Tidings of Comfort & Joy

THE O 'AHU CHORAL SOC IETY P RESENTS

C H R I S T M A S W I T H O C S

S y m p h o n i c C h o i r C h a m b e r C h o i r K a t h y C r o s i e r , o r g a n E s t h e r S . Y o o , c o n d u c t o r

2 0 1 7 - 2 0 1 8 S E A S O N

DECEMBER 9 , 20 1 7 AT 7 : 30 PMST . ANDREW'S CATHEDRAL

HONOLULU , H I

PROGRAM

T ID INGS OF COMFORT AND JOY : CHR I STMAS WITH OCS

C o n d u c t o rESTHER S . YOO

P i a n i s tTHOMAS YEE

Eriks Ešenvalds arr. Carolyn Jennings

STARS

GO TELL I T ON THE MOUNTA IN

Wilbur Held and Paul Manz

CHR ISTMAS MEDLEY

Jan Sandström LO , HOW A ROSE E ’ E R BLOOMING

arr. Dan Forrest arr. John Rutter

THE F I RST NOEL

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHR I STMAS

Ka t h e r i n e C r o s i e r , o r g a n

arr. Donald McCullough arr. John Leavitt

ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON H IGH

O HOLY N IGHTJ e r emy Wong , s o l o i s t

A U D I E N C E C A R O L :

H A R K T H E H E R A L D A N G E L S S I N G *

Matthew D. Nielsen arr. Timothy C. Takach arr. Dale Grotenhuis

MIDN IGHT CLEAR

‘ TWAS IN THE MOON OF WINTERT IME

TOMORROW SHALL BE MY DANC ING DAY

A U D I E N C E C A R O L : A W A Y I N A M A N G E R *

*Al l audience caro l lyr ics can be found on page 7 of the program. We inv i te you to stand and s ing !

Mar i e Monday a nd J a c k i e C l emen t s , s o l o i s t sarr. Abbie Betinis IN THE BLEAK M IDWINTER

O r g a n i s tKATHY CROS IER

A U D I E N C E C A R O L : J O Y T O T H E W O R L D *

HALLELU JAH CHORUS

FROM THE MESS IAH

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHR I STMAS

G. F. Handel

arr. John Rutter

A U D I E N C E C A R O L : S I L E N T N I G H T *

We are grateful to the following for their generous support and assistance: ♪ The Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation

♪ The Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts ♪ Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts

♪ The Atherton Family Foundation ♪ McInerny Foundation ♪ Halekulani Corporation

♪ John R. Halligan Charitable Fund ♪ Our volunteer parking attendants, ticket-sellers, and ushers

♪ Stephanie Morem for the program cover and design and Dana Harrison for program design

We gratefully acknowledge and thank Fr. Robert K “Moki” Hino and the staff of the Cathedral of St. Andrew for allowing us to perform in this historic church, and for

advancing a deeper understanding of culture and arts in Hawai’i.

Soprano Francis Burke

Jackie Clements* Susan Dargusch Jackie Fletcher Lucille Frances Dana Harrison*

Valerie Ho Lisa Jacquet* Esther Kim

Kathy Kozak Yoko Kokuni Kessner* Malina Maneevone*† Faye Akamine McCoy

Marie Monday Stephanie Morem

Angela Na Yuko Nakagawa*

Sarah Park Yuko Shintani

Catherine Yamashiro Nami Young

* Chamber Choir † Section Leader

Tenor David Behlke

Gene Corpuz† Mike Dupre* Jegaan Faye* Cliff Hunter* Dan Ream

Gregg Yates Dean Zane

Alto Amy Akana †* Laura Blancq

Kristyn Buchanan Evelyn Coffey*

Ezinne Dawson * Pamela Eliashof

Beth Flint Esther Haas

Sally Hattemer Zoe Ingerson Kalena Loo

Kate Masters Mary McEldowney

Jan Rensel Michelle Reynolds Kathyrn Russell

Winifred Yamashiro

Bass Stephen Barker Daniel Bayot* Carl Jacquet Dave Johnson David Park

Miles Provencher* Larry Schmitt†*

Tim Sprowls Jeremy Wong*

Accompanist Thomas Yee

The O‘ahu Choral Society (OCS) includes nearly 100 singers from all walks of life, from young adults to kupuna, united by their talent and love for classical music and choral singing.

