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Camille Saint-Saëns – Christmas Oratorio

The Worthington Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir, directed by David M. Rives.

No. 1 Prelude

[mp3]

No. 2 Recitative and Chorus

Kyle Stegall, Carolyn Redman, Ann Ickes, Rob Fischer

No. 3 Air

[mp3]

Carolyn Redman

No. 4 Air and Chorus

Kyle Stegall

No. 5 Benedictus

[mp3]

Rebecca Eaddy, Errin Brooks

No. 6 Chorus

[mp3]

No. 7 Trio

Rebecca Eaddy, Kyle Stegall, Errin Brooks

No. 8 Quartet

[mp3]

Ann Ickes, Sharon Tipton, Deanna Olson, Rob Fischer

No. 9 Quintet and Chorus

[mp3]

Rebecca Eaddy, Carolyn Redman, Sandy Byers, Jeff Johnson, Kevin Wadsworth

No. 10 Chorus

[mp3]


Saint-Saëns’ Christmas Oratorio

The Christmas Oratorio by Camille Saint–Saëns (1835–1921) was written in 1858, and was originally scored for soloists, chorus, harp, organ and string quartet. It opens with a pastoral prelude followed by soloists who tell the familiar story of the shepherds abiding in the field and the angel’s appearance accompanied by the heavenly host singing the first chorus, “Glory to God in the Highest.” A series of beautiful arias, duets and a mighty chorus follow until the solo trio sings “My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord” accompanied by harp. A solo quartet and quintet continue the work, joined by full chorus in the final “Alleluia”. A most beautiful and enduring work that captures the magic and mystery of the Christmas story.

Chancel Choir Members

Soprano

Sandy Bell, Susan Boisvert, Elaine Bowers, Charlotte Conaway, Judy Furnas, Carol Hamilton, Juanita Harrison, Sue Henderson, Sally Hough, Ann Ickes, Carol Mead, Lora Mitchell, Donna Preissle, Sue Rapier, Marcia Smith, Pat Stenner, Sharon Tipton, Janet Wise.

Alto

Jean Arthur, Lorel Au, Joyce Blackmore, Eleanor Buford, Sandy Byers, Brenda Galbo, Carol Galligher, Edna Hill, Sandy Hindall, Sue Lair, Charlene McLeod, Beth Murphy, Deanna Olson, Thelma Patrick, Laura Schlader, Lori Sheppard, Carolyn Taylor, Sue Wilson.

Tenor

Chuck Evans, Scot Hindall, Jeff Johnson, John Laughman, Steve Moore, Jody Patrick, Drew Sheppard, Chuck Stenner, Taylor Surface, Bill Yost.

Bass

Don Anderson, Dave Arthur, Roger Au, Bill Ausich, John Beck, Randy Bell, Bob Bowers, Duane Cable, Gene Davis, Rob Fischer, Bob Hamilton, Rodney Harrison, Steve Hindall, Fred Hofer, Lynn Jones, Paul McCormick, Steve Moore, Bob Murphy, John Puleo, Dick Surface, Bob Vertrees, Kevin Wadsworth.

Orchestra

Concertmaster

David Edge

Violin I

David Edge, Jonquil Tanner, Olev Viro

Violin II

Nora Calvert, Irina Sheutchenko, Gail Stadelman

Viola

Vanessa Ripley, Ann Schnapp

Cello

Terri Boselli

Bass

Jean-Etienne Lederer

Harp

Jeanne Norton

Organ

Brett Greene

Soloists

Rebecca Eaddy,

soprano, is a first year graduate student at Bowling Green State University, studying voice with Myra Merritt. Originally from Milan, Michigan, she received a bachelor’s degree in voice performance with teacher certification from the University of Michigan. Rebecca has been a member of the Michigan Opera Theater since 2005 and will make her Bowling Green State University Opera debut in the role of Adina in Donizetti's "The Elixir of Love" this February.

Ann Ickes,

soprano, graduated from Otterbein with a degree in music, where she sang in such operas as The Medium and The Student Prince. She pursued further voice study at Kent State University, Louisville, Kentucky and Germany. Ann has served as a church choir director and has performed with numerous choral organizations.

Sharon Tipton,

soprano, has performed with choral groups since her college days in Syracuse, New York where she sang with the Syracuse Symphony Chorus and a local opera group. She was a soloist and ensemble singer with a choral society in Hanover, New Hampshire, and she has been a member of the Columbus Symphony Chorus for many years.

Sandy Byers,

alto, has had wide-ranging musical experiences, from 8 years of violin to 2 years of Eb tuba, to private voice lessons at Colgate Divinity School to organizing a chorus of nurses while studying at New York Hospital. Sandy has been active in the Worthington community and professionally as a nursing administrator, educator and parish nurse.

Deanna Olson,

alto, has been singing solos in church since the age of 8. She earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Murray State University and a Master of Arts in Music Education from The Ohio State University. Deanna was a music education specialist for thirty-two years, and in the year of her retirement, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra presented her with the 2004 Elementary Music Educator Award.

Carolyn Redman,

alto, is an Ohio native and graduate of The Ohio State University’s graduate vocal performance program. She has also been a featured soloist in oratorios and other concert works with groups such as Cantari Singers, Denison University, Columbus Bach Ensemble, Marion Civic Chorus, Master Singers, Inc. Chorale, Saint Joseph Cathedral, and the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. She also serves on the voice faculty of Kenyon College.

Jeff Johnson,

tenor, has been a long time singer in Worthington Presbyterian Church choirs - under five directors! He also sang with the Columbus Symphony Chorus for 10 years with several special small groups. He has performed with The Ohio State University music faculty in a Gershwin "Porgy and Bess" tribute and Peter Schickele’s, PDQ Bach "Leibesleider Polkas for small chorus and piano five hands".

Kyle Stegall,

tenor, is pursuing a master of music in vocal performance at the University of Michigan. He has performed with the Bay Area Summer Opera Theatre, Opera in the Ozarks, the Columbia Civic Orchestra, the Missouri Symphony Society and the Odyssey Chamber Music Series, as well as university productions. Upcoming performances include the Bach Cantata 147 with the U of M Orpheus Singers and Gluck’s “Armide” with the university’s opera theatre.

Errin Brooks,

baritone, discovered his love for music growing up in the church as a young boy. He decided to go into opera while earning his bachelor of Music Degree from Madonna University in Livonia, MI, just outside his hometown, Detroit. He has sung with the Comic Opera Guild and Michigan Opera Theatre as a chorus member. Upcoming roles will be Belcore in Donizetti's "Leloir D'Amore" in the spring of 2010 with BGSU, where he is earning his Masters in Music.

Rob Fischer,

baritone, is Production Manager at Emerson Network Power in Delaware, Ohio. At age 14, Rob was the youngest wind player (Bass Trombonist) ever to play in the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra and he has performed numerous times as part of the Mansfield Symphony Chorus. Rob was principle trombonist with the McDonald's All-American High School Band performing in Carnegie Hall in 1980, and played lead trombone in the OSU Jazz Lab Ensemble for two years.

Kevin Wadsworth,

baritone, has been singing in church choir since first grade. Professionally, he is a licensed professional engineer with a degree in Chemical Engineering from The Ohio State University. He works at Ashland Inc. in Dublin as a Senior Team Manager in the Global Technology department and has been married to his lovely wife Tammy for 13 years; they have a daughter named Amy.