and heartsOf guileless faith and sterling worth,We yield you ere today departs,The proudest, purest crown on earth!

We love you well for England’s sake,True you shall prove, as you have proved;The years that come shall only makeYour name more honoured, more belov’d.

Oh kind and wise, the humblest heartThat beats in all your realms todayKnows well that it can claim its partIn all you hope, in all you pray.

Pastime And Good Company

Pastime with good company, I love and shall until I die.Grudge who likes, but none deny, so God be pleased, thus live will I.For my pastance: hunt sing and dance, my heart is set,All goodly sport, for my comfort, who shall me let?

Youth must have some dalliance, of good or ill some pastance.Company methinks then best, all thoughts and fancies to digest.For Idleness is chief mistress, of vices all.Then who can say, but mirth and play, is best of all?

Company with honesty, is virtue - vices to flee.Company is good and ill, but every man has his free will.The best ensue, the worst eschew, my mind shall be.Virtue to use, vice to refuse, thus shall I use me!

Texts

The Lamb

Little Lamb, who made thee?Dost thou know who made thee?Gave thee life, and bid thee feedBy the stream and o’er the mead;

Gave thee clothing of delight,Softest clothing, woolly, bright;Gave thee such a tender voice,Making all the vales rejoice?

Little Lamb, who made thee?Dost thou know who made thee?Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee,Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee;

He is called by thy name,For he calls himself a Lamb.He is meek, and he is mild.He became a little child.

I, a child, and thou a lamb,We are called by his name.Little lamb, God bless thee!Little lamb, God bless thee!

God So Loved The World

For God so loved the world,That he gave his only son,That whosoever believes in himShall never dieBut have eternal life.

For God did not send his SonInto the world to condemn the world,But to save the world through him.

For God so loved the world,That he gave his only son,That whosoever believes in himShall never die.

Song for Athene

Alleluia May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.Remember me, O Lord, when you come into your kingdom.Give rest, O Lord, to your servant who has fallen asleep.

Alleluia The Choir of Saints have found the well-spring of life And door of paradise.Life: a shadow and a dream.Weeping at the grave creates the song: Alleluia.Come, enjoy rewards and crowns I have prepared for you.

Dido and Aeneas (excerpt)

Thy hand, Belinda, darkness shades me,On thy bosom let me rest,More I would, but Death invades me;Death is now a welcome guest.

When I am laid in Earth, May my wrongs createNo trouble in thy breast;Remember me, but ah! forget my fate.

With drooping wings you Cupids come, To scatter roses on her tomb. Soft and Gentle as her Heart Keep here your watch, and never part.

Jerusalem

And did those feet in ancient timeWalk upon England’s mountains green?And was the holy Lamb of GodOn England’s pleasant pastures seen?And did the Countenance DivineShine forth upon our clouded hills?And was Jerusalem builded hereAmong these dark Satanic Mills?

Bring me my Bow of burning gold!Bring me my Arrows of desire!Bring me my Spear! O clouds unfold!Bring me my Chariot of fire!I will not cease from Mental Fight,Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand,Till we have built JerusalemIn England’s green & pleasant Land.

Texts

Ubi Caritas

Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor.Exultemus, et in ipso jucundemur.Timeamus, et amemus Deum vivum.Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero. Amen.

Ne Irascaris

Ne irascaris Domine satis,Et ne ultra memineris iniquitatis nostrae.Ecce respice populus tuus omnes nos.

Ave Maria

Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum.Benedicta tu in mulieribus,Et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus.Sancta Maria, Mater Dei,Ora pro nobis peccatoribus,Nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

Stabat Mater

Eia Mater fons amoris,Me sentire vim dolorisFac ut tecum lugeam.

Fac ut ardeat cor meum,In amando Christum DeumUt sibi complaceam.

Sancta Mater istud agasCrucifixi fige plagasCorde meo valide.

Ubi Caritas

Where charity and love are, God is there.The love of Christ has gathered us together.Let us rejoice and be glad in it.Let us revere and love the living God.And from a sincere heart let us love one another. Amen.

Ne Irascaris

Be not angry, O Lord,And remember our iniquity no more.Behold, we are all your people.

Ave Maria

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.Blessed art thou among women,And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.Holy Mary, Mother of God,Pray for us sinners,Now and in the hour of our death. Amen.

