Omaha Symphonic Chorus presents
Reflections on
America
with Upstream Brass
Friday, May 2, 2014 - 8 P.M.
Temple Israel
13111 Sterling Ridge Drive
Omaha, Nebrtaska
Reflections on America
Omaha Symphonic Chorus
Dr. Greg Zielke, Conductor
Colin Brown, Assistant Conductor
Bobby Kunkle, Pianist
Percussion: Rob Benson
Program
Part 1
America the Beautiful Arranged by Carmen Dragon
A Song of Thanksgiving Ralph Vaughan Williams Soloists: Laura Schollaert, Helen Chapell Brass Arrangement: Bobby Kunkle
Speaker: Shirley Mason
Sinfonia (Kyrie) from Annelies James Whitbourn
Hymn to the Fallen from Saving Private Ryan John Williams Conducted by Colin Brown
Alleluia Randall Thompson
Part 2
Selections by the Upstream Brass Quintet
Western Fanfare by Eric Ewazen
Quintet by Michael Kamen
Sousa Collection Arranged by Howard Cable
Simple Gifts arranged by by Sterling Proctor
Part 3
American Anthem Gene Scheer, Arrangement John Purifoy Quartet: Greg Zielke, Colin Brown, Kristin Funk, Evelyn Dillard
Shenandoah Traditional, Arranged by James Erb
Home on the Range Arrangement by Mark Hayes Harmonica: Riccardo Marchio
Battle Hymn of the Republic Arranged by Peter J. Wilhousky Conducted by Colin Brown
Bound for the Promised Land Traditional, Arranged by Mack Wilberg Brass Arrangement: Bobby Kunkle
Hatikva (The Hope) Traditional, Arranged by John Leavett Brass Arrangement: Bobby Kunkle
Ackowledgments The Omaha Symphonic Chorus thanks the following individuals and organizations for
their contributions to the success of the concert!
Temple Israel Grace University Omaha Public Schools
Special thanks to Wendy Goldberg of Temple Israel!
Biographies
Dr. Greg Zielke, Omaha Symphonic Chorus Artistic Director and Conductor
Dr. Greg Zielke is Professor of Music and the Director of the Music Program
at Grace University in Omaha. Joining the Grace faculty in 1991, he directs the Grace
Chorale and the Chamber Singers, which recently completed a very inspiring music
and ministry tour to Germany. In addition, Dr. Zielke teaches courses in conducting,
choral methods, church music, and applied voice.
Dr. Zielke received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Tabor College
in Kansas, a Master of Music Education from Wichita State University and a Doctor-
ate of Musical Arts in conducting from the University of Missouri/Kansas City. His
conducting teachers include Dr. Harrison Boughton and Dr. Eph Ehly. He is a mem-
ber of Chorus America, the American Choral Director’s Association, the National
Collegiate Choral Organization, the National Association for Music Education, and
the Nebraska Music Educators Association.
Among his many interests, Dr. Zielke enjoys conducting choral festivals, adju-
dicating music contests, and leading workshops on music and worship. He served as
the Artistic Director for Voices of Omaha for seven years and is currently the Director
of Music at Community Bible Church in Omaha. His conducting début at Carnegie
Hall came in 2009 with a chorus of 160 singing Haydn’s “Te Deum.”
His wife Tamara is an elementary music specialist for Millard Public Schools.
His two daughters, Mackenzie and Mikaela, are musicians pursuing careers in singing,
theatre and teaching. He is grateful for two wonderful sons-in-law, and one terrific
grandson.
Colin Brown, Assistant Conductor
Colin Brown, Assistant Conductor, has been singing with the Omaha Symponic Cho-
rus since 2007. In addition to singing with OSC, Colin sings with the Opera Omaha
Chorus since 2006. Presently, he is the Vocal Music Director at William Jennings
Bryan High School in the Omaha Public Schools. From 2006 to 2012, Mr. Brown
taught vocal music at Omaha Central High School. In October 2012, Colin conducted
a performance at Dundee Presbyterian Church with a choir comprised of students from
the seven OPS high schools for the Institute for Holocaust Education's "Celebrating
Creativity, Transformation, and Remembrance" week long event.
