Spring 2021Spring 2021TOUR PROGRAM

DR. RICHARD FISCHER, CONDUCTORThe Fred and Jane Wittlinger Chair in Music Performance

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO

Wind Symphony

Introduction

2 WIND SYMPHONY

We feel God’s presence among us with every note we play or sing, with every phrase we shape, with every piece that allows us to express what is in our hearts.

– JONATHAN KOHRS

“

It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost a year since the outbreak of COVID-19! For Concordia University Chicago’s touring music ensembles, thinking back to a year ago brings back memories of spring tours cut short by the declaration of a national emergency. In that way, COVID-19 hit us pretty hard last spring!

The coronavirus and its repercussions have affected us in a wide variety of ways—physically, emotionally, economically, spiritually. Each of us has felt these effects to different degrees. You may have lost a family member to COVID, while many others have not. You may have lost a job, while some others have been working overtime to meet some new demand. You may be struggling to face each new day, while others seem oblivious to the weight that is so real to you.

Given all of that, it is easy to wonder, where is God in all of this? Despite all of that—or rather because of all of that—I am convinced that during this academic year at Concordia University Chicago, God’s presence has been felt more strongly than it was in what we now think of as “pre-COVID” times. What is more, I believe that most, if not every student who is about to share their substantial God-given talents and abilities with you would concur. Because of all the challenges confronting us—and because of the forces that keep us from freely making music together—we are more thankful than ever for God’s gift of music to us, for the opportunity to make music together and to share the Gospel of Christ with you through that music. We feel God’s presence among us with every note we play or sing, with every phrase we shape, with every piece that allows us to express what is in our hearts.

Yes, COVID-19 has brought about challenges and hardships which are very real and that call for the support of family, friends, neighbors, the government, the Church. They should not be diminished. But some good has come about because of the virus. One example is that this concert may reach an even wider audience than our previous livestreamed concerts have. If you are one of those witnessing a CUC concert for the first time—or the first time in quite some time—welcome! We are pleased that the gifts of our Creator and Redeemer are reaching you, to bring about some good in your world!

We hope you enjoy the concert.

Jonathan Kohrs, ChairMusic DepartmentConcordia University Chicago

3SPRING 2021

Rise Up (2020) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brooke Pierson (b. 1987)

Wayfaring Stranger (2015) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christopher M. Nelson (b. 1987)

Joropo (ca. 1940; 2015) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Moises Moleiro (1904-1979)

arr. Johan de Meij

Concerto in B-flat (1736; 2000) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George Frederick Handel (1685-1759)

arr. Charles T. Yeago

I. Allegro

Peter Stigdon, harp

Danse Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah (1867-1874) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921)

arr. Jay Bocook

The Symphonic Gershwin (ca. 1980). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .George Gershwin (1898-1937)

arr. Warren Barker

My Song Is Love Unknown (2021) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . arr. Ben Culli (b. 1975)

Transcendent Journey (2010) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rossano Galante (b. 1967)

Who Puts His Trust in God Most Just (1978) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . tune, Joachim Magdeburg (1525–1587)

chorale, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)

arr. James Croft

THE PROGRAMWind Symphony

4 WIND SYMPHONY

Rise Up Brooke Pierson

Rise Up is the concert band arrangement of a winning fanfare from the annual Dallas Winds fanfare competition. It is a joyous and energetic opener with a beautiful melodic middle section.

Brooke Pierson (b. 1987) holds a BA in music education from Michigan State University and is currently Chair of the Fine Arts Department at the Washtenaw International High School and Middle Academy (Ypsilanti, MI), teaching orchestra, band, music history, music culture and music composition. He has held this position since the school’s inception in 2011.

Wayfaring Stranger Christopher M. Nelson

Wayfaring Stranger is a setting of the American folk spiritual known as “Poor Wayfaring Stranger.” While many versions of the lyrics to this tune exist, they all tell the story of a traveler who makes his way on a journey despite a rough road, difficult circumstances and gathering darkness. He does this, the lyrics say, for the promise of green pastures and a reunion with his father and mother at journey’s end. This setting is intended to convey not only the difficulty experienced by the traveler, but also the resolve which is displayed as he moves forward despite hardship and disappointment. Wayfaring Stranger is offered as a sort of resolute battle-hymn for anyone who must endure a long journey of challenge and trial before the promised green pastures can be enjoyed.

