Sunday, March 3 · 3 p.m.United Methodist Church · San Luis Obispo

Janis Johnson, piano

CRICKET HANDLER & JILL ANDERSONArtistic Directors

Celebrating Women’s V

oice

s

10thAnniversary

Raising Our Voicessongs of hope and resil ience

Featuring Brynn Albanese, violin Keeth CrowHawk, percussion

and Vivace, directed by Melody Svennungsen

from Central Coast Youth Chorus, with John Cribb, piano

Thank You to Our SupportersWe appreciate 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. Please visit our website: canzonawomen.org

PLEASE CONSIDER A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION: Canzona Women’s Ensemble, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit California CorporationOnline: canzonawomen.org · Mail: P.O. Box 1663, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406

2

Passionato ($1000+)Becky & John BaerThe Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo CountyThe Foulke Correa FoundationHandler & Steiner Family FundDr. Steven JobstCatherine and Richard LuckettJoan SargenShanbrom Family FoundationWacker Wealth Partners

Vivace ($500+)Kris & Bruce AdamsDr. Jill AndersonLyn BakerCricket Handler & Jerry Boots In memory of Debra FineFrancie LevyDD & Mike PatrickPG&E Employee Matching Fund

Animato ($250+)Cynthia & Joel BlumVanessa & Ron HolcombeConnie ManzKathryn & Brendan McAdamsJanice MehringJudy & DK PhilbinSusan PielJudith ProppRuth SteinerCassandra & Jon Tarantino

Amoroso ($100+)AnonymousLinda AshworthVirginia K. BakerAnn & Dave BernhardtAnne M. Brown & FamilyJudith and Robert CarlesonVincent CarloneJulie & Michael CarterSharon ColeSusan & Tom DaviesSharon & John DobsonNicki EdwardsCarol FineCarmen FojoMary & John FreySandy & John GreenPatricia Harris & Dan ConroyJeanette & Michael IrvingDiane & Roger LudinBarbara & Robert MacDonoughChristine & Jim Maguire

Leslie & Rick MossLynne OliveriusRoseanne ParksBarbara PeckEllen & Michael ShefferDeb & John SpataforeArlene & Greg StoneLinda & Robert TakkenBarbara TreadwellMarylyn VilleneuveJeanne & Robert WillhoiteJanice & Rex WolfBonnie Young

Cantabile ($50+)Virginia BassCarol Dover In memory of Connie & Frank DrakeLois & Cliff ElliottCandee & Bert ForbesSandy & John GreenOlga & Robert HarwaySharyl HeberRon JanneyKathleen LenskiErin & Mike McCallPatricia McNamaraLorna MumperNancy PiverLynne & Rick RobinettSusan & Craig UpdegroveJanice Fong WolfElyse Yukelson-Ungar

Andantino (up to $50)AnonymousWendy LucasPeter Sarafian

In-Kind DonationsDave Congalton, KVEC RadioNicki EdwardsDr. Scott Glysson, Cal Poly ChoirsKCBX RadioGary LamprechtSLO United Church of Christ

Behind the ScenesNanette Hamilton, Concert ManagerJanet Hillson, Stage ManagerThor Larson, Concert RecordingKalila Volkov, Librarian

Ashala Lawler, Graphic DesignTom Meinhold, PhotographyArlene Stone, Part RecordingDonna Jones, BookkeeperA special thanks to our volunteer ushers

2018 Café Canzona Auction and In-Kind DonationsBlue Heron RestaurantCafé Roma Cal Poly ArtsJudith CarlesonSharon CarroCentral Coast Gilbert & SullivanCentral Coast OutdoorsDisney FoundationNicki EdwardsSusan FunkShelley Massa GoochHandler & Steiner Family FundPat HarrisFrancie LevyThe Monday ClubOpera SLOPCPA TheatrefestJoan PedersenCaroline RochaGabriella SchraderBetsy SchwartzSLO Master ChoraleSLO ProvisionsSLO Repertory TheatreJohn Stepicevich & Classic Wines of CaliforniaKT StrederTerez TyniUpper Crust PizzaVocal Arts EnsembleLinda Wilson

Wine Pull DonorsJill Anderson & Steve JobstVicki CarrollJudith CarlesonNicki EdwardsJessica & David GeorgePat HarrisFrancie LevyConnie ManzaLorna MumperRiver Star Vineyard

CRICKET HANDLERJILL ANDERSON

Good afternoon Music Lovers. Welcome to our spring concert entitled Raising Our Voices. To me, this title perfectly captures my own need to examine the struggles and to celebrate the achievements currently

occurring throughout the world. Today we will sing about some of each with the beautiful music listed on your program.

