Lafayette Madrigal Singers
IN CONCERT FOR
AMERICAN CHORAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
SOUTHERN DIVISION CONFERENCE 2024
FEBRUARY 22, 2024, 1:30
KENTUCKY CENTER For the Performing Arts,
WHITNEY HALL
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
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Soprano
Katie Bowden* Annelise Brown* Lorena DelaCruz Frazier* Janeway Howard* Madeline Logsdon* Lily Brooke Pearson* Kara Peters* Abigayle Stokes* Sally Thalacker* Bella Walker Tate White Marisol Zavos-Endicott Bass Zade AlQahtani* Andrew Campbell* William Darragh* Charlie Kennedy* Parker Olukalns* Joshua Park Nicholas Perkins* Sam Reed |
Alto
Hadley Collins* Sarah Collins Claire Cornett Abigail Foley* Sienna Johnson Meredith Kirby Natalie Langdorf* Ruby Loeffler Millie Matthews Kaiti Moberly* Ashlyn Taylor* Tenor Gabriel Brown* Colin Clevenger* Payton Chenault Logan Gwynn* Brody Mancuso* Ian Ransom* Gabriel Singleton * Selected for 2024 All-State ensembles |
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Spirit of Creation
O quam mirabilis est
Hildegard von Bingen, trans. Brad Ritchie
O quam mirabilis est
Hildegard von Bingen, trans. Brad Ritchie
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O quam mirabilis est
prescientia divini pectoris que prescivit omnem creaturam. Nam cum Deus inspexit faciem hominis quem formavit, omnia opera sua in eadem forma hominis integra aspexit. O quam mirabilis est inspiratio que hominem sic suscitavit. |
How wonderful it is,
that the foreknowing heart divine has first known everything created! For when God looked upon the human face that he had formed, he gazed upon his every work, reflected whole within that human form. How wondrous is that breath that roused humanity to life! - Nathaniel M. Campbell |
Spirit of Nature
Still With Thee
Elaine Hagenberg
Still With Thee
Elaine Hagenberg
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Still, still with Thee, when purple morning breaketh,
When the bird waketh, and the shadows flee; Fairer than morning, lovelier than daylight, Dawns the sweet consciousness I am with Thee. When sinks the soul, subdued by toil, to slumber, Its closing eyes look up to Thee in prayer; The sweet the repose beneath the wings o'ershading, But sweeter still, to wake and find Thee there. Shall it be, when that bright morning breaketh, When the soul waketh and life's shadows flee; Oh fairer than the morning, lovelier than daylight, Shall rise the glorious thought to Thee! - Harriet Beecher Stowe |
Spirit of Joy
Alleluia, Cantate Domino
Marques Garrett
Alleluia, Cantate Domino
Marques Garrett
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Alleluia!
Cantate Domino canticum novum; Cantate Domino omnis terra. Benedicamus Domino, Deo dicamus gratias. |
Alleluia!