Christopher M. Nelson is an educator, composer, arranger and percussionist. Currently, he serves as the director of bands at Timpangos High School in Orem, UT. Chris has performed with the Utah Premiere Brass and has recorded for the international television station BYU TV. He holds a Master of Arts in music performance with a conducting emphasis from Washington State University and a Bachelor of Music in instrumental music education from Brigham Young University in Provo, UT.

Program NotesJoropo Moises Moleiro

Venezuelan pianist and composer Moisés Moleiro Sánchez’s most popular work is Joropo, composed for piano solo. This charming and lively work is a typical dance from Venezuela in 3/8 time. Johan de Meij, who was appointed regular guest conductor with the Simón Bolívar Youth Wind Orchestra in 2010, orchestrated Joropo for wind orchestra. It was written as an encore piece for the SBYWO, and is dedicated to the founder of El Sistema, Maestro José Antonio Abreu. It has become the favorite encore for the SBYWO for their concerts around the world.

—Program note by publisher

Concerto in B-flat George Frederick Handel

Handel’s Harp Concerto was published as an organ concerto in Opus 4 in 1738, and may originally have been composed in that form. Indeed, as published, the Concerto works on either instrument. Handel’s organ concertos were written to be interludes for him to play during his oratorios, on the organ he had available in the theater—a chamber organ with one keyboard and no pedal-board—so they do not include a part to be played with the feet in addition to the right and left hands. The Concerto in B-flat is conjectured to be the one described as a concerto for “Harp, Lute, Lyrichord [a keyboard instrument that sounded the strings with a bowing mechanism, rather like a hurdy-gurdy] and other Instruments” that was performed in February 1736 during Handel’s Saint Cecilia’s Day ode Alexander’s Feast. Saint Cecilia was the patron saint of music, and odes to her were always about the power of music (Alexander’s Feast tells the story of how a bard used music to manipulate Alexander the Great in the celebration after his conquest of Persia), so unusual or lavish displays of instrumental sound were expected.

5SPRING 2021

Danse Bacchanale From Samson and Delilah Camille Saint-Saens

Over the span of eight and a half decades, Camille Saint-Saens composed over three hundred works in a huge range of genres, performed in hundreds of concerts as pianist and organist, taught countless pupils, championed new composers, helped revive the works of Bach and Handel (composers he adored), and was known in every corner of the music world.

The biblical story of the heroic Hebraic strongman and his dangerous and enticing lover/betrayer has enjoyed a steady presence in opera houses worldwide. Extracted from the colorful score, the famous Danse Bacchanale that accompanies the ballet sequence in the opera depicts the revelry of the Temple of Dagon in Act III before Samson, now blinded, is brought to the temple and chained to the pillars. Serpentine melodies, emphatic timpani and overall exoticism engage the senses in a kaleidoscopic and sensuous aural feast. Listen for the opening oboe solo and the horns and trombones at the end!

The Symphonic Gershwin George Gershwin

Warren Barker has masterfully combined the most memorable themes from Gershwin’s great symphonic works into a dramatic work for concert band. It includes music from An American in Paris, Cuban Overture and Rhapsody in Blue.

—Program note by publisher

Transcendent Journey Rosanno Galante

With the first sounds of Transcendent Journey, I wanted to create a big, powerful, exhilarating chord that would grab the listener right away. The introduction is the beginning of our “journey” and gives a melodic hint, stated by horns, to the heroic main theme. The main theme should evoke not only the heroic quality of the melody, but also its beauty. This was suited perfectly for the trumpets. The listener should feel as though they can accomplish anything, no matter how challenging. I feel this is a melody that transcends all my others. The same theme is then stated in the horns and woodwinds, accompanied with rhythmic hits by the rest of the ensemble, creating a stalwart sound.

Then a short B section is introduced, performed by piccolo and oboe with delicate accompaniment. Note the light, relaxed feeling of joy in this section in contrast to the heroic material in the opening.

Following the B section, the main theme returns, this time played by flutes, capturing the sensitive aspects of the heroic theme. We now move into the slower section of the composition. This warm melody is almost wistful with a sad, yearning quality. It is repeated three times, each time getting stronger, more emotional and more climactic.

The final section is a fast-paced version of the introduction that includes extensive percussion and woodwind ostinati. Exhilaration and achievement is what I am trying to convey here. We finally complete our “journey” with a slower, grand statement of the main theme performed by trumpets and trombones. The piece ends with tutti ensemble bringing the “transcendent journey” to an end.

—Program note by composer

Who Puts His Trust in God Most Just

Who puts his trustIn God most justHath built his house securely;He who reliesOn Jesus Christ,Shall reach His heav’n most surely.