A friend, who is not a singer, recently asked me about how we prepare for our concerts. When I told him, he said others in our audience might be interested to know about this – that we began rehearsals for this concert early in January when we started weekly Thursday night sessions of 2 1/2 hours each; that this was in addition to many hours of individual practice each week, a day-long retreat of intensive practice in early February, and two extra rehearsals leading up to concert week; that it doesn’t count the numerous hours of sectional rehearsals, soloist try-outs and preparation, and auditions for new members; and that, with the

exception of our wonderful accompaniest, Janis Johnson, all the individuals involved in the musical preparation for the concert do so on a volunteer basis. We do it because we love to sing.

This season, which ends a month after our Café Canzona fundraising concert in May, will be my last as Canzona’s Board President. I am excited to be able to announce our new officers in the next several weeks, as I know the Board has some excellent candidates in mind. These new leaders will help Canzona continue to grow and thrive, and to make beautiful music for many years to come.

Thank you to all of you for your support – your attendance at concerts, your feedback, and your financial backing. We are so glad we live in a community of big-hearted music lovers!

Dr. Nicki Edwards, Alto President, Canzona Board of Directors

From the Board President

3

I am grateful to be back sharing the podium with my dear friend and colleague Jill Anderson, and to be singing this spring with so many talented and inspiring women. Inspiration is the centerpiece of today’s concert for me. As artists, we are inspired by our world to create, and I

know that the events in Syria over these last years inspired both the poet Mohja Kahf and the composer Carol Barnett who read the dramatic and moving poetry. I hope you take the time to read the program notes and the text of the poem, so you can better understand My People Are Rising, which will feature violinist Brynn Albanese in her first appear-

ance with Canzona, and percussionist Keeth CrowHawk who played with us last season. We are also delighted to welcome back director Melody Svennungsen and Vivace from the Central Coast Youth Chorus (note their new name!). This is their third appearance with Canzona, but most meaningful is that they are celebrating our 10th anniversary as a reunion, since they sang on our premiere concert in February of 2010! We are so pleased to be sharing the stage again.

This concert seems like a relative walk in the park after our November concert, in which I conducted all 14 songs due to Cricket’s leave of absence. In this concert I am conducting only five pieces. We open with a lovely 17th century Baroque piece to the Virgin Mary composed by a woman (the nun

Chiara Cozzolani) and it will be accompanied by keyboard and cello. Next is Lux Aeterna, also composed by a woman (Michelle Roueché). I know you will enjoy the ravishing a cappella sonorities that our singers shape so beautifully. It’s hard to have a “favorite” song, but if I did it would be the haunting Tundra by Ola Gjeilo, which describes the rugged Hardangervidda

mountain plateau in Norway (I have actually visited it, searching for my Norwegian roots). Finally, I have the privilege of conducting Canzona and the Central Coast Youth Chorus in two joyful songs from Bernstein’s Mass, (composed for the opening of the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.) I first heard this piece in its Los Angeles premiere at the Mark Taper Forum in 1972, and again just recently conducted by Gustavo Dudamel at Disney Hall. Hopefully, these five pieces provide a foil of hope and beauty against the more serious songs of struggle and resilience that form the backbone of today’s program.