SINGERS

PROGRAM NOTESLo, How A Rose E’er Blooming | Jan Sandström Originally published in 1582 (or 1588) in Gebetbuchlein des Frater Conradus, this 19-stanza Catholic hymns focus was Mary, who is compared to the mystical rose praised in the Song of Solomon 2:1: "I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys." The hymn is believed to have originated in Trier, and one source stated that on one Christmas Eve, a monk in Trier found a blooming rose while walking in the woods. He placed the rose in a vase, and placed it before the altar to the Virgin Mary. Some sources indicate the hymn might date back into the 14th Century.

Stars | Eriks Ešenvalds The natural world comes to life with colorful text by Pulitzer Prize-winning American poet Sara Teasdale (1884-1933) describing the heavens in Stars. Latvian composer Eriks Ešenvalds replicates Teasdale’s night sky with “singing” crystal glasses. Born in 1977, Ešenvalds composed the multimedia symphony Nordic Light and has written commissions for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Utah Symphony and the Latvian National Opera.

Go Tell It On the Mountain | arr. Carolyn Jennings To black slaves in the United States, the birth of a Savior who would set all men free was a miracle to be sung about. And when there was something so notable to tell, what better place to tell it from than a mountain, just as Jesus had chosen from His Sermon on the Mount. This piece is an authentic spiritual that dates probably from the early 1800’s, and was first popularized in 1879 by the Fisk University Jubilee Singers. This chorus traveled throughout the United States and Europe at the end of the 1800’s, earning scholarship-fund money for Fisk, a school founded to educate freed slaves.

Midnight Clear | Matthew Nielsen I am always moved by the words of “It Came upon the Midnight Clear.” Into my mind come images and sounds of bells, wings, wind, and harps on the backdrop of the moon, and a sky full of stars. With this vision I offer this setting. My intention was not to imitate the actual sound of each image, but the feeling and it. – Matthew Nielsen

‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime | arr. Timothy Takach This is probably the earliest Christmas carol composed in North America. “‘Twas in the moon of wintertime” is a collaborative work between a 17th-century French Jesuit missionary to the Huron Indians and a 20th-century Canadian newspaper correspondent in Quebec. This is Canada’s oldest Christmas song.

Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day | arr. Dale Grotenhuis This carol first appeared in 1833. The verses progress through the story of Jesus told in his own voice. An innovative feature of the telling is that Jesus’ life is repeatedly characterized as a dance, a device later used in the modern hymn "Lord of the Dance".

In the Bleak Midwinter | arr. Abbie Betinis This is a Christmas carol based on a poem by Christina Rossetti. The poem became a Christmas carol after it appeared in The English Hymnal in 1906 with a musical setting by Gustav Holst.

Angels We Have Heard on High | arr. Donald McCullough "Les anges" is a French noel (from the Languedoc region) believed to date from the eighteenth century. Its text and tune were first published in the Nouveau Recueil de Cantiques in 1855. The English translation originated as a free imitation from the French by James Chadwick, which was adapted by Henri Hemy in his Roman Catholic collection, "Crown of Jesus Music" (1862). Of the original eight-stanza French text, stanzas 1, 2, and 4 are included.

O Holy Night | arr. John Leavitt It is difficult to realize now that when the 19th-century French composer, Adolphe Charles Adam wrote this piece, it was frowned on by the church authorities. One French bishop even went so far as to denounce it for its “lack of musical taste and total absence of the spirit of religion.” Despite this, it has become the most popular of all Christmas solos. An American clergyman and musical authority named John Sullivan Dwight wrote the English words we use today, which made the tune “O Holy Night.”

The First Noel | arr. Dan Forrest This piece is thought to date from as early as the 13th or 14th century, when the Miracle Play, dramatizations of favorite Bible stories for special holidays, were growing popular. The tune, which may be English or French, is undoubtedly very old.

The Twelve Days of Christmas | arr. John Rutter In the Middle Ages, religious holidays were practically the only holidays, so lord and peasant alike tried to extend such happy times as long as possible. Christmas became not one day of celebration but 12, extending from Christmas Day to the Epiphany. In the castles of the wealthy, a gift on each of the 12 days was not unusual. The carol is very old, dating probably from the 16th century, when such sprightly counting songs were very much in fashion.

Hallelujah Chorus G.F. Handel When the Messiah premiered at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in 1742, King George II was in attendance. When it came to the Hallelujah Chorus he stood up. Whenever the king stood up, everyone in his presence had to stand up, so the whole audience stood. No one is really sure whether the king stood up because he liked the music or for some other reason, but it has become tradition for the audience to stand up when the Hallelujah Chorus is sung.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas | arr. John Rutter This is a sixteenth-century English carol from the West Country of England.

