Southwest Tour 2015Directed by Brett Robison

Welcome to this performance by the Waldorf College Choir!

We are delighted to have you in our audience, and hope you

find today’s concert uplifting and inspirational.

Choral music has a long and illustrious history at Waldorf. The Waldorf Choir was founded in 1916, making it the

second oldest collegiate a cappella choir in the nation. Since then the choir has been an effective ambassador for the

College, traveling throughout the country and internationally,

while sharing the message of our faith and the joy of music.

Waldorf College is dedicated to the fine arts. At Waldorf students can major in music or theatre arts, pursuing

Dr. Bob Alsop , Waldorf President

SopranoKimberly Burbridge ’15

Fort Dodge, IA

Karly Ankarlo ’15Duluth, MN

Bailey Gare ’17Montgomery, MN

Jacqueline Olson ’17Pomeroy, IA

Margaret Kretzmann ’18Radcliffe, IA

Cassie Ruud ’15Hayward, MN

Abbie Wells ’17Lake View, IA

The Waldorf College ChoirBrett Robison, conductor

Nancy Farndale, accompanist

AltoCassidy Atchison ’15

Parker, TX

Shannon Christianson ’16Fairmont, MN

Jessica Dolan ’18Belton, MO

Karsen Houck ’17Radcliffe, IA

Sydney Hutchison ’17Dallas, TX

Rachael Jordahl ’16Forest City, IA

Anna Obrecht ’18Winterset, IA

Kaylin Tlam ’16Dunnell, MN

Kaytlin Workman ’16Mahomet, IL

TenorNathan Chester ’17

Glenview, IL

Anton Kudej ’18Forest City, IA

Jonathan Overy ’15Manly, IA

Christopher Saavedra ’16Big Lake, MN

Matthew Sink ’18North Las Vegan, NV

Tiimothy Teran ’16Flagstaff, AZ

courses of study in arts management, playwriting, piano,

acting, musical theatre, church music and more. But participation in the Waldorf College Choir is not limited

to those majoring in the fine arts. All Waldorf students are welcomed to audition for the choir. As a liberal arts college we believe this inclusivity is as an essential element of our

mission to “educate the whole person.”

We are justifiably proud of our excellent ensembles, which include the Waldorf Choir, Warrior Drum Line, Wind

Symphony, Sangkor, Schola Cantorum and Jazz Band. And we were delighted to welcome a new chapter of the international music fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon to our

campus in 2011.

Our choir exemplifies what Waldorf College is all about: different voices coming together, each one unique, into a

beautiful and harmonious whole. We are more the same than we are different.

We are a community.

And together we can make a joyful noise.

Sincerely,

BassAnthony Blomme ’16

Forest City, IA

William Kreitlow ’18Kanawha, IA

Samuel Morrison ’17Walcott, IA

Tanner Roush ’15Flagstaff, AZ

Nathaniel Taylor ’16Cedar Falls, IA

Marcus Walton ’16Lincoln, NE

Concert Program

IAll Praise to Thee, My God, this Night arr. Jennaya RobisonStars Ēriks EšenvaldsLight Everlasting Olaf ChristiansenRichte mich, Gott Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy

IIRequiem Bradley Ellingboe

II. Kyrie V. The Lord’s Prayer VIII. Agnus Dei X. Elegy

True Light Keith Hampton

Intermission

IIIConsecrate the Place and Day Lloyd PfautschThe 23rd Psalm Bobby McFerrinGo Along Jon OveryMake My Life a Living Prayer Aaron David MillerChindia Alexandu Paşcanu

IVAmor De Mi Alma Z. Randall StroopeMy Life Flows On in Endless Song arr. Nancy FarndaleThe Road Home Stephen PaulusI Believe This Is Jesus arr. Undine Smith MooreBeautiful Savior arr. F.M. Christiansen

All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night

All Praise to Thee, my God, this night for all the Blessings of the light! Keep me, keep me, O King of Kings, beneath Thine own almighty wings.Forgive me Lord, for Thy dear Son, the ill that I this day have done, That with the world, myself, and Thee, I , ere I sleep, I peace may be.Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below, Praise Him above ye heavnly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.All Praise to Thee, my God, this night for all the Blessings of the light! Keep me, keep me, O King of Kings, beneath Thine own almighty wings.Amen.