Stabat Mater

Ah Mother, fount of love,Let me feel the force of grief,That I may grieve with you.

Make my heart burnWith the love of Christ, the God,That I may be pleasing to Him.

Holy Mother, bring this to pass,Transfix the wounds of Him who is crucifiedFirmly onto my heart.

Translations

God Save The Queen!

God save our gracious Queen, Long live our noble Queen, God save the Queen! Send her victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us, God save the Queen!

How Lovely Is Your Dwelling

How lovely is your dwelling, O Lord of hosts!My soul has a desire and a longing for the courts of the Lord:My heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son: and to the holy Ghost;As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be:World without end. Amen.

New York Chamber Choir

SOPRANO

Lies’l HillAlana Murphy

Rosina PohlmannCatherine Steinbrick

Gwen Thompson

New York Youth Chamber Choir

Instrumentalists

Bleeker String QuartetLynn Bechtold (violin I), Hajnal Kármán Pivnick (violin II), Edmundo Ramírez (viola), Jisoo Ok (cello)

HarpistsKathryn Andrews (5/30), Caroline Cole (6/6)

OrganistMichael Hey

ALTO

Emily BrunstenMarfa Gadacz

Caroline Pohlmann Eleanor Weeks

TENOR

Josh LangMiguel Saucedo John Shubeck Bill Vanderson

BASS

Jack ChanDavid Green

Robin McClellan Dave Peer

Jose Pietri-CoimbreRyan Snow (6/6)

David Williams (5/30)

SOPRANO

Kali Barisano Paulett Esteban

Yunfei LiuSammi Maza

Samantha O’ Donoghue Julianne Robert

ALTO

Amanda Ascuitto Bridget Brown

Yaneisha Phoenix Lindsay SeitzKatya Shykind

Eshkar Weisman Kateryna Zhykhareva

TENOR

Louis AlteenJames BaffourKaijeh Johnson

BASS

Tom GuezGodson Nartey

Wilson Ramones Arthur Zani

These passionate and dedicated singers, aged 14-19 and from a diverse cross-section of New York, are founding members of NYCC Youth. This is their first concert, and we look forward to a full program of events next year:

The singers of NYCC are chamber choir enthusiasts with a wide range of professional careers and experience. We are very fortunate to have such a richly-talented group of singers with which to celebrate chamber choir repertoire:

Board of Directors

Bill Vanderson Chair Debbie Ford TreasurerLaura Inman Vice-Chair Emily Brunsten NYCC RepresentativeGlen Roven Education & Outreach Alistair Hamilton Founder & Artistic DirectorJack Chan Marketing

Alistair Hamilton | Founder & Artistic Director, NYCC Youth teacher

Alistair Hamilton is from Northern Ireland, having lived in England and Malaysia prior to relocating to New York City in 2012. Alistair founded the vocal octet VOCTET in 2012, was formerly the Assistant Conductor of the Canticum Novum Singers, and is currently completing his second Masters of Music (Choral Conducting) with California State University, Los Angeles. Alistair sings with Amor Artis and Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church and is a passionate conductor, singer, educator and advocate for choral, chamber and orchestral music.

Alistair serves on the board of the Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music, NH, and founded NYCC in 2014. Alistair has led and conducted choirs and orchestras of students / adults in more than 20 countries throughout Europe, Asia and the United States in a series of concerts, festivals, tours, events and masterclasses. Alistair works as Music Director for Dwight School, a leading International Baccaleaurate school on the Upper West Side.

Lies’l Hill | Assistant Artistic Director, NYCC Youth teacher

Lies’l Hill is a graduate of Northern Arizona University, where she received her undergrad in Choral Music Education and Vocal Performance. A native of Arizona, Lies’l was very active in the musical theatre, vocal jazz, and choral circles. While in college, she was a part of the prestigious Shrine of the Ages choir, under the direction of Dr. Edith Copley. She was also a founding member of the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. Ryan Holder. For three years in college, she acted as Assistant Conductor of the Flagstaff Children’s Chorale.

Lies’l has also soloed for such masterworks as Mozart’s Requiem and John Rutter’s Magnificat. Most recent musical theatre/opera credits include Pirates of Penzance (Mable), Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife), and Die Zauberflöte (Second Lady). After graduating, Lies’l sang under the direction of Craig Peterson in the Canto Vivio Chorale, taught private lessons, and assistant-directed choirs at Corona Del Sol High School in Tempe, AZ, for a year before moving to New York in fall of 2013.

