Sunrise High School

Spring Concert 2018

April 24th, 2018 - 7pm - Snyder Auditorium

Featuring performances by:

Sunrise High School Chamber Singers
Sunrise High School Women’s Chorus
Sunrise High School Men’s Chorus
Sunrise High School Combined Chorus

Trisha Bacalso, Director

 Welcome! Acknowledgements
April 24th, 2018 I’d like to give a ​huge​ thank you to these staff members and
administration that help make our program grow. Without their support,
Dear Parents, Students, and Members of our Community, our success would not be possible:

Welcome to the Gila Ridge High School choral program’s 2018
Spring concert! I’d like to take this space to formally welcome you, as
well as to remind you of expected behavior policies from audience
members:
● No flash photography - this can be extremely distracting to the
performers on stage!
● Please do your best not to make any extraneous noise during a
performance (talking, coughing, moving around, etc.)
● Only enter/exit the auditorium between performances; never
during a performance!
● Turn all cell phones and electronic devices off for the duration of
the concert.
Accompanist: Meily Mendez
Principal: Dr. Bailey Alka
Vice Principal: Melissa Compa
Most importantly, I’d like to thank our audience members for your
continuous support of our choral program! Without you, none of this
would be possible. Thank you so much for devoting your time, money,
and energy towards improving the quality of musical education for all of
our students here at the Gila Ridge High School Choral Program!

Throughout the evening you will be enjoying performances of diverse

choral repertoire from all four of our very talented ensembles. I hope
you will enjoy hearing our students perform, as much as I have enjoyed
working with each and every one of our students. Thank you, and enjoy
the performance!

Sincerely,

Trisha Bacalso
 Sunrise High School
Spring Concert 2018
April 24th, 2018 - 7pm - Snyder Auditorium

Trisha Bacalso, Conductor

Program

The Roses………………… Ola Gjeilo (1978-present) Find the Cost of Freedom ……… arr. Stephen Stills (1945-present)

Stars……………………… Eriks Esenvalds (1977-present) Shenandoah …………………… arr. Paul Basler (1963-present)

Pure Imagination………… arr. Matthew Nielsen (1984-present) I Have Had Singing …………… Ron Jeffers (1943-2017)

Sunrise High School Chamber Singers Sunrise High School Men’s Chorus

Rise Up!……………………... Jake Runestad (1986-present) Ballade to the Moon………………... Daniel Elder (1986-present)

Heaven Full of Stars…………… Eric Barnum (1979-present) The Hungry Heart………………….. David Maslanka (1943-2017)

Chapo Pou Fanm………………. Sydney Guillaume (1982-present) Nyon Nyon…………………………. Jake Runestad (1986-present)

