Today, the Unitarian Universalist community continues to be known for our stand for LGBTQ rights. We embrace individuals and families with all identities and structures and strive to create an environment

that lifts up all individuals.

Our three congregations are proud to be recognized by the UUA as Welcoming Congregations.

Fighting Since 1970*

* Learn more about our history of activism at: www.uua.org/lgbtq/history

First UnitarianChurch

3114 Harney St.Omaha NE

firstuuomaha.org

Unitarian Church

of Lincoln6300 A St.Lincoln NE

unitarianlincoln.org

Second Unitarian Church

3012 S 119 St. Omaha NE

2Uomaha.org

Join us any Sunday as yourself!

Welcome from the Artistic DirectorWelcome to “We Rise Again,” RCMC’s second major con-cert in Lincoln! As we are in the midst of our 32nd season, we know that it is time to take our mission to the next level. We have an obligation, not only as Omaha’s GLBTA chorus, but also as Nebraska’s GLBTA chorus, to create exceptional mu-sical experiences that support diversity among all Nebras-kans and empower all Nebraska communities. Lincoln is our first big step westward, and we look forward to building more and stronger relationships with people here and beyond. We are especially excited today to donate any funds raised to-day to Voices of Hope, a wonderful organization in Lincoln that serves the very communities for whom we sing.

Today’s music is chosen specifically as a sampler of the sort of community engage-ment music we regularly perform at events in and around Omaha throughout the year. Built primarily from Broadway and Pop tunes, from Fame to The Wiz to Simon & Garfunkel, the program centers around the ideas that regardless of how many times one falls or gets beat down, there is a resiliency and perseverance in the human spirit that ensures we all will rise again. We will get up and continue on—to-wards survival, towards living, towards thriving. Feel free to sing along and tap your toes to those you know- it’s a great evening of music!

Our next 30 years have big things in store—please plan to join us for our second per-formance at the Holland Performing Arts Center in Omaha in June with “On with the Show.” After last season’s successful debut of the partnership between Omaha’s premiere performance space and Omaha’s favorite choir, we could not be more excited to prepare a great concert of current feel-good Broadway hits for you, including Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, Marvin Hamlisch, and more. We are so proud to represent Nebraska as one of the oldest mixed GLBT choruses in the country, and we are excited to continue to provide quality choral performances for the greater Omaha community and beyond.

As we look forward to the next 30 years of this ensemble and their passion for the community and for being a strong musical voice in it, I hope you’ll consider helping us as we continue with our mission. No matter your talents, there is a spot for you in our organization; whether as a singer (please join us at auditions in August!), volun-teer, organizer, donor, or patron, all you have to do is email us through our website, www.rcmc.org. You won’t regret becoming a part of the River City Mixed Chorus family—I know I haven’t.

A. Barron Breland

Officers: Julie L. Heacock

Chair Lynne Mytty Vice Chair

Sarah PhelpsSecretary

Travis MullinsTreasurer

Board Members-at-Large: Brian D. Adams

Bart CoxRandall Donner

Kerrin Hoyer Penny Kowal

Courtney Matulka Larry Wilson

Ex Officio Members:

A. Barron BrelandArtistic Director

Vicki Rushlau Chorus President

RCMC Board of Directors 2015-2016

Welcome from the Chorus PresidentToday we sing to you about hope and love, strength and resil-ience. We sing about what that means to all of us and how it inspires us to help make a difference in our world. We Rise Again today and stand together singly proudly from our hearts so that all can hear. We hope that our message speaks to each of you and that you find inspiration in it. There is hope on the horizon for all.

Welcome to our We Rise Again concert, our second here in Lin-coln! We are so thrilled to be back. Being here today, helping to

support Voices of Hope is our pleasure and we are glad that each is here with us.

The chorus members invite you to sit back enjoy the music and embrace our mes-sages of hope and love.