Laura Inman | Artistic consultant, NYCC Youth teacher, vocal coach

Laura Inman is a New York City-based soprano with a passion for chamber choir music and a diverse background in the performing arts. Laura was the founding Executive Director of Manhattan Chorale and currently works as a freelance singer and conductor. She is a touring member of the Irish vocal ensemble Anúna and served as their education outreach artist in Japan (October 2014). Laura’s career includes eleven seasons with the 2009 Grammy Award-winning Phoenix Chorale, where she was featured on six albums, as well as a soloist on the Kansas City Chorale’s 2012 Grammy Award winning album, “Life and Breath, Choral Works of René Clausen” (Best Small Ensemble). Prior to her move to New York City, she was appointed Assistant Professor of Music at Georgia Institute of Technology and held several other positions at both the high school and university level. She is excited to work with this innovative and downright cool organization which is providing NYC’s already vibrant music scene with compelling and engaging choral chamber music. Laura holds degrees in voice and music education from the University of Louisville and Arizona State University, where she completed her DMA in conducting. She is a native of the beautiful state of Arkansas and lives with her husband, composer Ola Gjeilo, in New York.

Artistic / Teaching Team

Special Guests

Paul Mealor | Composer June 6

Described in the New York Times as, ‘one of the most important composers to have emerged in Welsh choral music since William Mathias… A real and original talent’, Paul Mealor’s music has rapidly entered the repertoire of choirs and singers around the world. His music has been described as having, ‘serene beauty, fastidious craftsmanship and architectural assuredness… Music of deep spiritual searching that always asks questions, offers answers and fills the listener with hope…’ His sacred motets, songs and cycles have been performed, broadcast and recorded by artists in the UK, USA and much further afield. Mealor was catapulted to international attention when 2.5 billion people (the largest audience in broadcasting history) heard his Motet, Ubi caritas performed by the choirs of Westminster Abbey and Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal, conducted by James O’Donnell at the Royal Wedding Ceremony of His Royal Highness Prince William and Catherine Middleton (now TRH The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge) at Westminster Abbey, 29th April 2011.

Born in St Asaph, North Wales, UK in 1975 Paul Mealor studied composition privately from an early age with John Pickard, at the University of York with Nicola LeFanu (1994-2002) and in Copenhagen with Hans Abrahamsen (1998-99). Since 2003 he has taught at the University of Aberdeen, where he is currently Reader in Composition, and has held visiting professorships in composition at institutions in Scandinavia and the United States. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and his music is published by Novello & Co Ltd.

Isabel Leonard | Soloist May 30

Highly acclaimed for her “passionate intensity and remarkable vocal beauty,” the Grammy Award winning Isabel Leonard continues to thrill audiences both in the opera house and on the concert stage. In repertoire that spans from Vivaldi to Mozart to Thomas Ades, she has graced the stages of the Metropolitan Opera, Vienna State Opera, Paris Opera, Salzburg Festival, Bavarian State Opera, Glyndebourne Festival, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera as Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Angelina in La Cenerentola, Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro, Dorabella in Cosi fan tutte, Blanche de la Force in Dialogues des Carmélites, the title roles in Griselda, La Périchole, and Der Rosenkavalier, as well as Sesto in both Mozart’s La clemenza di Tito and Handel’s Giulio Cesare.

She has appeared with some of the foremost conductors of her time: James Levine, Valery Gergiev, Charles Dutoit, Gustavo Dudamel, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Franz Welser-Möst, Edo de Waart, James Conlon, Andris Nelsons, and Harry Bicket with the Cleveland Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, and Vienna Philharmonic, among others.

Sarah Brailey | Soloist June 6

Hailed by The New York Times for her “radiant, liquid tone,” “exquisitely phrased,” and “sweetly dazzling” singing, soprano Sarah Brailey is in growing demand as a concert and chamber music artist. This season, Sarah makes her solo debut with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra in Handel’s Messiah and at Carnegie Hall in Steve Reich’s Drumming. She will perform the Strauss Vier Letzte Lieder and Villa-Lobos Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 with the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra, numerous Bach cantatas with the Choir of Trinity Wall Street and Bach Vespers at Holy Trinity, and the American premiere of Hercules en el Mato Grosso, a new opera by Esteban Insinger.

