Oh What Fun! Program
December 2, 2022 • Cynthia Powell, Artistic Director (celebrating 20 years!) • Eric Sedgwick, Pianist
Welcome to Oh What Fun!
Welcome to the Stonewall Chorale's 2022-2023 concert season!
As we embark on a fresh concert year of sharing wonderful choral works with all of you, we do so in ways that are both reminiscent of the past and hopeful toward the future. Particularly during the month of December, many of us find ourselves musing on our own traditions and memories, so often tied to favorite musical pieces and the experience of live performances. The winter season in New York City is often awash with music, creating opportunities for all of us to form new memories and traditions. We at the Stonewall Chorale treasure being part of that memory-making for our audiences each holiday season, and come to you this year with a collection of beautiful melodic offerings, some quite familiar, and others creating new joyful wishes for a bright and promising new year.
In the spirit of the holidays being both about the familiar and the new, this concert marks the first in a season that celebrates the incredible legacy of our own beloved Cynthia Powell, who this year marks her 20th anniversary as our Artistic Director. We look forward to celebrating this landmark achievement throughout the concert season, and hope you will all join us in applauding her dedication and talents at our future performances in the coming months. Likewise, I am personally honored to begin this season as the Stonewall Chorale's new President; I look forward to serving along with our talented and dedicated Board of Directors as we continue our mission of excellence in choral music performance while promoting LGBTQI+ visibility and advancement through our artistry.
This 2022-2023 concert season promises to be one of promoting hope and light through our music, inspired by both lessons of the past and promises of what we know can be a bright new tomorrow. Thank you so much for joining us!
In Solidarity and Song,
Emily McSpadden, President
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Texts & Translations
Hymne au Soleil
Du soleil qui renaît bénissons la puissance.
Avec tout l'univers célébrons son retour.
Couronné de splendeur, il se lève, il s'élance.
Le réveil de la terre est un hymne d'amour.
Sept coursiers qu'en partant le Dieu contient à peine, Enflamment l'horizon de leur brûlante haleine.
O soleil fécond, tu parais!
Avec ses champs en fleurs, ses monts, ses bois épais,
[La]2 vaste mer de tes feux embrasée,
L'univers plus jeune et plus frais,
Des vapeurs [de]3 matin sont brillants de rosée.
Let us bless the power of the reborn sun.
With all the universe let us celebrate its return.
Crowned with splendor, it rises, it soars.
The waking of the earth is a hymn of love.
Seven rushing steeds that the God scarcely holds back
Ignite the horizon with their scorching breath.
Oh, vivid sun, you appear!
With its fields in bloom, its mountains, its thick forests,
The vast sea set ablaze by your fires,
The universe, younger and fresher,
With morning vapors are glistening with dew.
Lo How a Rose/The Rose
Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse's lineage coming
As men of old have sung.
It came, a flower bright,
Amid the cold of winter
When half-gone was the night.
This Flower, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness everywhere.
True man, yet very God,
From sin and death He saves us
And lightens every load
Soloist: Some say love, it is a river,
That drowns, the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor,
that leaves, your soul to bleed.
Some say love, it is a hunger,
An endless aching need.
I say love, it is a flower,
And you it's only seed.
It's the heart, afraid of breaking,
That never, learns to dance.
It's the dream, afraid of waking,
That never, takes the chance.
It's the one, who won't be taken,
Who cannot, seem to give.
And the soul, afraid of dying,
That never, learns to live.
When the night, has been too lonely,
And the road, has been too long.
And you think, that love is only,
for the lucky, and the strong.
Just remember, in the winter,
Far beneath, the bitter snow,
Lies a seed, that with the sun's love,
In the spring, becomes a rose.
Duerme Negrito
Duerme, duerme, negrito
Que tu mama está en el campo negrito
Te va a tra’é’ codonise para ti
Te va a tra’é’ fruta fre’ca para ti
Te va a tra’é’ cane de cedo para ti
Te va a tra’é’ mucha cosa para ti
Y so negro no se duerme, viene e’ diablo blanco y zas
Le come la patica, chica bú,
Apura, chica bú.
Trabajando, trabajando duramente, trabajando sí
Trabajando y no le pagan, Trabajando y va tosiendo, p’al negrito chiquitito.
Sleep, sleep, little black one,
Your mama’s in the fields, little one
Sleep, sleep, little black one.
She’s going to bring quail for you,
She’s going to bring fresh fruit for you,
She’s going to bring pork for you,
She’s going to bring many things for you
And if the little black one doesn’t go to sleep,
The white devil will come and zap!