Sing to the Lord a new song; Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Let us bless the Lord. Let us give thanks to God. - Psalm 98 |
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Spirit of Hope
American Tune J.S. Bach, Paul Simon, arr. Brad Ritchie Sheet Music Plus Parker Olukalns and Sally Thalacker, solos Janeway Howard, Abigayle Stokes, Ashlyn Taylor, Natalie Langdorf, Zade AlQahtani, Colin Clevenger, William Darragh, Gabriel Brown, octet O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down, now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown. O sacred Head, what glory, what bliss till now was Thine! Yet, though despised and gory, I joy to call Thee mine. Many's the time I've been mistaken and many times confused. Yes, and I've often felt forsaken and certainly misused. Oh, but I'm alright, I'm just weary to my bones. Still, you don't expect to be bright and bon vivant so far away from home. And I don't know a soul who's not been battered. I don't have a friend who feels at ease. I don't know a dream that's not been shattered or driven to its knees. But it's alright, for we lived so well so long. Still, when I think of the road we're traveling on, I wonder what's gone wrong. I can't help it, I wonder what has gone wrong. And I dreamed I was dying. I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly, and looking back down at me, smiled reassuringly. And I dreamed I was flying and high up above my eyes could clearly see the Statue of Liberty sailing away to sea. And I dreamed I was flying. We come on the ship they call The Mayflower. We come on the ship that sailed the moon. We come in the age's most uncertain hours And sing an American tune. Oh, and it's alright, you can't be forever blessed. Still, tomorrow's going to be another working day and I'm trying to get some rest. That's all I'm trying to get some rest. Be Thou my consolation, my shield when I must die; remind me of Thy passion when my last hour draws nigh. Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, upon Thy cross shall dwell. My heart by faith enfolds Thee who died thus dies well. |
Spirit of Unity
Hela Rotan
Indonesian Folk Song, arr. Ken Steven
Hela Rotan
Indonesian Folk Song, arr. Ken Steven
"Pull the Rattan"
Hela Rotan is a call to live in togetherness,
even though there are differences that attract each other.
Hela Rotan is a call to live in togetherness,
even though there are differences that attract each other.
Program Notes
Spirit is the intangible essence that animates all living beings. Our program represents music that speaks to ways in which our spirits take flight. The music represented in this program spans nine centuries and a variety of styles and cultures and represents music that speaks to ways in which our spirits take flight. The texts and themes attempt to invoke the spirit: the essence of the human experience, our connection to one another.
We open our program with the Antiphon, O quam mirabilis est of Hildegard von Bingen. Hildegard (1098-1179), the most famous female composer of the high medieval era, was also a powerful abbess, philosopher, visionary, polymath, mystic, and medical practitioner. Hildegard experienced her first religious visions at the age of three and became a nun at the age of fifteen. Though composed to be sung by female voices, our transcription and arrangement is set for mixed chorus. O quam mirabilis sets to music Hildegard’s belief that all creation has its timeless, infinite source in a creator.
Elaine Hagenberg is a widely known American composer whose compositions are performed around the world. In Still with Thee, Hagenberg sets abolitionist and prolific author Harriet Beecher Stowe’s lyric hymn. The poetry encapsulates Hagenberg’s compositional inspirations of text, nature, and faith. Setting the first, fourth, and fifth verses only, Hagenberg takes a more than century-old text and makes it relatable and connectable.
Marques L. A. Garrett is a widely acclaimed composer, conductor, teacher, and vocalist. His works number over sixty compositions and editions of both non-idiomatic and idiomatic music. Alleluia, Cantate Domino was commissioned by Harvard University's Department of Music in honor of the centenary of Black American musicologist, researcher, author, and teacher, Eileen Southern whose landmark book, Music of Black Americans changed music scholarship in America. Garrett’s composition sets a traditional liturgical text that evokes a Bachian texture combining counterpoint and tuneful melody, yet is distinctly modern.
American Tune opens with the most famous chorale from J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, “O Haupt Voll Blut und Wunden.” This chorale tune, though originally by Hans Leo Hassler, is the melodic source for Paul Simon’s meditation on the American experiment. In it, Simon questions American optimism and evokes a sense of anxiety and weariness.
Commissioned for the 2024 Southern Division American Choral Directors Association, Ritchie creates a choral tapestry that layers the source chorale sung in German with solo writing and eight-part choral texture in the middle verse. This 400 year old melody gives voice to a lament that is as relevant today as it was when Simon wrote it in 1973. A lament, at its core, is an expression of hope.
Commissioned for the 2024 Southern Division American Choral Directors Association, Ritchie creates a choral tapestry that layers the source chorale sung in German with solo writing and eight-part choral texture in the middle verse. This 400 year old melody gives voice to a lament that is as relevant today as it was when Simon wrote it in 1973. A lament, at its core, is an expression of hope.
