CRICKET HANDLER & JILL ANDERSONArtistic Directors

Featuring Jerry Boots, trumpet

Janis Johnson, piano

Sunday, March 15, 2015 · 3 p.m.Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa

WOMEN’SENSEMBLE

Thank You to Our Supporters!Thank you to our many supporters

who have given generously of their time and funding to assist Canzona. Donations are acknowledged for one calendar year from the time they are received.

WiTh generous supporT from

INDIvIDuAL / BuSINESS CONTRIBuTIONS

Passionato ($1000+)Carol Fine in memory of Harold FineCity of San Luis Obispo – PCC GrantHandler & Steiner Family FundJoan Gellert-SargenWacker Wealth Partners

Vivace ($500+)Dr. Jill AndersonLinda AshworthLyn & Aaron BakerJerry BootsDebra FineJennifer & Charles FulbeckSandra & Richard Summers

Animato ($250+)Steven B. Jobst, MDRuth & Ray Steiner

Amoroso ($100+)Becky & John BaerVirginia BassJudith & Robert CarlesonSharon & John Dobson in memory of Greg HindConnie & Frank DrakeNicki EdwardsPatricia Harris & Dan ConroyConnie ManzKathryn & Brendan McAdamsLeslie McKinley & Gary EnochLynne OliveriusJudy & DK PhilbinSusan PielEllen ShefferSusan & Craig Updegrove

Cantabile ($50+)Judith Chumlea-CohanLois & Cliff ElliottOlga & Robert HarwayKathleen Lenski

Catherine & Richard LuckettLeslie & Rick MossSue Prior

Andantino (up to $50)Julie CarterSusan FunkKalila Volkov

IN-KIND CONTRIBuTIONSDave Congalton, KVEC RadioDr. Thomas Davies, Cal Poly Choral Music DepartmentSharon Dobson, Opera SLOTom Franciskovich, SLO Life MagazineKCBX FM RadioGary Lamprecht, Vocal Arts EnsembleSteve Owens, Journal PlusPicking Daisies

Behind the ScenesNanette Hamilton, Concert ManagerCarol West, Concert LogisticsSteve Jobst, Prudy Lovtang, TicketsKalila Volkov, LibrarianAshala Lawler, Graphic DesignMark Frey, RockOn Interactive – WebmasterBrian Lawler, Photography and RecordingTracy Waitkus, PhotographyTom Meinhold, PhotographyArlene Stone, Part RecordingDani Bailey, Communications Studies InternZion Lutheran Church, Gregory Riley, Directory of Music MinistriesSpecial thanks to our volunteer ushers

Please consider a tax-deductible donation to Canzona Women’s Ensemble, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit California Corporation.

Contributions online: canzonawomen.orgor mail to: P.O. Box 1663San Luis Obispo, CA 93406

Canzona Takes FlightWelcome to Canzona Takes Flight, our spring concert filled with the repertoire

we’ll be taking to the Tapestry International Celebration of Women’s Choirs next month. I have had many wonderful opportunities to tour with choirs,

from my college days, to SLO High School trips to Hawaii and New York, and travels with Vocal Arts to Europe and South America, each one bringing its own memorable moments. It’s a thrill to be co-directing this inspiring and simpatico ensemble as we fly off to Vancouver, Canada next month to share the stage with outstanding women’s choirs from Canada and Norway. If you’ve been a regular Canzona patron, you’ll recognize some of our favorites from previous concerts, including one from our very first performance in 2010, David MacIntyre’s Ave Maria, one of the massed choir pieces at the Saturday evening Gala concert. I’m also delighted to introduce the Canadian audience to our own composer and singer Dr. Meredith Brammeier, when she conducts our first commissioned piece To the God of Light and Shadow. This afternoon is particularly special for me as we welcome my husband, Jerry Boots, and his trumpet to the stage as our featured instrumentalist. This is part of our goal to incorporate fine players from the community in our musical offerings. We hope you enjoy this tribute to our upcoming travels. – Cricket Handler

First of all, it is a joy to be back with Canzona, after taking a sabbatical from the group last fall. It’s been invigorating to work with the ladies again, and to share conducting duties once more with my dear colleague, Cricket. It is also

a joy to finally present a concert by our ensemble in the wonderful acoustics of Mission San Luis Obispo. The Mission has been one of my favorite places to sing ever since I moved to here in 1983, with such groups as Qualche Voce; the Mozart Festival (now Festival Mozaic); the Vocal Arts Ensemble; the Cuesta Master Chorale; and Pacific Repertory Opera (now Opera San Luis Obispo). It’s very special to bring Canzona to this venue, which I know will be perfect for our warm, blended sound.