Beethoven’s 9th Symphony | December 28 & 29, 2017 at 7:30 pm Blaisdell Concert Hall

with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra

Vivace! | March 3, 2018 at 5:30 pm Bishop Museum (our annual Gala)

Chichester Psalms & Carmina Burana | April 5, 2018 at 7:30 pm Blaisdell Concert Hall with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra

Kinohi by Herb Mahelona | April 28, 2018 at 7:00 pm Kawaiaha’o Church

Visit our website www.oahuchoral.org for concert details.

SAVE THE DATES FOR THE FOLLOWING CONCERTS IN OUR 2017–2018 SEASON: 

AUDIENCE CAROL LYRICS

Joy to the World! Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n, and heav’n, and nature sing.

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Away in a Manger Away in a manger No crib for His bed The little Lord Jesus Lay down His sweet head The stars in the sky Look down where He lay The little Lord Jesus Asleep on the hay The cattle are lowing The poor Baby wakes But little Lord Jesus No crying He makes I love Thee, Lord Jesus Look down from the sky And stay by my side 'Til morning is nigh

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the new-born King Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled Joyful, all ye nations, rise Join the triumph of the skies With angelic host proclaim Christ is born in Bethlehem Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the new-born King

Christ, by highest heaven adored Christ, the everlasting Lord Late in time behold him come Offspring of the Virgin's womb Hail the Flesh, the God Head see Hail the incarnate Deity Pleased as man with man to dwell Jesus, our Emmanuel! Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the new-born King

Silent Night Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright. Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child. Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia, Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born

Silent night, holy night! Son of God love's pure light. Radiant beams from Thy holy face With dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus Lord, at Thy birth Jesus Lord, at Thy birth

ESTHER S. YOOSince 2008, Esther Yoo has been the Artistic Directorof the O‘ahu Choral Society. A native of Toronto,Canada, Dr. Yoo holds a Doctor of Musical Arts inConducting from the College-Conservatory of Music,University of Cincinnati. She received herundergraduate degree in Music Education and aMaster’s degree in Conducting, both from theUniversity of Toronto studying with Raffi Armenienand Doreen Rao.

Dr. Yoo also graduated with an Artist Diploma inpiano performance from the Hochschule für Musik inMunich and has studied extensively with Russianpianist Vera Gornostaeva. She has appeared infestivals and masterclasses in France, Austria andSwitzerland and has given recitals in Germany, Franceand Italy. As a conductor, Dr. Yoo was invited asa conducting fellow at the Oregon Bach Festival and Toronto Bach Festival with Maestro Helmuth Rilling. She has also participated in conductingmaster classes with Robert Shaw, Sir David Willcocks, Harry Christophers, Stephen Darlingtonand Dale Warland.

Esther Yoo brings professional choral singing experience, having sung under the batons ofRobert Shaw, James Levine, James Conlon and Helmuth Rilling, among others. A versatileconductor, she has worked extensively with high school, collegiate and professional choirs,including choirs at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, HollinsUniversity, University of Toronto and the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory ofMusic. She has also conducted concerts with Canada’s professional chamber choir, The ElmerIseler Singers.

Since coming to Hawaii, Dr. Yoo has prepared choruses for performances with David Willcocks,Andreas Delfs, Jean-Marie Zeitouni, Andrew Litton, and JoAnne Falletta. She has alsoconducted major choral/symphonic works including J. S. Bach’s Magnificat and John Rutter’sGloria with the Honolulu Symphony. More recently she conducted Mozart’s Requiem, Haydn’sNelson Mass, Carmina Burana and Brahms’ Requiem with members of the Hawai‘i Symphony,as well as Brahms’ Requiem, Bach’s Mass in B minor and Dvorak’s Stabat Mater with the newlyformed Hawai‘i Symphony. She has also collaborated and conducted works with Hawai‘i YouthOpera Chorus, Hawai‘i Education of the Arts Choirs, Hawai‘i Youth Symphony and ChamberMusic Hawai‘i.

Esther Yoo is active as guest clinician and adjudicator. Previously, she held faculty positions atHollins University in Virginia, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, and Hawai‘i Pacific University.She is a member of Chorus America, National Collegiate Chorus Organization, AmericanChoral Director’s Association, Hawai‘i Music Teacher’s Association, College Music Society andInternational Federation of Choral Musicians.