Program Notes, Texts, and TranslationsIf I had to use one word to describe our tour literature it would be LIGHT. Many of our pieces focus on the differing concepts of light. We open with an arrange-ment of Thomas Tallis’ tune All Praise to Thee, My God, this Night, where we sing praise for God’s blessing of the light. Our next piece is a musical setting of Sara Teasdale’s poem Stars by the Latvian composer, Ēriks Ešenvalds. In Stars we gaze upon their beauty and maj-

esty in the night sky. We pay homage to our Lutheran choral tradition, while keeping our light theme going with Olaf Christiansen’s Light Everlasting. And we finish our first set with Mendelssohn’s powerful motet, Richte mich, Gott. Mendelssohn’s setting of the psalm 43 text powerfully draws the listener’s attention to the phrase “Sende dein Licht”, or “send forth your light”. Our second set is primarily selected movements from Bradley Ellingboe’s Requiem. We performed the entire Requiem during our March concert and wanted to introduce our audiences to the beauty and power of this work. This modern Requiem ends with the Elegy movement that asks that “lux aeterna”, or “light eternal” shine on those loved ones we’ve lost. Our second set ends with a joyous gospel piece, True Light, that asks us to shine our “little lights”. Our chamber choir, Schola Cantorum, will sing diverse selections for our third set. They open with Lloyd Pfautsch’s Consecrate the Place and Day, which was commissioned to dedicate a new fine arts building in 1968. It continues to be a standard choral piece because of its masterful text setting and calls for sung praise of Saint Cecilia, the Saint of music. Bobby McFerrin has given us a non-traditional setting of the twenty-third psalm. He dedicated this piece to his mother and has made our Shepherd into the femine form, which further expands our concept of the nature of God. Jon Overy is a senior music education major who composed Go Along for Schola Cantorum this spring. We are all honored to sing his composition and to also have him conduct. Make My Life a Living Prayer is a stunning work where we ask for God’s help; even in our darkest

times. Our final piece of this set has no words, only syllables, and is based on a Romanian folk dance by the same name. Chindia also refers to the time of day just before the sun sets.

We begin our final set with Amor de mi Alma by Z. Randall Stroope. The poetry is from Garcilaso de la Vega (1503-1536) and starts with the line “I was born to love only you” and ends with “…and for you I give my last breath.” Our own accompanist and composer in residence, Nancy Farndale has set a wonderful arrange-ment of My Live Flows On in Endless Song for the Wal-dorf Choir this year. We are blessed by her musical gifts and her spirit every day we come together in rehearsal. Stephen Paulus’ The Road Home lets us all know that even when we wander and may feel lost, there is “a voice calling us home”. We know that Stephen was called home when he passed away this past year and we remember his enormous contributions to the choral art form through our performance of this piece. The spiritual I Believe This Jesus reminds us that Jesus is the Light, so you must “come and see!” Our program closes with our signature piece, Beautiful Savior, offering praise and adoration forevermore.

Written by Brett Robison, Director of Choral Activities

StarsAlone in the night On a dark hill With pines around me Spicy and still,And a heaven full of stars Over my head White and topaz And misty red;Myriads with beating Hearts of fire

That aeons Cannot vex or tire;Up the dome of heaven Like a great hill, I watch them marching Stately and still,And I know that I Am honored to be Witness Of so much majesty.-Text adapted from the poem ‘Stars’ by Sara Teasdale (1920)

Light EverlastingO Light EverlastingO Love never failingIllumine our darknessAnd draw us to Thee

Make known to all nationsThy peace and salvationAnd help us O FatherThy temple to be.

May we from Thy spiritReceive inspirationAs children togetherThy wisdom may see

Richte mich, Gott

Richte mich, Gott, und führe meine Sachewider das unheilige Volkund errette mich von den falschen und bösen Leuten.Denn du bist der Gott meiner Stärke;Warum verstößest du mich?Warum lässest du mich so traurig geh’n,wenn mein Feind mich drängt?Sende dein Licht und deine Wahrheit,daß sie mich leitenzu deinem heiligen Berge,und zu deiner Wohnung.Daß ich hineingehe zum Altar Gottes,zu dem Gott, der meine Freude und Wonne ist,und dir, Gott, auf der Harfe danke, mein Gott.Was betrübst du dich, meine Seele,und bist so unruhig in mir?Harre auf Gott! Denn ich werde ihm noch danken,daß er meines Angesichts Hülfe,und mein Gott ist.

Do me justice, o God, and fight my fightagainst a faithless people;from the deceitful and impious man rescue me.For you, o God, are my strength.Why do you keep me so far away?Why must I go about in mourning,With the enemy oppressing me?Send forth your light and your fidelity;they shall lead me onAnd bring me to your holy mountain,to your dwelling place.Then will I go in to the altar of God,the God of my gladness and joy;Then will I give you thanks upon the harp, my GodWhy are you so downcast, o my soul?And why do you sigh within me?Hope in God! Then I will again give him thanks,In the presence of my saviorand my God.