Since 2007, Colin has served as Director/Producer for the OPS Summer Musical, pro-
ducing “The King and I”, Disney's ”Aida”, “Guys and Dolls”, Disney's “Beauty and the
Beast”, and “Les Miserables, School Edition”. Colin serves the Nebraska Choral Di-
rectors Association as the Ethnic and Multicultural Perspectives repertoire and stan-
dards chair. Colin taught K-12 choral and general music in northeast Wisconsin
schools for ten years prior to moving to Omaha. Colin performed lead roles, appren-
ticeships, and chorus with Lyric Opera of Cleveland, Skylight Opera Theatre, and
Washington Opera. He earned a Bachelor of Science, Music Education degree from
Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Master of Music, Voice and Opera,
and Certificate of Performance, Voice and Opera degrees from Northwestern Univer-
sity, Evanston, Illinois; and his teaching certificate from University of Wisconsin Osh-
kosh, Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Bobby Kunkle, Pianist and Arranger
Bobby Kunkle holds positions with Overland Hills Church (director of worship and music),
Grace University (adjunct faculty and staff pianist), the Omaha Symphonic Chorus
(accompanist), and Mannheim Steamroller (keyboardist). He also gives private instruction in
piano, jazz, and composition/arranging through the Omaha Conservatory of Music.
As one of the principal keyboardists with the Grammy Award-winning band, Mannheim
Steamroller, Bobby has performed at such venues as the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, the
Las Vegas Orleans Casino, the QVC Shopping Network, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day
Parade in New York City.
Bobby studied jazz piano with of Steve Raybine and classical piano and composition with
Jackson Berkey. During this time, he performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival (California),
and premiered and recorded, A Suite for Two Pianos, with Jackson Berkey. He also received
the prestigious Louis Armstrong Jazz Award for his "superior musicianship, character, and
individual creativity." Bobby spent two summers as pianist/keyboardist and musical arranger
with the Young Americans' Dinner Theater in Harbor Springs, MI.
Under the direction of Eric Richards, Bobby majored in composition at the University of Ne-
braska-Lincoln. He has also studied Bible and pastoral ministry at Grace University.
Bobby's greatest passion is the church and the Christian faith. He hopes to share in the joy of
life with his friends, students, and listeners through the gifts he has been given in music.
The Upstream Brass Quintet
Carl Eitzen—Trumpet
Carl Eitzen is a native of San Diego, CA and is currently a member of the Des Moines
Symphony Orchestra and United States Air Force Heartland of America Band. He is the
former Principal Trumpet of the Las Colinas, Garland and Arlington Symphonies in the
Dallas/Fort Worth Metro area and is currently pursuing his Doctoral of Musical Arts
from the University of North Texas. Carl has performed with other noted ensembles
such as the Omaha Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Los Angeles Opera Orchestra, Kansas
City Symphony, San Diego Chamber Orchestra, and Lincoln Symphony to name a few.
Carl has been musical director, show band leader and played lead trumpet aboard sev-
eral ships for Carnival Cruise Lines.
As a soloist, Carl has been featured with the Heartland of America Band at the Grand
Teton Music Festival and the Holland Performing Arts Center Opening Gala concerts in
2005, USAF Brass in Blue, University of Arizona Wind Ensemble and UCLA Sym-
phonic Band. He has also performed many recitals and conducted brass clinics through-
out the Midwest and Southern California.
Carl's earliest music training on the trumpet came from his father, John Eitzen, while
attending the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts. He received his for-
mal music education from the University of Arizona and University of California at Los
Angeles where he earned his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees, respectively.
Carl's primary teachers include Jens Lindemann- international trumpet soloist and for-
mer member of the Canadian Brass, Keith Johnson- Regents Professor of Music at the
University of North Texas and Edward Reid- Principal Trumpet of the Tucson Sym-
phony and Professor of Trumpet at the University of Arizona.