Like Cricket, I’m very happy to revisit some of the songs I’ve conducted for Canzona in past seasons, including the Schubert 23rd Psalm, the Nigra Sum of Pablo Casals, and the Little Horses of Aaron Copland. We look forward to presenting these pieces at the Tapestry Festival in Vancouver in May! I am also pleased to be introducing two new pieces to the ensemble by my former professor Karl Kohn, emeritus from Pomona College. They are challenging, but rewarding. Finally, performing Bach with Jerry Boots on trumpet will be a great pleasure. I hope you will enjoy this concert of wonderful sacred and secular music – Jill Anderson

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Os Justi .................................................................................................................. eleanor Daley (b. 1955)text from Psalm 37:30-31

The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of judgement.

The law of god is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

Two German Lieder

Wandl’ ich in dem Wald des Abends ..... fanny mendelssohn hensel (1805-1847)poem heinrich heine

Sonntag .................................................................................................. Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Gott ist mein Hirt ................................................................................ franz schubert (1797-1828)text from Psalm 23

Cantata BWv 51: Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen ................................. Johann sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

soprano Aria no. 1Jill Anderson, soprano; Jerry Boots, trumpet

To the God of Light and Shadow ................................................................ meredith Brammeierpoem Bonnie Young

meredith Brammeier, director

Mata del Anima Sola ......................... Antonio estévez (1916-1988); arr. Alberto graupoem Alberto Torrealba

Linda Wilson and Chrystie Osborne, soloists

Cantate Domino ..................................................................... ruth Watson henderson (b. 1932) sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord all the earth.

Jerry Boots, trumpet

Lynne Robinett, Meredith Brammeier, Jill Anderson, Linda Wilson, Donna Jones, soloists

Program

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IntermissionAve Maria ........................................................................................................ David macintyre (b. 1952)

Two Songs to Elizabethan Texts by Karl Kohn

Give Me More Love ................................................................................................ Karl Kohn (b. 1926)poem Thomas Carew

Shake Off Your Heavy Trance .............................................................. poem francis Beaumont

The Little Horses ....... adapted Aaron Copland (1900-1990); arr. r. Wilding-White

Nigra Sum ....................................................................................................... pablo Casals (1876-1973)text from Song of Solomon

maggie & milly & molly & may ............................................................ Joan szymko (b. 1957)poem e. e. cummings

The Bike Let Loose ..................................................................................... music edie hill (b. 1962)poem serena fusek

National Weather Forecast ........................ text and music henry mollicone (b. 1946)

Th a n k Yo u T o o u r g e n e r o u s c o n c e rT s p o n s o r

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TranslationsWandl’ich in dem Wald des Abendsevenings, i wander sadly through the woods;

Always walking at my side is your graceful figure.

is that your white, veiled face, or is it the moonlight

filtering through the dark trees?

Are they my own tears i hear flowing, or are you, beloved, walking and weeping

close beside me?

Sonntagi have not for this whole week

seen my dear sweetheart. i saw her on a sunday

standing before the door:

she’s one maiden in a thousand, she has one heart in a thousand,

would god i were with her today!

Thus for the whole week laughter shall not leave my lips;

i saw her on a sunday go into the church: she’s one maiden in a thousand (etc.)

Psalm 23god is my shepherd, i shall not want; he lays me down in green pastures,

he leads me beside still waters, he restores my languishing spirit….

And if i walk through the valley of death’s shadow,

i will fear no evil, for you protect me; Your rod and your staff comfort me. You prepare a joyous meal for me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil and fill my cup. health and blessings will follow me

all the days of my life, And i will dwell in his eternal house forever.

