Hodie, Christus Natus Est 

Hodie Christus natus est.
Hodie salvator apparuit.
Hodie in terra canunt angeli,
letantur archangeli.
Hodie exultant justi, dicentes
gloria in excelsis deo.
Alleluya.

Today Christ is born.
Today the savior has appeared.
Today the angels sing on earth,
the archangels rejoice.
Today good people exult, saying,
"Glory to God in the highest."
Alleluia.

Dr. Healey Willan is considered one of the masters of 20th-century Canadian composition. Composer, organist, choral conductor, and teacher, Willan was originally born in England. Throughout his life, he maintained that he was born with the ability to read music, though none of his forebears were musicians. From an early age, he studied piano and organ and began directing choir practices at the age of eleven. His dream of becoming a concert pianist was squandered when he sustained a forearm injury, limiting the use of his right hand. As an organist-choirmaster and composer, he quickly gained a reputation for his expertise in incorporating plainsong in English in his church services. This plainchant influence in his works can be heard in many of his works, including the one you will hear tonight.

(www.healeywillansociety.com)

“Hodie Christus Natus Est” is a Gregorian chant sung at Christmastime; this joyful Latin phrase translates to “Today Christ is born.” The piece is written for four-part mixed voices (SATB) a cappella. Willan’s setting illustrates the exuberant excitement of the announcement primarily in its metrical changes, dramatic and sudden, dynamic shifts, and harmonic swells. Its metrical ambiguity amplifies the suspense and drama of the work, as meter changes, tempo shifts, and fermati keep the listener acutely engaged.

The Savior’s Birth

Christus natus est,
hodie Salvator apparuit.
Venite in Bethlehem;
natum videte Regem Angelorum.
Puer natus est nobis,
puer natus est in Bethlehem,
Hic jacet in praesepio,
et vocabitur nomen ejus
Magni consilii Angelus.

Christ is born,
today the Savior appears.
Come to Bethlehem;
behold him, born the King of Angels.
A boy is born to us,
a boy is born in Bethlehem,
Here in a lowly manger lies,
and his name will be called
The Angel of Great Counsel.

-Music and text origination by Katie Johnston 

A Virginia native, Marques L. A. Garrett (b. 1984) is Associate Professor of Choral Studies at the University of North Texas. His responsibilities include conducting the University Singers and teaching graduate and undergraduate choral conducting. His previous appointments were at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and Cheyney University. Additionally, he holds a PhD in Music Education (Choral Conducting) from Florida State University, an MM from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a BA from Hampton University. Dr. Garrett is an avid composer of choral and solo-vocal music whose compositions have been performed to acclaim by high school all-state, collegiate, and professional choirs including Seraphic Fire, the Oakwood University Aeolians, and the National Lutheran Choir. His research mostly centers on the non-idiomatic choral music of black composers.

(www.mlagmusic.com)

Garrett’s “The Savior’s Birth” is a sacred setting based on the familiar Christmas spiritual, “Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow.” The piece combines traditional Latin texts of the season with the aforementioned spiritual, plus two additional Christmas Negro spirituals. In addition to the combination of texts, Garrett masterfully interweaves styles. You will hear sections which are derived from Gregorian chant, some that sound like 20th-century English choral music, and contrapuntal techniques which flow gracefully between the quoted spirituals.

Eight Days of Lights

Sh’monat y’ mei Chanukah,
Eight days of lights,
Haneirot halalu kodesh,
Eight sacred lights!

We give thanks to Your Name
for your miracles,
We give thanks to Your Name
for your wonders.

Sh’monat y’mei Chanukah,
Eight days of lights,
Haneirot halalu kodesh,
Eight sacred lights!

Liturgy – English adaptation by Judith Clurman 

Judith Clurman (b. 1953) is an Emmy and Grammy nominated conductor, vocal educator, and choral specialist. She conducts Essential Voices USA (EVUSA), The Symphony Singers, collaborates with the New York Pops on their Carnegie Hall subscription series and with the New York Philharmonic, and is a member of the faculty at the Manhattan School of Music. Among musical-theater professionals working on Broadway, David Chase (b. 1947) is considered a legend for the diversity of his talents and the brilliance he brings to any production. He has credits as a composer, lyricist, arranger, music director/musical supervisor, conductor, and musician. Chase’s musical theatre perspective can be heard in the sweeping harmonies and climactic arrivals in this arrangement. 

“Chanukah is a celebration of freedom. It marks the first successful battle for religious freedom in history. Through traditional songs, Jews recall their victory over the Syrian-Greeks and express joy in their deliverance. When the Maccabees rededicated the Temple, they rekindled the eternal light. Legend has it that there was only enough oil for one day, and it miraculously lasted for eight. This piece, written in 2018, celebrates the festival by the lighting of the eight sacred lights (candles) in the Chanukah menorah (candelabra). The text of “Eight Days of Lights” is taken from the liturgy combined with an English adaptation of that text.” 

