The Joy of Music
Pay what you wish, donations gratefully accepted
Program Notes
First Stage: Simple Gifts
Like a River in my Soul
Arranged by Tim Osiek
This arrangement of an African American Spiritual uses water “as a simile” to describe peace, joy and love. Spirituals were first sung by enslaved people to pass the time of day, offer each other hope, and pass messages along.
“Prayer” from Hansel and Gretel
Arranged by Bryceson Treharne
“When at night I go to sleep, Fourteen angels watch do keep, Two my head are guarding, Two my feet are guiding; Two upon my right hand, Two upon my left hand…”
Choral Variations on Simple Gifts
Arranged by Bryceson Treharne
Mandee Tuomi, Koji Sakano, and Joon Kang, soloists
This arrangement is an almost literal adaptation of Aaron Copland’s variations on the Shaker tune ‘Simple Gifts’ as it appears in his orchestral suite Appalachian Spring.
Special Stage
"Romance" from Fantasy Pieces
Brendan Statom, double bass
Erin Bonski, piano
Second Stage: Good Memories
Try to Remember
Arranged by Jay Althouse
Linda Boyd, soloist
Try to Remember is a song about nostalgia from the musical comedy play The Fantasticks (1960). The words were written by the American lyricist Tom Jones while Harvey Schmidt composed the music.
Buffalo Gals
Arranged by Bob Chilcott
This traditional American song, first published in 1844, was widely popular throughout the United States, where minstrels often altered the lyrics to suit local audiences, performing it as “New York Gals” in New York City, “Boston Gals” in Boston, or “Alabama Girls” in Alabama. The best-known version is named after Buffalo, New York.
Oh Shenandoah
Arranged by Ruth Elaine Schram
This American folk song dates back to the early 19th century and is believed to have originated from French travelers journeying down the Missouri River. By the 1880s, the song had become popular with sailors and was sung as a sea shanty, or “work song.”
Special Stage
Santa Ynez Valley Jazz Band
Kay Dominguez, conductor
You Raise Me Up,
arranged by Mike Smukal
Scarborough Fair,
arranged by Carl Strommeh
What a Wonderful World,
arranged by Rick Stitzel
I Stand Alone,
arranged by Mike Lewis
Third Stage: Singing and Dancing
A Little Jazz Mass
Arranged by Bob Chilcott
Bob Chilcott’s jazz influences come to the fore in this concert setting of the Latin Missa brevis (brief mass). The five movements embrace a variety of jazz styles. The Kyrie has a real grove, the Gloria swings, the Sanctus sits right back, the Benedictus hums along, and the Agnus Dei draws inspiration from the blues.
Dance Today With Joy
Arranged by Vijay Singh
“Dance today with joyful heart, the world of man rejoices in song!”
I Sing Because I’m Happy
Arranged by Rollo Dillworth
We conclude with this lively gospel-style interpretation of the hymn, His Eye is on the Sparrow.
“I sing Because I’m Happy. I sing Because I’m Free. His Eye is on the Sparrow,
And I Know He Watches Me”
Santa Ynez Valley Chorale
Hyejin Jung, Conductor
Hyejin Jung is renowned for her musical, effortless, and energetic conducting style. In addition to conducting the Santa Ynez Valley Chorale, Jung is the choir conductor for the Miracle LA Church in Los Angeles and an assistant conductor for the Korean Community Christian Singers Los Angeles. Both an instrumental and choral conductor, she was a fellow conductor at the 2023 Chorus America Choral-Orchestra Academy and the 2019 Seoul Oratorio Festival.
Erin Bonski, Piano Accompanist
Erin Bonski is a professional musician located in Santa Barbara, CA, where she serves as adjunct faculty at Westmont College, and works as a collaborative pianist and vocal coach with local arts organizations, including Ensemble Theatre Company.
Chorale Members
Sopranos
Barbara Brown
Betina Heron
Kathryn Imani
Carlene Jones
Anne Nicholas
Alice Olla
Altos
Terry Billings
Linda Boyd
Theresa Duer
Arwen Lewis
Mary Nash
Inge Plier
Becky Reid
Deborah Wilson
Tenors & Bases
Kay Dominguez, Tenor
David Ewell, Bass
Joon Kang, Tenor
Richard Lane, Bass
Special Guests
Santa Ynez Valley Jazz Band
Kay Dominguez,
conductor & trombone
Tristan Abello, drums
Geoffrey Ball, trombone
Nikki Ball, flute
Sam Bassett, alto saxophone
Alexis Kait, tenor saxophone
Judy Mayeda, piano
Elias Rodriguez, trumpet
Vianney Rodriguez, alto saxophone
Patricia Silva, trumpet
Zane St Andre Jackson, tenor saxophone
Chorale Patrons
We extend our deepest appreciation to all our patrons who have contributed to the Santa Ynez Valley Chorale.
Join our community of supporters.
Donate today!
Ann Becker
Emily and Neal Abello
Michael and Janet Rogers
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Martin
Ms. Barbara A. Anderson
Ms. Linda Hanly
Pam Anderson
Karin Aitken
Walt and Kay Alves
Cherie Bonazzola
Ms. Margaret Gadberry
Patrick Garvey
Robert and Linda Leite
Gene and Harriett Madsen
Mr. Joe Olla & Alice J. Olla
Nicole Pena
Ingeborg Plier
Ms. Sharon L. Price
Stanley and Karen Roberts
Ms. Patricia R. Synder
Elaine Taylor
Ms. Judy A. Duffy
Ms. Heather Bedford
Mark Braun & Associates
Mrs. Judith Dale
Nancy Emerson
Marjorie Johnson
Mr. G Paraskou & Ms. M.Minor
David and Lisa Pedersen
Bent and Lisa Pedersen
James and Marietta Richard
Jan & Mike Sexton
JoAnn Taylor
Mr. and Mrs. Verkler
Edward and Linda Barber
Robert and Debbie Esser
Evelyn and Larry Foster
Sid and Karen Goldstien
Craig Scott
Mr. William Theeringer
Mrs. Helen Townsend
Ron and Betty Ziegler
Elizabeth Crooke
Robert Kvaas
Janet E. Olivera
Ruth H. Rubey
Mr. Alvin Salge
Bobbi & Ken Hunter
Robert Kvaas
Greg and Theresa Duer
Richard and Gina Lane
Institutional Donors
The Ann Jackson Family Foundation
The Santa Ynez Valley Foundation
The Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts:
A field of interest fund of the Santa Barbara Foundation
Christian Science Society of Solvang:
Doris M. Di Stefano Legacy Fund