Vicki Rushlau

Welcome from the Board of Directors’ ChairThree years ago the River City Mixed Chorus’ Board of Directors gathered together, wrote a five year plan, and embarked on a journey to become not only the GLBT chorus of Omaha, but the GLBT chorus of the great state of Nebraska. We set our sites on Lin-coln and for the second year in a row we were introduced to an extraordinary organization whose mission of providing empower-ing services and support to those in their community who are in need of their assistance as well as community education and awareness touched the hearts of our members.

We are honored to have the opportunity to perform “We Rise Again” to bene-fit Voices of Hope and it is our hope that the music you hear today has the power to move you, to inspire you, and to connect you to us and to each other. And once you’re a part of our family, we’re going to want to see you again! Our June 18th concert “On With The Show” will be the next opportunity to come see us. We’ll be performing at The Holland Performing Arts Center in Omaha. Tickets are currently available at ticketomaha.com.

On behalf of our Board of Directors I want to thank First Plymouth Church and Plymouth Pride for graciously hosting this event. And many thanks to the tremen-dous support of individuals, businesses and volunteers for their donations and sponsorships. Enjoy the show!!

Thank you,Julie Heacock

RCMC MISSIONCreating exceptional musical experiences to support diversity,

inspire change, and empower communities.

The Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency, has supported this program through its matching grants program funded by the Nebraska Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Please visit www.nebraskaartscouncil.org for information on how the Nebraska Arts Council can assist your organization, or how you can support the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.

We Rise AgainBridge Over Troubled Water Music and Lyrics by Paul Simon Arranged by Kirby Shaw Our Journey Continues Music and Lyrics by Greg Gilpin

Rebecca Ahlers, mezzo-soprano

Sing Me to Heaven Music by Daniel E. Gawthrop Lyrics by Jane Griner

Sing Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Gary BarlowArranged by Ed Lojeski

Cameron Koenig, soprano

Song of the Soul Music and Lyrics by Chris WilliamsonJoyce McVicker, mezzo-soprano

No One Is Alone from Into the Woods Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Adapted by Mark Brymer

I’ll Be Here Tomorrow from The Grand Tour Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman Arranged by Ed Lojeski

Bring on Tomorrow from Fame Music by Jacques Levy Lyrics by Steve Margoshes Arranged by Greg Gilpin

PLEASE JOIN US FOR A RECEPTION IN PILGRIM HALL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE PROGRAM,

HOSTED BY FIRST PLYMOUTH AND PLYMOUTH PRIDE

RCMC is a proud member of GALA Choruses.Supporting GLBT choruses as we change

our world through song.GALA Choruses is the leading association committed to serving the GLBT choral movement in the US and abroad. Our 150-plus member choruses and 7,500 singers look to us repeatedly for support and leadership. We are dedicated to providing organizational support and helping our choruses to be strong both artistically and professionally.

GALA Choruses fosters the artistic and organizational development of member choruses through a wide variety of programs and services. We produce publications, educational conferences, and choral festivals. We provide grants for the commissioning of new choral works and youth-related activities.

GALA Choruses serves choruses that range in size from five to over 250 singers. Member choruses are located throughout North America, Europe, South America, Africa, and Australia. GALA Choruses was formed in 1982 by a few visionary leaders among GLBT choruses.

Based in Pittsburgh, PA, GALA Choruses is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with tax-exempt status in the United States.

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough Music and Lyrics by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson Arranged by Roger Emerson

Sarah Phelps, mezzo-sopranoMark Van Kekerix, tenor

One Song Music and Lyrics by Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, and Marvin Hamlisch

Arranged by Kirby Shaw

We Rise Again Music and Lyrics by Leon DubinskyArranged by Stephen Smith

Kerrin Hoyer and Crystal Olson, sopranos

Everybody Rejoice from The Wiz Music and Lyrics by Luther Vandross Arranged by Andy Beck

Emily Barker, Sam Barker, Beth Davis, Adam Witte, soloists

RCMC SingersSopranos Jess Baker (1)Emily Barker (2)Melinda Bohannon (5)*Sue Chamberlin (20)Beth Davis (6)Maeghan Fry (4)Connie Grant-Leanna (3)*Cassondra Fife-Havranek (2)Judith Hancock (28)Valerie Haynes (9)Julie Heacock (9)Natalie Hearn (7)Stacy Heilig (2)*Kerrin Hoyer (13)Micaela Hoyer (7)Cameron Koenig (5)Sue Lively (10)*Jillian McCall (6)Jessica Melo (10)Marge Mullin (3)*Crystal Olson (11)Kimberly Pearce (4)Sara Peterson (6)Kelsey Scovill (1)*Lynell Stafford (1)Suzy Stark (1)