THOMAS YEEThomas Yee from Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, has won First Prizes in over 20national and international competitions. Most recently, Dr. Yee earned an unprecedenteddistinction from his alma mater, Memorial University of Newfoundland: he was presented withthe Horizon Award for Lifetime Achievement under the age of 35 for extraordinaryprofessional, volunteer, and academic achievement. Highlights of his career include winning topprizes at the Josef Hofmann International Piano Competition where he was also awarded aspecial prize for the best performance of the imposed piece, Ludmilla Kneskova InternationalPiano Competition where he also won a special prize for best etude, Le Tremplin International(International Stepping Stone) where he also won a special prize for best contemporary work,Canadian Federation of Music Teachers Association Schubert Recital Competition, Concours deMusique du Canada, Young Artists Concert Tour Series Competition, and the Eastman-Hamamatsu Piano Competition among others.

Dr. Yee earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Memorial University of Newfoundlandwhere he studied with Maureen Volk and received the University Medal for AcademicExcellence. He received his Master of Music degree from the University of Colorado at Boulderwhere he studied with Angela Cheng and Alvin Chow. He earned his Doctor of Musical Artsdegree in Piano Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music where hestudied with and was teaching assistant of Nelita True. He has also studied at the GuildhallSchool of Music and Drama in London and Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins Universityin Baltimore.

Dr. Yee is Professor of Music and Associate Music Department Chair at University of Hawaii atMānoa. He has also served on the faculty at the State University of New York at Buffalo. As achamber musician he is a member of a faculty trio, Trio Xia, with flutist Dr. Frederick Lau andcellist Dr. I-Bei Lin. Trio Xia has completed two concert tours of Taiwan and one in Japan. He isalso a member of Trio Benetri, with violinist Lynn Kuo and cellist Rafael Hoekman.

KATHERINE CROSIERKatherine Crosier is a long-time church organist, recitalist and organ teacher who has spent herentire career in Hawai‘i. Although she has now retired as Chapel Organist of ‘Iolani School after20 years, and Organist of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu after 35 years, she still maintains abusy schedule teaching, playing and traveling.

FRIENDS OF OCSThe mission of the O‘ahu Choral Society is, in part, “to present and promote choral music at the highest artistic level.” This level of choral music, which you’ve come to expect and enjoy from OCS, requires orchestral support. We engage Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra musicians to join with us in presenting such masterpieces as our performances of Verdi’s Requiem in 2017, Bruckner’s Mass in E Minor in 2016, Dvorak’s Stabat Mater in 2015. Your generous donation will enable OCS to continue providing exciting concerts incorporating gifted musicians. Choose your donation level from the list to the right:

OCS is very grateful to our current Friends: Composer’s Circle The Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation Atherton Family Foundation Halekulani Corporation Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts McInerny Foundation

Director’s Circle John R. Halligan Charitable Fund Marilyn Katzman

Conductor’s Circle Sidney Stern Memorial Trust Anonymous, in memory of Anne K. Allen David A. Johnson Dr. James Okamoto & Dr. Esther Yoo Nackil & Jaeyeon Sung

Supporters IBM Corporation Western Union Lara Adelberger Stephen Barker Willen & Jan Blees Alexandra & Robert Bley-Vroman Merle Bratlie Barbara Cargill Eugenio Corpuz Elizabeth B. Donaldson Pamela & Byron Eliashof Elizabeth Flint Mary O’Brien Ichikawa Toko Iwasa Jeannette Goya Johnson-Capps Elizabeth Kaneshiro Kathleen Kozak Nobuo Kuniyuki Judy & Dennis Lind Faye Akamine McCoy Stephanie Morem Judy Muncaster Giovanna Neuman David & Sarah Park Jonathan Parrish Bonnie Lee Pestana Michele Reynolds Ronald Staton Chris Suzuki, Locations Foundation Diane VanderZanden Gary & Donna Von Edward & Kathryn Weldon Nami Young

Benefactors Foodland Super Market Ltd. Elizabeth Conklin John & Anne Flanigan Esther Haas Sally Hattemer Clifford Hunter Drs. Willard & Dixie Miyahira Kathryn Russell

Patrons Central Building Co. Mary C. Cassarno Yong Ho & Minja Choe Kathleen Grierson Dana Harrison Robert & Yoko Kessner Malina Maneevone Mary McEldowney Angela Na Yuko Nakagawa Valerie Yee Dean Zane

Contributors Amazon Smile Anita G. Akel Patrick Brent Valerie Brown Jimmy & Olivia Castro Mary Chang Renee Evans Mary Fiedler James & Nancy Golson Alma Grocki Robert Grossmann Lloyd Hamasaki Dr. Kwong Yen Lum Frances Lyons Nada Marriott Dr. Michael Molloy Natalie Nagai Marcie Purdy Maureen Schaeffer Peggy Anne Siegmund Hiroko Thronsen Louis XigogianisBrenda Yamane Keith Yoshioka