Sunrise High School Women’s Chorus Sunrise High School Combined Chorus

Intermission
 Program Notes Program Notes Cont.
The Roses - Ola Gjeilo: Pure Imagination - Matthew D. Nielsen:
Ola Gjeilo is a Norwegian composer who studied composition in the US Matthew Nielsen is an active composer, conductor, producer, and sound
at the Juilliard School of Music, where he currently lives and works as a engineer who received vocal and instrumental training growing up in the
full-time independent composer. San Francisco Bay Area. He currently travels all over the world as a
distinguished composer and conductor, working on commissions for
The piece, ​The Roses​, is inspired by a collection of christmas songs and several ensembles and serving as a guest conductor for clinics and
carols, and is one of the pieces included in Gjeilo’s ​Winter Songs​ album. masterclasses throughout the world.
According to Gjeilo, this piece is meant to “evoke the spirit of winter…
balancing the new and familiar in perfect harmony.” The piece, ​Pure Imagination​, is a rearrangement of Leslie Bricusse’s
and Anthony Newley’s well-known song of the same name. The
interplay of voices and dream-like harmonies of Nielsen’s arrangement
Stars - Eriks Esenvalds: will invoke a sense of nostalgia and wonder in listeners of all ages.
Composer Eriks Esenvalds is a Latvian composer who was named a
Fellow Commoner in Creative Arts at the Trinity College at the
University of Cambridge. Esenvalds currently teaches at the Department Rise Up! - Jake Runestad:
of Composition at the Latvian Academy of Music. Jake Runestad is a renowned composer of contemporary choral works,
and has consistently received commissions from leading ensembles and
Stars​ is unique in the sense that its instrumentation calls for six institutions from all around the world. Runestad has received praise
water-tuned glasses and 4 Tibetan singing bowls. The text by Sara from leading music critics and journals for his “highly imaginative” and
Teasdale depicts a vivid image of the stars in the heavens, and the “uplifting” music.
carefully placed dissonances of the harmonies in this piece allow
listeners to picture the interplay of lights and colors created by the many The piece, ​Rise Up!​, was commissioned by a large consortium of
stars in the sky. women’s ensembles throughout the nation. The text is inspired by
several speeches and quotes by the notable activist, Susan B. Anthony.
In composing this piece, Runestad sought to capture the “bubbling
energy” that he envisioned Susan B. Anthony utilized during her fight
for women’s suffrage. The driving energy behind this piece allows
listeners to envision the energy behind the women’s suffrage movement,
and the massive accomplishments garnered by the strong women of that
era.
 Program Notes Cont. Program Notes Cont.
Heaven Full of Stars - Eric Barnum: It is inside us that kings are made,
Dr. Eric Barnum is a composer of both choral and instrumental works, In our bellies that presidents blossom,
who received his doctorate in choral conducting from the University of We balance out democracy,
Washington. He currently serves as the Director of Choral Music at the And we will fight until the end!
University of Wisconsin.
We will fight until the end,
The piece, ​Heaven Full of Stars​, was commissioned by a consortium of To spread around justice,
several high school and university women’s chorus ensembles in 2014. To bring a change to all countries,
The text of this piece highlights the intricacies of a starry night sky. The To bring a smile to life.
dramatic textures and musical structures gives listeners an experience
that is meant to transport the audience across the sky and into the For centuries they have suffered,
heavens. Pinched their nose to drink smelly water,
But one fine day the revolted
So they could change humanity.
Chapo Pou Fanm - Sydney Guillaume:
Sydney Guillaume is a Haitian composer whose works have been In Asia, in America,
performed and praised by ensembles and music critics across the world. In Europe like in Africa,
Many of Guillaume’s works seeks to highlight Haitian culture, and has Elbow to elbow all women rose,
been praised for “promoting human values” and for being “full of heart Hand in hand to bring a change.
and passion.”
Hats off, hats off! Hats off to women!
The piece, ​Chapo Pou Fanm (Hats off to Women),​ is a work with Creole Hooray for women!
text that speaks praise of women all around the world whose strength
has contributed to the collective strength of nations all around the world. For all women who fought in the history of all countries,
The translated Creole text is as follows: For all of us now and all the ones to come,
Bravo, bravo! Let us sing hooray!
For all women who fought in the history of all countries, Hooray for women! Hats off to women!
For all of us now and all the ones to come,
Hats off, hats off! Bravo, bravo!
Let us shout hooray!
 Program Notes Cont.
Find the Cost of Freedom - Stephen Stills:
Stephen Stills is an American singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist,
best known for his work with Crosby, Stills, and Nash. He has written
songs for multiple bands within the rock and roll genre, and is a
Grammy award winning artist for an album he produced with CSN.
Find the Cost of Freedom​ was written by Stills after a visit to a Civil
War battle site. The text of this piece honors all soldiers and veterans
who pay for our cost of freedom in the battlefield and in their everyday
lives.
Shenandoah - Paul Basler:
Paul Basler is on faculty for horn studies at the University of Florida,
where he was named Fulbright Senior lecturer and Teacher of the Year
for music. He is an active composer and guest lecturer who has had the
ability to travel to renowned institutions all over the nation.
The traditional American folk song ​Shenandoah​ originates from the
19th century and tells the story of a fur trader longing for the love of the
daughter of Oneida Chief, Shenandoah. The rich harmonies of Basler’s
arrangement will instill the same sense of intense longing in listeners of
all ages.
Program Notes Cont.
I Have Had Singing - Ron Jeffers:
Professor Ron Jeffers has received the distinction of being named
Professor Emeritus at Oregon State University, where he served as
director of choral activities from 1974-1998. Some of his notable works
includes his very own publishing company, ​Earthsongs​, which
specializes in publishing choral music from all around the world as well
as translations to many foreign texts. Prof. Jeffers passed away in
August of 2017 after a long battle with Parkinson’s.
The piece, ​I Have Had Singing​ utilizes words by Fred Mitchell, who
worked as a ploughman for much of his life. The inspiration for this text
comes from a recount of Mitchell’s childhood, in which he describes
that the only pleasure he got from a childhood full of working the fields
was when he and the other villagers would sing all day and all night as
the worked, ate, and slept.
Ballade to the Moon - Daniel Elder:
Daniel Elder is a well-regarded composer best known for his extensive
variety of choral works. He currently resides in Nashville, TN as a
full-time freelance composer, and is published internationally by
world-renowned publishers of music.
The piece, ​Ballade to the Moon​, is one of three nocturnes composed by
Daniel Elder. The text is inspired by a concept of “observational and
psychological experiences” that seeks to explore the themes of “love,
nature, darkness, and light.”
 Program Notes Cont.
The Hungry Heart - David Maslanka:
Composer David Maslanka is most well known for his extensive works
in wind band literature and other instrumental music, as well as a few
pieces written for choir. David Maslanka studied composition at the
Oberlin College Conservatory, and has also studied in institutions such
as Mozarteum and Michigan State University.
The program notes by Maslanka himself for the piece, ​The Hungry
Heart,​ is as follows:
Richard Beale wrote “Hymn to Sophia, Holy Wisdom,” a set of seven
poems that became songs in my Mass for solo voices, choruses, and
wind ensemble. The poem “The Hungry Heart” was written by Beale in
Tucson, AZ in April of 1996 as a response to the splendid Sonoran
Desert, and to the premiere performances of the Mass.
Look at the hungry heart!
A desert in bloom,
With the love of God!
A very flexible and interior choral setting opens qualities of light, air,
sun, and the living desert.
Program Notes Cont.
Nyon Nyon - Jake Runestad:
Jake Runestad is a renowned composer of contemporary choral works,
and has consistently received commissions from leading ensembles and
institutions from all around the world. Runestad has received praise
from leading music critics and journals for his “highly imaginative” and
“uplifting” music.
The piece, ​Nyon Nyon,​ was written when Runestad was involved in an
acapella group in his college career. He was inspired by the different
sounds produced by the human voice, which included beatboxing and
other unconventional sounds. The text of this piece is not meant to be
meaningful, but is instead meant to be performed extravagantly, using
the full range of explorable sounds that the human voice is capable of.
The rhythmic intensity and colorful harmonies of this piece is sure to
provide audience members with an exciting experience.
 Sunrise High School Chamber Singers Sunrise High School Women’s Chorus

