Fall Choral Collage: UMD Treble Choir, UMD Men’s Chorus and University Chorale

Fall Choral Collage

UMD Treble Choir, UMD Men’s Chorus and University Chorale
Sunday, November 21, 2021 . 7:30PM EST
Photo by Geoff Sheil.
Principal People: 

Matthew Goinz, Mark Helms, Kenneth Elpus, Jonathan King and Nathan Lofton, conductors

Special Announcement: 

Please note: The livestream for this event will be available to view only during the performance. The video will not be available to view after the concert.

Event Attributes

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Accessibility: 

For more information regarding accessible accommodations, please click here.

Join us in person at The Clarice or watch the livestream from the comfort of your home.

The 2021 Fall Choral Collage is a celebration of music, life and love throughout the ages. This concert will feature selections performed by the UMD Treble Choir, UMD Men’s Chorus and University Chorale. Comprising singers from across the university community, these three choirs will perform choral standards and new works from composers such as Ralph Vaughan Williams, Clara Schumann and UMD composition alumna Dale Trumbore ’09. The choirs will join forces to give a finale performance of “Seasons of Love” from RENT.

About UMD Choral Activities:

Led by Edward Maclary, the choral ensembles have achieved international renown and offer a wide array of experiences with music encompassing all styles and eras. In addition to this season’s on campus performances, the UMD Concert Choir participates in annual collaborations with both the National Symphony Orchestra and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Concessions: 

The Clarice lobby concession bar Encore will not be open for food and beverage sales during this event.

Health & Safety for In-Person Attendance:

There may be COVID-19 safety policies in place, such as mask requirements, when you attend this event. Please see The Clarice's health and safety page for the most up-to-date information about attendance.

PROGRAM MENU: PROGRAM • PROGRAM NOTES • ABOUT THE ARTISTS

PROGRAM

 
UMD Treble Choir
Kenneth Elpus, conductor
Jonathan King, assistant conductor
 
Bonny Wood Green
Traditional Irish
arr. S. Hatfield
 
The Call
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958)
arr. J. Barhart
 
I will be earth
Gwyneth Walker (b. 1947)
 
O Antiqui Sancti
Hildegard von Bingen (1098–1176)
arr. M. Engelhardt
 
Kayla Compson, bass
Jesse Florida, percussion
 
Five Hebrew Love Songs
Eric Whitacre (b. 1970)
  1. Temuná
  2. Kalá kallá
  3. Lárov
  4. Éyze shéleg
  5. Rakút
Emily Konkle, violin I
Amir Nasseri, violin II
Seth Goodman, viola
Syneva Colle, cello
Jesse Florida, percussion
 
“A Girl's Garden” from Frostiana
Randall Thompson (1899–1984)
 
 
UMD Men’s Chorus
Nathan Lofton, conductor
 
“In natali domini” from Prague Codex Speciálník
Anonymous (ca. 1500)
 
Ei mein perle, du werte Kron
Michael Praetorius (1571–1621)
 
What Sweeter Music
Halsey Stevens (1908–1989)
 
“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” from Frostiana
Randall Thompson (1899–1984)
 
Completing the Circle
Dale Trumbore ’09 (b. 1987)
 
Noel!
Steven Sametz (b. 1954)
 
 
University Chorale
Matthew Goinz and Mark Helms, conductors
 
Gaudete omnes
Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562–1621)
 
Drei Gemischte Chöre
Clara Schumann (1819–1896)
  1. Abendfeier in Venedig
  2. Vorwärts
  3. Gondoliera
Three Choruses from Alice in Wonderland
Irving Fine (1914–1962)
  1. The Lobster Quadrille
  2. Lullaby of the Duchess
Darby Brandenburg, soloist
  1. Father William
This Little Light of Mine
arr. Moses Hogan (1957–2003)
 
Temma Schlesinger, soloist
Ryan Ritzes, soloist
 
 
Combined Ensembles
 
“Seasons of Love” from RENT
Jonathan Larson (1960–1996)
 
Eme-Claudia Morfaw, soloist
Tania Ghandour, soloist
 

PROGRAM NOTES

 
The UMD Men’s Chorus presents a program of sacred and secular music for the holiday season. We begin with two works from the Renaissance: an anonymous setting of the carol “In natali domini” from the Prague Codex Speciálník (ca. 1500) and a short motet by Michael Praetorius (1571–1621), Ei mein perle, du werte Kron. The remainder of the works on the program are by 20th and 21st century American composers, starting with a rarely heard setting of the Robert Herrick poem What Sweeter Music by Halsey Stevens (1908–1989). We continue with two secular pieces about the winter season, Randall Thompson’s (1899–1984) “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” from Frostiana and Completing the Circle by University of Maryland alumna Dale Trumbore ’09 (b. 1987). We close with a setting of a medieval carol by Steven Sametz (b. 1954), Noel!
 
