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fun & games
Quintessence: Choral Artists of the Southwest
2 0 1 2 - 2 0 1 3 S E A S O N • M AT T H E W G R E E R , A RT I S T I C D I R E C T O R
Saturday, October 20, at 5pmImmanuel Presbyterian Church
114 Carlisle Blvd. SE
Sunday, October 21, at 3pmSt. John’s United Methodist Church
2626 Arizona St. NE
Featuring
the New Mexico
premiere of
Robert Kapilow’s
home run of a
cantata, Play Ball! ("Casey at the Bat").
AABBOOUUTT TTHHEE CCOONNCCEERRTT
The Washington Post columnist Gene Weingarten was once invited to teach a course about newspaper writing, and in preparation he started polling his colleagues about what rules, if any, they followed in writing their pieces. One of the writers he consulted was his friend, the virtuoso humorist Dave Barry. Barry was loathe to engage in any kind of self‐reflection about his writing process but, when pressed, he was able to come up one guideline. “Generally,” he said, “I try to put the funniest word at the end of the sentence.” Weingarten thought this was brilliant, and in teaching his writing course, he codified the rule as follows: “Always put the funniest word at the end of the sentence underpants.”
The concert that Quintessence presents this weekend is, we hope, interesting and funny from beginning to end. The challenge in programming music was to find repertoire that fits both criteria, and enough of it to comprise a concert that people might enjoy sitting through. The singers would tell you (especially after a couple of martinis at Scalo) that this has been one of our more challenging programs to put together. A lot of this music is difficult, although we really, really hope it doesn’t come off that way.
The centerpiece of our program is a work that has not been performed in New Mexico before, although it was composed in 2000. Rob Kapilow’s “Play Ball!” is a dramatic setting of Ernest Thayer’s thirteen‐stanza poem “Casey at the Bat.” Written in a witty pastiche of musical styles, the work has the chorus declaiming the text in its entirety, while the eleven‐piece instrumental ensemble quotes everything from “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” to the “Dies Irae.” It’s wicked fun.
We’ve also had great fun preparing Gregg Smith’s “Doo‐Wop Madrigals.” These are re‐imaginings of four canonical Renaissance madrigals in a vocal jazz style, including Thomas Morley’s “April Is In My Mistress’ Face” (“Cool April”), Pierre Passereau’s “Il est bel et bon” (“He’s Awesome!”), and Orlando di Lasso’s “Mon coeur se recommande à vous” (“My Heart Is Longing For Your Love”) and “Matona, mia cara” (“Hey, Babe!”).
Other offerings include Sam Pottle’s colorful setting of Lewis Carroll’s “Jabberwocky,” Albuquerque composer Scott Wilkinson’s profound “Four Whatevers,” and Finnish composer Jaakko Mäntyjärvi’s “El Hambo,” perhaps the only piece of choral music ever written whose text is meant to imitate the Swedish Chef from The Muppet Show.
Our March concert (“The Leavetaking”) is going to include a lot of music about death, so we hope that you’ll take the time to appreciate an entire program of music with lighter subject matter. Against Dave Barry’s advice, we didn’t save the funny stuff for the end, but sprinkled it through the entire program.
In any case, we hope you enjoy this concert underpants.
MATTHEW GREER
PROGRAM Glee Eric Lane Barnes (b. 1960) Ave Maria, K. 554 W.A. Mozart (1756‐1791) Doo‐Wop Madrigals arr. Gregg Smith (b. 1931) Cool April He’s Awesome! My Heart is Longing For Your Love Laurel Deming, soloist Hey, Babe! Checky Okun, MaryEllin Brooks, Bryan Butler, Andrew Clouse, quartet El Hambo Jaakko Mäntyjärvi (b. 1963)
INTERMISSION
Play Ball! (Casey at the Bat) Robert Kapilow (b. 1952) from Four Whatevers Scott Wilkinson (b. 1922) A . . . Why . . . If . . . Jabberwocky Sam Pottle (1934‐1978) Farewell Overture Jean Belmont (b. 1939)
Cell phones that ring during the performance will be bunted.
SSeelleecctteedd TTeexxttss
Casey at the Bat
The Outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day: The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play. And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same, A sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the game.
A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast; They thought, if only Casey could get but a whack at that ‐ We'd put up even money, now, with Casey at the bat.
But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake, And the former was a lulu and the latter was a cake; So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat, For there seemed but little chance of Casey's getting to the bat.
But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all, And Blake, the much despis‐ed, tore the cover off the ball; And when the dust had lifted, and the men saw what had occurred, There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a‐hugging third.
Then from 5,000 throats and more there rose a lusty yell; It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell; It knocked upon the mountain and recoiled upon the flat, For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.
There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place; There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile on Casey's face. And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat, No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat.
Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt; Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt. Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip, Defiance gleamed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip.
And now the leather‐covered sphere came hurtling through the air, And Casey stood a‐watching it in haughty grandeur there. Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped‐ "That ain't my style," said Casey. "Strike one," the umpire said.
From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar, Like the beating of the storm‐waves on a stern and distant shore. "Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted someone on the stand; And its likely they'd a‐killed him had not Casey raised his hand.
With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone; He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on; He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the spheroid flew; But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said, "Strike two."
"Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered fraud; But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed. They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain, And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again.
The sneer is gone from Casey's lip, his teeth are clenched in hate; He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate. And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go, And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright; The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light, And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout; But there is no joy in Mudville ‐ mighty Casey has struck out.
Ernest Thayer
Matona, Mia Cara (Hey, Babe!)
My lovely Lady, I want a song to sing Under your window: this lancer is jolly fellow! Don don don, diri diri, don don don don.
Please listen to me, because I'm singing well And I'm as fond of you as a Greek is of a capon! Don don don, diri diri, don don don don.
When I go hunting, I hunt with the falcon, And I'll bring you a woodcock, as fat as a kidney Don don don, diri diri, don don don don.
I cannot tell you many elegant things, I know nothing of Petrarch, nor the Fountain of Helicon Don don don, diri diri, don don don don.
If you love me I won't be lazy,
I'll love you all night long
Don don don, diri diri, don don don don.
TThhee OOrrcchheessttrraa
Jerome Jim, flute Erica Otero and Rachael Brown, hornsClaudia Giese, oboe Hovey Corbin, percussion Lori Lovato and Keith Lemmons, clarinet Amy Greer, pianoDenise Turner, bassoon Jean‐Luc Matton, bassBrynn Marchiando, trumpet
BBiiooggrraapphhiieess aanndd BBaacckkggrroouunnddss Matthew Greer was appointed Artistic Director of Quintessence in 2009. He also serves as Director of Music and Worship at St. John's United Methodist Church in Albuquerque, where he directs several choirs and oversees a comprehensive music program. At St. John's, he founded the "Music at St. John's" concert series, and "Thursday Evening Musicales," an annual series of recitals benefitting Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless. He was recently among the recipients of Creative Albuquerque's "Creative Bravos" awards for 2012. A native of Kansas City, Greer holds degrees in music and theology from Trinity University and Boston University. He got a day off of high school in October of 1985, when the Royals won the World Series.
Amy Greer is an active performer, both as a soloist and in collaboration with singers and instrumentalists. She received a Master of Music degree from the University of Missouri‐Kansas City, a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Missouri‐Columbia and is currently working on a graduate degree in Educational Psychology from the University of New Mexico. She has worked with faculty and students at Texas Christian University, Texas Wesleyan University, The Boston Conservatory, and UNM, and performed with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and the Santa Fe Symphony. Recognized for her creative approach to traditional piano lessons, she has maintained successful piano studios in New Mexico, Massachusetts, Texas, and Missouri. A writer and frequent contributor to music journals, she has been a columnist for American Music Teacher magazine. Her teachers have included Jane Allen, Joanne Baker and William Westney. She keeps house for one man, two cats and three feisty betta fish.
QQuuiinntteesssseennccee PPeerrssoonnnneell Soprano Alto Tenor Baritone/Bass
Anita Amstutz Mary‐Ellin Brooks Bryan Butler* David CappelBarbi Cappel Laurel Deming Alex Klebenow Andrew ClouseRebecca Craig Suzanne Dressler Jerry Matthews Martin DoviakJadira Flamm* Amy Greer Nick Prior James Graham
Pauleta Hendrickson Trish Henning* Daryl Lee*Checky Okun Megan Rader Dwayne MoseleyKris Stichman Karen Schlue Arnel Oczon
John Sitler* Section Leader Jerry Spurlin
