Spring Program 2010-2011 - Grand Cities Children`s Choir

GRAND CITIES CHILDREN’S CHOIR
2010 - 2011
Sunday, April 10th, 3:00 p.m.
United Lutheran Church
Grand Forks, North Dakota
PROGRAM
Poco Voce
Connie Stordalen, director
Roxanne Gessler, accompanist
Rachel Abbe, GG coordinator
Pick a Bale of Cotton .....................................................................................................arr. Betty Bertaux
Work songs, folk songs and spirituals are a musical window to culture and history. Pick
A Bale of Cotton is a two-part arrangement of an American Folk Song. It is
spontaneous and fun to sing.
The Orchestra .......................................................................................................Traditional Folk Melody
This is an old German Folk Song that introduces students to the four families of
instruments in the symphony orchestra; violin (strings), clarinet (woodwinds), trumpet
and French horn (brass) and the timpani (percussion). Each instrument melody is
introduced as a solo, but then cumulatively added to that of the previous instrument.
The layering of sound creates a wonderful five-part harmony.
The Firefly .................................................................................................................................Andy Beck
This is a two-part secular choral octavo that is carefully crafted into a song that creates
the image of flickering fireflies on a dark summer's night.
Poco Voce Singers
Greta Amundson
Luke Barbeau
Madelynn Behm
Hannah Benson
Sydnee Boucher
Alaina Breitbach
Katie Brindamour
Eliza Brindley
Anna Caoili
Rachel Craig
Emma Dodds
Alyssa Donacki
Taylor Durbin
Lauren Eickman
Brooklyn Evans
Aidan Fire
Anastasia Gillund
Kyla Giroux
Chloe Heydt
Makayla Holte
Katelyn Johnson
Noelle Kohlmeier
Aiden Krogh
Lyric Langill
Samantha Martens
Hannah McSparron
Taylor Muizelaar
Kourtney Muus
Jameson Noeldner
Jordyn Paranica
Megan Peck
Kamilla Pedersen
Haleigh Peters
Ella Rundquist
Jillian Smith
Julia Soleim
Konnor Stordalen
Josie Walz
Kirsten Warcup
Lydia Weippert
Sophie Welsh
Samantha Whalen
Elizabeth Wood
With GGs – Matthew Davis, Danika Gjerding, Andrea Hollingworth,
Kameron McGregor, Maggie Nistler, and Tori Remer
Canto Voce
Ruth Ann Tuseth, director
Lynn Liepold, accompanist
Laurie Holcomb, GG coordinator
Sarasponda...................................................................................................................arr. Ruth Boshkoff
Sarasponda is featured in many collections of popular camp songs, as well as in the book
From Sea to Shining Sea: A Treasury of American Folklore and Folk Songs. Its cheerful
melody, and nonsense words imitating sounds of the spinning wheel, helped Dutch
colonial women alleviate the tedium of operating the wheels for long periods of time.
Hine ma tov....................................................................................................................... arr. Henry Leck
Hine ma tov is a long known Jewish melody. The translation is from Psalm 133:1:
"Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in peace."
Old Dan Tucker......................................................................................................... arr. Susan Brumfield
Jeremiah Johnson, fiddle; Ramsey Jones & Kecia Peters, percussion
The tune may have come from oral tradition. The Virginia Minstrels popularized Old Dan
Tucker in 1843 and it quickly became a minstrel hit. Today it is a bluegrass and country
music standard.