Carl resides in Papillion with his wife Jennifer, and two kids, Claire and William. When
not performing music, Carl enjoys spending time with his family, cooking/eating deli-
cious foods, and coaching and working out at Crossfit Team Offutt Tactical Fitness.
Alena Zidlicky—French Horn
Hailing from a small farm town Illinois, French horn player Alena Zidlicky has traveled
all over the world through music. She completed her undergraduate degree in both
music education and performance from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
and her master’s degree at Rice University for performance. Through her educational
and professional career she has been substitute horn with the San Antonio Symphony
Orchestra, Omaha Symphony Orchestra, Peoria Symphony Orchestra, and Milikin-
Decatur Symphony. She has also been a participant in the Banff Music Festival in Can-
ada, the National Orchestra Institute in Maryland, the Burgos Music Festival in Spain,
and was the 2007 winner of the International Horn Symposium’s mock audition. Cur-
rently, Ms. Zidlicky plays with the Air Force Heartland of America Band and has per-
formed with the Offutt Brass, Brass in Blue, and the rock group Vortex. In addition to
playing horn in the band she sings and plays marching French horn. Away from music,
Ms. Zidlicky enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Bo and Sadie, exercising, and ski-
George Father—Trombone
George, a native of Albany New York, earned his Bachelor’s degree in Trom-
bone Performance from the Crane School of Music. He then went on to Michigan State
University to earn his Master’s degree as a Brass Specialist, where he was the Teacher’s
Assistant for Trombone. After graduating in 2005, George joined the United States Air
Force Band of New England, and was stationed at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massa-
chusetts. He then moved to join the Band of the Pacific at Elmendorf AFB in July 2008
where he performed full time with Alaska Brass Quintet and left there in August 2011 to
join the Heartland Band of America. He is currently the trombonist for Offutt Brass,
Vortex, and is the chief arranger for the unit.
Alex Serwatowski—Tuba
Described by the Houston Chronicle as a performer who “…belies the difficulties of
moving air through yards of tubing, playing fast passages so easily,” Alex Serwatowski
has been the UNO Tuba Artist Faculty instructor since 2012. An active-duty military
musician, Mr. Serwatowski concurrently serves as solo tubist with the United States Air
Force Heartland of America Band, where he has been a featured performer and clinician
throughout the United States, Caribbean, Central America, and the Far East.
In addition to his military and teaching commitments, Mr. Serwatowski maintains an
extensive freelance schedule, with engagements that have ranged from the St. Louis
Symphony and Joffrey Ballet, to the rock group, The Moody Blues. His previous fac-
ulty appointments include the University of Texas at San Antonio, Southern Illinois
University at Edwardsville, and the University of the Incarnate Word.
Mr. Serwatowski is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music and the St. Louis
Conservatory of Music, earning the Diploma, and Gradate Diploma in music perform-
ance, respectively. His primary teachers include Gene Pokorny, Ronald Bishop, Mi-
chael Sanders, Wesley Jacobs, Rex Martin, and Toby Hanks. In addition to his musical
achievements, Mr. Serwatowski is a certified instructor in the martial art of Judo, hold-
ing the rank of 2nd degree black belt.
Scott Quackenbush—Trumpet
Scott Quackenbush is a native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, although he spent the majority
of his childhood in Houston, Texas. He began playing the trumpet at age 11, and de-
cided soon after that he wanted to make music his career.
Scott holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music where he
studied with Charles Geyer. He then studied at Northwestern University under the in-
struction of Barbara Butler. He was awarded his Master of Music degree in 2000. Scott
received additional training from the Aspen Music Festival and the National Orchestral
Institute.
Scott has performed as principal trumpet with the South Bend Symphony and Northwest
Indiana Symphony, as well as third trumpet with Music of the Baroque. He has per-
formed as an extra with the Milwaukee Symphony, Grant Park Symphony, and Detroit
Symphony, and as a soloist with the Vancouver Symphony.