RequiemKyrie

Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Agnus Dei

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem aeternam.

Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, Grant them rest eternal.

Elegy

Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine: cum sanctis tuis in eterna: quia pius es, Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine: Et Lux perpetua luceat eis.

Light eternal shine on them, Lord, With your saints for eternity; For You are merciful. Grant them peace eternal, Lord. And light perpetual shine on them.

True LightThis little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Almighty God is light. He lives in us as True Light. In the beginning out of the darkness God created True Light.

Don’t let the light that You’ve given me die, And don’t desert my mind. But let the one who serves You praise You again and again. He lives in us as True Light.

Consecrate the Place and Day

Consecrate the place and day To music and Cecelia Let no rough winds approachnor dare Invade the hallowed bounds, Nor rudely shake the tuneful air,Nor spoil the fleeting, fleeting sounds.

You are the one who judges right from wrong. Your glory excites no envy. But let the one who serves You praise You again and again. He lives in us as True Light. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Everywhere I go, I want the world to know, God gave the world True Light.

Nor mournful sigh nor groan be heard,But gladness dwell on every tongue: Whilst all, with voice and strings prepared,Keep up the loud harmonious song. And imitate the blest above in joy and harmony.

The 23rd Psalm

The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all I need, She makes me lie down in green meadows, Beside the still waters, She will lead.

She restores my soul, She rights my wrongs, She leads me in a path of good things, And fills my heart with songs.

Even though I walk, through a dark & dreary land, There is nothing that can shake me, She has said She won’t forsake me, I’m in her hand.

She sets a table before me, in the presence of my foes, She anoints my head with oil, And my cup overflows.

Surely, surely goodness & kindness will follow me, All the days of my life, And I will live in her house, Forever, forever & ever.

Glory be to our Mother, & Daughter, And to the Holy of Holies, As it was in the beginning, is now & ever shall be, World, without end. Amen

Student ProfileName: Class Year: Junior Major: Hometown: Lincoln, NE

Q: What brought you to Waldorf College? A combination of getting an opportunity to do both basketball and choir, and also the class sizes and the family atmosphere.

Q: What are your post-graduation plans? To either work on my Master’s degree in business while starting my own small shoe store, or working for a company like Nike, Adidas or Jordan.

Q: What do you appreciate about being at Waldorf? I appreciate the small class sizes and the opportunity to succeed.

Q: What do you think is unique about the experience you have in the Waldorf Choir? The experience in the Waldorf Choir for me goes beyond words, having an environment that is based on positive reinforcement and working together with such talented people on a regular basis is just a very nurturing and exciting atmosphere to be in.

Go Along

Life’s a journey loves a bend, it goes on and on again; life’s a journey and loves a bend.

Sun sets as the river flows, branches bend while East wind blows; Sun sets as the river flows.

As the sounds of nature ring, you’re the hope that makes me sing;While life lives and gives its song.

As Spring follows wintry day, loves the light that shows the way, While we go we go along.

As the darkness settles in and the hope begins to dim, the path may be hard to find.Leaves turn quickly into gray but the light will show the way! As we go we go along.

Life’s a journey loves a bend, it goes on and on again; life’s a journey and loves a bend.

Make My Life a Living Prayer

Make my life a living prayer. May I flourish in your sight.

Make my life a living prayer. Where there is truth and wisdom, there is love.

I am known to you in times of sickness. I am known to you in times of feebleness.

I am known to you in times of darkness. I am known to you in times of loneliness.

You are endless truth, endless wisdom, Love beyond all fear.

Make my life a living prayer. May I flourish in your sight.Make my life a living prayer. Where

there is truth and wisdom, there is love.

Amor De Mi Alma

Yo no naci, sino para quereros;Mi alma os ha cortado a su medida;Habito del alma misma, del alma misma os quiero.Escrito esta en mi alma vuestro gesto;Yo lo leo tan solo que aun de vos me guardo en esto.Quanto tengo, confiesso yo de veros;Y por vos naci, por vos tengo la vida,Habito del alma misma os quiero.Y por vos e de morir,Y por vos muero.Por vos.

You are the Love of my Soul

I was born to love only you;My soul has formed you to its measure;I want you as a garment for my soul.Your very image is written on my soul;Such indescribable intimacy, I hide even from you.All that I have, I owe to you;For you I was born, and for you I live,I want you as a garment for my soul.And for you I must die,And for you I give my last breath.For you.