AAbboouutt tthhee SSiinnggeerrss:: Anita Amstutz was born and raised in the heartland of baseball‐‐‐‐go Cleveland Indians!‐‐‐‐and loves a mean board game of Scrabble whenever possible. Barbi Cappel is an ABQ “almost native” who has been singing choral music since, well…forever, and shamelessly admits to joining the church bell choir 15 years ago solely with the intent of getting closer to the handsome baritone who is now her husband (success!) Jadira Flamm is a graduate of New Mexico State University with a Bachelor in Music Education and the University of New Mexico with a Master's degree in Music Education and is currently the choral director at V. Sue Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho, NM. Pauleta Hendrickson, an avid Dodgers fan, is celebrating 16 years with her husband, Sean, a Rockies fan, (it's a mixed marriage) and a few less with their children, Avery and Jared, and lives with the motto, if all we argue about is baseball and football (that's another concert) then life is good ‐ Play Ball! Checky Okun isn't much on baseball but she'll never forget the time her partner screamed so loud that she lost her voice when the Boston Red Sox won the 2004 World Series, as well as the time they both had to arrive at Fenway Park 3 hours before game time to "check out the scene"‐Whatever! Kris Stichman, long time member of Quintessence, loves all kinds of games, from watching college, pro and YAFL football to crossword puzzles and internet games. MaryEllin Brooks may not be a big sports fan, but loves the city of Boston and reminding her Yankee‐fan husband that their two children were born in years when the Red Sox won the World Series (2004 & 2007). Laurel Deming is single, with double the energy, triple the humor and heart, and takes it all the way home with her music! Suzanne Dressler, a firm advocate of finding the fun and games in everyday life, prefers plays on words to double plays (“I want to sit just behind first base,” insisted Tom outrightly.) Trish Henning lives with her husband and four cats, whose favorite game is "jam the cat toys under the sofa". Megan Rader enjoys bringing laughter and fun wherever she goes whether it be while she's teaching silly high schoolers how to sing and act, or while kicking it at home watching amazing, highly rated, T.V. programming with her husband Matt, Lucky the dog, and Diva the cat. Karen Schlue loves singing in Quintessence and likes to blame her occasional feeling of being "out in left field" on her forty‐one years of marriage to a Yankee fan. Bryan Butler works as a staff astronomer (working on solar system bodies) and software manager at the Very Large Array; he has sung or is singing with the groups Cantores Atri Mortis, Quodlibet, Polyphony Voices of New Mexico, and Quintessence. Alex Klebenow is celebrating his 5 year Cancer Survivorship Anniversary this November 10th, and is so glad he can express his joy of singing with Quintessence again this season, especially in a concert of Fun and Games such as this. Pleased as punch to be living in the Land of Enchanted, and to be singing with such enchanting people, Jerry Matthews is honored to have found such a wonderful musical outlet, happy to have found a great place of employment (go k2md.net!), and forever grateful to his husband, Larry, and our two girls for their continuous support even during the weeks of being performance widower and orphans. Nicholas Prior is the Choir Director at Eisenhower Middle School. David Cappel does financial planning and is a lifelong musical hobbyist who hails from the home of 'The Music Man", plays trumpet and has a mean pool game (...we got trouble!) Andrew Clouse, a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan who has acted out the final line of Casey at the Bat many times in church softball leagues, is the youth minister at Albuquerque Mennonite Church. Martin Doviak’s favorite game is tennis, and he has lots of fun singing with Quintessence, the New Mexico Symphonic Chorus, and the University Chorus, in addition to running with dogs. James Graham is a Kansas‐born, Denver‐bred rock 'n roll‐loving single‐father who, having spent more than enough years in the Arizona desert has found a happy medium in Albuquerque where he is ecstatic about re‐connecting with his choral roots in Quintessence, takes one day at a time and refuses to get used to being addressed as sir, not dude. Dr. Daryl Lee, when not singing bass for Quintessence or baritone in the St. John's Chancel Choir, is Principal Lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UNM and part‐time consultant in robotics and virtual reality at Novint Technologies, but he's still not the kind of doctor who can do you any good. Dwayne Moseley is taking singing lessons with Darby Fegan and also sings in the New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus, has previously sung in choruses at UNM and Ohio State while a student and while living in Dallas, Denver and Los Angeles and he considers it a privilege to sing with this premier vocal ensemble. Arnel Oczon is an electrical engineer at Sandia Labs who works with gyre and gimble technology, he is married to the frabjous Amy Tarnower, they have a brillig eight year old daughter named Claire, who at times, can be quite the slithy tove. John Sitler, religious studies teacher at Menaul School and no stranger to striking out, is a phrustrated Phillies phan who now is rooting for the O’s, Nats, Tigers . . .whatever. Jerry Spurlin, former president of Gallup Federal Savings Bank, loves “Valhalla”, his retirement home in the East Mountains, which he and Marjorie built to be a gathering place for their son’s and daughter’s families, especially the six grandchildren, and they all try to get together often at Valhalla for fun, games and music.
We are (always) looking for talented, dedicated, funloving and attractive singers! To schedule an audition, please contact Matt Greer at [email protected].
UUppccoommiinngg QQuuiinntteesssseennccee CCoonncceerrttss aanndd EEvveennttss
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IImmmmaannuueell PPrreessbbyytteerriiaann CChhuurrcchh Begin your holiday season as we sing together Handel's glorious Messiah! Bring your own score or borrow one at the event. There is no admission charge, but a free will offering will be gratefully
received. To help spread holiday cheer to children in need, please bring a new, unwrapped toy for Barrett House.
