Sing-Along

Supporters Hicks Morley | The Ostic Group with Frank Cowan Company Limited

RBC Royal Bank (Gordon-Kortright Branch)

Donations www.fcsgw.org    |  275 Eramosa Road, Guelph |  519-824-2410

in support of

MessiahGeorge Frideric Handel

Charlene Pauls, Conductor

Bethany Hörst, SopranoJennifer Enns Modolo, Mezzo-Soprano

Lawrence Wiliford, TenorBradley Christensen, Bass

with Musica Viva Orchestra on period instruments

Friday, December 20, 2019 at 7:30 pmSt. George’s Anglican Church

Family & Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County works to ensure that children and youth in the region are safe and nurtured by loving families, lasting relationships and supportive communities. The Children First Fund, through generous donations, supports programs and initiatives that provide children, youth and families access to resources and supports they otherwise would not have and that help to overcome barriers that are getting in the way of success and well-being.

Prevention and Early Help Initiatives for Children, Youth and Families

Working collaboratively with other community organizations Prevention & Early Help initiatives offer accessible supports for isolated and struggling families to address issues that are barriers to their basic needs, safety, health and well-being. Initiatives are:

• Helping families to connect to people and resources in their communities.• Assisting community strategies that create support networks and accessible resources.

Support for Youth Transitioning to Independence

Young people living in our community without the benefit of parental involvement or family support have extremely limited financial resources available to them. They often find themselves alone without the resources to care for themselves while going to school. They:

• are at increased risk of homelessness, mental health issues and not finishing high school• are vulnerable to drug use• are targets for growing human trafficking in the region• encounter many barriers to renting, learning to drive, obtaining insurance or owning a vehicle• have received limited if any basic life-skills training• may have difficulty picturing their future given the barriers they face

We are working hard to provide services and supports to the over 90 youth we support in Guelph and the County but the need is great and the barriers they face are many. These young adults often ask – without parents or family how will I be able to:

• get a driver’s license without a vehicle to practice on?• rent an apartment without a co-signer?• obtain insurance?• purchase tools or equipment for a job?• furnish a room or apartment?• buy a computer for school?• get to important appointments that require transportation?

“No 15-year-old should feel that they have nobody in this world. It was almost the end of me.”

“Support us and watch what we can do!”

Youth Quotes, 25 is the New 21, Provincial Advocate for Children & Youth

Family Finding & Lifetime Supportive Networks (When Adoption is not possible)

All children need their own family – regardless of age, whether they’re on their own, with siblings or have complex life challenges. Permanency programs provide opportunities for children and youth receiving our support to bond with relatives and supportive adults who may not have had a place in their family as well as each other to create networks of support.

A gift to the Children First Fund transforms lives and builds community.

MessiahPart I

1. Sinfony 2. Comfort ye my people . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tenor recitative 3. Ev’ry valley shall be exalted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tenor aria 4. And the glory of the Lord (page 11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus 5. Thus saith the Lord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bass recitative 6. But who may abide the day of His coming? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alto aria 7. And He shall purify the sons of Levi (page 35) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus 8. Behold, a virgin shall conceive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alto recitative 9. O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion (page 41) . . . Alto aria and chorus 12. For unto us a child is born (page 55) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus 13. Pifa (Pastoral Symphony) 14a. There were shepherds abiding in the field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Soprano recitative 14b. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them . . . . . . . . . . . Soprano recitative 15. And the angel said unto them . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Soprano recitative 16. And suddenly there was with the angel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Soprano recitative 17. Glory to God (page 68) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus 18. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Soprano aria 21. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light (page 86) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus

Inter misson

Part II 22. Behold the Lamb of God (page 91) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus 23. He was despised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alto aria 24. Surely He hath borne our griefs (page 98) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus 25. And with His stripes we are healed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus 26. All we, like sheep, have gone astray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus 27. All they that see Him . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tenor recitative 28. He trusted in God (page 115) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus 33. Lift up your heads, O ye gates (page 127) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus 40. Why do the nations so furiously rage together? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bass aria 41. Let us break their bonds asunder (page 161) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus 42. He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn . . . . . . . . Tenor recitative 43. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tenor aria 44. Hallelujah (page 171) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus

Part III 45. I know that my Redeemer liveth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Soprano aria 46. Since by man came death (page 186) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus 47. Behold, I tell you a mystery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bass recitative 48. The trumpet shall sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bass aria 53. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain (page 217) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus 54. Amen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chorus

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Lauded for his luminous projection, lyrical sensitivity, and brilliant coloratura, American-born Canadian tenor Lawrence Wiliford is in high demand in concert, opera, and recital repertoire. His 2019-20 season highlights include debuts with the Seattle Symphony, performing Mozart’s Requiem under the direc-tion of Masaaki Suzuki, and

the Orchestre Symphonique de Québec, as well as performing Beethoven’s Mass in C under the direction of Bernard Labadie.

His diverse opera credits include Mozart’s Così fan tutte, Don Giovanni and Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail; Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Albert Herring and The Turn of the Screw; Lully’s Persée, and Rameau’s Pygmalion and La Guirlande.

His recorded projects appear on several labels and include a GRAMMY-nominated and JUNO award-winning recording of music by Vaughan Williams with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Peter Oundjian (Chandos) and J.S. Bach’s Johannes-Passion under the direction of Alex Weimann (ATMA Classique). Mr. Wiliford is co-founder and co-artistic director of the Canadian Art Song Project with pianist Steven Philcox.

Soprano Bethany Hörst has appeared in numerous productions with opera companies across North America, France, and the Netherlands, and frequently solos with orchestras and major choirs across Canada.