My Life Flows On in Endless Song

My life flows on in endless song; above earth’s lamentation, I catch the sweet, tho’ far-off hymn that hails a new creation.

No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging.Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?

Thru’ all the tumult and the strife, I hear that music ringing. It finds an echo in my soul and I must sing.

What tho’ my joys and comforts die? I know my Savior liveth.What tho’ the darkness gather round? Songs in the night He giveth.

The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing.All things are mine since I am His! How can I keep from singing?

No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging.Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?

The Road Home

Tell me, where is the roadI can call my own,That I left, that I lostSo long ago?All these years I have wandered,Oh when will I knowThere’s a way, there’s a roadThat will lead me home?

After wind, after rain,When the dark is done,As I wake from a dreamIn the gold of day,Through the air there’s a callingFrom far away,There’s a voice I can hearThat will lead me home.

Rise up, follow me,Come away, is the call,With the love in your heartAs the only song;There is no such beautyAs where you belong;Rise up, follow me,I will lead you home.

I Believe This Is Jesus

I believe this is Jesus; come and see, come and see.The Light of God shines in his face; he offers all his pardoning grace.The peace of God is in his face; the comfort comes with his embrace.I believe this is Jesus; come and see, come and see.

The Waldorf College ChoirThe Waldorf College Choir enjoys storied heritage as one of the pioneers of the Lutheran choral tradition. Founded in 1916 by Oscar Lyders, the choir’s reputation grew most notably under the long tenure of Odvin Hagen. Brett Robison, who was named director of choral activities at Waldorf College in 2015, currently conducts the choir.

Throughout its history, the choir has long maintained the standard of excellence of the Lutheran choral tradition. The choir’s repertoire is rooted in the a cappella choral tradition, embracing motets from the Renaissance and Baroque, honoring the Lutheran choral tradition of F. Melius Christiansen, and has expanded to embrace contemporary composers and diversity of all styles.

The choir has toured extensively throughout the United States and abroad and has performed at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, the Hollywood Bowl, the Surf Ballroom, the Cathedral of St. Paul, and at state and national conventions of the American Choral Director’s Association. This tour takes the choir through Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Missouri.

The choir’s mission is to share the spirit and passion of musical expression. The choir seeks to preserve its heritage and find new avenues to connect with audiences. United in a corporate unity, its members strive to lift the hearts of listeners through the communicative power of choral music

Beautiful Savior

Fair are the meadows, Fairer the woodland,Robed in flow’rs of blooming spring.Jesus is fairer. Jesus is purer.He makes our sorrowing spirit sing.

Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nationsSon of God and Son of Man.Glory and Honor, Praise, Adoration,Now and forevermore be thine.

Student ProfileName: Class Year: Senior

Major: Business, Banking/Financial emphasis Hometown: Duluth, MN

Q: What brought you to Waldorf? I was recruited to sing for the choir.

Q: What are your post-graduation plans? I plan on moving up to the Minneapolis area and getting a job, hopefully I’ll still be singing too!

Q: What do you appreciate about being at Waldorf? I appreciate that I can be as involved on campus as I want to be. Every student has an equal opportunity to be apart of whatever they are interested in. I also appreciate the never ending support from professors, if you are struggling they are more than willing to sit down and help you in any way they can.

Q: What do you think is unique about the experience you have in the Waldorf Choir? The Waldorf Choir is unique in the way that you are shown the value of every voice. If someone is missing

from rehearsal or a performance it really affects the group because we are so much like a family.

Karly is the President of the Waldorf Choir for the 2014-15 academic year.

Music at Waldorf CollegeThe Waldorf College Department of Music offers the Bachelor of Science degree in music education and the Bachelor of Arts degree in music, with the following concentrations: Vocal Performance, Instrumental Performance, Piano or Organ Performance, Church Music, and Arts Management. Students study a rigorous course of music theory, history, teaching methods, and performance. Coursework involves considerable hands-on experience as students work in local schools, in master classes with visiting artists, and in ensemble leadership positions. Music students also perform regularly on campus; at local schools, nursing homes, and community events; and on yearly tours with the Waldorf Choir and Waldorf

Wind Symphony. The department attracts hundreds of high-school students and listeners to campus through dozens of concerts and recitals, the annual Christmas with Waldorf Program, and music camps and clinics. Recently, the college was named an All-Steinway School.