Then fixed on TheeMy trust shall be,For Thy truth cannot alter;While mine Thou artNor death’s worst smartShall make my courage falter.

—Joachim Magdeburg

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My Song is Love Unknown arr. Ben Culli

7SPRING 2021

The Concordia University Chicago Wind Symphony has performed in 43 states, Canada, Europe, Asia and South Africa and enjoys an unparalleled reputation among small liberal arts institutions. Since the Wind Symphony began touring internationally, they have performed concerts in Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia. In May 2005, 2009 and 2013, the ensemble performed concerts in 10 cities in China, including Shanghai and Beijing. In May 2017, the Wind Symphony toured South Africa where they performed Johan de Meij’s African Harmony, commissioned by the group especially for their tour. Additionally, the Wind Symphony has played major concerts at Carnegie Hall, Chicago’s Symphony Center, the Meyerson Center in Dallas, the Weidner Center at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Uihlein Hall at the Marcus Center in Milwaukee, the Saginaw Civic Center, and the Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln, NE.

The Wind Symphony has commissioned and premiered numerous wind compositions and produced 16 acclaimed recordings of sacred wind repertoire. These recordings have been played on National Public Radio; WFMT-FM, the classical station in Chicago; The Lutheran Hour; and almost daily on the Moody Bible Network in 40 cities throughout the United States. They performed to multiple standing ovations as the showcase ensemble at the New York City Wind Band Festival at Carnegie Hall in 2014 and 2019.

If you would like the Wind Symphony to perform at your church on an upcoming tour, please contact tour manager Rachel Leininger at Rachel.Leininger@CUChicago.edu or 708-209-3524.

ABOUT USWind Symphony

8 WIND SYMPHONY

9SPRING 2021

Wind Symphony Members

Larry Brown Glenview, ILCLARINET

Micah Brown Alexandria, MNEnglish, Pre-seminaryALTO SAXOPHONE

Meg Busse Lombard, ILOBOE

Emily Cherington Houston, TXSecondary Ed. LTEFRENCH HORN

Moira DelaneyRomeoville, ILNursingBASSOON

Francisco DiazRiver Grove, ILPsychologyTRUMPET

Chloe DugasGrinnell, IAMusic, Math minorFLUTE, PICCOLO

Regan EdkinIllinois City, ILPsychologyCLARINET

Ulysses EspinoChicago, ILMusicSTRING BASS

Chuck FosterRiver Forest, ILFRENCH HORN

Daniela GamaDes Moines, IAPsychology/SpanishFLUTE

Michael GieraHickory Hills, ILMusic EducationTROMBONE

Melanie GomanChicago, ILSecondary Ed. EnglishFLUTE

Joel HackerSheboygan, WIBusiness ManagementTUBA

Nicholas HansenLindenwood, ILMusic EducationCLARINET

Justin HeadleyBaltimore, MDSecondary Ed. MathTROMBONE

Isabelle HefeleSt. Louis, MOK-12 Spanish Ed., LTETRUMPET

Brooke HockemeyerFort Wayne, INSecondary Ed. Math, LTEALTO SAXOPHONE

Jordan HollidayBerkeley, IL Director of Parish MusicFRENCH HORN

Alexa HooverFort Wayne, INElementary Ed., LTEPERCUSSION

Anthony HowardChicago, ILMusic EducationTUBA

Michael KahlesElmhurst, ILCLARINET

William BalesKnoxville, TNElementary Ed.,LTEFRENCH HORN

Brendan KruegerFrankenmuth, MIMusic EducationEUPHONIUM

10 WIND SYMPHONY

Andrew KuhnauWatertown, MNMusic EducationTRUMPET

Melody LipkeAlamosa, COEnglish, Music minorFLUTE

Samuel MarquartFort Wayne, INMusic, Pre-seminaryTRUMPET

Rachel MuellerGrand Rapids, MISecondary Ed. History, LTEFLUTE

Joecel Mariz OrbonFranklin Park, ILPsychologyFLUTE/PICCOLO

Caleb PieperAlgonquin, ILMusic EducationTRUMPET

Aaron ReynoldsFort Wayne, INMusic/Music EducationTRUMPET

Nathaniel SchmidtGaharra, OHMusic EducationTUBA

Andrew SchroederKendallville, INMusic EducationTROMBONE

Adam SchweyerFort Wayne, INMusic EducationPERCUSSION

Lydia SmithDyer, INEnglish, Music & Art minorFLUTE

Victoria SteeleElizabethtown, KYExercise ScienceBASSOON

Lydia SteinhausFairmont, MNBASSOON

Peter StigdonCatonsville, MDDirector of Parish MusicHARP, ORGAN, PIANO

Daniel ThoelkeSt. Peters, MOTheological LanguagesBASS CLARINET

Karolina ZawitkowskaWood Dale, ILMusic EducationFRENCH HORN

Benjamin VerswijverHouston, TXMusic EducationBASS CLARINET

Help ensure the encore lasts a lifetime.Studying and performing Lutheran music has always been a cornerstone of the Concordia University Chicago experience.