Heidi Thompson (3)Christina Thornton (4)Megan Van Alstine (13)Gretchen Woods (2)Wendy Wright (21)*

AltosRebecca Ahlers (2)Wendy Austin (3)Antonia Bonsera (7)Anna Brun (5)Emily Crawford (5)*Karen Davidson-Fisher (22)Emily Ertzner (1)Didi Fales (3)Laura Finken (13)*Mary Gerant (3)Jody Gernandt (8)Vicki Grunwald (15)Ashley Hamilton (4)Renae Hinrichs (1)Gloria Jensen (13)*Krissa Lee-Regier (15)Laura Leeds (8)Joyce McVicker (8)Alyson Meadows (16)Nancy Mealey (7)

Nick Peters (4)*Sarah Phelps (17)Carol Ramsey (7)Vicki Rushlau (15)Robin Sheldrake (1)Kathleen Smith (2)*LaRaine Staats (5)Rachael Vacanti (10)Michele Yindrick (10)

TenorsMatthew Bang (1)Sam Barker (1)Roger Bennett (46)Bryan Crawford (9)Mike Crum (2)Mark Curley (17)Michael Deatz (7)Randall Donner (6)Dana Evans (2)T. Adam Goos (4)Joseph Holbrook (1)Vic Kiefer (2)Andrew Klinkenborg (3)*Duane Lundeen (13)Mark Marchese (15)Brian Margritz (2)*Jerry Meis (20)Michael Meriwether (4)Stephen Moore (6)Richard Murphy (4)Nicholas Nichols (1)Nikolai Shapoval (2)Mark Van Kekerix (22)Harley Waldstein (2)Travis Wilcox (23)Larry Wilson (26)Paul Yeoh (3)*

BassesBrian D. Adams (30)Dan Adams (18)Stan Brown (63)Bill Canney (5)Andrew Cleveland (1)Chris Davis (27)Lance Glunz (5)*Jordan Goodman (8)*Victor Hahn (24)Chris Holst (43)Donald-Brian Johnson (9)Jeff Lively (4)*Scott Miller (20)Gene Moore (4)Steven Nichols (16)Tom Nielsen (27) Pat Rapier (17)Michael Taylor-Stewart (17)*Adam Witte (2)Brian Wyant (13)Peggy Zellner (4)Phil Zellner (2)