Recent highlights include Britten’s Les Illuminations with Novus NY, Caldara’s Maddalena with the American Classical Orchestra, Handel’s Samson under the baton of Nicholas McGegan, Reich’s Music for 18 with Ensemble Signal, Josep Sanz’s King Lear at the MATA Festival, Jesse Jones’s through the veil, Brahms’ Liebeslieder with the Polydora Ensemble, Bach’s Jauchzet Gott with the Trinity Baroque Orchestra, and premieres of works by John Zorn, Gabriel Jackson, Tarik O’Regan, Ralf Yusuf Gawlick, and Scott Wheeler. Sarah’s awards include national finalist awards in the 2014 Lyndon Woodside Oratorio Solo Competition and the Madison Early Music Festival’s Handel Aria Competition, and semi-finalist in the 2014 Concert Artist Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition. Sarah can be heard on recordings released by Naxos, Tzadik, Musica Omnia, BIS, 4AD, Soundbrush Records, and VIA Records.

Supporters

New York Chamber Choirs is extremely thankful to the following supporters of the 2014-15 season:

Special Thanks

NYCC & NYCC Youth, for their tireless dedication and artistry, and for fostering such a vibrant community The Board of Directors, for its leadership and support of our missionAlistair Hamilton, as Founder & Artistic Director Lies’l Hill, as Assistant Artistic Director and NYCC Youth co-teacherLaura Inman, on the artistic team and vocal coach for the ensembles

Paul Mealor, for believing in the mission of NYCC and travelling from the UK for this special occasionIsabel Leonard, for taking time out of her very active international performing schedule to inspire us (5/30)Sarah Brailey, for performing as our soloist (6/6) and being such a supporter of NYCC

The parents, families and communities of NYCC YouthMadeline Cuomo, for her tireless advocacy on behalf of NYCC and our missionRev. Mo Carla, Lila Botera and the staff of St. Matthew & St. TimothyRemy Canario and family, for believing in NYCC right from the very beginningOla Gjeilo, for his continued artistic support and dedication to NYCC and its growthRyan Ferguson, for his creative insight into NYCC and its futureJames Kennerley and the staff of St. Ignatius of AntiochDr. Ryan Jackson and the staff of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian ChurchDr. Barbara McKeon, for being such a wonderful ambassador for young people in NYCAmelia DeMayo, for supporting the formation of NYCC YouthCaroline Hendrix and staff at the British Consul, NYCGlen Roven and Laura Inman, for coordinating our soloists Lynn Bechtold, Michael Hey and Kathryn Andrews, for coordinating our instrumentalistsThe Pohlmann family, for supporting NYCC social opportunities and retreatsEmily House, for your energy and artistic supportChrissie Myers Robert, for being so helpful with NYCC Youth each rehearsal Sammi Maza, for being the chief co-ordinator of snacks and treats for NYCC Youth

AnonymousEmily Brunsten

Arthur, Liliane and Remy CanarioJack Chan

CC ChristonDr. Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel

David and Marla Feinberg Susan FerriereDeborah Ford

Meyer and Florence Frucher Christiana Gonzales

Joan and David GreenLong Island Hospitality Group

Dominique Guay

Ian HarkinsAlana Murphy

Lies’l HillLaura InmanJosh Lang

Robin McClellanDave Peer

Caroline PohlmannAriel Revan

John ShubeckCarl Spielvogel

Frederique TholozanGwen Thompson

Anna and Anthony Trimarchi

Support New York Chamber Choirs

New York Chamber Choirs is a new non-profit organization. Any donations made now will be retroactively tax-deductable if and when NYCC receives its federal 501(c)(3) status, expected September 2015. All members of NYCC are volunteers, including the Artistic Director. NYCC as an organization has three key strategic financial goals:

1) To maintain fiscal stability by meeting the operating costs associated with venue rentals, concerts, rehearsals, events, education, marketing, sheet music, instrumentalist / soloist fees, insurance, publications, media, and development

2) To provide financial assistance to members so that members do not incur fees for participating in NYCC

3) To develop the organization’s infrastructure and expand its resources so that it can provide logistical and material support to the ensembles.

To support the organization in any way, please reach out to the Artistic Director, Alistair Hamilton. Please join us at the after-concert reception and take the opportunity to meet our singers, instrumentalists and special guests.

@ nychamberchoirs www.chamberchoirs.nyc