The University Chorale opens their portion of tonight’s program with Gaudete omnes, a Christmas motet by the Dutch Renaissance composer Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck. In Drei gemischte Chöre, Clara Schumann beautifully sets a triptych of texts by her contemporary poet Emanuel Geibel. While easily excerpted, these three short part songs are most musically and emotionally compelling when performed as a set, as you’ll hear them this evening. Irving Fine’s Three Choruses from Alice in Wonderland brilliantly reflect the childhood innocence and satire of Victorian social mores present in Lewis Carroll’s classic novel. “The Lobster Quadrille” portrays the whimsical dance of a variety of sea creatures, “Lullaby of the Duchess” comments on the mysterious and emotionally-volatile nature of adults through the Duchess’s advocacy for an unfair punishment, and “Father William” offers an absurdist parody of the didactic poems children were often taught in this era. Dedicated to Anton Armstrong and the St. Olaf Choir, Moses Hogan wrote This Little Light of Mine in what would be the last year of his life. Originally created in the 1920s as a children's song and later adapted by activists as an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s, the familiar tune and text were given new depth and poignancy by Hogan's death at the young age of 45.
 
TEXT TRANSLATIONS
 
In natali domini
In natali domini
Gaudent omnes angeli
Et cantat cum iubilo
Gloriam uni deo.
 
Virgo deum genuit,
Virgo deum preperit,
Virgo semper intacta.
 
Natus est Emanuel
Quem predixit Gabriel
Testis est Ezechiel
A patre processit El.
 
Virgo deum…
Christus natus hodie
Ex Maria virgine
Non conceptus semine
Apparuit hodie.
At the birth of the Lord
All the angels rejoiced
And sang with joy
Glory to the one God.
A virgin begat a God,
A virgin gave birth to a God,
A virgin always untouched.
 
Born is Emanuel
Whom Gabriel announced
Attested by Ezechiel
He comes from the Father.
 
Christ is born today,
Of the Virgin Mary,
Not conceived of man,
He appeared today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ei mein Perle, du werte Kron
Ei mein Perle, du werte Kron,
wahrr Gottes und Marien Sohn,
ein hochgeborner König.
Mein Herz heißt dich mein
Lilium, dein süßes Evangelium
ist lauter Milch und Honig.
Ei mein Blümlein, Hosianna,
himmlisch Manna, das wir
essen, deiner kann ich nicht
vergessen.
O precious pearl, crown of my life,
truly God’s son of Mary born,a
highborn King.
As a lily my heart sees you,
redemption’s stay is my song, is
purest milk and honey.
O my flower, sing hosanna,
heavenly manna, that we’ve
eaten, an unforgettable sacrifice.

 

 

 

 

 

Gaudete omnes
Gaudete omnes, et laetamini,
quia ecce, desideratus advenit.
Introite in conspectu eius in exultatione.
Scitote quoniam ipse est expectatio nostra.
Alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad, all of you,
for behold, he whom you longed for comes.
Enter into his presence with singing.
Know that he is our hope.
Alleluia.

 

 

 

 

Drei gemischte Chöre (Three Mixed Choirs)
1. Abendfeier in Venedig
 
Ave Maria! Meer und Himmel ruh'n,
Von allen Türmen hallt der Glocken Ton,
Ave Maria! Laßt vom ird'schen Tun,
Zur Jungfrau betet, zu der
Jungfrau Sohn,
 
Des Himmels Scharen selber knieen nun
Mit Lilienstäben vor des Vaters Thron,
Und durch die Rosenwolken wehn die
Lieder
Der sel'gen Geister feierlich hernieder.
 
O heil'ge Andacht, welche jedes Herz
Mit leisen Schauern wunderbar
durchdringt!
O sel'ger Glaube, der sich himmelwärts
Auf des Gebetes weißem Fittig schwingt!
In milde Tränen löst sich da der Schmerz,
Indes der Freude Jubel sanfter klingt.
Ave Maria! Wenn die Glocke tönet,
So lächeln Erd' und Himmel mild
versöhnet.
1. Evening Celebration in Venice
 
Ave Maria! Sea and heaven are resting,
From every tower echoes the sound of bells,
Ave Maria! Leave off your earthly endeavors,
Pray to the Virgin, to the Virgin's son,
The hosts of Heaven themselves are now kneeling
 
With staves of lilies before the Father's throne,
And through the rosy clouds the songs
Of the blessed spirits waft solemnly down toward earth.
 