He’ll eat your little foot, chica bú;
Hurry, chica bú!
Duerme, duerme, negrito
Que tu mama está en el campo negrito
She’s working hard, working, yes,
Working and they don’t pay her, working, yes,
Working and she’s coughing, working, yes,
For her sweet little black one,
For her little one, yes!
Cradle Song
Sweet dreams, form a shade
O'er my lovely infant's head!
Sweet dreams of pleasant streams
By happy, silent, moony beams!
Sleep, sleep, happy child!
All creation slept and smiled.
Sleep, sleep, happy sleep,
While o'er thee thy mother weep.
Sweet babe, in thy face
Holy image I can trace;
Sweet babe, once like thee
Thy Maker lay, and wept for me:
Wept for me, for thee, for all,
When He was an infant small.
Thou His image ever see,
Heavenly face that smiles on thee!
Smiles on thee, on me, on all,
Who became an infant small;
Infant smiles are His own smiles;
Heaven and earth to peace beguiles.
Lullaby
Sweet and low, sweet and low,
Wind of the western sea,
Low, low, breathe and blow,
Wind of the western sea!
Over the rolling waters go,
Come from the dying moon, and blow,
Blow him again to me;
While my little one, while my pretty one, sleeps.
Sleep and rest, sleep and rest,
Father will come to thee soon;
Rest, rest, on mother's breast,
Father will come to thee soon;
Father will come to his babe in the nest,
Silver sails all out of the west
Under the silver moon:
Sleep, my little one, sleep, my pretty one, sleep.
Quem pastores laudavere
Quem pastores laudavere
Quibus angeli dixere
Absit vobis jam timere
Natus est rex gloriae
Ad quem magi ambulabant
Aurum, thus, myrrham portabant
Immolabant haec sincere
Nato regi gloriae.
Christo regi, Deo nato
Per Mariam nobis dato
Merito resonet vere
Laus, honor et gloria.
Shepherds sang their praises o’er him,
Called by angels to adore him,
“Have no fear but come before him:
Born is now your glorious King.”
Eastern sages came to view him,
Judah’s conquering lion knew him
gold and myrrh and incense to him.
As their tribute offering.
Christ our King, from Mary springing,
God made man, salvation bringing,
Thee we worship ever singing:
“honor praise and glory be.”
Seven Principles
Umoja (unity): unity that brings us together
Kujichagulia (self-determination): we will determine who we are
Ujima (collective work and responsibility): working and building our union
Ujamaa (cooperative economics): we'll spend our money wisely
Nia (purpose): we know the purpose of our lives
Kuumba (creativity): all that we touch is more beautiful
Imani (faith): we believe that we can; we know that we can; we will anyway that we can.
Mi Y’maleil
My y'maleil g'vurot Yisrael? Otan mi yimneh?
Hein b'chol dor yakum hagibor goeil ha'am.
Shema! Bayamim haheim bazman hazeh,
Makabi moshia ufodeh.
Uvyameinu kol am Yisrael
Yitacheid yakum v'higael.
Who Can Retell?
Who can retell the things that befell us? Who can count them?
In every age, a hero or sage came to our aid!
Hark! In days of yore, in Israel's ancient land,
Brave Maccabeus led the faithful band.
But now all Israel must as one arise,
Redeem itself through deed and sacrifice.
Mi Zeh Hidlik
Mi zeh hidlik neirot dakim kakochavim barom?
Yod'im gam tinokot rakim ki chanukah hayom
Kol ner aliz, kol ner chaviv, dolek, romez, notzeitz;
Hatinokot omdim saviv v'la simcha ein keitz.
Who Lit the Tiny Candles?
Who lit these thing candles that are shining like stars?
Even little children know that today is Chanuka.
All the little joyful candles, all the lovable candles, burn, move, twinkle;
The children stand around them, and there is no end of joy.
S’vivon
S’vivon sov chanukka hu chag tov,
Chanuukka hu chag tov, s’vivon sov,
Sov na sov ko va cho, nes gadol haya po.
Spin, little dreydl!
Dreydl spin, spin, spin, Chanuka is a lovely holiday,
Chanuka is a lovely holiday, Dreydl spin, spin, spin.
Spin and spin, here and there, a great miracle happened here.
Ukrainian Bell Carol
Oh how they pound
Raising the sound
O'er hill and dale
Telling their tale
Gaily they ring
While people sing
Songs of good cheer
Christmas is here
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
On, on they send
On without end
Their joyful tone
To ev'ry home
Let it Snow
Oh, the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we've no place to go,
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
It doesn't show signs of stopping,
And I brought some corn for popping;
The lights are turned way down low,
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
When we finally kiss good night,
How I'll hate going out in the storm;
But if you really hold me tight,
All the way home I'll be warm.