All music programs at Waldorf are open to non-majors as well as majors with nearly forty percent of the student body participating in the various choral and instrumental groups. Students can choose from the Waldorf College Choir, the Sangkor community choir, the Schola Cantorum chamber choir, the Waldorf Wind Symphony, and Drumline. In addition, the music department presents the Waldorf Community Artist Series bringing internationally renowned performers to campus. Graduates of Waldorf’s music program can be found in music classrooms across Iowa and the Midwest, in graduate music programs, and as professional performers and administrators.

Waldorf College maintains a generous scholarship program for music students. Music scholarships are awarded to both music and non-music majors. In addition to college scholarships, the Waldorf College Foundation has also instituted a Waldorf College Scholarship supported solely through alumni contributions.

Student ProfileName: Cassidy Atchison

Major: Humanities Major, Theatre Minor Parker, TX Q: What brought you to Waldorf College?A: The choir. I hadn’t quite decided what my plans were just yet when I received an email from the director. I thought Iowa sounded like an adventure, so I packed up and moved to Forest City, IA. I then fell in love with the college, getting involved in every aspect of theatre and choir that I could.

Q: What are your post-graduation plans?A: I hope to work as a graduate assistant to the theatre department for while I earn my master’s degree. I would like to open a dance studio and teach dance to young children at risk; showing them that art is a great way to express yourself and channel your potential.

Q: What do you appreciate about being at Waldorf?A: I mean something to Waldorf and have the opportunity to make a difference. I know everyone and they

know me, and coming from one of the biggest high schools in Texas that really means something. It is great to know that my professors truly care about me and my well being, and I can count on seeing them in the audience at each and every performance. Words can not express how lucky I have been to experience Waldorf College and all its quirks.

Q: What do you think is unique about the experience you have in the Waldorf Choir?A: The sense of family, the idea that you do not stand alone. We care about one another like a huge wacky family, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Though we are small, we are fierce, and I love that. We come together to share this gift of voice we were all given, and there is something special about that bond. When I sing I can feel the emotion and the sincerity each member offers through their voice, and that is truly something spectacular. Music speaks for the soul in ways words cannot, and I have never enjoyed that as I do with the Waldorf Choir. I have thoroughly enjoyed my last three years sharing our message through music with so many. I am truly blessed.

Brett Robison is an Assistant Professor of Music and Director

of Choral Activities at Waldorf College

in Forest City, Iowa. At Waldorf College, Brett conducts the

Waldorf Choir and

Schola Cantorum. Brett also teaches conducting, choral

methods, choral

literature, and is

head of the music

education program.

Brett has conducted choirs and orchestras at all levels for the past fifteen years. As a choral conductor, he has also served on the faculty

of Upper Iowa University and taught at the University of Arizona, and the University of New Mexico. As a public school educator for almost ten years, Brett taught in the public schools of Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Arizona where his ensembles consistently received superior

ratings. Brett has taught general music and choral music to grades K-12.

As a church musician, Brett has served congregations throughout the Midwest, New Mexico, and Arizona. Most recently, he served as the Director of Music and Arts Ministries at Paradise Valley United Methodist Church in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Brett co-founded the music nonprofit organization, Scottsdale Musical Arts and serves as the artistic and executive director. His passion for conducting instruments is expressed through conducting the symphonic repertoire as well as choral-orchestral works. Brett created and directed the youth symphony and adult orchestra programs.

Brett’s education includes a BA in music education from Luther College, a Master of

Music from the University of New Mexico, and a DMA in choral conducting from the University of Arizona (expected completion December 2015.) His teachers and mentors include Bruce Chamberlain, Elizabeth Schauer, Bradley Ellingboe, Weston Noble, Timothy Peter, Donald Hamann, and Richard Nace.

Nancy Farndale studied at Iowa State University and completed her Bachelor’s Degree at St. Olaf College. She became the full-time accompanist for the Waldorf Choir in 2000 and was named composer-in-residence at the college in 2007. Additionally, she has served the campus ministry as chapel organist since 1992 and teaches studio

organ and double reeds in the music department.

Mrs. Farndale’s compositions are performed regularly by the Waldorf Choir and other campus ensembles, including

at the annual Christmas at Waldorf concert. In 1997, she was invited to be a guest

recitalist for the Organists

of Iowa Recital Series at Iowa State University Music Hall to showcase her organ compositions. Mrs. Farndale has experience teaching music in international schools

in Europe and has served

for many years as a church

musician. Mrs. Farndale lives in Forest City with her husband, Michael, who is a mathematics

and physics professor at

Waldorf.

Below: The Waldorf College Choir performs impromptu concert for Archbishop Paglia, Mayor Nutter and Governor Corbett in

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on their 2014 summer tour.

www.Waldorf.edu/FineArts | 800.292.1903

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