Ms. Hörst has won several international competitions including the Lyndon Woodside Oratorio Solo Competition at Carnegie

Hall in New York City. Hörst was twice honoured as a District Winner and Regional Finalist at the Metropolitan Opera National Auditions. She has received the Encouragement Award at the Met Regional Finals and at the Palm Beach International Opera Competition.

Ms. Hörst holds a Masters of Music in Literature and Performance from Western University, where she is currently on faculty. In high demand for adjudicating and masterclasses, she and pianist Mary Castello recently returned from a recital and clinician tour of Nova Scotia.

Canadian mezzo- soprano Jennifer Enns Modolo has delighted audiences across the country with her clear, unaffected voice and meaningful singing. As an accomplished concert soloist, and with a repertoire that ranges from early music to contemporary, she performs regularly with ensembles throughout

Ontario and across Canada including the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, the Elmer Iseler Singers, and the Elora Singers. She is a member of the Hamilton-based ensemble Capella Intima, which specializes in performing lesser-known 17th century vocal and operatic music.

Jennifer is featured on several Aradia Ensemble recordings, including Handel’s Israel in Egypt (Naxos, 2008), and Vivaldi Sacred Music, Volume 3 (Naxos, 2008), all under the baton of Kevin Mallon.

Engagements for the 2019-2020 season include a recital of early Italian music with lutenist Magdalena Tomsinska at Wilfrid Laurier University, J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion with Spiritus Ensemble, and Sacrum and Profanum with countertenor Daniel Cabena as part of the Nota Bene Baroque Players concert series.

Equally as comfortable on both concert and operatic stages, New Zealand-born baritone Bradley Christensen has continued to earn praise for his “most well-rounded instrument...focused, rich, and sympathetically communicative.” (Natasha Gautier, Ottawa Citizen)

Bradley obtained his Master’s degree from the

University of Toronto; he is also an alumnus of the prestigious Rebanks Family Fellowship and International Performance Residency Program at The Royal Conservatory.

In 2017, Bradley made his professional U.S debut performing the role of Agamemnon in Offenbach’s La belle Hélène with Opera North, and has since been busy performing across Canada with companies such as the Fraser Lyric Opera (B.C), Manitoba Underground Opera (MB), Opera Atelier (ON), Canadian Opera Company (ON), Southern Ontario Lyric Opera (ON), and Opera on the Avalon (NL) to name a few.

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Sopr a nosAmber BryerLaura HarpCarol HawkenArdeth Jarvis Karen MacLeodSally StelterTammy teWinkelPatricia Ramos Ward

AltosBailey DugasJoanne GonsalvesMegan HodgeKatrina HubermanNancy JacksonNaomi MatsuiLaura McDonaldSusanne Schmidt-McQuillanJulie ServiceKaren SlatkovskyAlison Vicary

TenorsJohn Barnum Steve Brown Lanny FlemingKen FreyBrad HallsHarold JacksonLawrence SugdenPeter ThompsonMarley Yott

BassesDave Davidson Max FarberKeith HagermanBrian JanzenNeil McLarenKen McRoryGraham NancekivellMatthias SchmidtJim ServiceFinn SteinkeJames A. WalkeDavid Wieler

Board of DirectorsJohn BarnumPresident

Dave DavidsonVice-President

Jean HilbornTreasurer

Jim ServiceSecretary

Members-at-Large: Harry Oussoren Ella PaulsSya VanGeest

We are an active, working Board and we have opportunities to serve. If you are interested, please contact John Barnum at 519-265-3850.

Ex-OfficioCharlene Pauls Artistic Director

Sandra Pitts Administration

Ken McRory Marketing & Programs

Brenda Lewis Promotions

Anne Monkhouse Financial Administrator

Musica Viva Orchestra

First ViolinsRona Goldensher, ConcertmasterSarah Wiebe Allene Chomyn

Second ViolinsRezan LaPointeKailey Richards Elena Spanu

ViolasAnthony Rapaport John Wiebe

CellosLaura Jones Kerri McGonigle

BassMarilyn Fung

TrumpetsShawn Spicer Paul Sanvidotti

Timpani

John Brownell

Organ

Christopher Dawes

Dr. Charlene Pauls has been an active choral conductor, vocal soloist, adjudicator, and pedagogue for over 25 years. Drawing on this extensive experience, Dr. Pauls’ approach focuses on developing a beautiful choral sound through a deep understanding of healthy vocal technique.

Over the course of her career, she has directed a wide range of adult, university and youth choirs. She is Associate Artistic Director of the 250-voice strong Oakville Choir for Children and Youth where she directs Raise Her Voice Chamber, an ambassadorial ensemble selected from within the organization’s senior singers. Dr. Pauls has led this group in award-winning performances at various national and international competitions, and has appeared with them on stages in Europe and the USA. In July 2018, Raise Her Voice was featured at the national choral conference Podium, and was one of five choirs in Float, a special Canada Council multi-media project that took place in St. John’s. On July 1, 2019, Raise Her Voice was awarded first place in the National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs.

From 2016 to 2018 Dr. Pauls was the Artistic Director of London’s Pro Musica Choir, and this past season she was pleased to guest conduct London’s Chor Amica. In 2018 Dr. Pauls also co-founded the Mosaic Music Collective, a project-based choir bringing together newcomers to Canada with other residents of the community to explore music from around the world and to create cultural bridges.

Dr. Pauls has appeared as a soprano soloist on concert stages across Canada and internationally in Germany, England, France and Spain.

This past season, Dr. Pauls was thrilled to be awarded the Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting from the Ontario Arts Council.