Our closing piece is an Indonesian folk song arranged by Ken Steven who is known for his fusion of Indonesian colors and elements with modern techniques and harmonies. Hela Rotan is from the island of Maluk (Moluccas) and tells of the traditional game of tug of war. Hela Rotan upends our notion of competition by focusing on the reward of togetherness. Through a call to live in togetherness, we can celebrate our differences. In concluding our program with Hela Rotan, we share our belief in the spirit of unity; and it is our differences that make us stronger together.
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FCPS Superintendent
FCPS Director of Fine Arts
About The Program
The Lafayette High School Madrigal Singers from Lexington, Kentucky, under the direction of Ryan Marsh, perform high quality choral repertoire from all time periods and styles with an emphasis on world music and contemporary choral literature. The choir is internationally recognized with performances at state, regional, and national competitive and conference events to their credit. The ensemble has performed for the Kentucky Music Educators Association in 2009, 2015, 2020, and 2024, and for the ACDA Southern Division Conferences in 2010, 2018, and 2024. The choir participated in the opening concert along with other distinguished scholastic choirs for the ACDA National Conference in 2023 conducted by Dr. Joe Miller, Henry Leck, and Robyn Lana. The Madrigal Singers were awarded two silver medals at the World Choir Games in 2012, and in 2014 at the Sing ‘N’ Joy international competition in Louisville, won a gold diploma and the mixed youth choir category. The choir appeared as featured performers at the Inaugural Music for All National Choir Festival in 2018 and were invited to be the demonstration choir for the conductors’ masterclass with the late Dr. Joseph Flummerfelt. Through the choir’s journey this year, the singers have demonstrated a meaningful commitment to the ensemble, the music, and connecting with our audiences.
Lafayette opened its doors in 1939 and was named for the Marquis de Lafayette, the famed French general of the Revolutionary War. Lafayette is one of six public high schools in Lexington and serves over 2300 students. The school combines a comprehensive high school curriculum with the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA) and Pre-Engineering magnet programs. Lafayette is proud to count among its alumni two governors, actors Colton Ryan, Harry Dean Stanton and Jim Varney, sportscaster Tom Hammond, Olympian Tyson Gay, coach Jock Sutherland, musician Ben Sollee, and many others.
The fine arts programs at Lafayette boast a long tradition of excellence in all arts areas and was recognized as a Grammy Signature School in 2005. In 2020, Lafayette had 101 students accepted to KMEA all-state ensembles and in summer 2019, Lafayette had thirty-five participants plus sixteen alternates accepted to the Governor’s School for the Arts. The Marching Band has been state marching champion twenty-one times, marched in the Macy’s and Rose Bowl parades, regularly performs at KMEA conferences, and is a recipient of the prestigious Sudler Flag of Honor. The Lafayette Orchestra has performed at the Midwest Clinic and has been featured a number of times at KMEA conference and performed for the American String Teachers Association in 2018 and was awarded second place in the National Orchestra Festival.
Lafayette students have a wide variety of musical options including a number of vocal ensembles; an instrumental program consisting of strings, wind band, percussion, jazz band and piano; music technology; and comprehensive visual arts and nationally recognized theatre program.
The fine arts programs at Lafayette are proud to serve both magnet and non-magnet students alike, with nearly 1500 students enrolled in fine arts courses and over 500 of those enrolled in music classes. In our performing ensembles, SCAPA students sit side-by-side with non-magnet students, making up approximately 22% of our musical ensembles. SCAPA students can choose a major in music (voice, band, orchestra, or piano), dance, art, creative writing, or theatre, and are admitted to the program by audition.
The SCAPA vocal major is a unique opportunity for students to study solo voice in addition to their ensemble experience. Voice students receive private instruction approximately once every two weeks and participate in monthly performance and master classes as well as recitals, solo performances, and contests. SCAPA Voice majors consistently rank in competitions and scholarship offers.