Oh holy devotion, which marvelously penetrates
Every heart with a quiet shiver!
Oh holy faith that soars toward heaven
On the white wings of prayer!
There pain dissolves into mild tears,
While the rejoicing of happiness rings out more gently.
Ave Maria! When the bell sounds,
Earth and heaven smile, reconciled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Vorwärts
 
Lass das Träumen, lass das Zagen,
Unermüdet wandre fort!
Will die Kraft dir schier versagen,
'Vorwärts' ist das rechte Wort.
 
Darfst nicht weilen, wenn die Stunde
Rosen dir entgegenbringt,
Wenn dir aus des Meeres Grunde
Die Sirene lockend singt.
 
Vorwärts, vorwärts! Im Gesange
Ringe mit dem Schmerz der Welt,
Bis auf deine heisse Wange
Goldner Strahl von oben fällt,
 
Bis der Kranz, der dichtbelaubte,
Schattig deine Stirn umwebt,
Bis verklärend überm Haupte
Dir des Geistes Flamme schwebt.
 
Vorwärts drum durch Feindes Zinnen,
Vorwärts durch des Todes Pein,
Wer den Himmel will gewinnen,
Muss ein rechter Kämpfer sein
2. Forward
 
Leave off dreaming, leave off hesitating.
Wander on tirelessly!
When your strength is nearly failing,
'Forward' is the right word.
 
You must not tarry when the hour
Brings you roses;
When from the depths of the sea
The siren tempts you.
 
Onward, onward! In song
Wrestle with the pain of the world,
Until upon your burning cheek
Falls a golden beam from above.
 
Until the wreath, thick with leaves,
Weaves about and shadows your brow.
Until your head is transfigured
By the flame of the spirit hovering above it.
 
Onward then through the foe's battlements,
Onward through the pain of death,
Those who wish to win [entrance to] Heaven,
Must be true warriors!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Gondoliera
 
O komm zu mir, wenn durch die Nacht
Wandelt das Sternenheer,
Dann schwebt mit uns in Mondespracht
Die Gondel übers Meer.
 
Die Luft ist weich wie Liebesscherz,
Sanft spielt der goldne Schein,
Die Zither klingt und zieht dein Herz
Mit in die Lust hinein.
 
O komm zu mir, wenn durch die Nacht
Wandelt das Sternenheer,
Dann schwebt mit uns in Mondespracht
Die Gondel übers Meer.
 
Das ist für Liebende die Stund',
Liebchen, wie ich und du;
So friedlich blaut des Himmels Rund,
Es schläft das Meer in Ruh.
 
Und wie es schläft, da sagt der Blick,
Was keine Zunge spricht,
Die Lippe zieht sich nicht zurück,
Und wehrt dem Kusse nicht.
 
O komm zu mir, wenn durch die Nacht
Wandelt das Sternenheer,
Dann schwebt mit uns in Mondespracht
Die Gondel übers Meer.
3. Gondola
 
Oh come to me, when the legion of stars
wanders through the night!
Then, in the glory of moonlight,
the gondola will gently float with us over the sea!
 
The air is as soft as love's teasing,
the golden glow is playing gently.
The zither sounds and draws your heart
along with it into joy.
 
O come to me . . . .
 
 
 
 
This is the blessed hour of love!
My darling, oh come and see!
The heavenly vault is glowing so peacefully,
the blueness of the sea is sleeping!
 
And as it sleeps, our glances speak
what our lips never dare to say.
Our eyes do not retreat,
our souls do not shrink back.
 
Oh come to me . . . 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

 

ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES
 
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND TREBLE CHOIR
The UMD Treble Choir comprises soprano, alto and mezzo-soprano singers from throughout the campus community. Since 2001, the group’s membership has brought together undergraduate and graduate students from all of the major colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park. The choir sings art and folk repertoire for treble voices spanning eras, styles and genres from Renaissance to contemporary and across both Western and non-Western cultural traditions. Known especially for its exploration of choral music written by living composers, the UMD Treble Choir has commissioned and premiered works by Erik Esenvalds and presented acclaimed performances of music by Eleanor Daley, Györgi Orbán, Levente Gyöngösi, Rosephanye Powell, Moira Smiley and Sara Quartel, among many others. Each year, the UMD Treble Choir presents a slate of performances including fall and spring showcase concerts and, in conjunction with the UMD Men’s Chorus, the annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in December at the beautiful UMD Memorial Chapel. The ensemble has appeared with the NSO Pops at the Kennedy Center, and they performed by invitation for the Eastern Division Convention of the American Choral Directors Association in 2016.
 