* Leave of Absence

RCMC COMMITTEE CHAIRSMembership Vicki Rushlau

Marketing Randall Donner

Fundraising Julie L. Heacock

Production Michele Yindrick

Mission and Engagement Stan Brown and Sarah Phelps

ARTISTIC TEAM

Dr. A. Barron BrelandArtistic Director

Keith HartAccompanist

Kerrin Hoyer Crystal Olson

Soprano Section Leaders

Gloria Jensen Joyce McVicker

Alto Section Leaders

Michael Deatz Mark Van Kekerix

Tenor Section Leader

Brian D. Adams Dan Adams

Bass Section Leaders

MUSICIANS

Luke Compton Drums

Tim Kasl Bass Guitar

PRODUCTION TEAM

Michele Yindrick Manager

Brian Adams

Chris Davis

Chris Holst

Nancy Mealy

Jerry Meis

Michael DeatzMusic Librarian

SOCIAL MEDIALook for us on Facebook

Subscribe to our page on YouTubewww.youtube.com/rcmcomaha

Follow us on Twitterwww.twitter.com/rcmcomaha

Keith HartAccompanist

Keith has been playing the piano his entire life. He loves accompa-nying and has played for a wide range of soloists, ensembles, and choirs over the years. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in music educa-tion with an emphasis in piano from Northwest Missouri State Univer-sity, and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Missouri - Kansas City. Once a public school music teacher, Keith eventu-ally turned his attention to the world of theatre and has worked as pianist, musical director, and scenic designer for numerous theatri-cal productions at various Omaha area theaters, including SNAP, Shelterbelt, Bel-levue Little Theatre, Chanticleer, Stages of Omaha, and the Omaha Playhouse. Before coming to Omaha he worked on productions at Starlight Theatre, Quality Hill Playhouse, and the Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City. He has also been a church musician most of his life and currently accompanies the choir of the First Unitarian Church of Omaha. In recent years Keith has worked in arts administration, and at present is the Business/Grant Manager for THE ARTERY, a local nonprofit that brings arts programming to area schools. This is Keith’s first season with the River City Mixed Chorus.

A. Barron Breland, DM Artistic Director

A. Barron Breland joined the River City Mixed Chorus as Artistic Direc tor in January, 2011. With degrees in Music Theory and Choral Conducting from the Uni-versity of Georgia and Indiana University, Breland has a diverse background in many different fields of mu-sic, including the piano and saxophone. Singing from the age of 6, Breland’s first exposure to professional cho ral music was in 1990 as a member of the Atlanta

Boy Choir where he performed with Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony Or-chestra, as well as in tours and fes tivals throughout Europe.

Breland has emerged as one of a new talented generation of conductors, set apart from others by his eclectic interests and skills equipped to perform music from master works of the Baroque and Classic eras to great contemporary works of art, includ ing repertoire in various popular styles. Breland completed his doctor-ate in choral conducting at the Jacobs School of Music at IU in 2009, where he has been a member of the choral conducting faculty, preparing the University Singers for a performance with Dale Warland in 2008, and giving over 12 performances as guest conductor of the 120-member Grammy-nominated Singing Hoosiers.

Currently Breland is on faculty at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, con-ducting the Chamber Choir and University Chorus and teaching classes in music history and music theory. In his brief tenure at Creighton, the Chamber Choir has performed at NMEA and ACDA conferences and they are performing the core repertoire of the virtuoso chamber ensemble. The Chamber Choir has also begun to perform with the Omaha Symphony, including solo engagements in March 2014 and April 2015 performing the Duruflé Requiem and Haydn’s Creation, respec-tively. Breland was named Nebraska Choral Directors Association’s Outstanding Young Choral Director of 2012.

Vicki RushlauChorus President

Vicki Rushlau is a native Nebraskan, and in her sixth season with RCMC. She has worked at Mutual of Omaha for more than 34 years and is a Senior Administrative Assistant in the Brand Management Division. In her spare time she enjoys reading, listening to music, camping with her wife & friends hanging out with her mom, her children and grandchildren. Her friends describe her as fun loving, reliable/dependable, and genuine.

Though Vicki sang all of her life in church and school, it wasn’t until finding RCMC that she finally found the joy again that being part of chorus can bring. Being a member of the Chorus has brought the music and the passion for it back to her life. And RCMC is so much more than just the music – chorus has given her so many new and wonderful family members!

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESSPlease consider advertising in future RCMC concert programs.

For specific details and ad packages, e-mail playbillads@rcmc.org or call our sing line at 402-341-SING (7464).

Producer’s Circle of GivingContributions from July 1, 2015 – March 31, 2016The River City Mixed Chorus acknowledges all persons and corporations who participate in our Producer’s Circle of Giving. Your support and belief in the mission of our organization are com-mendable and for that we thank you! If you wish to become a member of our Producer’s Circle, please visit www.RCMC.org/donate to learn about the benefits available to our supporters. RCMC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. All donations are tax deductible.