- Judith Clurman

The Rose

The lily has a smooth stalk,
Will never hurt your hand;
But the rose upon her brier
Is lady of the land.

There’s sweetness in an apple tree,
And profit in the corn;
But lady of all beauty
Is a rose upon a thorn.

When with moss and honey
She tips her bending brier,
And half unfolds her glowing heart,
She sets the world on fire.

- Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)

Ola Gjeilo (b. 1978) is one of the most frequently performed composers in the choral world. An accomplished pianist, improvisations over his own published choral pieces have become a trademark of his collaborations. Although Norwegian by birth, it is perhaps Ola’s adopted country of America that has influenced the composer’s distinctive soundworld the most, evolving a style that is often described as cinematic and evocative, with a lush, harmonious sound. He currently lives in Laguna Beach, California. Ola is an exclusive Decca Classics artist, and his Decca choral albums include “Ola Gjeilo”, “Winter Songs” & “Dreamweaver”, featuring Tenebrae, Voces8 and the Choir of Royal Holloway, as well as the solo piano albums “Night” & “Dawn”. His global streams have now surpassed 230 million. (olagjeilo.com)

English romantic poet Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) is perhaps best-known for being the poet for the well-known Christmas carols In the Bleak Midwinter and Love Came Down at Christmas. This poem is Gjeilo’s favorite of Rossetti’s, and he sets it to lush choral harmonies and florid piano accompaniment. Gjeilo’s trademark illustrative lyrical quality of writing lends itself well to this particular poem, which is evocative and mysterious as well as beautiful.

Abreme la Puerta

Ábreme la puerta
que estoy en la calle
y dirá la gente
que esto es un desaire,
A la zarandela,
chiquita, de mi corazón.
Allá adentro veo un bulto tapao,
no sé si será un lechon asao

Open the door,
I am on the street
and people will say
this is a slight (a snub),
(dancing) to the rhythm
(shaking), sweetie, of
my heart. Inside I
see a covered shape.
I don’t know if it
could be a roasted piglet.

- Translation by Cristian Grases

Cristian Grases (b. 1973) is Associate Professor of Choral Music and Conductor of the Concert Choir at the University of Southern California, where he has served on faculty since 2010. Grases was born in Venezuela and earned degrees from the Simón Bolívar University (MM) in Caracas, Venezuela, and the University of Miami (DMA). He is an award-winning conductor and composer; numerous prestigious organizations have commissioned and performed his works, including the Santa Fe Desert Chorale and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. His choral series The Choral Music of Latin America and the Caribbean is published by Gentry Publications as an editorial outlet for Latin American choral repertoire.

“In Puerto Rico, as in many other Latin American countries, there are numerous types of Christmas songs. The majority of them are called aguinaldos and tend to be very rhythmic and festive. These are usually refrain songs with multiple verses and are performed accompanied with the Puerto Rican cuatro and percussion (bongo, maracas, panderos, and güiros). Traditionally, the group of singers performs aguinaldos very late at night throughout the month of December with the sole intention of waking up the owners of a house to receive food and drinks from them. The owners are supposed to invite them into their home, eat and drink with them, and hopefully join the group as they head to the next home; all this in the spirit of celebrating Christmas. Ábreme la Puerta is one of the most traditional aguinaldos in Puerto Rico.”

- Cristian Grases

Dr. Angela Batey is recognized as a prominent conductor, clinician, adjudicator and teacher whose wide variety of experience encompasses professional, university, high school, community and church choruses. Dr. Batey served ten years as Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences and is currently Associate Dean in the Natalie L. College of Music, Director of Graduate Studies, Director of Choral Activities, and James Cox Professor of Music. She conducts the Chamber Singers and teaches conducting courses at the graduate levels. Dr. Batey is also Director of Music at Farragut Presbyterian Church. 

She is a Past-President of the Tennessee American Choral Directors Association and is currently serving on the Executive Board of Southern Division ACDA.  Batey has been Associate Conductor of Schola Cantorum of Florida, a professional chorus and Associate Music Director of the Florida Ambassadors of Music, and Festival Director of the International Cathedral Music Festival.

Dr. Batey has appeared as a clinician for the American Choral Directors Association, South Carolina Music Educators Association, Florida Vocal Association, East Tennessee Vocal Association, West Virginia Vocal Association, Georgia Vocal Association, and is a frequent adjudicator, clinician and guest conductor of choral festivals, honors choirs and educational workshops. Her concern for excellence in education is the focal point of her teaching career.