OCS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Dana Harrison Yvonne Hsieh Clifford Hunter Zoe Ingerson Dave Johnson

Yoko Kokuni Kessner Max Lee

Amy Liang Karen 'Kalena' Loo Wanida Maertz

Malina Maneevone Faye McCoy

Mary McEldowney Zach Moore

Stephanie Morem Lillian Mori

Judy Muncaster Angela Na

Natalie Nagai Jules Najafi

Yuko Nakagawa James Okamoto Cynthia Oswald

Kawa Photography, (Carol Kawa)

Lil Gurl Pottery, (Sandi Dupre) Live, Love, Pet

Love Renaissance Manoa Valley Theatre

Marsha Nadalin Salon and Spa Maui Divers of Hawaii McKinley Car Wash

Mid Pacific Country Club On-Site Massage

Palama Supermarket Rachel Parker Hair Specialist

Rock-a-Hula Waikiki Shangri La: A Museum of

Islamic Art, Culture and Design Sorabol Korean Restaurant TAG-The Actors' Group

Tea at 1024 U'i Gallery

Wailana Coffee House Watanabe Floral

Zippy's

Individuals Lara Adelberger

David Behlke Jan Blees

Hang Boge Margo Bourland

Shane Brown Steven Buchthal Sharrie Chick

Sarah Christianson Ellen Dieter Mike Dupre Pam Eliashof Debbie Faildo

John M. Flanigan Jackie Fletcher

Beth Flint Laura Mary Flynn Lindsay Forester

Alma Grocki Esther Haas Megan Hale Henry Hao

Marcie Purdy Jan Rensel

Erin Severin Richardson Jen Roth

Kathryn Russell Connie Severin Connie Severin Yuko Shintani Peter Shirts Alex Silver

Andrea Smith Jamie Swim

Hiroko Thronsen Miles Trudo

Leilani Wright Roy & Winnie Yamashiro

Thomas Yee Elizabeth Young

Nami Young Dean Zane

Matt Zimmerman

Companies Joyce H. Cassen M.D., Aina Haina Eye Center

Allure Hair Studio Assaggio Hawaii Kai

Big City Diner Big Island Candies Bishop Museum

Blees Piano Service Chachkies by RebeccaClean Deals on Wheels Daylight Mind Coffee

Company Diamond Head Theatre Forrester Succulents Glow Putt Mini Golf

Grand Wailea – A WaldorfAstoria Resort

Hawaii Opera Theatre Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra

Heather Brown Surf Art (Black Sand Publishing)

Honolulu Theatre for Youth Islands Fine Burgers and Drinks

Vivace! is the O‘ahu

Choral Society’s annualfundraising gala and

silent auction. Many thanks to the

generous donors whomade the 2017 event

possible.

♪ Composer’s Circle: $5,000 and up ♪ Director’s Circle: $2,500–$4,999 ♪ Conductor’s Circle: $1,000–$2,499

♪ Benefactors: $500–$999 ♪ Patrons: $250–$499

♪ Supporters: $100–$249 ♪ Contributors: <$100

DONATION LEVELS

from OCS singers!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

T H E O ' A H U C H O R A L S O C I E T Y

E s t h e r S . Y o o , A r t i s t i c D i r e c t o r D a n a M . H a r r i s o n , E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r

T h o m a s Y e e , A c c o m p a n i s t  

Boa r d o f D i r e c t o r s S t e p h a n i e Mo r em , P r e s i d e n t

E l i z a b e t h F l i n t , V i c e P r e s i d e n t S a l l y Ha t t eme r , T r e a s u r e r K a t h r y n R u s s e l l , S e c r e t a r y

Dav i d B e h l k e , M i c h a e l Dup r e , P ame l a E l i a s h o f , E s t h e r Haa s , C l i f f Hun t e r , K a l e n a L o o , Ma l i n a Man e e v o n e

The O‘ahu Choral Society (OCS), established in 1995, brings together approximately 100 singers from all walks of life, from young adults to kupuna, united by their talent and love for classical

music and choral singing. OCS is also known for its performances of choral masterpieces with the former Honolulu Symphony and today’s Hawai‘i Symphony.

The mission of the O‘ahu Choral Society is to present the highest quality performances of great

choral music for the enjoyment and enrichment of the community of Hawai‘i, and to be a passionate leader and contributor to the cultural and artistic vitality and spirit of Hawai‘i.