Sunday, May 18, 2025, 2 pm
Cincinnati Music Hall
Matthew Swanson, conductor
Jason Alexander Holmes, conductor
Lisa Peters, conductor
May Festival Chorus
May Festival Chamber Choir
Matthew Swanson, director
Heather MacPhail, pianist
May Festival Youth Chorus
Jason Alexander Holmes, director
David Kirkendall, pianist
Cincinnati Boychoir
Lisa Peters, director
Sara Cahall, pianist
Buy Tickets
Traditional Song (arr. Block, Holmes and Swanson)
This Little Light of Mine *
Kathy Dietrich, soloist
Ephraim AMU (1899–1995)
Asεm Yi Di Ka
Natalie HEMBY (b. 1977), Lori McKENNA (b. 1968), Brandi CARLILE (b. 1981) (arr. Ramsey)
Crowded Table
Grace Manning, soloist
Sarah QUARTEL (b. 1982) (Text: E. Pauline Johnson, poet)
Bird’s Lullaby
Henry PURCELL (1659–1695)
Evening Hymn
Traditional Song (arr. von Kampen)
Every Night When the Sun Goes In *
Cassandra Bailey-Langjahr and Margaret Eilert, soloists
Morten LAURIDSEN (b. 1943) (Text: Dana Gioia, poet)
Prayer
LAURIDSEN (Text: James Agee, poet)
Sure on this Shining Night
Alfred SCHNITTKE (1934–1998)
Movement IV, “Complete this Work,” from Concerto for Choir
Shayla BLAKE and Patricia MOCK
Bring Your Dreams Along
Abbie BETINIS (b. 1980)
Lumen
Pēteris VASKS (b. 1946) (Text: Jānis Peters, librettist)
Māte saule (“Mother Sun”)
Lili BOULANGER (1893–1918)
Hymne au Soleil (“Hymn to the Sun”)
Megan Lawson, soloist
Susan LaBARR (b. 1981) (Text: Jan Richardson, author)
Where the Light Begins
Stephen PAULUS (1949–2014) (Text: Michael Dennis Browne, librettist)
“Hymn to the Eternal Flame” from To Be Certain of the Dawn
Dawn Bruestle, Grace Guthrie, Julia Marchese and Kristi Reed, soloists
Ben PARRY (b. 1965)
Flame
Luther Ronzoni VANDROSS (1951–2005) (arr. Block, Holmes and Swanson)
“Brand New Day” from The Wiz *
* The arrangements of “This Little Light of Mine,” “Every Night When the Sun Goes In” and “Brand New Day” are world premieres.
Tonight’s concert will last approximately 90 minutes. There is no intermission.
Today’s concert is sponsored by Chris and Beth Canarie.
The 2025 May Festival is presented by Fort Washington Investment Advisors.
The 2025 May Festival is sponsored by Chavez Properties.
Thank you to the 2025 Festival Director Sponsor: A Friend of the May Festival
The appearance of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is generously supported by the
Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund of the Greenacres Foundation.
David von Kampen’s arrangement of “Every Night When the Sun Goes In” was commissioned through
the support of Sherry and Mark Holcomb.
The appearance of Matthew Swanson in today’s performance is sponsored by David and Elaine Billmire.
The appearance of Jason Alexander Holmes in today’s performance is sponsored by Connico, Bryan Hafertepe & Graham Hunter in honor of the Cincinnati Boychoir’s 60th Anniversary.
The appearance of Lisa Peters in today’s performance is sponsored by The Board of Directors of the
Cincinnati Boychoir.
The appearance of the May Festival Youth Chorus in today’s performance is sponsored by Dr. Rob and Ashley Altenau Family with additional support from the Beatrice Aldrink Idema Foundation.
The appearance of the Cincinnati Boychoir Ambassadors in today’s performance is made possible in part by a generous gift from Dr. Thomas Lesher.
Steinway Pianos, courtesy of Willis Music, is the official piano of the May Festival.
Support the May Festival with a gift today!
Financial support beyond ticket sales ensures that the May Festival can continue to present vibrant Festivals at the highest level, reach new audiences, and offer community participation in the May Festival Chorus and Youth Chorus, cost-free!
Discover all of the benefits of giving and learn more about sponsorship opportunities to support the May Festival at mayfestival.com/support.