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wwiitthh tthhee EEllddoorraaddoo HHiigghh SScchhooooll CChhooiirr Songs of the season, featuring carols, folk songs,
and music to warm the heart. Please Note Venue Change for this concert only: December 1, 5:00 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church
December 2, 3:00 p.m. at St. John’s United Methodist Church
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Music of loss, sorrow and ultimately, hope, featuring works of Herbert Howells, Randall Thompson, Johannes Brahms, and others.
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We separate briefly in order to celebrate our differences, with music for men's chorus, women's chorus, and a happy reunion at the end.
We are deeply grateful to count many individual donors, as well as local businesses like Elixir Boutique Chocolates (see ad on back cover) and Scalo Northern Italian Grill,
among our supporters.
"Scalo Lire," redeemable for fine dining at the restaurant, are still available as special thank you gifts for Quintessence's donors. Director’s Circle donors ($1,000+) will receive a voucher entitling them to 25% off at Scalo for one year. Both Scalo Lire and the 25% cards are available while supplies last, and are
valid for one year from the date marked.
Quintessence is now an EnsembleinResidence at St. John's United Methodist Church.
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QQuuiinntteesssseennccee BBooaarrdd ooff DDiirreeccttoorrss President – Dominic Kollasch VicePresident – Dwayne L. Knirk Treasurer – Jerry Spurlin Secretary – Bill Cox
Martin Doviak – Choir President Elizabeth Drotning Hartwell Tom Crow Allison Davis Lora Zommer
Visit our website www.quintessenceabq.com! Like us on Facebook!
Visit Scalo online at www.scalonobhill.com
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The Board of Directors and Singers of Quintessence would like to offer their sincerest appreciation for financial support from all the brilliant and generous people listed below. We could not exist without your help. If you don’t see your name listed below, please fill out and return a yellow donor card with your taxdeductible contribution. Please join the Quintessence family and help us share the joy of great music for years and years to come.
Quintessence Annual Fund for our 20122013 Season
Director’s Circle $1,000 and above The Singers of Quintessence Anonymous Crow Financial Advisors, Tom and Vicki Crow **
Dr. Estella Gahala‐Lange & Dr. Dale Lange Dr. Aroop Mangalik to my patients Neal D. Shinn & Jerome Jim John and Kristine Stichman **
=$1,000 Benefactors $500$999 Anonymous David Cappel John M. & Brenda Y. DeLaurentis Sean & Pauleta Hendrickson**
Sponsors $250 $499 Anonymous (2) Henry and Jennifer Bohnhoff Carlton and Mary‐Ellin Brooks** William Cox Matt & Amy Greer in honor of the singers of Quintessence Seth Hartwell & Elizabeth Drotning Hartwell Steve and Julie Kongs Pamela Hodge‐Miller Richard L. and Susan Perry Jerry and Marjorie Spurlin
Patrons $100 $249 Anonymous John and Sandra Brown Elixir Boutique Chocolates, Larry Todd & Tim McNamara Boris A. De Denko William and Christine Drotning Hilario C. Gonzalez, in memory of Sue S. Gonzalez Jeffrey F. and Julia Church‐Hoffman Lawrence P. Horowitt, D.C. Dominic and Karla Kollasch Jerry Matthews George C. and Mary Novotny, Jr. John Sitler** Don and Gail Taylor
Donors $50 $99 Anonymous Regina Carlow Martin Doviak E. Josephine Drummond Larry J. & Julianne Littlefield in memory of George Novotny’s Mother Margaret A. Weinbar
Friends $1$49 Anonymous (2) Camille Carstens Andrew Clouse Margot E. Edwards Wendy Orley
Quintessence Choral Artists of the Southwest, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) NonProfit Organization and gratefully accept gifts of cash, stocks, bonds, mutual fund shares, real estate or other tangible personal property. Quintessence may also be named the beneficiary of a life insurance policy or charitable trust. All or part of your donation may be taxdeductible. Please contact Tom Crow at 505.243.2281 or [email protected] for further information.
Special thanks to: the pastors and staffs of Immanuel Presbyterian Church and St. John's United Methodist Church; the New MexiChords for the use of the risers at St. John’s; the Music Guild of New Mexico, Inc.; John Elias; Tom Crow.
Quintessence Endowment Fund Director’s Circle $1,000 and above Benefactors – $500 $999 Patrons – $100 $250 Dr. and Mrs. Michael Hopkins Roy and Elizabeth Morgan
Dr. and Mrs. Jerone N. Deverman*
In Loving Memory of Jean J. Sherlin*Tesa Mae Chavez Mr. and Mrs. K.W. Gephart
The Quintessence Endowment Fund (established 2000) was created to help ensure a future for Quintessence, and for fine choral arts everywhere.
* foundational contributors ** contributions made via United Way – Designate “Quintessence Choral Artists of the SW”
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