Raising Our Voices

4

ProgramAlma Redemptoris Mater ......................................................................... Chiara Margarita Cozzolani (1602-1678)

Kara Pecson and Sharon Carro, soloists Vanessa Holcombe, cello

Lux Aeterna ……………………………….. ..................................................................................... Michelle Roueché (b. 1964)Jessica George, soloist

A Blessing of Cranes ........................................................Abbie Betinis (b. 1980); Lyrics Michael Dennis BrowneMeagan Glimpse and Cindy Blum, duet

Jabula Jesu based on a South African folk song ................................................... arr. Stephen Hatfield (b. 1956)Meredith Brammeier, soloist

Keeth CrowHawk and Meagan Glimpse, percussion

When You Wish Upon a Star from Pinocchio ............................................... Music Leigh Harline (1907-1969)

arr. Pete King; Lyrics Ned WashingtonVivace from Central Coast Youth Chorus, directed by Melody Svennungsen, John Cribb accompanist

Tundra ........................................................................................ Music Ola Gjeilo (b.1978); Lyrics Charles A. SilvestriMeredith Brammeier, soloist Brynn Albanese, violin

Chapo Pou Fanm .............................................. Music Sydney Guillaume (b. 1982); Text Louis Marie CelestinJanice Mehring, Amelia Jones and Donna Jones, soloists

IntermissionMy People Are Rising ........................................... Music Carol Barnett (b. 1949); Poem Mohja Kahf (b. 1967)

American premiere of a joint commission with Elektra Women’s Choir and Peninsula Women’s Chorus

Brynn Albanese, violin Keeth CrowHawk, derbakki

Ani ma’amin ........................................................................................................................... arr. Robert Applebaum (b.1941)Brynn Albanese, violin

Violetas Populares .................................................................................................................................... Music Astor PiazzollaBrynn Albanese, violin Janis Johnson, piano

Bridge Over Troubled Water ....................................... Music and Words Paul Simon (1941); arr. Kirby ShawVivace from Central Coast Youth Chorus, directed by Melody Svennungsen, John Cribb accompanist

A Simple Song from Mass .................................................................................. Music Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990)Lyrics Stephen Schwartz and Leonard Bernstein

Vanessa Holcombe, soloist Brynn Albanese, violin

Sanctus from Mass ................................................................................................................................................................BernsteinJanis Johnson and Meredith Brammeier, piano 4 hands Keeth CrowHawk, percussion

Canzona will be joined by Vivace on the Bernstein selections

Rise Up .................................. Music Jake Runestad (b. 1986), set to texts by Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906)Canzona and Vivace will be directed by Melody Svennungsen

Brynn Albanese’s performance today is sponsored by Joan Gellert-Sargen

5

Translations

WITH GENEROUS SUPPORT FROMJoan Gellert-Sargen

Alma Redemptoris MaterLoving Mother of the Redeemer,

Who remains the accessible Gateway of Heaven and Star of the Sea,

Give aid to a falling people that strives to rise.O Thou who begot thy Holy Creator,

While all Nature marveled,Virgin before and after,Receiving that “Ave”

from the mouth of Gabriel,Have mercy on sinners.

Lux AeternaLet eternal light shine on them, Lord,

as with Your saints in eternity, because you are merciful.

Grant them eternal rest, Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

A Blessing of Cranes How do we love you

more than to shape you?Turning so firmly

in the shadows of fingers.How do we love you

more than to let you go?

Waves of earth’s oceans, waves of our willing hands

Creasing and folding, creasing and folding, unfolding.

How do we love you more than to shape you?

Never a thought of thinking, only this weaving,

These thousands of wings we make to carry our longing;

How do we love you more than to let you go?

No trembling before the task, simply this sweetness,

Freedom from fear, receiving this heartbeat, receiving.

How do we love you more than to shape you?

Blossoms that shimmer and gather about their branches,

Returning to earth her peace, her original blessing;How do we love you

more than to let you go?

Deeper than dream to say, even than singing,

Releasing the wishes we have, the asking for healing;

How do we ever love you more than to shape you?

How do we love you more than to let you go?

Jabula JesuWe say, be joyful (with) Jesus

We say, pray Solly, have a good time.Hey, Solly, have a good time.

Listen!

TundraWide, worn and weathered,

Sacred expanse of green and white and granite grey;

Snowy patches strewn, Anchored to the craggy earth, unmoving; While clouds dance across the eternal sky.

Chapo Pou FanmFor all women who fought

in the history of all countries,For all of us now and all the ones to come,

Hats off, hats off! Bravo, bravo!Let us shout Hooray!

It is inside us that Kings are made,In our bellies that Presidents blossom,

We balance out democracy,And we will fight until the end!

We will fight until the end,To spread around justice,

To bring a change to all countries,To bring a smile to life.