Maestro $5000+Nan Knicely Estate TrustFrank & Penny KowalNebraska Arts Council

Virtuoso $2500-$4999Richard Holland

Prodigy $1000-$2499Lynne MyttyMark Van KekerixBlue Wolf Group, LLCDeluxe Corporation FoundationIGBO OmahaLozier Foundation

Divas $500-$999Robert DorrAnthony HarrisKevin Rose & Tom NielsenPayPal Gives

Soloists $250-$499Warren Conner & Roger BennettJames BlachnikMark CurleyRandall DonnerGary Emenitove & Michael JonesCleveland EvansThomas LieferSuzanne MorganDouglas SteinkrugerRaymond VondrackRebecca WiegandAugustana Lutheran ChurchICON FoundationVoices of Equality

Performers $100-$249Jon AndersonA. Barron Breland & Travis MullinsBill & Michael Collins-WolaverJoyce Elder & Salli ComptonBill GausLouanne GruidelRuss HollendieckChris HolstKip Lund & Mark MarcheseRobert McMeenSteven MohrJanis MullinsLoren & Iola MullinsW. Eric RileyMarylin StewartAmerican National BankCSG Systems

Friends $1-$99Ruth AdamsCharles BegayLaura BlackThomas EmmettKay FergusonDeWayne GreimVicki GrunwaldRikki HulsebusJohn JelinekA. Marlene KerrKrissa Lee-RegierJames MartinDorothy NeillBecky ReissMyron SikoraCarolyn SternBeulah WiegandPeggy ZellnerAmazon Smiles FoundationKroger

Ryan-Knicely Scholarship Fund

The Ryan-Knicely Scholarship Fund was created to ensure that there are no finan-cial barriers to being a member of the Cho-rus for anyone who wants to sing. Chorus members in need of financial assistance can apply to the Board of Directors for help from the Fund with covering Chorus-related expenses. If you would like to make a donation to the Ryan-Knicely Scholar-ship Fund, please mail to River City Mixed Chorus, PO Box 3267, Omaha, NE 68103, or email us at fundraising@rcmc.org.

Contributions from July 1, 2015 – March 31, 2016

Roger BennettLaura Finken

Jody GernandtAshley HamiltonJudith HancockValerie Haynes

Laura LeedsGerald Meis

Kathleen SmithTravis Wilcox

Gretchen WoodsNan Knicely Estate Trust

Very Special Acknowledgments

RIVER CITY MIXED CHORUS FIFTH VOICE CHAIR: Bobbi Davidson-Fisher

FIFTH VOICE VOLUNTEERS – These non-singing men and women serve our Chorus by doing ordinary tasks with great care and kindness. Their loyalty and ongoing dedication behind the scene in fundraising and concert preparation create a musical performance enjoyable for the audience, artistic team, production crew, and singing members. Truly, their work is love made visible as they give their best. Kahlil Gibran’s words highlight the quality of their work: “When you work you are a flute through whose heart the whispering of the hours turns to music.” If you are interested in supporting the Chorus in this way, please contact RCMC at 402-341-SING (7464).

Volunteers helping with this performance:Clare Davidson-Sherman • Riki Ferguson • Judy Finholm • Hank Kuhlmann • Robert Tucker

We are grateful and appreciative for:

Pastor Nancy Erickson and staff at First Plym-outh Church for allowing RCMC the use of their beautiful venue for this concert.

Plymouth Pride and members Jen, Jenny, Adam, and Larry for graciously hosting RCMC for this performance and for your help during the planning of this event. Thank you also for hosting the reception following to-day’s concert.

Marcee Metzger at Voices of Hope for com-ing to Omaha and visiting RCMC and for the great work you and your organization do.

Patsy Martin at Voices of Hope for fostering the relationship between your organization and RCMC through clear and responsive commu-nication for your assistance with the promotion of this performance.

Outlinc and Abby Swatsworth for assisting in the marketing and promotion of this perfor-mance to your members and networks.

Rev. Jane Florence and of the staff of First Unit-ed Methodist Church for providing RCMC with weekly rehearsal space and for storing our mu-sic library and equipment.

To all of the businesses/organizations who have advertised in this program. We could not be more thankful to have your support of RCMC. We encourage all of our audience members to support the businesses/organizations that have helped make this performance possible.

The coordination by RCMC’s Mission and Engagement Committee, chaired by Stan Brown and Sarah Phelps, and Production Committee, chaired by Michele Yindrick, for the planning and logistical execution of pro-ducing this concert.

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