Lafayette opened its doors in 1939 and was named for the Marquis de Lafayette, the famed French general of the Revolutionary War. Lafayette is one of six public high schools in Lexington and serves over 2300 students. The school combines a comprehensive high school curriculum with the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA) and Pre-Engineering magnet programs. Lafayette is proud to count among its alumni two governors, actors Colton Ryan, Harry Dean Stanton and Jim Varney, sportscaster Tom Hammond, Olympian Tyson Gay, coach Jock Sutherland, musician Ben Sollee, and many others.
The fine arts programs at Lafayette boast a long tradition of excellence in all arts areas and was recognized as a Grammy Signature School in 2005. In 2020, Lafayette had 101 students accepted to KMEA all-state ensembles and in summer 2019, Lafayette had thirty-five participants plus sixteen alternates accepted to the Governor’s School for the Arts. The Marching Band has been state marching champion twenty-one times, marched in the Macy’s and Rose Bowl parades, regularly performs at KMEA conferences, and is a recipient of the prestigious Sudler Flag of Honor. The Lafayette Orchestra has performed at the Midwest Clinic and has been featured a number of times at KMEA conference and performed for the American String Teachers Association in 2018 and was awarded second place in the National Orchestra Festival.
Lafayette students have a wide variety of musical options including a number of vocal ensembles; an instrumental program consisting of strings, wind band, percussion, jazz band and piano; music technology; and comprehensive visual arts and nationally recognized theatre program.
The fine arts programs at Lafayette are proud to serve both magnet and non-magnet students alike, with nearly 1500 students enrolled in fine arts courses and over 500 of those enrolled in music classes. In our performing ensembles, SCAPA students sit side-by-side with non-magnet students, making up approximately 22% of our musical ensembles. SCAPA students can choose a major in music (voice, band, orchestra, or piano), dance, art, creative writing, or theatre, and are admitted to the program by audition.
The SCAPA vocal major is a unique opportunity for students to study solo voice in addition to their ensemble experience. Voice students receive private instruction approximately once every two weeks and participate in monthly performance and master classes as well as recitals, solo performances, and contests. SCAPA Voice majors consistently rank in competitions and scholarship offers.
Ryan Marsh, Director of Choirs
Ryan Marsh holds bachelors and master’s degrees from the University of Louisville. He holds National Board Certification in vocal music and has completed coursework at the doctoral level in choral conducting at the University of Kentucky. Mr. Marsh is in his twenty-first year as director of choirs and teaches AP Music Theory. He also serves as the instructional leader for performing arts, and as of 2021, the SCAPA Lafayette Program Coordinator.
Mr. Marsh holds professional memberships in ACDA, NAfME, and Kentucky Music Educators Association. He has held elected state office for KMEA coordinating all-state choirs from 2009–2010. He served on the KMEA state board, executive committee and served as the founding editor of the organization’s monthly e-newsletter for eight years. Mr. Marsh also served on the ENVOY committee for the Inaugural Music for All National Choir Festival from 2016–2020. He is a contributing author for Teaching with Heart, and Teaching Beyond the Music, compendiums for choral directors. His choirs have appeared at KMEA (2005, 2009, 2015, 2020, 2024) and ACDA (2010, 2018, 2023, 2024) conferences and consistently receive distinguished ratings at assessment events. Ryan lives in Midway, Kentucky with daughter, Emory and wife, Tiffany, who is the choir director at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington.
Ryan Marsh holds bachelors and master’s degrees from the University of Louisville. He holds National Board Certification in vocal music and has completed coursework at the doctoral level in choral conducting at the University of Kentucky. Mr. Marsh is in his twenty-first year as director of choirs and teaches AP Music Theory. He also serves as the instructional leader for performing arts, and as of 2021, the SCAPA Lafayette Program Coordinator.