Canto Voce Singers
Moriah Borth
Natalie Buck
Mollie Byzewski
Bennett Carter
Kayla Fewster
Jetiah Flermoen
Lainee Gapp
Sarah Gerszewski
Rosalie Grijalva
Mariah Hapka
Jacob Hughes
Grace Jackson
Hope Johnson
Olivia Kuchera
Lauryn Larson
Georgia Moe
Sarah Mord
Annika Myers
Emilee Nelson
Carrie Nistler
Kinneri Rami
Samuel Rath
Andrew Relling
Alexandra Richards
Maizey Rike-Norman
Lauren Ritterman
Alexis Roehl
Lauren Sanner
Kari Schindler
Madison Schultz
Alexa Stinson
Aisha Tahtamouni
Jace Toutenhoofd
Christopher Veres
Alexandria Weber
Macie Weiner
Cassie Williams
Skylar Yarbro
Ella Zhang
Mykaela Zola
With GGs - Michael Colenso, Nina Coster, Kenneth Dessellier, Ramsey Jones,
Mariah Kuntz, Chris Liepold, and Holly Mitzel
Accordo Voce
Geoff Mercer, director
Cassel Everson, accompanist
Darrel Cory, GG coordinator
The Poet Sings ............................................................................................................Z. Randall Stroope
Nathan Peasland, reader
The text comes from English poet, Richard Le Gallienne (1866-1947), as well as Z.
Randall Stroope. The message of the text encourages us to "Send out the best
messages, for they may be shaping future generations." While at GCCC we encourage
our singers to support one another, strive to do better, and celebrate our journey
together. It is these students who will change the world.
Sweet Child of Mine ........................................................................ Guns N’ Roses/arr. Rachel Santesso
Maia Jackson, McKenzie Johnson, Nick Hovey, Emily Dosch, and Brianna Myrold, soloists
Lauren Craig, Lydia Severson, Rebecca Rage, and Casey Hennessy, descant
Hannah Noyes, violin; Kelsey Peterson, bass; Jacy Thibert, glockenspiel
You may remember Sweet Child of Mine from the Guns N’ Roses album "Appetite for
Destruction". I found this on youtube and knew it would be perfect for our group of
singers. This arrangement is completely different from my junior high memories, but the
text speaks well - children singing lovingly about a child – while featuring many of our
wonderful singers.
Shine on Me.............................................................................................................. arr. Rollo A. Dilworth
Danika Flanders, soloist
This is a traditional spiritual with an easy gospel swing. We have chosen to add a
leader to give this partner song an added dimension. Rollo Dilworth is currently an
associate professor of choral music education at Temple University and has been a
clinician for the GCCC program.
Accordo Voce Singers
Anna Amundson
Michael Anderson
Jacob Austin
Adele Benoit
Spencer Brindley
Kaylynn Campoverde
Alex Corsar
Lauren Craig
Emily Denman
Francine Dong
Emily Dosch
Ella Dostal
Sarah Ellsworth
Danika Flanders
Casey Hennessy
Carson Herbert
Alexandra Hoff
Nick Hovey
Maia Jackson
McKenzie Johnson
Sarah Kay
Natalie King
Isabel Krogh
Elaine Larson
Whitney Longie
Brianna Myrold
Grace Netz
Kaitlyn O'Shea
Nathan Peasland
Rebecca Rage
Brinna Richtsmeier
Katelyn Rudolph
Lydia Severson
With GGs - Niall Davis, Joe Frech, Kaitlin Mankie,
Hannah Noyes, and Jacy Thibert
Anna Shallman
Emily Shimpa
Carol Tak
Hanna Tinkler
Kloe Wavra
Julia Werth
Peter Wysocki
Primo Voce
Becky Mercer and Melanie Popejoy, directors
Mary Ann Devig & Lynn Liepold, accompanists
JoAnn Cory & Megan Ault, GG coordinators
Everybody Rejoice ....................................................................................... Luther Vandross/Andy Beck
“Everybody Rejoice” is one of several energizing songs from the 1974 Tony-Award winning musical
“The Wiz.” The musical is a retelling of Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” from an
African-American perspective. This song would be the counterpart to “Ding Dong the Witch Is
Dead” from the 1939 movie adaptation.
Sing Me To Heaven ....................................................................................................Daniel E. Gawthrop
Organist and composer Daniel E. Gawthrop, a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana has compiled a
catalogue of over one hundred works for voice. Gawthrop’s “Sing Me to Heaven,” written in 1991
uses words by the composer’s wife, Jane Griner. To date, this has been one of the most
challenging pieces Primo Voce has ever attempted. We dedicate this performance to two former
GCCC singers, Ali Borgen and James Freestone, who passed this last year and are gone too soon.