Scott joined the Omaha Symphony as principal trumpet in 2008. He has worked with
other area ensembles as well, including touring with Brass in Blue from Offutt Air Force
Base. He also still maintains his position in Music of the Baroque in Chicago. This past
summer, Scott performed at the Grand Teton Music Festival in Jackson, Wyoming. In
addition to his performance work, Scott coaches local players on occasion and is the
owner of a small music copying and publishing business. He is also an active arranger
for brass.
Scott can be heard on several albums released by Music of the Baroque, as well as their
PBS holiday broadcast. He can also be heard on Pete Yorn’s album Back and Fourth.
Scott lives in Papillion, Nebraska with his wife, Maria, a music teacher in Bellevue Pub-
lic Schools, and with his son Jacob. In his free time, Scott is an avid homebrewer, and a
collector and player of any type of game you can imagine.
Omaha Symphonic Chorus Dr. Greg Zielke, Artistic Director and Conductor
Colin Brown, Assistant Conductor
Bobby Kunkle, Pianist
Founded in 1946, the Omaha Symphonic Chorus boasts a long tradition of choral ex-
cellence. From its inception, OSC's goal has been the presentation of highly diverse
choral music to the Omaha community. Concert offerings range from the serious clas-
sics of Beethoven and Bach, to the family friendly “Storybook Songs”, to the multi-
cultural retrospective “E Pluribus, Omaha.”
The 100 voice ensemble draws experienced singers from the metropolitan area and
surrounding communities. Its singers come from all walks of life and are selected an-
nually by audition. Under the leadership of Dr. Greg Zielke, the Omaha Symphonic
Chorus performs 3 to 5 concerts per year. A typical season is a mix of OSC-produced
concerts and collaborations with other musical organizations. Over the years, the
Chorus has appeared numerous times with the Omaha Symphony in its Chamber,
Pops, and Masterworks series, performing some of the world's best loved music for
large chorus and orchestra.
Valerie Stoj, President
Michael Thorfinnson, 1st Vice President
Ruth Glaze, 2nd Vice President
Curt Johnson, Treasurer
Tracy Allgood, Secretary
Bob Glaze
Belinda Greiner
Jack Kelley
Ann Koster
Erin Kurth
Sharda Lemberg
Riccardo Marchio
Eric Manley
Don Rokusek
Jim Schultz
Omaha Symphonic Chorus Board of Directors
Librarians:
Erin Kurth Brandon Fisher
Assistant Librarian: Shelby Hicky
FUNDING
The Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency, has supported this program through its
matching grants program funded by the Nebraska Legislature, the National En-
dowment for the Arts, and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Visit
www.nebraskaartscouncil.org for information on how the Nebraska Arts Council
can assist your organization, or how you can support the Nebraska Cultural En-
dowment.
IN KIND SPONSORS
Barnhart Press – John Barnhart
Underwriter ($5,000 and above) Nebraska Arts Council
Benefactor ($2,500 – 4,999) Peter Kiewit Foundation
Oratorio ($1,500 - 2,499) Hawks Foundation
Whitmore Charitable Trust
Cantata ($1,000 – 1499) Jean McIntosh
Union Pacific Railroad
Madrigal ($500 – 999) Belinda and Carl Greiner
Kirk and Mary Johnson
The Olney Family
Michael Thorfinnson
Canon ($250 – 499) Vince and Linda Augenbaugh
Bill and Mary Joe in memory of Mother
Robin and John Johnson
Ric and Mary Marchio
Rick Lienemann and Jane Estabrook
