Summary of Dissertation Recitals: Three Choral Programs

Abstract

These three dissertation recitals were presented in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Doctor of Musical Arts (Music: Conducting) at the University of Michigan. These recitals represent choral music from the Renaissance Era to the twenty-first century. Additionally, these choral recitals represent my work with a wide variety of vocal ensembles, with abilities ranging from community volunteers to professional vocal musicians.

The first recital, The Exploration of HUMAN EMOTIONS: Joy, Love, Loss, and Triumph, was performed on November 10, 2022, by the University of Michigan Arts Chorale at the Walgreen Drama Center: Stamps Auditorium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, accompanied by student and professional instrumentalists, and three soloists: Bethany Worrell (soprano), LaVonté Heard (tenor), and Tyler Middleton (baritone). The program included four sets. Set one, Joy: Sing we and chant it by Thomas Morely. Set two, Love: The Hope of Loving by Jake Runestad. Set three, Loss: We are… (from Lessons) by Ysaye M. Barnwell, We Hold Their Names Sacred by Mari Esabl Valverde, and We shall walk through the valley arranged by Undine Smith Moore. Set four, Triumph: Five Mystical Songs by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

The second recital, Sacred Classics: 300 Years of Sacred Choral Music, is a compilation of choral works composed over the last 300 years, presented by three School of Music Theatre & Dance ensembles at the University of Michigan. On April 12, 2021, the University of Michigan Chamber Choir, accompanied by student instrumentalists, performed movements four and five of Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich, BWV 150 by Johann Sebastian Bach at Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan. On November 20, 2022, the University of Michigan Orpheus Singers, accompanied by student instrumentalists, performed movements one and two of Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit, BWV 106 by Johann Sebastian Bach at Walgreen Drama Center: Stamps Auditorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan. On November 21, 2021, the University of Michigan Orpheus Singers, accompanied by student instrumentalists, performed Magnificat in C, ZWV 107 by Jan Dismas Zelenka at Walgreen Drama Center: Stamps Auditorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan. On February 14, 2023, the University of Michigan Orpheus Singers, accompanied by student instrumentalists, performed movements four, five, and six of Vesperae Solennes de Confessore, K. 339 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart at Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan. On February 17, 2022, the University of Michigan Orpheus Singers, accompanied by student instrumentalists, performed Ave Maria by Gaetano Donizetti at Walgreen Drama Center: Stamps Auditorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan. On April 9, 2022, the University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club performed The Word Was God by Rosephanye Powell and arranged by William C. Powell. On February 16, 2023, the University of Michigan Chamber Choir performed Crucifixion, No. 3, from Five Short Choral Works by Adolphus Hailstork.

The third recital, The Atonement music by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and texts by Alice Parsons, was performed on March 16, 2023, by the University of Michigan Arts Chorale, enhanced by a 32-voice professional chorus and additional professional and community vocal musicians at Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan. They were supported by a 47-piece ad hoc student and professional orchestra, and six soloists (in order of appearance): Branden Hood (Christ, baritone), Nicholas Music (Pilate, tenor), Juliet Schlefer (Pilate’s Wife, soprano), Goitsemang Lehobye (Mary, the Mother of Christ, soprano), Antona Yost (Mary Madalene, contralto), and Amber Merritt (Mary, the wife of Cleophas, mezzo-soprano).