For centuries they have suffered,Pinched their nose to drink smelly water,

But one fine day they revoltedSo they could change Humanity.

In Asia, in America,In Europe like in Africa,

Elbow to elbow all women rose,Hand in hand to bring a change.

Hats off, hats off! Hats off to women!Hooray for women!

Ani ma’aminI believe with complete faith in the coming of the Messiah;And although he may tarry,

I believe nonetheless.Nonetheless, I will wait every day

for him to come

Simple SongSing God a simple song: Lauda Laude.

Make it up as you go along: Lauda Laude…Sing like you like to sing. God loves all

simple things, For God is the simplest of all.

I will sing the Lord a new song, to praise Him, to bless Him to bless the Lord.

I will sing His praises while I live,all of my days.

Blessed is the man who loves the Lord. Blessed is the man who praises Him.

Lauda, Lauda, Laude… and walks in His ways.

SanctusHoly! Holy! Holy! Lord God of Hosts! Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory.

Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!

Rise UpRise up!

There shall never be another season of silence.Deepen your sympathy

then convert it to action.Pray every single second of your life,

not on your knees but with your work.Think your best thoughts,

speak your best words, do your best work.There is so much yet to be done. Rise up!

Celebrating Women’s V

oice

s

10thAnniversary

Program NotesMy People Are Rising

American premiereMusic by Carol Barnett (b. 1949)Poem by Mohja Kahf (b. 1971)

Jointly commissioned by Canzona Women’s Ensemble,

Elektra Women’s Choir, Canada, and Peninsula Women’s Chorus, CA

My people are rising; my people are rising,with olive branches and song,

they are waking;the earth underneath their marching

is shaking.My people are rising!

They are no longer crouching;They are no longer stooping;

and they are not hungry for bread alone.My people are rising; they are shaking off

what has bound them, and their bonds scatter like moths.

My Sanameyn, my Jeezah, my Inkhel are rising, bless them;

Banyas is rising and my Homs is rising; bless them.

My Duma is marching in the streets and my Latakia is marching; bless them.

My Qamishlo, My Idlib, my Hama is marching;

bless them.I see them mustering unarmed,

Kurd and Assyrian and Arab and Ghajar, bless them.

Christian and Alawite and Druze, bless them,

Sunni and Shia and Ismailia, bless them;

tribe and tent and house and clan, bless them.

My people are rising. A blessing on my people.

They stand before tanks unarmed and they fall under bullets while calling.

“The earth is big enough for all of us! Let us have a little of it too!

The earth is big!”And as they bleed out on the cement

in the street where they played as children, their blood mixes with rain

and runs off into the big, big earth for which they longed.

And the young Horani said, as he lay dying that March day in Daraa City,

in the pool of rain mixed with his blood,“It is worth it to have lived these last moments free.”

I hear his words, and his blood runs into the soil of my dark, dark heart

like the rain of this springtime in Syria.

A force in the Minnesota music scene since 1970, composer Carol Barnett creates audacious and engaging music, both for traditional instrumentation, and for cross-pollinations such as a mass accompanied by a bluegrass band or a duet for steel pan and organ.“My music has its roots in the Western classical tradition, supplemented by explorations of the Jewish liturgical tradition and the folk music of Greece, Italy, Russia, Southeastern Europe, and the Middle East.”Carol shared this about her new work: “I first heard Mohja Kahf ’s My People Are Rising on a 2016 BBC podcast entitled Poetry from Syria and was so taken with it that I listened several times in order to write it down.Looking up the author, I learned she is a Syrian-American poet and novelist, born in Damascus, now a professor of comparative literature at the University of Arkansas. When I contacted her, I discovered that I had heard only a small portion of a much longer work called My People Are Rising: an unfinished poem begun in Spring 2011 for an unfinished Revolution begun in March 2011. This longer poem is full of the pain of forty-eight years of government oppression,

but also hope. The Syrian uprising was originally based on the principles of non-violence, non-sectarianism, and no foreign military intervention; they are reflected in the poem. Alas, these principles have been completely submerged in the ever-increasing violence and chaos that is Syria today.Having obtained permission to set the text, I looked for a group to commission and sing My People Are Rising. A mutual friend introduced me to Morna Edmundson of Elektra Women’s Choir. I am delighted she was interested enough to organize a commissioning consortium. The poem spoke so viscerally of the tragic events in Syria that it was impossible for me to imagine setting it with Western harmonies. And so began an exploration of Arabic music, with its quarter-tone scales, its lack of vertical chordal structure, its abundantly ornamented heterophony. Since quarter-tones are not a part of our Western choral training, I opted to temper the scales a bit and add a violin to the melodic mix for pitch support. The voices and violin are accompanied by a doumbek player, who is highly encouraged to improvise; the written notation is only there as a guide.”