Mr. Marsh holds professional memberships in ACDA, NAfME, and Kentucky Music Educators Association. He has held elected state office for KMEA coordinating all-state choirs from 2009–2010. He served on the KMEA state board, executive committee and served as the founding editor of the organization’s monthly e-newsletter for eight years. Mr. Marsh also served on the ENVOY committee for the Inaugural Music for All National Choir Festival from 2016–2020. He is a contributing author for Teaching with Heart, and Teaching Beyond the Music, compendiums for choral directors. His choirs have appeared at KMEA (2005, 2009, 2015, 2020, 2024) and ACDA (2010, 2018, 2023, 2024) conferences and consistently receive distinguished ratings at assessment events. Ryan lives in Midway, Kentucky with daughter, Emory and wife, Tiffany, who is the choir director at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington.
Laura Howard, Director, SCAPA Voice
Laura Howard is a graduate of Morehead State University where she completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She received her Bachelor of Music Education degree as a piano major on the choral/vocal education track of study. She received the Master of Music degree while studying music education and choral conducting. Mrs. Howard has completed all three levels of training in the Kodály philosophy of music literacy and education as well as intensive summer study in Hungary, the birthplace of philosopher Zoltan Kodály.
Mrs. Howard began teaching in 2002 at Southern Middle School the Fayette County where she taught general music classes, grades 6–8, as well as the 6th–8th grade choirs. In 2006, she began teaching at the School for the Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA) at Lafayette High School. Her responsibilities have included conducting Lafayette Singers, and the Treble and Advanced Treble Choirs. She also coaches the SCAPA vocal majors, has taught Musicianship I, II and III, and Beginning Keyboarding. As vocal instructor for the School for the Creative and Performing Arts, Mrs. Howard is responsible for coordinating the vocal program which consists of nearly 50 majors, grades 9–12. While serving in this capacity she provides individual vocal coaching and teaches music theory to junior music majors. In addition, she frequently works as an accompanist, clinician, and adjudicator.
Laura Howard is a graduate of Morehead State University where she completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She received her Bachelor of Music Education degree as a piano major on the choral/vocal education track of study. She received the Master of Music degree while studying music education and choral conducting. Mrs. Howard has completed all three levels of training in the Kodály philosophy of music literacy and education as well as intensive summer study in Hungary, the birthplace of philosopher Zoltan Kodály.
Mrs. Howard began teaching in 2002 at Southern Middle School the Fayette County where she taught general music classes, grades 6–8, as well as the 6th–8th grade choirs. In 2006, she began teaching at the School for the Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA) at Lafayette High School. Her responsibilities have included conducting Lafayette Singers, and the Treble and Advanced Treble Choirs. She also coaches the SCAPA vocal majors, has taught Musicianship I, II and III, and Beginning Keyboarding. As vocal instructor for the School for the Creative and Performing Arts, Mrs. Howard is responsible for coordinating the vocal program which consists of nearly 50 majors, grades 9–12. While serving in this capacity she provides individual vocal coaching and teaches music theory to junior music majors. In addition, she frequently works as an accompanist, clinician, and adjudicator.
Joseph Wrightson, Director, SCAPA Voice
Joseph Wrightson is excited to be teaching at Lafayette High School. He holds a degree in Music Education and is pursuing his Masters in Music Education from the University of Kentucky. He has taught music in Fayette County at the Elementary, Middle, and High School levels, and has worked as a Creative Media Designer and Outreach Coordinator with The Lexington Theatre Company. With “The Lex,” Joseph coordinates the Story Cycle program that empowers the next generation of storytellers to find and raise their voices through musical theatre songwriting. He is passionate about the arts in Lexington, and that passion has led him to create a bilingual arts education web series, illustrate a children’s book, and participate in his local community choirs. At Lafayette, Mr. Wrightson teaches the Troubadours tenor/bass choir, Music Technology, and coaches SCAPA voice majors. He also works with Gifted and Talented students throughout the district in visual and performing arts.
