Belmont University School of Music presents
Bel Canto & Chorale Belonging
Belmont University School of Music
Bel Canto Dr. Lesley Mann, conductor An Die Musik Sami Copeland**, piano
We are Home Sami Copeland**, piano Wesley Miller, percussion
On Children
Franz Schubert (1797-1828) arr. Craig Courtney
Jenni Brandon (b. 1977)
Ysaÿe Barnwell (b. 1946)
Plena
Diana V. Sáez (b. 1961) Sami Copeland**, piano Wesley Miller, percussion
Desert Song
säje Logan Bachman, guitar
Sunday October 25, 2026 5:00 P.M. McAfee Concert Hall
We Belong
Dan Navarro & Eric Lowen (b. 1952), (b. 1951) arr. Micky Mahan* Izzy Worden, solo Sami Copeland**, piano *Belmont School of Music Student **Belmont School of Music Alumna
A Note from Conductor Lesley Mann This semester’s Bel Canto program explores an essential dimension of the human condition: belonging. Our need to feel a sense of place, both figurative and literal, is a hallmark of selfactualization, and this program features six pieces that demonstrate various aspects of community. As we’ve prepared for this concert, members of Bel Canto have written program notes, completed poetic analysis, and explored the compositional techniques of each piece to seek how they communicate these ideas. Additionally, they have increased their sense of community with each other by deepening their conversation skills and exploring art in community through album listening sessions, visits to art museums and more. We invite you into our community today to be with us for the ephemeral experience of music - we are grateful to sing together and grateful for your presence.
Program Notes A timeless and poignant piece written by Franz Schubert in 1817, “An Die Musik” (English: “ToMusic”/Español: “A La Música”) was originally written as a solo lied, a German art song, and arranged for choir by Craig Courtney in 2016. Set to a poem by Franz von Schober (a friend of Schubert’s), its lyrics speak to the joyful and life-giving nature of creating and experiencing art, especially in times of sadness or distress: “Often a sigh escaping from your harp, a sweet, celestial chord, has revealed to me a heaven of happier times.” It is a sweet and emotional reminder of the ways in which music can be a comfort and a refuge. Jenni Brandon’s masterful composition, “We Are Home,” was commissioned in 2014 by Vox Femina, an all-female chorus in Los Angeles, with words written and inspired by the choir members. It serves as a proud declaration of femininity; female unity; and connection, both to the women who came before us and those who we live life with daily, our “chosen sisters.” In its lyrics, it describes a group of women who feel like a sanctuary, like a refuge, like home, and finding one’s place within such a community. The lyrics of “On Children” come from Kahlil Gibran’s 1923 book of prose, The Prophet, one of the best-selling books in history. Barnwell’s simplistic composition without flair or flourish is written with much thought, allowing its hard-hitting lyrics to take center stage. The reminder goes out to all parents (though it could be found applicable to anyone who holds a position of mentorship or leadership), emphasizing the truth that their children are not necessarily going to grow up to behave or think or believe in the same way that they do and beseeching them to treat their children as the individuals that they are. Grammy Award-nominated “Desert Song” was written by the four members of the vocal jazz supergroup, säje, and released in 2020. Sung over a simple guitar accompaniment, “Desert Song” is a deceptively difficult piece to perform, with tight and beautifully dissonant harmonies. This piece—the first that Bentlage, Cazarek, Kendrick, and Taylor wrote together—paints a picture of a desert, warm and singing of home and love, in opposition to the oft-romanticized but realistically deadly ocean; according to the songwriters, the ocean signifies a long-held
pattern of trying to find worth in their relationships with men, while the desert is a representation of the joy they eventually found in community with one another. Puerto Rican composer Diana V. Sáez published “Plena” in 2011, based on the traditional Puerto Rican plena style of music which originated at the end of the 1800s. In traditional form, the plena is often referred to as a “sung newspaper” due the way original writers used songs in the style to tell stories of current events; however, this particular piece has more simplistic lyrics, inviting the listeners to join in: dancing, playing instruments, and enjoying themselves. Sáez takes advantage of the vast capability of the human voice to mimic instruments like string bass, trumpet, and tambourine. Originally performed by Pat Benatar on her 1984 album Tropico, “We Belong” is a classic and one of the songs for which Benatar was most well-known. The lyrics tell a story of two people, though they have many disagreements and differences, admitting that they belong with each other despite all of it. It showcases a high level of commitment to another person and a willingness to work through difficulties rather than giving up on a relationship because of them. This particular arrangement of the piece, written by Belmont composition student Micky H. Mahan, was arranged specifically for Bel Canto. Program Notes by Mary Blakely Heuer, sophomore, Music Education major, and soprano 2 section leader