6

7

OFFICERS & STAFFJill Anderson, Artistic Director

Cricket Handler, Artistic DirectorStacey Aragon, Executive Director

BOARD OF DIRECTORSNicki Edwards, President

Judy Philbin, Vice PresidentPat Harris, Secretary · John Baer, Treasurer

Judith Carleson · Garett Foulke Francie Levy · Lynne Robinett · Ellen Sheffer

AUDITIONSCanzona is a select group of 20 to 24

experienced female choristers. Auditions for the November 2019

concert will be held in August. If you would like to be considered for

an audition, please send a brief résumé of your vocal/choral experience to:

jilleanderson@gmail.com or call 805-773-8922.

Jill AndersonChristina Bloom

Meredith BrammeierMacKenzie Casey

Jessica GeorgeMeagan Pitcairn Glimpse

Cricket HandlerVanessa Holcombe

Amelia JonesKristin LindseyLorna Mumper

Kara Pecson

CANZONA SINGERS

ALTO

SOPRANO

Melodie BeardCindy Blum

Sharon CarroSue Childers-Kraft

Nicki EdwardsMarcy IrvingDonna Jones

Chris KeightleyJanice MehringJoan PedersenLynne Robinett

Leigh TackerWendy Wendt

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 Vocal Studies from UCSB.

She was the founder and director of Pacific Repertory Opera (now Opera SLO), of which she was Artistic Director for 23 years. She was also founder and director of Qualche Voce, a 5-voice madrigal group formed in Los Angeles, which made three recordings of early music for the Musical Heritage Society.

As a professional singer, she performed for 10 seasons with the San Francisco Opera Chorus, and for six seasons with the Los Angeles Master Chorale. She has appeared as a soloist and a chorister with several local groups including the SLO Master Chorale, the Vocal Arts Ensemble and the SLO Mozart Festival.

Dr. Anderson was also on the Music Faculty at Cuesta College for 10 years, where she taught Voice classes and Applied Voice.

Cricket 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.

More about the Artistic Directors

Janis JohnsonAccompanist

John CribbPiano

Keeth CrowHawkPercussion

Brynn AlbaneseViolin

Janis Johnson has been Canzona’s accompanist since the choir was founded in 2009. She currently serves as staff accompanist for the Cuesta College Music Department. Over the years she has also served as an accompanist for Opera SLO, the Cal Poly University Music Department, and various instrumentalists throughout the San Luis Obispo area. Janis is the Music Director at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Arroyo Grande where she plays the organ and directs the Chancel choir. She holds the Colleague Certificate from the American Guild of Organists. She has served as an adjudicator for The Monday Club Fine Arts Awards. Janis also maintains a private piano studio of 20 students in Morro Bay.

John Cribb is the Music Director and Organist at St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church. He has been active in community theater as pianist and Music Director for numerous companies. John

studied organ with Paul Knox in Dallas and James Bratton at the University of Denver. He is a member of the American Guild of Organists, American Choral Directors Association and sings in the San Luis Obispo Master Chorale, Resonance Vocal Ensemble and the Allan Hancock College Singers.