 
KENNETH ELPUS
Kenneth Elpus is associate professor of choral music education at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he prepares pre-service music educators to teach choral music in the secondary schools, teaches graduate research methods and conducts the UMD Treble Choir. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree in choral music education from The College of New Jersey and earned his Master of Music and Ph.D. in music education at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Elpus appeared with the Treble Choir at the 2016 American Choral Directors Association Eastern Region conference and served as guest conductor of the 2018 Maryland Junior All-State Chorus. His research has been funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences and is published in the Journal of Research in Music Education, Psychology of Music, and Arts Education Policy Review, among other venues.
 
 
JONATHAN KING
Celebrated as “a fresh presence” and “fully alive” in The Washington Post, Jonathan King currently serves as interim associate conductor with The Washington Chorus and is a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate in choral conducting at the University of Maryland, College Park. At Maryland, he has directed the University Chorale and currently serves as assistant conductor and junior lecturer with the Maryland Opera Studio. He has prepared choirs to work with eminent conductors including Leonard Slatkin, Marin Alsop and Gianandrea Noseda, and he regularly assists conductor John Nelson with international performances. King has also served as a répétiteur and assistant conductor with the Lyric Opera of Chicago's Unlimited Series and the Oregon Bach Festival. He has collaborated with celebrated singers, including baritone Will Liverman, with whom he maintains an active recital schedule. Their album “Whither Must I Wander” (Odradek Records) was named one of ten “Best Classical Recordings of 2020” by the Chicago Tribune. King holds Master of Music degrees in piano chamber music and choral conducting from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Music degree from Wheaton College, IL.
 
 
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEN’S CHORUS
With an astonishing diversity of repertoire that ranges from medieval chant to barbershop, the University of Maryland Men’s Chorus is one of the School of Music’s most dynamic ensembles. Since 2001, the ensemble has headlined numerous on-campus performances, including the annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols and the Men’s Chorus Invitational, which brings talented male choirs from around the D.C. metro area for a full day of workshops, collaborations and performances. Performance tours of the East Coast, South and Midwest regions have spread the reputation for excellence of the UMD Men’s Chorus around the country, and the ensemble has now appeared multiple times at the Intercollegiate Men’s Choruses National Seminar. A frequent collaborator with the UMD Treble Choir and the UMD Concert Choir, the UMD Men’s Chorus has also appeared in performances with the NSO Pops (Do You Hear the People Sing?) and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (Brahms’ Requiem). On campus, the group has appeared with the UMD Symphony Orchestra in performances of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 13 and Brahms’ Alto Rhapsody.
 
NATHAN LOFTON
Nathan Lofton enjoys an active career as a conductor, singer, educator and administrator. He has prepared choruses for the Philadelphia Orchestra and recording projects with Philadelphia Mural Arts, History Making Productions and NFL Films. From 2016 to 2021, Lofton was a singer, conductor and board member with Philadelphia’s Chestnut Street Singers. Additionally, he has performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Philadelphia Orchestra as a member of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, the Philadelphia Singers and the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir. Lofton has served on the faculties at Temple University and Widener University. He has also held artistic and administrative positions with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Opera Philadelphia, Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia and the Boston New Music Initiative. Lofton is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting at the University of Maryland, College Park. He has previously earned degrees from the New England Conservatory, where he studied composition with Michael Gandolfi, and from Temple University, where he studied conducting with Paul Rardin. He has also participated in conducting masterclasses with Simon Halsey, David Hayes, Helmuth Rilling and Robert Spano.
 
 
UNIVERSITY CHORALE
The University Chorale is an auditioned mixed ensemble that performs a wide variety of a cappella and accompanied repertoire. Primarily directed by graduate student conductors as well as faculty, the University Chorale comprises music majors and undergraduate and graduate students from many other academic disciplines across the College Park campus. They have made regular appearance with the National Symphony Orchestra Pops and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Pops in shows such as The Leading Men of Broadway, Do You Hear the People Sing? and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. In addition to their on concertizing on and off-campus, the University Chorale frequently combines with the UMD Chamber Singers to form the UMD Concert Choir, which collaborates regularly with the UMD Symphony Orchestra and the UMD Wind Orchestra, as well as the National Symphony Orchestra and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
 