Renovations to our Recital Hall are long overdue, since it has not been fully renovated since the 1970s.

The Recital Hall is home to Kapelle (touring choir), Schola Cantorum (daily chapel choir), Männerchor (men’s choir), Laudate (women’s choir) and the University Handbell Choir.

Students rely on this room for music classes, practice space, and solo recitals. The Recital Hall is also used for high school student auditions and our Community Piano Program (K-12) solo recitals.

We invite you to make a gift to complete renovations including acoustic treatments, audiovisual technology and new windows. Your philanthropic support will elevate the quality of our music facilities to match the quality of our musicianship!

CUChicago.edu/GiveNow

Contact Naomi Tselepis, Senior Philanthropy Advisorat Naomi.Tselepis@cuchicago.edu or 708-209-3142

12 WIND SYMPHONY

13SPRING 2021

The Conductor DR. RICHARD FISCHER

DR. RICHARD FISCHER, the Fred and Jane Wittlinger Endowed Chair for Music Performance, is in his 47th year as director of bands at Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, IL. Dr. Fischer conducts the Wind Symphony and University Band, and also teaches basic and advanced-level conducting courses. He holds the Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees from DePaul University, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Michigan State University where he studied under Eugene Corporon.

Dr. Fischer and the Wind Symphony have performed concerts in almost every state in the United States and in Canada, Europe, Asia and South Africa. The Wind Symphony has had the honor of performing at many music festivals and conferences including the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), the Illinois Music Educators Conference (ILMEA), and numerous times at convocations of the Lutheran Education Association (LEA). Having performed to multiple standing ovations at Carnegie Hall in 2014, the Wind Symphony was honored to again be invited to be the showcase ensemble for the New York City Wind Band Festival at Carnegie Hall in March 2019.

Under Dr. Fischer’s direction, the Wind Symphony has commissioned, premiered and recorded numerous wind band compositions, most notably the U.S. premiere of Johan de Meij’s The Lord of the Rings in the fall of 1989. They have recorded 16 compact discs (over 150 works) of sacred wind music. The Wind Symphony’s most recent recording, Let My Love Be Heard, features both sacred and secular music.

Dr. Fischer is in frequent demand as a presenter, guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator in the United States, Canada, South Africa, Japan and Australia. In 1994, he was named to the “A Team” of University Professors by the Chicago Tribune. Dr. Fischer has been honored to present and guest conduct at local universities in Nagoya, Japan every December for the past four years. In May 2018, Dr. Fischer gave the keynote address at the national convention of the Association for Concert Bands held in Buffalo, NY.

Dr. Fischer’s professional affiliations include the College Band Director National Association, World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, National Association for Music Educators, Illinois Music Educators Association, and the National Band Association. He and his wife Kathy (Kolb BA ’77) reside in River Forest, IL, and have three grown children: Joy, Julie and Jonathan.

14 WIND SYMPHONY

The Department MUSIC

Full-time Faculty

Maurice Boyer, DMA University of Maryland College Park, MD

Charles P. Brown, DMA University of Arizona Tucson, AZ

Richard R. Fischer, DMA Michigan State University East Lansing, MI

Jonathan Kohrs, MFA Vermont College of Fine ArtsMontpelier, VT

Jonathan Stahlke, DMA College-Conservatory of MusicCincinnati, OH

Emeriti Faculty

Natalie Jenne, DMA Stanford University Palo Alto, CA

Evangeline Rimbach, PhD Eastman School of Music University of Rochester, NY

Steven Wente, DMus Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL

Adjunct Faculty

Mark Anderson, CelloFionna Bezaire, PianoMeg Busse, OboeBecky Coffman, Violin, ViolaNathalie Colas, VoiceRobert Everson, PercussionCynthia Fudala, FluteKirk Garrison, Jazz Band, Jazz Improv, TrumpetKurtis Gildow, TubaPaul Henry, GuitarMaria Honigschnabel, Piano Kuang-Hao Huang, PianoJeffrey Kleinsorge, Piano PrepEmily Lee, Piano PrepChristopher Lorimer, VoiceSusan Nelson, VoiceEsther Nyberg, Piano PrepPatrick Rehker, ClarinetJeremy Ruthrauff, SaxophoneDianne Ryan, BassoonJulie Spring, HarpThomas Stark, Trombone, EuphoniumChristine Steyer, VoiceKatrina Sudman, Piano PrepJohn Tuck, BassRenée Vogen, HornSteven Wente, Organ