Christian Ludewig
The Milton Ochsner Family in memory of Kaye Haar
Kent Seetin in memory of Alvin and Wilma Seetin
Valerie and Greg Stoj
Greg and Tamara Zielke
Chorale ($100 – 249) Anonymous
Stephen R. Bartelt
Connie Bergman and Wayne Palmer in memory of Re-
becca Bergman
Julie Ernest
Norma and Donald Houchin
Barbara Hunt
Curt and Sandy Johnson
Thomas and Nana Ollenburg in memory of Kaye Haar
Gwendolyn Olney
Omaha Music Teachers Association in memory of Kaye
Haar
Del & Marcia Rolfs in Memory of Loved Ones
James Schultz and Susan Wilkinson
D. Eileen Smith
Timothy and Annette White
Jim and Sue Whitesel
Anthem ($1 – 99) Rod, Cindy and Andy Anderson in Honor of Lauren
Anderson
Mary Baker
Tracy and Claire Baker in memory of Kaye Haar
Kate Bradley
John and Martha Carey in memory of Kaye Haar
Mari Alice Christensen
Louise and Harry Clayton
Linda and Charles Duckworth
Donald and Trillion Engdahl
Michael and Cheryl Goodwillie in memory of Kaye Haar
Theodore Haar in memory of Kaye Haar
Norma and Donald Houchin in memory of Kaye Haar
Dean and Maria Jacobsen in memory of Kaye Haar
Richard and Patti Kaempflein in memory of Kaye Haar
Eric Manley
Vicki and Ken Molacek in memory of Kaye Haar
Susan Noler in memory of Kaye Haar
Ginger Petersen-Britt
Nancy Robson
Jerome and Elizabeth Schumacher in memory of Kaye
Haar
Morton Stelling
John Thomas, Jonas Thomas and Yale Thomas in mem-
ory of Kaye Haar
Maxine Wilkins in memory of Kaye Haar
Linda and George Zahn
Omaha Symphonic Chorus 2013—14 Annual Fund Contributors
Omaha Symphonic Chorus Greg Zielke, Artistic Director
Sopranos Sherry Anderson
Lauren Anderson
Crystal Asmussen
Connie Bergman-Palmer
Helen Chapple
Louise Clayton
Barbara Diener
Evelyn Dillard
Maggie Fann
Mindy Fasano
Rose Glock
Krista Green
Rachel Hearn
Mary Joe
Robin Johnson
Bente Kleven
Alice Koehn
Sharda Lemburg
Mary Jo Madej
Mary Marchio
Marge Mullin
Gwen Olney
Crystal Olson
Keri Pratt
Holly Raabe
Marcia Rolfs
Katrina Schmidt
Laura Schollaert
Megan Schultz
Shanna Stichler
Sharon Struve
Helen Wensel
Tenors Bruce Anderson
Colin Brown
Brandon Fisher
Larry Hall
William Joe
Duane Lundeen
Eric Manley
Riccardo Marchio
Nathan Moeller
Nick Pignatore
Mark Roth
Dave Sutton
Matthew Wesely
Basses Vince Aughenbaugh
Gary Barber
Bob Glaze
Kent Hanon
John Heil
Curt Johnson
Michael Kesar
Ron Kinsey
Joel Lensch
Rick Lienemann
Frank Olson
Don Rokusek
Jim Schultz
Kent Seetin
Fred Shultz
Stan Weyand
Tom Wheeler
Altos Tracy Allgood
Mary Baker
Lauren Brandt
Valerie Davis
Christen Funk
Ruth Glaze
Belinda Greiner
Christi Hartsock
Jené Hindman
Jan Hoden
Norma Houchin
Erin Kurth
Sarah Klaudt
Ann Koster
Allye Kussman
Grace Longley
Diane Lundell
Shirley Mason
Jean McIntosh
Vicki Molacek
Ann Olney
Megan Petersen
Ginger Peterson-Britt
Leslie Redelfs
Kathy Rice
Shannon Richards
Kristin Ronnenkamp
Valerie Stoj
Sharon Vacanti
Amy Wesely
Sue Whitesel
Members of the Omaha Symphonic Chorus will celebrate Memorial Day in Washington D.C. at the
National Memorial Day Choral Festival
Sunday, May 25, 2014
John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall
Washington, D. C.
Catch us at Brownville!
Brownville Concert Series
Sunday, June 22, 2014—2:00 pm
Brownville Concert Hall
160 Atlantic Street
Brownville, Nebraska
Support the Omaha Symphonic Chorus by giving on May 21, 2014 via the community-wide Omaha Gives campaign!
Http://omahagives24.org/#npo/omaha-symphonicchorus
www.omahasymphonicchorus.org