Keeth “KC” CrowHawk from the Central Coast of California is a world music percussionist and regional expert in Middle Eastern drumming. KC leads the percussion section of the Cal Poly Arab Music Ensemble and is a folkloric dancer in the Tahtib/Raqs Assaya and Dabke genres. Bringing ethnic rhythms and instrumentation to sometimes uncommon genres, KC has collaborated with artists such as the Chad Land Band (Acoustic Rock), Canzona Women’s Ensemble (Choral), Galko (EDM), Inga Swearingen (Vocal Jazz), and Café Musique (Gypsy Jazz). In addition to performing, KC also works behind the scenes as stage manager for the Big Sur Jade Festival and drum/stage tech at Live Oak and WhaleRock Music Festivals. Other interests include encouraging daughter Jalilah’s music and dance studies, building and playing the didjeridoo, recreational drum circle facilitation, learning blues harmonica and African kashaka/cass cass shakers, and exploring new rhythmic ideas as a member of the multi-cultural percussion trio ‘r_3’. Some highlights from KC’s varied music paths are opening for iconic punk band GBH at the Trocadero, Philadelphia; participating in R&D on recreational drumming facilitation with the Remo Drum Company through their research facility in North Hollywood; studying with late Egyptian master percussionist Khamis Henkish in Cairo, Egypt; and performing with the CP AME at Carnegie Hall, NYC.

Brynn Albanese has performed in cities and concerts halls around with world with orchestras, chamber music groups, and as a soloist. Some of the orchestras she has played with are The Baltimore Symphony, The Tanglewood Festival Orchestra, The Boston Symphony, The Boston Pops Orchestra, The Concertgebouw, and Hague Philharmonic in The Netherlands.Brynn is Concertmaster of the San Luis Obispo Symphony under Andrew Sewell, of Opera San Luis Obispo, as well as many other groups in San Luis Obispo. She is on the faculty at Cal Poly teaching violin and viola, as well as coaching the Cal Poly Strings. She has a private teaching studio and mobile workshop for violinists called Brynn Albanese’s Violin Practice Technique Boot Camp that was presented to the American String Teachers Association in Washington DC in September of 2014.Brynn has appeared as soloist with several orchestras on the Central Coast, and in 2007, she joined the ever popular world music ensemble, Café Musique which has been going strong for the past 11 years.Her newest venture was the June 2018 launch of a community acoustic concert series called Cambria Concerts Unplugged based at the Old Historic Santa Rosa Chapel in Cambria. Brynn serves as the promoter and director of this unique series bringing multi genre trios and quartets from all over to perform in this special setting.A gifted performer in all genres of music, Brynn says “variety is the spice of my life and I relish the opportunity to discover and uncover musical and non-musical experiences in all areas of my life.”

8

9

The Central Coast Youth Chorus (formerly the Central Coast Children’s Choir) is devoted to creating choral excellence, instilling values of self-discipline and commitment, and building lasting friendships while inspiring the artist in each singer through the power of music. Founded in 1994, the CCYC provides youth from all over San Luis Obispo County the opportunity of singing in live choral performances while receiving a high-quality music education. Central Coast Youth Chorus collaborates with premier performing groups in the community, including SLO Vocal Arts, SLO Master Chorale, SLO Symphony, Opera SLO, and Festival Mozaic. Over the last 20 years, CCYC singers have been chosen to represent California in National and Western State honor choirs in Las Vegas, New York, Honolulu, Chicago, Utah, Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida. In addition, the highest level ensembles toured nationally and internationally by invitation to several choral festivals including the highly-respected PICFEST in Oregon and

the International Children’s Choir Festival in Canterbury and London. CCYC comprises nearly 80 boys and girls, and its singers are divided into six choruses: Brio, Cadence, Cadenza, Young Men’s Ensemble (YME), Vivace and AVE (Advanced Vocal Ensemble.) Vivace, the featured ensemble in today’s Canzona concert, is known for lovely vocal tone and expressive performances. Over the last 13 years, under the guidance of Melody Svennungsen, Vivace has developed into a highly-regarded advanced treble chorus comprised of auditioned singers ages 12 to 19. We hope you enjoy the selections in today’s program!

Melody SvennungsenArtistic Director Melody is a San Luis Obispo native with over forty years of experience in vocal and theatre performance. She

appears as soloist for local choral groups including SLO Master Chorale and SLO Vocal Arts Ensemble. A member of Vocal Arts since 1986, Melody is Gary Lamprecht’s Assistant Director and Soprano Section Leader. Melody’s official conducting career began 13 years ago with the Central Coast Youth Chorus shortly before she earned her music degree in vocal performance at Cal Poly.Melody is thankful for the richness and meaning that music brings to life and for the opportunity to facilitate the deep bonding among the CCYC singers that results from singing together.