Dry Your Tears, Afrika ................................................................................ John Williams/Audrey Snyder
Five-time Oscar winner John Williams is a highly successful composer, arranger, conductor, and
pianist. “Dry Your Tears, Afrika” was composed for Steven Spielberg’s historical drama film
“Amistad” based on the true story of a slave mutiny that took place aboard a ship of the same
name in 1839, and the legal battle that followed. The text of the song is written in the Mende
Language with the following English translation:
Dry your tears, (Afrika), Your children are coming home, We’re coming home, Afrika
(Hush child) Don’t cry, Sing a song of joy, We’re coming home, Afrika
Primo Voce Singers
Emily Anderson
Megan Anderson
Alexis Antonenko
Jessica Baker
Zane Borth
Naomi Brindley
Julia Brucklacher
Ora Burkhart
Allison Burns
Brendan Carter
Shanlee Cox
Michael Cremers
Ben Davis
Gene Davis
Elizabeth Dessellier
Matt Dunham
Nicholas Ewens
Stephen Ewens
Ruben Flores
Katie Gabik
Felicia Gerszewski
Frankie Good
Jared Hollingworth
Jack Jeno
Julia Krogh
Shane Lavecchia
Victoria Lee
Jessica Marynik
Joseph Mattice
Sam Mattice
Max McCann
Breanna McLain
Brianna Molmen
Mallory Mooney
Elizabeth Netz
Madisynn Noeldner
Rebekah Noyes
Alaina Patry
Cam Pederson
Karl Peterson
Ken Price
Allison Pritchett
Cali Richtsmeier
Jake Riske
Camron Roehl
Grace Roehl
Michael Schauer
Melanie Schindler
Gretchen Schreiner
Melody Sondrol
Alex Stroth
Katie Svendson
Esther Tak
Beck Thompson
Jensen Thompson
Tristan Weisz
Ellen Werth
Elizabeth West
Jasmyne White
Hannah Wilkinson
Kristen Zettler
With GGs - Jill Ames, Matthew Davis, Kenzie Dorsher, Audra Hendrickson, Jacob Jensen, and Tyler Wicken
Grand Cities Children’s Choirs
Melanie Popejoy, Artistic Director
Greg Nelson, Financial Manager
Kecia Peters, Managing Director
JoAnn Cory, GG Program Director
Here’s To Song .....................................................................................Allister MacGillivray/Lydia Adams
GCCC Donors
During the 2010-2011 performing season, the Grand Cities Children’s Choir was the recipient of a number of financial grants from
organizations that support children in the arts in the Grand Forks community. Granted funds enabled the Choir to expand some of its
programming and maintain the Student Mentor (GG) Program. This year’s granting organizations are:
NORTH DAKOTA COUNCIL ON THE ARTS – In support of their efforts to provide quality vocal arts programming in the
Grand Forks community, the Grand Cities Children’s Choir applied for and was awarded a Presenter Support Grant by the
North Dakota Council on the Arts. Presenter Support funding offers financial support for arts events and programming
and supports organizations and artists in communities with populations of 6,000 or more. This grant will help the Choir to
add some new features to its performances this season. The North Dakota Council on the Arts is directed by Jan Webb
and is a tremendous arts advocacy resource for the people of North Dakota and supports artists and programs of all kinds
from every corner of North Dakota. The Council on the Arts is funded by the state legislature and the National
Endowment for the Arts.
NORTH VALLEY ARTS COUNCIL AND THE CITY OF GRAND FORKS – The North Valley Arts Council has generously
re-granted $3,500 in funds, made available by the City of Grand Forks, to the Grand Cities Children’s Choir. The Choir
will use these funds, in part, to commission Dr. Rollo Dillworth, known world-wide for his composition of children’s choral
music, to compose a song especially written for the Grand Cities Children’s Choir. The Choir hopes to perform this song,
along with a number of Choir favorites, at a ten-year Choir reunion to be held in June, 2012. The North Valley Arts
Council has been a partner in the artistic support of the Grand Cities Children’s Choir since the Choir sang its first note in
2002, and continues to be the region’s strongest advocate for the arts in the Grand Forks area. The Choir has been a
recipient of a number of grants funded by the City of Grand Forks and administered by the North Valley Arts Council and
appreciates the generous support that Mayor Brown and the City Council extend to the entire arts community, along with
the arts advocacy provided by Marie Strinden and the North Valley Arts Council.