MATTHEW GOINZ
Musician and educator Matthew Goinz enjoys an active international musical career. He has performed in venues around the world, created arrangements that have been heard in every corner of the globe, commissioned and premiered new works and enjoyed collaborations with prominent artists of our day. Goinz was a performing member of and tour manager for the renowned vocal chamber ensemble Cantus, and he continues active performing relationships with Skylark, True Concord Voices & Orchestra, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale and the Washington National Cathedral. A seasoned and sensitive collaborative pianist, he recently founded mt-tracks.com, a service for actors and singers looking to create custom piano tracks for online and in-person audition, workshop, and performance settings. Goinz is pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he currently conducts the University Chorale and has previously served as director of the UMD Men's Chorus and as chorusmaster for the Maryland Opera Studio. He currently makes his home in the Washington, D.C. area with his wife, soprano and actor Sophie Amelkin, and Lucy, the sweetest beagle that ever was.
 
MARK HELMS
Mark Helms is an active conductor, singer and organist. He is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting at the University of Maryland, College Park. Prior to UMD, Helms was based in the Philadelphia area and served as director of music and the arts at Doylestown Presbyterian Church, where he oversaw a comprehensive music ministry involving nearly 200 participants of all ages. Helms recently served as the director of choral activities and liturgical music at DeSales University, where he conducted three choral ensembles and taught additional courses in music. He is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, where he earned a Master of Music degree in choral conducting. Helms is also a graduate of Furman University in Greenville, SC, where he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Music in church music. At Furman, he was also named the Theodore Presser Scholar and was inducted into both Phi Beta Kappa and Pi Kappa Lambda. Helms has studied conducting with Edward Maclary, William Weinert, Brad Lubman and Hugh Ferguson Floyd.
 
 
ENSEMBLE PERSONNEL
 
University of Maryland Treble Choir
 
Conductors
Kenneth Elpus
Jonathan King
 
Accompanist
Theodore Guerrant
 
Chorus
Blessing Akinsola
Adriana Alonzo
Faith Antonetti
Caroline Bauk
Sona Chudamani
Leilani Clendenin
Ciara Donegan
Thalie Dunkel-Bayogha
Vivian Flanagan
Isabella Formoso
Marina Francis
Elle Gilbert
Kailee Goldberg
Hannah Gross*
Ava Jacoby
Oliva Janik
Annabel Lee
Sarah Martin
Charvika Minna
Eme-Claudia Morfaw
Omolola Ojaomo
Sarah Okotcha
Stormie Poindexter
Charlotte Richardson-Deppe
Ciroannie Santana
Alexa Schmid
Olivia Sharon
Claire Squire
Katherine Sullivan
Hanna Zakharenko
 
*Ensemble Assistant
 
 
University of Maryland Men’s Chorus
 
Conductor
Nathan Lofton
 
Accompanist
Sepehr Davallou
 
Chorus
Bodie Breza
Keanu Drinkard
Brian Flood
Antonio Gallardo
Liam Gallihue
Zachary Jarjoura
Jacob Lincoln
Ryan Mayhew
Zach McKay
Adrian Mora
Harold Najarro-Caceres
Logan Swaisgood
Anton Van De Motter
 
 
University Chorale
 
Conductors
Matthew Goinz
Mark Helms
 
Accompanist
Monica Tang
 
Chorus
Alexandra Alberta
Evan Ash
Matthew August
Perry Beamer
Francesco Berrett
Darby Brandenburg
Jayden Brittain
Keanu Drinkard
Megan Flynn
Ella Gammel
Priyal Garg
Tania Ghandour
Stephanie Grande
Sarah Gray
Ella Herr
Maximilian Howard
Dotson Hsing
Inayat Jain
Jacob Kaplan-Davis
Suzanne Kmetz
Elizabeth Lawlin
Leslie Li
Ethan Limansky
Paulette Mathis
Lindsey McCullough
Aishik Palit
Laura Ponturiero
Lilly Rainey
Ryan James Ritzes
Jongwun David Roh
Temma Schlesinger
Joshua Schmucki
Minnie Stephenson
Melinda Thompson
Reuben Van Eck
Nathan Vondergeest
Weeun Wang
Amy Yim
Tyler Young
 
 
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND CHORAL ACTIVITIES FACULTY AND STAFF
 
Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities
Edward Maclary
 
Associate Professor and Division Coordinator of Choral Music Education
Kenneth Elpus
 
Choral Administrator
Lauri Johnson
 
Graduate Conductors
Amy Broadbent
Matthew Goinz
Mark Helms
Jonathan King
Tim Keeler
Nathan Lofton
 
Artistic Operations Choral Assistants
Isabella Cadirola
Mihika Kulkarni
Beth Ann Zinkievich