Please visit our website: centralcoastyouthchorus.org

for details on our history, enrollment process, and more about our core values

of Artistry, Dedicated Effort & Commitment, and Personal & Social Growth.

Central Coast Youth Chorus

SOPRANOAmanda CameliVanessa CastrejonFiona CrossKatie DenissenEmily GillhamHannah MacfarlaneAlyssa MickeyReese MuthCati NewlonSophie Sanchez

ALTOAnessa AlvaradoHeather MartoneCadence McGrathMadeline McKeeIsabella Nino De RiveraAshley RosilezHannah PetersonElise ScheiffeleKimberly WhaleyMaya Zvada

SCOTT YOO, MUSIC DIRECTOR & VIOLIN

JULY 24 - AUG. 4, 2019Annual Summer Festival

Full Concert Lineup and Ticket Info:

FestivalMozaic.com 805.781.3009

The Past Informs the Future © 2018 Joanne Beaule Ruggles

2009First meetings spring-summer; first solicitation of singers summer; first rehearsals at SLO High School fall2010 Spring First Season

• Feb. 28 United Methodist Church joined by violinist Pam Dassenko and girls of Central Coast Children’s Chorus• May 2 St. Timothy’s Church in Morro Bay joined by harpist Jennifer Sayre

2010-11 Season Began Spring/Fall concert format• Nov. 7 United Methodist Church, SLO joined by Jennifer Galvan, horn, and SLO High School Concert Choir women

• Mar. 6 United Methodist Church, SLO joined by flutists Cassandra Tarantino and Martha Uhey• June 1 First meeting of newly-formed Canzona Board of Directors

2011-12 Season• Sept. 25 Canzona received its 501(c)(3) non-profit status• Nov. 6 United Methodist Church, SLO joined by oboist/English horn Linda Ashworth• Mar. 11 United Methodist Church, SLO joined by women of the Cuesta College Choirs

2012-13 Season• Nov. 3 United Methodist Church, SLO joined by Soli Deo Gloria women’s ensemble from Fresno and cellist Ken Hustad

• Mar. 10 United Methodist Church, SLO Celtic theme: joined by harpist Jennifer Sayre, flutist Cassandra Tarantino and guitarist Jennifer Martin

2013-14 Season• Nov. 10 Cuesta Cultural Performing Arts Center Featured our first commission: To the God of Light and Shadow by composer Meredith Brammeier and poet Bonnie Young;

joined by clarinetist Caroline Tobin and women of the PolyPhonics Choir• Mar. 8 Performing Arts Center Guests of the SLO Symphony under Michael Nowak, joining them for Holst’s Planets and Debussy’s Nocturnes

• Mar. 23 Cuesta Cultural Performing Arts Center French theme: joined by Duane Inglish, accordion and Paul Osborne, tenor and arranger• Apr. 6 Mission San Miguel

Guests of Symphony of the Vines under Greg Magie, orchestral versions of I thank you God and Un Canadien errant

• May 3 in Fresno, Guests of Soli Deo Gloria, appearing in their spring concert as an exchange 2014-15 Season• Nov. 9 Cuesta Cultural Performing Arts Center joined by Central Coast Children’s Chorus• Mar. 15 Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa joined by Jerry Boots, trumpet, in preparation for Tapestry International Festival• May 1, 2 Participants in Tapestry International Festival of Womens’ Choirs, in Vancouver, along with choirs from Norway and Canada

C A N Z O N A 1 0 - Y E A R T I M E L I N E

Cuesta Concord Chorus Honors 75th Anniversary of The Storming of Normandy

Sunday, May 5, 3pm Atascadero Lake Pavilion

Tickets.cuesta.edu Conducted by Cassandra Tarantino

$15/$12 Veterans Invited FREE

P R E M I E R E C O N C E R T !