Jauchzet Gott in allen Landenrejoice in the Lord in all lands!

All creatures in heaven and earth extol his praise;

let us offer to god our sacrifice, for in hardship and need he has ever stood by us.

Nigra Sumi am black but beautiful,

oh daughters of Jerusalem. The King has delighted in me,

and has brought me into his own chambers;

he spake unto me: “Arise my love, my fair one, and come away;

for lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth, and the time of renewal has come.”

Alleluia!

Mata del Anima SolaTree of the lonely soul,

wide opening of the riverside –now you will be able to say:

here slept Cantaclaro.

With the whistle and the stingof the twisting wind,

the dappled and violet duskquietly entered the corral.

The night, tired mare,shakes her mane and black tail

above the riversideand, in its silence,

your ghostly heart is filled with awe.

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Board of Directors

Pat Harris, Executive DirectorCricket Handler, CEO

Jill Anderson, PresidentNicki Edwards, TreasurerJon Tarantino, Secretary

Judith CarlesonNancy DouglasLynne Oliverius

Ellen Sheffer

AuditionsCanzona is a select group of 24 to 30 experienced

female choristers. Auditions for the fall 2016 concert

will be held in August. if you would like to be

considered for an audition, please send a brief resumé

of your vocal/choral experience to:jilleanderson@gmail.com or call (805) 773-8922.

The Bike Let LooseJuly in the heartland

the bike let loose on empty road speeding through tall corn

at the bottom of immense sky wrapping around the world’s rim

the sun shimmering and the air like a bell

with perfect pitch bathing us in the heat

that swells the ears in their green jackets spilling silk.

miles and miles of corn the towns – populations

eight hundred nine hundred two thousand souls –

marooned islands in a green sea; we pause at the single stoplight

crossing the highway plunge back into corn.

National Weather ForecastThunderstorms will bring sleet and rain

to the southwest states tomorrow. high winds below twelve thousand feet

will prevail, causing rotating storms that could

produce tornadoes.

But California will be sunny and mild.

heavy freezing winds will predominate over new england,

and snow will fall on parts of maine; some schools may be closed.

But by the weekend we can expect relief.

And California will be sunny and mild.

now we’ll take a look at the rockies: The rocky region will have sleet and rain,

and some heavy snow tomorrow, some slopes may be closed –

Check the ski reports in the morning.

Yet California will be sunny and mild. pLeAse visiT our WeBsiTe:

canzonawomen.org

Jill Anderson Cricket Handler

Jill Anderson holds a B.A. in music/voice from pomona College, an

m.m. in opera from the university of southern California, and a D.m.A. degree in voice from the university of California at santa Barbara.

she was co-founder of the pacific repertory opera in san Luis obispo, of which she was Artistic Director for 23 years before stepping down in 2008. During her tenure with pro, she conducted more than ten productions, most recently Don Giovanni, La Traviata and Carmen.

she was also founder and director of Qualche Voce (“several voices”), a five-voice madrigal group formed in Los Angeles, which made three recordings of early music for the musical heritage society.

Dr. Anderson has sung professionally with the Los Angeles master Chorale and the san francisco opera Chorus. she has also performed both as a soloist and as a chorister with several local groups, including the mozart festival Chamber Chorus, the Cuesta master Chorale, and the vocal Arts ensemble. she was on the voice faculty at Cuesta College for ten years, and now teaches privately at home.

C ricket handler holds a B.A. in Choral music from pitzer College

and an m.m. in Choral studies from the university of southern California where she studied with Dr. Thomas somerville.

she held the position of executive Director of the san Luis obispo symphony from 1985 until 1994, establishing a strong music education program that included the music van and the after-school string program. from 1985 until 2013 she worked in the choral music department at san Luis obispo high school as accompanist and choral assistant, traveling twice with the choir to new York City.

ms. handler has sung with the vocal Arts ensemble, and held the position of assistant director there from 2004 until 2009. she currently serves as a cantorial soloist at Congregation ohr Tzafon in Atascadero.

she has performed in the mozart festival Chorus and as a member of the Cuesta master Chorale. in the summer of 2011, ms. handler studied conducting for two weeks with Dr. Angela Broeker at the university of st. Thomas in st. paul, mn. she currently studies with Dr. Jeffrey Benson, Director of Choral Activities at san Jose state university.