Dr. Batey holds two degrees from Birmingham-Southern College in Music Education and Musical Theatre, a master's degree from The Florida State University in Music Education and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting from the University of South Carolina. In addition, she has studied Conducting with Hugh Thomas, Joseph Flummerfelt, Robert Shaw, Colleen Kirk, Clayton Krehbiel, Andre Thomas, Don V Moses and Larry Wyatt.

Dr. Laura Leigh Spillane is the Interim Associate Director of Choral Activities, Adjunct Assistant Professor, and Lecturer of Music Education at the University of Tennessee Haslam College of Music. Dr. Spillane teaches courses in music education, choral conducting, and graduate choral literature, and conducts the Concert Choir. Prior to joining the faculty at Tennessee, she taught courses and led ensembles at Saddleback College and the consortium of Claremont Colleges in southern California. She is the founding Artistic Director of Summit Choral Collective, a nonprofit community choral organization based in Knoxville.

A conductor, music educator, and soprano from Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Spillane previously served as a choral director at the middle and high school levels in the Fulton and Gwinnett County School Districts in Georgia and has served in professional church music for over a decade. She was honored as the inaugural recipient of the GA American Choral Directors Association Young Director Award in 2019. She maintains an active schedule as a clinician and adjudicator. 

Spillane holds the Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Music from the University of Southern California, where her fields of study were Musicology, Vocology, and Instrumental Conducting. Her dissertation research examined how trends in written range and tessitura impact vocal stamina in mixed-voice choral ensembles. She also holds the Master of Music degree in Conducting from the University of Georgia, where she was a Carl Hoveland Fellow and graduate assistant, and the Bachelor of Music Education degree from Reinhardt University, where she was a summa cum laude graduate. Her conducting teachers and mentors include Cristian Grases, Tram Sparks, Larry Livingston, Jo-Michael Scheibe, Nick Strimple, Daniel Bara, J.D. Burnett, and Martha Shaw. She is an active member of ACDA, ETVA, TnMEA, NAfME, and NCCO.

Professor Andrew Skoog made his New York debut at Carnegie Hall as tenor soloist in Handel's Messiah conducted by John Rutter, internationally acclaimed composer and conductor.  He returned to Carnegie Hall in 2005 as tenor soloist in Orff’s Carmina Burana, with Andrew Litton and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.  Since that time, Skoog has sung with orchestras all over the world, including the American Symphony Orchestra in Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center.  Skoog made his international debut in 2006 singing Carmina Burana in Bergen, Norway.  Critics hail him as ideal in Carmina Burana because of his "full, lyric delivery in the demanding, high tessitura," which he has performed all over the world, more than forty engagements. Additionally sought after for Handel’s Messiah, Skoog has performed this work throughout the United States.

Other performances include Rachmaninoff’s The Bells, Mendelssohn’s Die Erste Walpurgisnacht and Elijah, Berlioz’ Requiem, Britten’s Saint Nicolas and Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, Brahms’ Liebeslieder Waltzes, Mozart’s Requiem and Coronation Mass, Ramirez’s Misa Criolla, Dvorak’s Stabat Mater and Mass in D, Franck’s Die Sieben Worte Jesu am Kreuz, Rossini's Stabat Mater and Petite Messe Solonnelle, Beethoven's Christus am Ölberge and Mass in C Major, Bach's St. Matthew Passion (Evangelist), Verdi's Requiem, Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, and Bruckner's Te Deum. Mr. Skoog’s passionate, artistic performances of Benjamin Britten works have attracted attention, with praise for his performances.

Twice a Metropolitan Opera regional finalist, Skoog made his professional operatic debut as Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly.  His operatic credits include Sam Polk in Susannah, Alfred in Die Fledermaus, Camille in The Merry Widow, Tamino in Die Zauberflöte, Pong in Turandot, Satyavan in Savitri, The Prince in The Love for Three Oranges, The Teapot in L’Enfant et Les Sortileges, as well as roles in Carmen, The Pirates of Penzance, Rita, and Werther.  An alumnus of the Des Moines Metro Opera Apprentice Program, Skoog was a finalist in the Dallas Opera Career Development Grant Auditions and coached in master classes with John Wustman and the late Jerry Hadley.  

Skoog is a Sandra G. Powell Excellence Professor at the University of Tennessee. In 2011, he was the recipient of the School of Music Distinguished Faculty Award in Teaching awarded by the student body of the UT School of Music.  Before his appointment at Tennessee, Skoog was the Director of Choral Activities at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas. During his tenure there, his choirs performed in Carnegie Hall, Westminster Hall in London, England and for the MTNA National Conference in Dallas, Texas.