The fire is slowly dying,
And, my dear, we're still good-bye-ing,
But as long as you love me so.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
Winter Wonderland
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening
In the lane snow is glistening
A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland
Gone away is the bluebird
Here to stay is a new bird
He sings a love song as we go along
Walking in a winter wonderland
In the meadow we can build a snowman
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He'll say, "Are you married?" We'll say, "No man"
But you can do the job when you're in town
Later on we'll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid, the plans that we've made
Walking in a winter wonderland
In the meadow we can build a snowman
And pretend that he's a circus clown
We'll have lots of fun with Mr. Snowman
Until the other kiddies knock him down.
When it snows ain’t it thrillin’
Though your nose gets a-chillin’
A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland.
Hanukkah in Santa Monica
I'm spending Hanukkah, in Santa Monica,
Wearing sandals lighting candles by the sea.
I spent Shavuos in East St. Louis,
A charming spot but clearly not the spot for me.
Those eastern winters, I can't endure 'em,
So every year I pack my gear
And come out here til Purim.
Rosh Hashana, I spend in Arizona,
And Yom Kippa, way down in Mississippa.
But in December, there's just one place for me.
Amid the California flora,
I'll be lighting my menorah.
Like a baby in its cradle,
I'll be playing with my dreidl.
Spending Hanukkah, in Santa Monica by the sea
I'm spending Hanukkah, in Santa Monica….
Here's to Judas Maccabeus, boy if he could only see us,
Spending Hanukkah, in Santa Monica by the sea!
Seasonal Sounds
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
I just came back from a lovely trip along the Milky Way;
I stopped off at the North Pole, to spend a holiday.
I called on dear old Santa Claus to see what I could see;
He took me to his workshop, and told his plans to me:
Oh, you better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town.
He's making a list
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is comin' to town
(He sees you when you're sleeping)
(He knows when you're awake)
He knows if you've been bad or good
{So be good for goodness sake}!
Oh, you better watch out….
Now Santa is a busy man, he has no time to play
He’s got millions of stockings to fill on Christmas Day.
You’d better write your letter now and mail it right away,
Because he’s getting ready his reindeer and his sleigh.
With little tin horns, and little tin drums,
Rooty-toot-toots and rummy tum tums,
Santa Claus is comin' to town
And curly head dolls that cuddle and coo,
Elephants, boats and kiddie cars too.
Santa Claus is comin' to town.
The kids in Fun and Joyland
Will have a jubilee.
They're gonna build a toy land town
All around the Christmas tree.
So, you better watch out….
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen
Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen
But do you recall...
The most famous reindeer of all?
Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
Had a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it glows
All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer games
Then one foggy Christmas eve
Santa came to say...
“Rudolph, with your nose so bright
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
Then how the reindeer loved him
As they shouted out with glee:
“Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
You'll go down in history!”
Frosty the Snowman
Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
and two eyes made out of coal
Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale they say
He was made of snow but the children
know how he came to life one day
There must have been some magic in that
old silk hat they found
For when they placed it on his head
he began to dance around
Oh, Frosty the snowman
was alive as he could be
And the children say he could laugh
and play just the same as you and me
Frosty the snowman knew
the sun was hot that day
So he said
"Let's run and
we'll have some fun
now before I melt away”
Down to the village
with a broomstick in his hand
Running here and there all
around the square saying
“Catch me if you can!”
He led them down the streets of town
right to the traffic cop
And he only paused a moment when
he heard him holler “Stop!"
For Frosty the snow man
had to hurry on his way
But he waved goodbye saying
"Don't you cry
I'll be back again some day!”
Jingle Bells
Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh
Over the fields we go, laughing all the way
The bells on bob-tail ring, making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight.
Oh, Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh, Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh
A day or two ago, we thought we’d take a ride
Both so gay and bright, and seated side by side
The horse was lean and lank, misfortune seemed his lot
He got into a drifted bank and we, we got upsot!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh!
Program Notes
It’s such an honor to present great classics of choral music as we approach the season of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. While stores are stimulating sales by blaring holiday golden oldies, one can thankfully hear music tonight that celebrates the essence of the season: light, hope, joy and the hope for peace on earth.