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Janis JohnsonAccompanist

Janis Johnson is a pianist, church organist, and choir director. she maintains a private piano studio in morro Bay of about 30 students. over the years she has served as an accompanist for pacific repertory opera (now opera san Luis obispo), the Cal poly choirs, Cuesta choirs, and various instrumentalists. she served as organist and choir director at st. peter’s by-the-sea episcopal Church in morro Bay for many years and is currently serving as organist and choir director at saint Barnabas episcopal Church in Arroyo grande.

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Jill AndersonLaura Coopersuzan Boatmanmeredith Brammeier vicki L. ewartsusan funkWendy greene*Cricket handlerKristina horacek*

Chrystie osborneroxie phillipsLynne robinettveronica sallazArlene stoneiva svitekClara vanherwegLinda A. Wilson

C A n z o n A s i n g e r s

soprAno ALTo

Jerry BootsTrumpet

Jerry Boots started playing trumpet in the 5th grade. he played in the California Youth symphony during high school in san mateo, and was a member of the Cal Band while attending college at Berkeley. he joined the san Luis obispo symphony in 1977 and continues to play principal trumpet in that ensemble. he was a member of the Theophilus Brass Quintet in the mozart festival fringe, and is a current member of the Burnished Brass Quartet. mr. Boots plays in several orchestras on the Central Coast including performances with Cuesta master Chorale, santa maria philharmonic and opera sLo. As a member of the Central Coast Leatherneck honor guard (marines) he plays taps for military honors around the county.

melodie BeardChristina BloomCarolyn CampbellAnna Carey•sharon Carro•sue Childers-Kraftnicki edwardsmarcy irving•

Donna Jonespamela LindquistJanice mehringLaura pryzgodamarylyn villeneuve sholly von steinKalila volkovWendy Wendt

*Canzona members not singing spring concert

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Tapestry International Celebration

C anzona Women’s Ensemble is honored to be one of three choirs accepted to the third Tapestry International Celebration of Women’s Choirs hosted by Elektra Women’s Choir based in Vancouver, Canada. Canzona will join Esprit de Choeur

from Winnipeg, Canada and Cantus from Trondheim, Norway in a 4-day collaboration with Elektra, culminating in two performances.

Choral Threads, a concert featuring the distinctive repertoire of the three guest choirs will be held on May 1, 2015. Dr. Meredith Brammeier will conduct the ensemble in the Canadian premiere of her commissioned piece, To the God of Light and Shadow, and directors Cricket Handler and Jill Anderson will round out the program with music by distinguished American composers. Today’s concert features the music Canzona will be performing.

Concert-goers will experience the power of 120 combined voices at the Gala Concert on May 2, 2015. Each guest director will conduct a piece of her choosing, and the evening will culminate with the world premiere of a work by Kristopher Fulton featuring Vancouver saxophonist Julia Nolan, conducted by Elektra’s music director Morna Edmundson.

The tour is sponsored in part by

Joan Gellert-Sargen and Canzona Board of Directors

Birds of a Feather Sing TogetherToday in the lobby you can see the stunning Canzona Takes Flight quilt designed by singers Nicki Edwards and Janice Mehring to highlight the Tapestry theme of our spring tour to Canada. A tree filled with songbirds certainly expresses the joy we experience as an ensemble, and sales of raffle tickets will help us “fly” off to Vancouver to represent our community in the festival in May.

We will draw the name of a lucky winner at today's concert. Tickets are available in the lobby from board members and our intern Dani Bailey. They are priced at $10 each or 6 for $50.

Tickets for the quilt drawing are available before the concert and during intermission.

We wish you each good luck and thank you for supporting Canzona Women’s Ensemble.

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We’re looking forward to singing for you

at our next concert:

November 8, 2015

Celebrating Women’s Voices

Festival Mozaic North County Chorus