Chorale Dr. Jeffery L. Ames, conductor A Note from Conductor Jeffery Ames The fall semester has provided Chorale with a rich and demanding performance schedule. In Week 6, the ensemble joined forces with Dr. Christopher Fashun and the Belmont University Symphony Orchestra for Jocelyn Hagen's compelling contemporary work, The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci. This expansive 40-minute composition featured the choir in eight of its nine movements and offered a remarkable opportunity for artistic collaboration. In many ways, Chorale found a sense of belonging within the larger musical community formed by Dr. Fashun and the Symphony Orchestra. Yet over the past month, as the ensemble has navigated the challenges of preparing another ambitious contemporary work, something equally meaningful has emerged. Through sustained effort, shared accomplishment, and a commitment to one another, Chorale has grown closer as a community, deepening its sense of belonging and strengthening the bonds that unite its members both musically and personally.
Gloria
Hyo-Won Woo (b. 1974)
Hyo-Won Woo’s Gloria, written in 2002 for the Asian Youth Choir concert tour, is a threemovement a cappella piece centered on the traditional latin Gloria text from the mass ordinary. Rather than presenting the text in its traditional liturgical order, Woo rearranges and repeats portions of the text to create a dramatic spiritual narrative centered on Christ. The work begins with an atmosphere of longing, portraying humanity calling out for the promised Savior; the second movement turns inward and mournful as the text focuses on Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe (Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ), reflecting on Christ’s death and the sorrow of those who contemplate His sacrifice; and the final movement transforms this sorrow into joyful praise, ending in an energetic celebration of God’s glory. Woo uses a distinct combination of Western choral techniques and traditional Korean musical elements, incorporating Korean pentatonic scales which produces a series of overlapping fourths resulting in quartal harmonies, jangdan rhythmic patterns, and sikimsae, or Korean-style melodic ornamentation, along with Western imitation and counterpoint. This blending of traditions gives the piece both a distinctly Korean character and a unique presentation of the Gospel. Ultimately, Gloria moves from anticipation (Jesus’ birth), through sorrow (Jesus’ death), and into triumphant joy (Jesus’ resurrection), musically expressing the story of Christ and the believer’s response of awe, gratitude, and praise. Program Notes by Isabelle Ignatowski, Graduate Choral Assistant
Please Hold Applause until the Conclusion of Movement III I.
Gloria in excelsis Deo Bray Stratton, tenor Audrey Smith, soprano
Gloria in excelsis Deo Et in terra pax hominibus Bonæ voluntatis Laudamus te, benedicimus te, Adoramus te, glorificamus te, Gratias agimus tibi Propter magnam, gloriam tuam Domine Deus, Rex cælestis, Deus Pater omnipotens, Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe, Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris
Glory to God in the highest And on earth peace To people of good will We praise you, we bless you We adore you, we glorify you We give you thanks For you great glory Lord, God, heavenly King O God, almighty Father Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son Lord God, Lamb of God Son of the Father
II.
Qui tollis peccata mundi
Ethan Bunch, bass Norah Armstrong, Isabelle Ignatowski, and Audrey Smith, treble trio Layla Watson and Jill Wilson, duo
Qui tollis peccata mundi, Miserere nobis Qui tollis peccata mundi, Suscipe deprecationem nostram, Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, Miserere nobis III.
You take away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us You take away the sins of the world, Receive our prayer You are seated at the right hand of the Father Have mercy on us
Cum Sancto Spiritu Quoniam tu solus Sanctus, Tu solus Dominus, Tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe, cum sancto Spiritu: In gloria Dei Patris. Amen.