Administrative Staff

Laura Zimmer, MCM Concordia University Chicago River Forest, IL Administrative Assistant

Rachel Leininger, BAConcordia University Chicago River Forest, ILMusic Tour Manager

Music Department Mission Statement

The Music Department at Concordia University Chicago recognizes that music is a gift of God and a means through which all people can participate in the richness of the human experience. As a cultural expression that sheds light on both the individual and society, music is an essential component of a liberal arts education.

In accordance with these beliefs, the department fulfills the University mission by forming musicians who will be servant leaders and advocates for the transformative power of music in church, school and community. The department provides Concordia-Chicago students a variety of opportunities to study and perform music, enabling their lifelong growth and involvement in the arts, while enriching the larger community.

15SPRING 2021

The Concordia-Chicago family was saddened to hear of the recent passing of Dr. Carl Schalk (HS ‘48, BS ‘52), Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Music and 2018 Spiritus Christi honoree.

Dr. Schalk had an immeasurable impact on the Church and world. We all have been blessed by his musical compositions, and the students he taught and the collaborators with whom he worked have been blessed by his wisdom, humor and musical gifts. His legacy as a servant of the faith and as a Lutheran church musician is unmatched. His contributions as a faculty member of the University and as a composer for the Church will continue to inspire and touch lives for generations.

A remarkable servant of our Lord, Dr. Schalk taught at Concordia-Chicago from 1965 to 1994. He was an integral figure in the establishing of the University’s Master of Church Music program and the journal Church Music. He helped develop Worship Supplement (1969) and, as a member of the Inter-Lutheran Commission on Worship, was instrumental in the preparation of the Lutheran Book of Worship (1978).

Dr. Schalk composed hundreds of hymns, carols and choral compositions that are used by most all Christian denominations. Particularly meaningful to the CUC community is the hymn he wrote for the University’s 150th anniversary, “O God Our Father, Source and Destination.”

With Carlos Messerli, Dr. Schalk established the Lutheran Music Program, the parent organization of the Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival. During the summer of 2009, the Lutheran Summer Music community was introduced to Dr. Schalk’s choral settings of Luther’s morning and evening prayers. Each summer since then, his setting of Luther’s morning prayer has served to gather the community each day in song.

In 2010, Dr. Schalk co-founded CUC’s Center for Church Music to help preserve the history of Christian church music; to foster appreciation and understanding of the Church’s song among pastors, musicians and laity; and to inspire the next generation of sacred music composers. Even in the last few months of his life, he continued to compose music, write articles and books, as well as conduct research and participate in webinars on worship and music from his home.

We invite the entire Concordia-Chicago community to keep Dr. Schalk’s family, colleagues and musical collaborators in your prayers. We look forward to honoring and celebrating his life and legacy when we can all lift our voices together. Those who wish to honor Dr. Schalk at his alma mater are invited to direct gifts to Concordia-Chicago’s Center for Church Music.

CUCHICAGO.EDU/GIVENOW

Carl SchalkRemembering

(1929-2021)

LEARN MORE AT CUCHICAGO.EDU/WINDSYMPHONY

Home ConcertHome ConcertFRIDAY, MARCH 19 8 P.M.

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY CHICAGOCHAPEL OF OUR LORD

Watch live at CUChicago.edu/Live

SPRING TOUR CONCERTS

7400 AUGUSTA ST.RIVER FOREST, IL 60305800-285-2668 | CUCHICAGO.EDU

Wind SymphonyHartland, WI

Wednesday, March 10 12:50 p.m.

Lake Country Lutheran High School401 Campus Dr.

Jackson, WI

Thursday, March 11 1 p.m.

Living Word Lutheran High School2230 Living Word Ln.

Sheboygan, WI

Friday, March 12 2 p.m. High School &

Grade Schools7:30 p.m. From Coast to

Coast: Praising Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

Lutheran High School3323 University Dr.