Hudson Valley Chorale Season Artistic Director: Dr. Jason Tramm Accompanist: Jessica Arnold

2012 May 19 – Spring Concert Artistic Director: Dr. Jason Tramm Venue: Dominican Convent Outreach: Esplanade Nursing Home Star Spangled Banner – Smith I Hear America Singing – Andre Thomas David’s Lamentation – William Billings Zion’s Wall – Aaron Copland At the River – Aaron Copland Sure in the Shining Night – Samuel Barber Chords of Love – Gwyneth Walker The Promise of Living – Aaron Copland INTERMISSION Testament of Freedom – Randall Thompson You’re a Grand Old Flag – George M. Cohen Salute to the Armed Forces – arr. Camp Kirkland God Bless America – Irving Berlin/arr. Roy RIngwald

Program Notes I Hear America Singing From our Director Dear Friends of the Hudson Valley Chorale, Tonight's program is a celebration of American choral music. One of the greatest qualities that represent our great choral tradition is its eclectic nature, from the gospel inspired " I hear America Singing", to the revival hymn settings of Aaron Copland and Gwyneth Walker, inspiration for all of tonight's pieces grew from the fertile musical soil that these composers explored. Also represented are works of America's great choral master and composers William Billings, Samuel Barber, and Randall Thompson. Also represented are famous patriotic selections that will be familiar to all. I hope that you enjoy our salute to the American choral experience, and be sure to support the Hudson Valley Chorale as we continue to keep America singing! Dr. Jason C. Tramm

2012 – January 15 - Winter Concert Artistic Director: Dr. Jason Tramm Venue: Dominican Convent Brindisi (La Traviata) Giuseppi Verdi Chorus of Scottish Refugees (Macbeth) Giuseppi Verdi Anvil Chorus (Il Trovotore) Giuseppi Verdi Sempre Libera (La Traviata) Giuseppi Verdi Humming Chorus (Madama Butterlfy) Giacomo Puccini Chorus of the wedding guests (Lucia di Lammermoor) Gaetano Donizetti Nessun Dorma (La Turandot) Giacomo Puccini La Vergine degli Angeli INTERMISSION Ain’t it a pretty night Carlyle Floyd Gilbert and Sullivan Selections – Three Little Maids from the Mikado – HMS Pinafore: A Choral Salute Send in the Clowns from A little Night Music Steven Sondheim Without a Song (Great Day) Vincent Youmans Choral Medley (West Side Story) Leonard Bernstein Make Our Garden Grow (Candide) Leonard Bernstein

Program Notes Music for A Sunday Afternoon (1) From our Director Dear Friends of the Hudson Valley Chorale, Tonight's program features selections from the stage that range from the Bel Canto opera to the musicals of Stephen Sondheim. These melodies and the stories that they tell form a rich tradition that remains as popular today as it has been since operas creation in the early 1600's. The first half of the program features some of the most famous melodies ever written: the Anvil Chorus from II Trovatore, the Humming Chorus from Madama Butterfly, and Brindisi (or drinking song) from La Traviata have all been used in countless cartoons and commercials, so much so that many don't realize that they are operatic at all! All of the composers represented tonight were masters of combining the dramatic situation with the perfect musical setting. The second half of the program begins with a trip to England for a healthy serving of Gilbert and Sullivan, whose operatic comedies played all over the world in the late 19th century. These English language operettas became the foundations for today's American

Program Notes Music for A Sunday Afternoon (2) The second half of the program begins with a trip to England for a healthy serving of Gilbert and Sullivan, whose operatic comedies played all over the world in the late 19th century. These English language operettas became the foundations for today's Americanmusical theater. Often updated to reference current events, these pieces continue to be as witty and popular as when they were first written. We then end our evening in a celebration of the American musical, with pieces from West Side Story, A Little Night Music, and Candide. Leonard Bernstein was truly a cultural icon, composing music in the symphonic, operatic, musical, and chamber music genres. His love for music of all genres was crystal clear, as he strove to defy genre classifications throughout his career. We end our evening with the magnificent "Make our Garden Grow," the finale from Candide, which like the characters of the show, we hope that with your support, we can continue to harvest great performances presented right here in Rockland County! Sincerely, Jason C. Tramm