We open with a paean to the sun, source of all life. Lili Boulanger was the younger sister of Nadia Boulanger, perhaps the greatest pedagogue of the 20th century. Nadia, who taught just about every composer of note (Copland, Rorem, Bernstein, Glass….) considered her sister Lili the more gifted musician of the two. Lili’s tragically short life (she died at the age of 24 of chronic illness) was the first woman to win the Prix de Rome. Her Hymne au soleil is a bold thanks to the sun for all its life-giving properties.
Several hymns follow, the first to Mary, which we devote to the memory of people in Colorado Springs who were killed in the gay nightclub “Q” just two weeks ago. Described as “a home, a sanctuary, a haven for countless people….it was more than a night out. It was a safe space for the LGBTQ community…” R. Nathaniel Dett’s (an African-Canadian composer) setting is a fitting dedication to the victims of this senseless tragedy.
Lo, How a Rose/The Rose is the creative pairing of “The Rose,” made famous by Bette Midler, with 17th century composer Michael Praetorius' “Lo, How a Rose e'er Blooming,” by Craig Hella Johnson, the music director of Conspirare, a Grammy award-winning choral ensemble from Austin, Texas.
Duerme Negrito is a popular Latin American folkloric lullaby, originally from an area near the Colombian/Venzuelan border. The song tells the story of a mother who leaves her child in the care of a friend while she goes out to work in the fields. It is sung to the little black child who has been left in their care. The baby is promised treats, such as quails and pork, if he falls asleep. The caregiver tells the boy if he doesn't fall asleep, the white devil, meaning the slave driver, will come to cut his little feet off, an actual practice to prevent slaves from escaping.
David Hurd, who for many years served as organist-choirmaster of this very church, is now at St. Mary the Virgin in Times Square. He is a prolific composer, organist and improviser, and he calls his Cradle Song his “lounge carol.”
Inna Onofrei is an emerging Armenian composer based in Cleveland, whose gentle Lullaby came to my attention when she applied to the composer’s competition for Melodia Women’s Choir. I love her sensitive setting of Tennyson’s famous poem and am impressed by her personal motto: “my hands are my brushes, sound is my paint and air is my canvas.”
NYC’s James Bassi has written a gorgeous anthem on the poem Quem pastores laudavere, which invokes the onlookers of the manger scene: shepherds and three wise kings from the East.
Hanukkah celebrates both hope and light, and the resolve to persevere in the face of insurmountable destructive forces. Bob Chilcott’s Three Israeli Folksongs are rhythmic and spirited arrangements of traditional Jewish songs.
The Ukrainian Bell Carol is among the best-known Christmas tunes. The will and amazing courage of the Ukrainian people in this current horror is an inspiration to all of us.
A well-written medley of Christmas pops is hard to find. How lucky we are to have Randol Bass’ cheery setting. Enjoy!
Artist Bios
CYNTHIA POWELL, Conductor and Artistic Director, celebrates her 20th season with the Stonewall Chorale. A graduate of Westminster Choir College, she has worked with many musical groups in the NY metropolitan area and has conducted major works for chorus and orchestra. She has served on the guest faculty at Sarah Lawrence College, led the St. George's Choral Society in NYC, and was a guest conductor at the International Choral Festival in Havana, Cuba. She is also the Artistic Director of Melodia Women’s Choir, and currently serves as Organist/Choirmaster of Temple Sinai in Tenafly, NJ. Her passion for music and commitment to the choral art is coupled with a desire to generate awareness and funds for timely causes, and she has produced recitals, oratorios and concerts to benefit Bailey House, a homeless residence for people with AIDS, for Doctors Without Borders, the Pastors for Peace Cuba Caravan, and Water is Life, Kenya.
ERIC SEDGWICK, Pianist, has performed with many of music’s top talents including Leona Mitchell, Sanford Sylvan and Marni Nixon, Broadway leading ladies Sarah Rice, Carole Demas and Debra Monk, and English hornist Thomas Stacy of the New York Philharmonic. A frequent performer and collaborator in the NYC area, he is also a vocal coach at the Manhattan School of Music and the faculty collaborative pianist for the Tanglewood Music Center. He has served as rehearsal pianist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, under the batons of Michael Tilson Thomas, Bramwell Tovey, John Williams and Andris Nelsons. He is a regular pianist for events with the Metropolitan Opera Guild, and has worked for Carnegie Hall’s Music Education Workshops with Joyce DiDonato, as well as for the International Vocal Arts Institutes in New York and Montreal, and for Beth Morrison Projects. For ten years he was the music director for the Junior Opera Theater scenes program at Manhattan School of Music, directed by Catherine Malfitano. On the west coast, he has been a longtime coach and music director for the OperaWorks training program in Los Angeles.