For you alone are the Holy One, You alone are the Lord, You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit In the glory of God the Father. Amen
Bel Canto Personnel Annagrace Abernathy Chloe Adams Georgie Ascoli Milena Aspra-Ceron Mae Barrameda Molly Bartsch Nora Bell Shira Binshtein Sarah-Frances Blevins Raegan Boley Annelise Brown Maddie Brown Ava Burns Madelyn Byrne* Kasandra Campos Laney Caron Hayden Casey Annie Ciani-Dausch Emma Clements*
Business Admin Commercial Music Music Technology Commercial Music Commercial Music Music Business Music Performance Theatre Performance Commercial Music Commercial Music Architecture Commercial Music Journalism Commercial Music Music Business Music Performance Commercial Music Commercial Music Music Therapy
Summertown, TN Denver, CO Richmond, VA Pearland, TX Durham, NC Murfreesboro, TN Pittsburgh, PA Franklin, TN Louisville, KY Des Moines, IA Lexington, KY Melissa, TX Lake in the Hills, IL Woodbridge, VA Houston, TX St. Louis, MO Bentonville, AR Bethesda, MD Bentonville, AR
Sophia Conn Senna Curlee Olivia Cushman Carlie DiMartino Sashah Elabd Isabella Estepp Julia Florio Addison Gardner Emy Gardner Isabella Geller* Layla Griffey Maya Griffon Kayla Hanslow Maggie Hanson Sophia Hartsfield Maddie Harvey Mikayla Hauger Christina Haynes Mary Blakely Heuer* Haileeanah Howard Bella Huddleston Ruby Johnston Lia Juan Sophia Julius Cecilia King Delaney Leffler Landry Lenz Anslei Leonard May Lightle Anna Locklear Natasha Lumb Sydney Malone Lola Mason Maeve McCall Kaia McCann Eliana McCauley Riley McConnell Caroline McKendry Kira Miller Piper Milligan Belle Modeen Macie Moon Molly Morgan Tessa Murphy
Music Education Publishing Music Therapy Commercial Music Commercial Music Commercial Music Commercial Music Music Therapy MM in Music Composition Music Education Music Education Commercial Music Music Business Commercial Music Music Business Music Therapy Music Business & Social Media Management Music Education Music Education Commercial Music & Music Education Music Business Audio Engineering Music Education Commercial Music Music Education Theatre and Drama Music Therapy Marketing Commercial Music Music Education Psychology Music Business & Commercial Music Music Business Motion Picture Production Commercial Music Music Business Theatre Perf. & Directing Commercial Music Mathematics & Sec. Ed. Commercial Music Music Business B.A. in Music Commercial Music Music Business
Summerville, SC Fort Worth, TX Alexandria, VA New Hyde Park, NY College Station, TX Florence, KY Long Island, New York Louisville, Kentucky Augusta, GA Fort Wayne, IN Knoxville, TN Fowlerville, MI Nolensville, TN Houston, TX Denver, CO St. Francisville, LA Columbia, MO Asheville, NC Santa Rosa, CA Shipshewana, IN Winchester, VA Boise, ID Chicago, IL Vienna, VA Charleston, SC Benton, IL Minocqua, WI Selmer, TN Olathe, KA Rocky Mount, VA Chicago, IL Laguna Nigel, CA Fort Worth, TX Fort Worth, TX Kauai, HI Downers Grove, IL Kansas City, KS Cleveland, Ohio Houston, TX Knoxville, TN Superior, WI Seattle, WA Sumrall, MS Croghan, NY
Pancy Pan Daisy Pisapia Lilly Quirey Emma Ramsey Sophie Reynolds Gloria Rodriguez Abby Rothermel Madelyn Santella Sophia Scheinberg Jaley Seaton Julianne Senter Maura Sheppard Victoria Sims Ava Smith Sage Talamanco Mattie Taylor Amelia Walls Kinsley Ward Ella Warden Harmony White Kenna Whitten Anna Wiggins Izzy Worden
Music Technology Music Education Commercial Music Music Business Music Therapy Music Business Music Education Music Education Music Business Commercial Music Commercial Music Commercial Music Commercial Music Journalism Commercial Music Commercial Music Commercial Music Audio Engineering Technology Commercial Music Commercial Music Undeclared Music Education Commercial Music