Joseph Wrightson is excited to be teaching at Lafayette High School. He holds a degree in Music Education and is pursuing his Masters in Music Education from the University of Kentucky. He has taught music in Fayette County at the Elementary, Middle, and High School levels, and has worked as a Creative Media Designer and Outreach Coordinator with The Lexington Theatre Company. With “The Lex,” Joseph coordinates the Story Cycle program that empowers the next generation of storytellers to find and raise their voices through musical theatre songwriting. He is passionate about the arts in Lexington, and that passion has led him to create a bilingual arts education web series, illustrate a children’s book, and participate in his local community choirs. At Lafayette, Mr. Wrightson teaches the Troubadours tenor/bass choir, Music Technology, and coaches SCAPA voice majors. He also works with Gifted and Talented students throughout the district in visual and performing arts.
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Acknowledgements
Supportive parents and care-givers of our students
Lafayette Chorus Boosters
Laura Nevels, Choir Manager
Dr. Mattilda Middleton, Good Shepherd Church
Dr. Kent Hatteberg, University of Louisville
Dr. Jefferson Johnson, University of Kentucky
Dr. Richard Waters, Eastern Kentucky University
Administration
Dr. Demetrus Liggins, Superintendent
Katherine Lowther, Director of Fine Arts
Dr. Anthony Orr, Principal
Stephanie McDermott, Associate Principal
Dr. Caryn Huber, Associate Principal
Dr. Caroline Morales, Associate Principal
Brittany Harris, Assistant Principal
Dustin Fore, Associate Principal
Lafayette Performing Arts Faculty
Robert Dee Bishop, Director of Bands
Dr. Chris Strange, Associate Director of Bands, Jazz Band
Aaron Jones, Associate Director of Bands, Jazz Band, Percussion
Ryan Marsh, Director of Choirs
Laura Howard, Director, SCAPA Voice
Joseph Wrightson, Director, SCAPA Voice
Amanda Wells, SCAPA Vocal Instructor
Phil Kent, Director of Orchestras
Aaron Breeck, Associate Director of Orchestras
Amie Kisling, Director of Theatre Arts
Cassady Gorrell, Associate Director of Theatre Arts
Alberta Labrillazo, SCAPA Theatre
Laurie Fields, SCAPA Dance
Cynthia Mills, SCAPA Dance
Cathy Calhoun, SCAPA Piano Instructor
Lafayette Chorus Boosters
Laura Nevels, Choir Manager
Dr. Mattilda Middleton, Good Shepherd Church
Dr. Kent Hatteberg, University of Louisville
Dr. Jefferson Johnson, University of Kentucky
Dr. Richard Waters, Eastern Kentucky University
Administration
Dr. Demetrus Liggins, Superintendent
Katherine Lowther, Director of Fine Arts
Dr. Anthony Orr, Principal
Stephanie McDermott, Associate Principal
Dr. Caryn Huber, Associate Principal
Dr. Caroline Morales, Associate Principal
Brittany Harris, Assistant Principal
Dustin Fore, Associate Principal
Lafayette Performing Arts Faculty
Robert Dee Bishop, Director of Bands
Dr. Chris Strange, Associate Director of Bands, Jazz Band
Aaron Jones, Associate Director of Bands, Jazz Band, Percussion
Ryan Marsh, Director of Choirs
Laura Howard, Director, SCAPA Voice
Joseph Wrightson, Director, SCAPA Voice
Amanda Wells, SCAPA Vocal Instructor
Phil Kent, Director of Orchestras
Aaron Breeck, Associate Director of Orchestras
Amie Kisling, Director of Theatre Arts
Cassady Gorrell, Associate Director of Theatre Arts
Alberta Labrillazo, SCAPA Theatre
Laurie Fields, SCAPA Dance
Cynthia Mills, SCAPA Dance
Cathy Calhoun, SCAPA Piano Instructor