XCEL ENERGY – The Grand Cities Children’s Choir is pleased to acknowledge grant funding from the Xcel Energy
Foundation. Judi Paukert is the Community Relations Manager for Xcel Energy here in Grand Forks. This is a corporate
giant that really supports every community with an Xcel Energy connection. They encourage their employees to become
active volunteers in all kinds of organizations within the community and also provide granted funds to those groups who
have a financial need. Xcel Energy has been a contributing partner to Choir programs for many years and their continued
support and financial generosity are greatly appreciated.
JOHN E. MYRA FOUNDATION – The Grand Cities Children’s Choir is extremely pleased to acknowledge grant funding
from the John E. Myra Foundation in support of Choir programs for the 2010-2011 performing season. The Myra
Foundation is directed locally by John Botsford, and was established in 1941 after the death of Grand Forks County
landowner John Myra. The Foundation owns 5,600 acres of farm land in Grand Forks County that is leased out to local
farmers each year. The income generated from the farming operation is used for charitable, character building, and
educational purposes, and is only available to organizations located in Grand Forks County. This grant is unique because
its income comes from one of our State’s most valuable assets, the land, and that wealth is distributed to benefit an even
greater asset – the people. The Choir will use the funds to support Choir programming and the Student Mentor Program.
GRAND FORKS PARK DISTRICT – The Grand Cities Children’s Choir is pleased to announce grant funding from the
Ulland Fund of the Grand Forks Park and Recreation Foundation. The Choir will use this funding to purchase camera
equipment which will help to provide the singers with better performance feedback. In prior years, grant support from the
Park District Foundation has enabled the Choir to purchase a CD burner to produce practice CD’s for the 250 singers in
the Choir. Last year granted funds enabled the Choir to buy back used Choir uniforms from former singers and resell or
loan them to new Choir members at no cost or at a very low cost. The Grand Cities Children’s Choir is one of many
programs in the community that is supported by the generosity of the Grand Forks Park District Foundation. The fund is
administered by Park District Commissioners Jim Bollman, Jay Panzer, Molly Soeby, Greg LaDouceur and Tim
Skarperud.
For your many years of service,
we thank you, JoAnn and Darrel!
JoAnn and Darrel Cory first became involved with the Grand
Cities Children’s Choir program by bringing their twin daughters,
Amanda and Emily, to the very first auditions in 2002.
Volunteering to carpool, set up for concerts, provide snacks, or
provide any number of other services, the Cory’s were a part of
what made the inaugural year of this program a tremendous
success. As our parent board was put into place the following
year, Darrel and JoAnn became the first Co-Presidents, as they
offered their home, ideas, leadership, and support to the
program. In the four years that followed, Mrs. Cory offered her
services in a variety of capacities which led to the creation a
position titled “Assistant to the Directors.” It can be certain that, even though he had no title, Mr. Cory served
as the “Assistant to the Assistant” during that time. For the past three years, the Cory’s have served as the
Directors of the Mentoring Program where they have been directly involved in the training, communication, and
educational aspects where the GGs and the GG Coordinators are concerned.
In their nine year history with GCCC, Darrel and JoAnn Cory have made hundreds of phone calls, processed
thousands of pieces of mail, chaperoned retreats, chaperoned trips, prepared meals, organized fundraisers,
solicited for donated items, maintained records, attended rehearsals, organized games and activities for bus
rides, decorated for various functions, donated personal items, services, time, money, and much, much, more.
They have also dreamed, believed, taught, and inspired. Darrel and JoAnn Cory are the embodiment of the
spirit of the Grand Cities Children’s Choir, and we are forever grateful to them.
In Loving Memory
James Freestone
1989 - 2010
Ali Borgen
1996 - 2011