Shanghai, China Madison, TN Indianapolis, IN Saint Louis, MO Nashville, TN Oak Park, IL Seattle, WA Chicago, IL Wethersfield, CT Barnesville, GA Rogers, AR Wheaton, IL Cullman, AL Lexington, KY Staten Island, NY Mitchell, NE Winter Haven, FL Kansas City, MO Saratoga Springs, NY Clarkton, MO Hernando, MS Cookeville, TN Omaha, NE
* Section Leader
Chorale Personnel Norah Armstrong Keaton Bradford Baylee Broom Ethan Bunch* Ana Sophia Butkus Abby Carswell Emma Cervone Leila Collins Olivia Cotton*+ Jordan Darnell*+ Nandi Dube Caleb Flores Ryan Flynn* Kelly Fox Joshua Fraze Katelyn Glass
Commercial Music Commercial Music Commercial Music Music Business Music Business Music Education Media & Entertainment Industries Commercial Music Commercial Music Commercial Music Legal Studies & Theatre Music Technology Audio Engineering Technology English & German Music Business Music Education
Wayne, NE Lee's Summit, MO Grand Prairie, TX Springdale, AR Meriden, CT Montgomery, TX Southampton, NY Greenville, SC Dayton, OH Birmingham, AL Appleton, WI Birmingham, AL Charleston, SC Honey Brook, PA Atlanta, GA Friendswood, TX
Kamrin Gordon Eva Grossardt Mason Hockett Colby Hurt* Isabelle Ignatowski** Lincoln Karlovsky Bergin Kleis Jolie Kymer Katherine Light* Lily Lipscomb Robson Little Micky Mahan Danny Mantel Alex Marcis Bryce Merrill Andrew Obringer Mofetioluwa Odusola Thatcher Paisley Caroline Raus Gabriel Rivas Ella Seely* James Shepard Gyanna Simmons Audrey Smith Shalaki Soukup Riley Spannuth Nathan Sprouse Eva Stone Bray Stratton Grace Sun Isabella Swarthout Kiara Valladares Layla Watson Aimee Weaver Jill Wilson* Wesleigh Jane Winfrey Camden Wright
Commercial Music Music Performance Motion Pictures Finance & Marketing MM in Music Teaching Data Science Publishing Commercial Music Music Education & Music Performance Music Performance Music Technology Composition Theatre Performance Music Business Commercial Music Accounting Commercial Music Undeclared Music Education Audio Engineering Technology Psychology & Neuroscience Media & Entertainment Industries & Music Business Music Performance Music Performance Masters in Audio Engineering Marketing Audio Engineering Technology Media Production International Business & Music Composition Music Technology Music Therapy Music Performance Commercial Music Music Education Music Composition Music Performance Musical Theatre * Section Leader **Graduate Choral Assistant + 2026-2027 Chorale Scholar
Georgetown, TX Aurora, CO Wheaton, IL Amarillo, TX Gettysburg, PA Fox River Grove, IL Des Moines, IA Waxhaw, NC Nashville, TN Mount Juliet, TN Visalia, CA Mount Juliet, TN Wheaton, IL Long Island, NY Confier, CO Chattanooga, TN Orland Park, IL Franklin, TN Charleston, SC Baltimore, MD Franklin, TN Norfolk, VA Fort Worth, TX Cincinnati, OH Emmetsburg, IA Blandon, PA Fishersville, VA Orange County, CA Austin, TX Seattle, WA Edwardsville, IL Sherwood, OR Greensboro, NC Prior Lake, MN Charleston, SC Des Moines, IA Castle Rock, CO
Upcoming Concerts & Events Music and Discourse: Dr. Tony Moreira "From Tradition to Innovation: Samba de Côco’s Role in Expanding Contemporary Composition"
Monday, October 26, 10:00 a.m. Hitch 130
Jazz Small Group I & Jazz String Quartet Monday, October 26, 7:30 p.m. Harton Recital Hall Voxology Wednesday, October 26, 7:30 p.m. Massey Concert Hall Southbound Friday, October 30, 7:30 p.m. Massey Concert Hall Music City Brass Ensemble Fanfare & Fury Sunday, November 1, 2:00 p.m. McAfee Concert Hall Belmont Opera Scenes Opera Around the World Monday, November 2, 7:30 p.m. Massey Concert Hall