Dr. Jeffrey Pappas is the Natalie L. Haslam Founding Dean of the College of Music and co-director of UT Singers. Prior to his appointment at UT, he was the Chair of the Department of Music at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, and the Director of Choral Activities and Coordinator of Ensembles and Conducting at Ball State University where he conducted the Chamber Choir, taught upper-level undergraduate conducting, master’s and doctoral level choral literature and conducting, and administrated the choral area.  He has also served as the Director of Choral Activities at Mississippi State University and at Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa and on the music faculty at Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio.

His choirs have performed throughout the Midwest, in Southern California, Colorado, Atlanta and New Orleans, and in prestigious venues in Ireland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, France and Italy.  Pappas has presented at the International Vocal Symposium on three occasions and is frequently called on to be a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator at choral festivals, workshops, and competitions. A proponent of all styles of music, Pappas is particularly proud of the new works he has commissioned and/or conducted. 

Pappas has also been active in the American Choral Directors Association, serving as Repertoire and Standards Chairperson for 4-Year Colleges and Universities in Iowa and Mississippi, Membership Chair and President-Elect in Mississippi, the Repertoire and Standards Chair for Music and Worship for the Indiana Choral Directors Association and the Membership Chair for the Central Division. As a tenor soloist, his concert and/or opera performances have included Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte, Massenet’s Herodiade, Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s Mass in B Minor, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and Stravinsky’s Les Noces. 

He  holds a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from Northern Kentucky University, a Master of Music degree in choral conducting from the University of Illinois, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting and pedagogy from the University of Iowa. His conducting teachers have included William Hatcher, Don Moses, Chester Alwes and James Dixon.

Professor Andrea Markowitz Gantte co-directs the UT Singers vocal ensemble. She is a founding member and co-director of Summit Choral Collective, a nonprofit community choral organization based in Knoxville, Tennessee. In addition to teaching, she arranges music for contemporary choral ensembles and performs as a collaborative pianist for the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music at the University of Tennessee, St. Mark United Methodist Church, Tennessee Valley Players, and many schools and organizations across the East Tennessee region.

Gantte previously served as professor of music at Walters State Community College, Director of Choral Activities at Seymour High School, and Director of Music and Worship at St. Mark United Methodist Church. She has also performed as a vocal soloist and ensemble member in Knoxville and Chattanooga-based choral ensembles.

As a Knoxville native, Gantte dreamed of attending the University of Tennessee and is a proud alumna of the UT College of Music. She holds the Master of Music degree in music education, where she was a graduate teaching assistant and taught functional piano for music education majors, and a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance, where she received the prestigious Grace Moore vocal scholarship and was offered the national piano scholarship. Gantte graduated magna cum laude and was awarded the College of Music’s Outstanding Graduate Senior in Vocal Performance. She is a member of NAfME and ACDA.

Professor Shawn Turner is an alumnus of the UT College of Music, having completed a degree in Studio Music and Jazz.  He has experience teaching in middle and high school levels and is the lead male vocalist in Pinky Ring and Aftah Party, local professional entertainment bands performing classic and modern R&B, Funk and Soul musics.  He is also Artist in Residence at the Old City Performing Arts Center. Professor Turner has over twenty years of experience in church music ministry and currently serves as the Choir Director at Sevier Heights Baptist Church. He is excited to be joining the Choral Area of the College of Music in Fall 2023 as Director of Gospel Choir.

Sarah Kitts is a second-year Graduate Teaching Assistant from Seymour, Tennessee pursuing her master’s degree in Choral Conducting. She is a 2023 summa cum laude graduate from the University of Tennessee with her bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music Education. Ms. Kitts studied voice with Dr. Kimberly Roberts and was a part of various vocal ensembles in the university and around the Knoxville area. She served as a member of UT’s CNAfME (College National Association for Music Educators) chapter, as well as Women of UT Music, TMEA (Tennessee Music Educators Association), and ACDA (American Choral Directors Association). Additionally, she gained teaching experience in both Blount County and Knox County Schools at Heritage Middle school and Farragut High school where she taught and led multiple choirs. Ms. Kitts is actively involved in the music scene at UT as well as leading worship at her church. She is so honored to direct this year's Women’s Chorale and adores making musical memories with every single one of them.

Connor Cowart is a first-year Graduate Teaching Assistant from Seymour, Tennessee pursuing his master’s degree in Choral Conducting. He began his music career at Church Street United Methodist Church in the children's choir under the direction of Tim Ward and Dr. Edie Johnson and he is currently Director of Music at Broadway United Methodist Church in Maryville. Mr. Cowart attended Bearden High School in Knoxville, where he was active in the choral and theatre programs as well as the Tennessee All-East Honor choir and Tennessee All-State Honor choir. He recently graduated from Maryville College with a bachelor's degree in vocal music education. At Maryville, he participated in the Maryville College Concert Choir, as well as Off Kilter and Lads ensembles.