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The Stonewall Chorale
Soprano: Michelle Ammirati, Beth Bertekap, Suzanne Cohen*, Jeanne Fahrenbach, Julia Feikens*, Scarlett Ferman, Larissa Flint McDowell**+, Kaila Galinat*, Joan Gardner, Beth Kelly, Rachel Oladimeji, Deb Reiner, Sarah Rhoads, Lyndsey Richardson, Emma Shilliday, Ann Sweeney, Joyce Weinstein
Alto: Kirsten Abrams, Olivia Beeman, Jane Bishop, Alva Bostick, Sarah Chapman, Erin Clancy, Nicole d’Alessandro*, Lidia Gallardo*, Stephanie Heintzeler, Siobhan Hotaling, Nora Isacoff, Grace Lazos*+, Elana Leifer, Cecelia Martin*, Leilani Massey, Emily McSpadden+, Nicole Mion, Marina Mulé, Lisa Reeves, Maya Sariahmed, Katherine Silva, Rebecca Smith*, Gwendolyn Stegall+, Kira Stockdale, Susan Strickler*, Jan Thompson, Janet Zaleon**, Ellen Zimmerli*
Tenor: Jose Cuevas, David Fanger**, Andrew Grant, Donald Johnston, John Kennedy, Bernie Mulvaney*, Debbie Mincer, Christina Richards*, Gilbert Robinson, Aaron Sanko, Scott Smith, Taronté Venable+, Mike Waldman
Bass: Alexsander Akers*, John Barrow, Michael Conwill**, Marsh Drege, Melissa Hsu, John-Charles Kelly, Eric Manlapig, Jason McDowell, Scott Munson, Craig Sabbatino, Steve Vasta
* 22-23 season member is on leave for this concert
** Section Leader
+ Board Member
Sponsorships & Dedications
Debbie Mincer sponsors Mi Zeh Hidlik: Chag Sameach!
Deb Reiner sponsors Mi Y'maleil: to former Stonewall Chorale president Lou Fifer & the Y2K OUP Choir
The Altos sponsor Quem Pastores Laudavere
The Basses (who make a variety of seasonal sounds) sponsor Seasonal Sounds
The Sopranos sponsor Carol of the Bells: Slava Ukraini!
The Tenors sponsor Hymne a Soleil: Dedicated to Cynthia Powell, our fearless leader for 20 years!
Alan Cohn sponsors The Stonewall Chorale
In memory of my little brother, Richard Froehlich, who I miss every day!
Donors
Charles Abbott & John-Charles Kelly, Marianne Ardito, Susan Bargman, John Barrow, Alyson Ben-David, Jeanne Betancourt, Donald Bickford, Tom Bogdan, Alva Bostick, the Brode family, Angela Bucknell, Samphas Chhea, Alan Cohn, Aaron Comins, Michael Conwill, John Cunningham, Stephen and Nola Deutsch, Marsh Drege, Diane Duckler, William Erlbaum, Fidelity Charitable, Louis Fifer, MacKenzie Fillow, John Fischer, Marshall Foster, Verene Grigoletto, Louis Harrison, Hawkins Delafield & Wood LLP, Stephanie Heintzeler, Roger Hirsch, Ann Kaplan, John Kennedy, Pamela Knight, Beth Knobel, Aaron Koffman, Robin Krause, Becky Kurtz, Jennie LaCovey, Robert Lewis, Virginia Lowery, Tondra and Jeff Lynford, Cecelia Martin, Pamela McAllister, Marjorie McCoy, Larissa McDowell, Arthur McLean, Barbara Merjan, Deborah Mincer, Carolyn Mincer, Debra Monk, Elizabeth Neill, Andrea Newman, William Nye, Manuel Ovando, Theresa Pascoe, Alan Pasternack, Cynthia Powell, Geoffrey Proulx, Joyce Pyle, RBC Capital Markets, Lisa Reeves, Deb Reiner, Ellen Reiner, Michael Richardson & Ruthann Richardson, Scott Robertson, Verdery Roosevelt, Bruce Sandys, Serra Schlanger, Sara Sloan, Marjorie Sussman, Ann Sweeney, Twitter, Susan Ullman, Valerie Wald, Lee Warshavsky, Joyce Weinstein, Eric Weis, Jeffrey Whiting, Brooke Wiese, Janet Zaleon, Marilyn Zaleon, Ruthie Zaleon
Special Thanks
Michael Conwill, Lighting
Cecelia Martin, Logistical support
Michael Ottley, Holy Apostles
Deb Reiner, Inclusive language texts