Sunday,February 28, 2010

7 p.m.United Methodist Church

San Luis Obispo

CRICKET HANDLERJILL ANDERSONArtistic Directors

JANIS JOHNSONAccompanist

PAM DASSENKOViolin

WOMEN’SENSEMBLE

CRICKET HANDLER & JILL ANDERSONArtistic Directors

WOMEN’SENSEMBLE

with Duane Inglish of Café Musique, accordionPaul Osborne, guest vocalist

Janis Johnson, piano

Sunday, March 23, 2014 · 4 p.m.Cuesta College Performing Arts Center

WOMEN’SENSEMBLE

CRICKET HANDLER & JILL ANDERSONArtistic Directors

P R E S E N T

A CELEBRATION OF LOVE

Sunday, March 11, 2012 • 4 p.m.United Methodist Church

San Luis Obispo

Featuring the women from Cuesta College Choirs,with Director John Knutson

Janis JohnsonAccompanist

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

10

2015-16 Season • Nov. 8 Cuesta Cultural Performing Arts Center joined by flutist Suzanne Duffy• Mar. 6 Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa joined by Brillante String Quartet• Apr. 17 Guests of Peninsula Symphony under Gary Berkson, performing Vaughan Williams’ Magnificat

• May 1 Mission San Miguel Guests of Symphony of the Vines under Greg Magie, performing Vaughan Williams’ Magnificat

2016-17 Season• Nov. 6 United Methodist Church, SLO Shakespeare theme: joined by pianist Susan Azaret Davies• Feb. 22 Performing Arts Center, SLO Guests of the Chieftains on tour, in an Irish program• Mar. 5 Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa joined by SLO High School Concert Choir women• May 5 First Café Canzona fundraiser, held at a private home, featuring music from the American Songbook

2017-18 Season Nov. 5 United Methodist Church, SLO joined by cellist Barbara Spencer and percussionist Keeth CrowHawk; featured a co-commissioned piece by Joseph Gregorio, Two Friends Like Fireflies

Mar. 4 United Methodist Church, SLOApr. 20 Second Café Canzona fundraiser, held at the Monday Club, featuring Broadway music

2018-19 Season Tenth Anniversary Season!• Nov. 10 United Methodist Church, SLO Songs We Love Best, a retrospective of favorite songs chosen by audience members, singers and Artistic Directors• Mar. 3 United Methodist Church, SLO Raising Our Voices, joined by Central Coast Youth Chorus, conducted by Melody Svennungsen and accompanied by John Cribb; featuring a co-commission with sister ensembles Elektra Women’s Choir and Peninsula Womens’ Chorus, entitled My People Are Rising by Carol Barnett; joined by violinist Brynn Albanese and percussionist Keeth CrowHawk

Canzona thanks the Shanbrom Family Foundation and The Coastal Awakening

for supporting a commission by Central Coast composer Dr. Craig Russell.

His new work will be performed in the 2019-20 season.

CRICKET HANDLER & JILL ANDERSONArtistic Directors

Sunday, November 8, 2015 · 4 p.m.Cuesta College CPAC

Featuring Suzanne Duffy, flute

Janis Johnson, piano

WOMEN’SENSEMBLE

Sunday, November 5, 2017 · 3 p.m.United Methodist Church · San Luis Obispo

Featuring Barbara Spencer, cello · Keeth CrowHawk, percussion

Cassandra Tarantino, alto flute

Janis Johnson, piano

WOMEN’SENSEMBLE

CRICKET HANDLER & JILL ANDERSONArtistic Directors

Songs from Distant Lands

Celebrating Women’s Voices

CRICKET HANDLER & JILL ANDERSON

Artistic Directors

Sunday, November 6, 2016 · 3 p.m.San Luis Obispo Methodist Church

Featuring Susan Azaret Davies, piano

Janis Johnson, piano

WOMEN’SENSEMBLE

A musical feast set to timeless texts by the Bard

OF

Sunday, November 4, 2018 · 3 p.m.United Methodist Church · San Luis Obispo

Janis Johnson, piano

WOMEN’SENSEMBLE

CRICKET HANDLER & JILL ANDERSONArtistic Directors

Celebrating Women’s V

oice

s

10thAnniversary

Celebrating Women’s V

oice

s

10thAnniversary

11

C A F É

on

Join Canzona singers as we take a road trip on America’s most iconic highway.

Friday, May 3, 2019 · 6 p.m.The Lodge at San Luis Bay Estates, Avila Beach

Regional cuisine selections · Wine · DessertTickets: $75 per person or $140 per couple at: canzonawomen.org

S i l e n t A u c t i o n · W i n e P u l l · G i f t C a r d G r a b