Soprano​: Tenor: Soprano​: Alto:

Rayanne Argo Nicholas Alvarez Rayanne Argo Jasmine Kuizon
Katerina Bandoni Marcus Andrews Katerina Bandoni Calyn Murray
Arianna Behnamfar Chino Barrios Arianna Behnamfar Kim Nason
Ruby Brown Eric Gonzalez Ruby Brown Ruby Neag
Michelle Bryant Ronald Gutierrez Michelle Bryant Lauren Olguin
Skyler Cox Eric Graham Skyler Cox Lupita Perez
Elizabeth Crowther Joe Lopez Elizabeth Crowther Jacqueline Reeff
Naomi Duran Alex Manalo Naomi Duran Celeste Ruano
Emerald Fimbres Ikenna Mbaruguru Emerald Fimbres Roberta San Miguel
Taylor Fritz Edward Siapno Taylor Fritz Ashley Silva
Sarah Gonzalez Jeremy Wiggins Sarah Gonzalez Korie Smith
Kassandra Guerrero Gabriel Wilson Kassandra Guerrero Alexandra Villanueva
Jessica Hine Jessica Hine
Serena Jackson Bass: Serena Jackson
Florenze Almalel
Alto: Noah Celaya
Jasmine Kuizon Eric Chiang Sunrise High School Men’s Chorus
Calyn Murray Dominic Cisneros
Kim Nason Kevin Evangelista
Ruby Neag Assaad Georges Tenor: Bass:
Lauren Olguin Shawn Guerrero Nicholas Alvarez Florenze Almalel
Lupita Perez Cameron Hooper Marcus Andrews Noah Celaya
Jacqueline Reeff James Lesui Chino Barrios Eric Chiang
Celeste Ruano Garrett Lopez Eric Gonzalez Dominic Cisneros
Roberta San Miguel Jason Pano Ronald Gutierrez Kevin Evangelista
Ashley Silva Joey Patton Eric Graham Assaad Georges
Korie Smith Angel Rios Joe Lopez Shawn Guerrero
Alexandra Villanueva Brian Saver Alex Manalo Cameron Hooper
Ikenna Mbaruguru James Lesui
Edward Siapno Garrett Lopez
Jeremy Wiggins Jason Pano
Gabriel Wilson
 Sunrise High School Combined Chorus

Soprano​: Tenor:
Rayanne Argo Nicholas Alvarez
Katerina Bandoni Marcus Andrews
Arianna Behnamfar Chino Barrios
Ruby Brown Eric Gonzalez
Michelle Bryant Ronald Gutierrez
Skyler Cox Eric Graham
Elizabeth Crowther Joe Lopez
Naomi Duran Alex Manalo
Emerald Fimbres Ikenna Mbaruguru
Taylor Fritz Edward Siapno
Sarah Gonzalez Jeremy Wiggins
Kassandra Guerrero Gabriel Wilson
Jessica Hine
Serena Jackson Bass:
Florenze Almalel
Alto: Noah Celaya
Jasmine Kuizon Eric Chiang
Calyn Murray Dominic Cisneros
Kim Nason Kevin Evangelista
Ruby Neag Assaad Georges
Lauren Olguin Shawn Guerrero
Lupita Perez Cameron Hooper
Jacqueline Reeff James Lesui
Celeste Ruano Garrett Lopez
Roberta San Miguel Jason Pano
Ashley Silva Joey Patton
Korie Smith Angel Rios
Alexandra Villanueva Brian Saver