Pacific Choirs "The Longest Night"

Pacific Choirs

Brett Epperson, conductor

Monica Adams, collaborative piano

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

7:30 pm

Faye Spanos Concert Hall

Short reflections will be read between musical sections.

Pacific Singers

The Greenwood (1925) Amy Beach (1867–1944)

Leron, Leron Sinta (2013)

Sicut lilium inter spinas (1584)

Traditional Filipino Folk Song arr. Saunder Choi

Giovanni Pierlugi da Palestrina (1525–1594)

University Chorus

Brightest and Best (2016)

Izzy Knittle, violin

Pete Norman, contrabass

Anonymous arr. Shawn Kirchner

1992)

Pacific Singers

University Chorus

Jason Clayborn arr. Frances Fonza Smith Better (2022)

Pete Norman, drums

Victor Camacho, electric bass

Pacific Singers

Hunter Campbell, percussion

Diana Sáez (b. 1961)

Suzette Ortiz (b. 1960)

Prayer (2025)

University Chorus and Pacific Singers (no pauses between songs)

Hanna Havrylets (1958–2022)

Elaine Hagenberg (b. 1979)

Hunter Campbell, percussion

Brett D. Epperson (b. 1989)

PROGRAM NOTES

At the start of the fall academic semester, the hours of daylight are long and plentiful. The first number of weeks are hot and we can hardly wait until the sun’s intensity wanes, bringing cooler days and crisp falling leaves. As we manage our bursting-to-full schedules of the academic schedule, summer turns to fall, daylight savings time ends, and the balance of daylight to moonlight tilts in favor of the moon. The close of the semester coincides with our approach to the winter solstice: literally the longest night of the year.

Throughout each of our own inner lives, the progression of days that seem more full of daylight or darkness may or may not follow a similar arch to that of the earth as it tilts towards or away the sun. Sometimes, emotional sunshine peeks at us unexpectedly amidst a stretch of cloudy days—often through the thoughtful care of a friend or loved one. Other times, the world seems so full of unrelenting night and darkness, it feels like warmer and brighter days might not return.

But the beautiful inevitability of mother nature reminds us: brighter days are coming. While there must be a winter solstice—a true Longest Night, we might find reassurance that each of the days that follows adds a little more daylight until we will find ourselves again in the bloom of summer’s warmth.

May the music and community we share in this evening serve as a bit of light amidst this season of darkening days—and may we soon find ourselves singing together again in brighter days.

—Brett Epperson

Many thanks to the readers contributing to tonight's program:

Dr. Gretchen Edwalds-Gilbert, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Amara Lin '27 (Bachelor of Music, Music Therapy)

Robert McCarl '26 (Bachelor of Music, Music Education)

Beach: The Greenwood

O! when ‘tis summer weather, And the yellow bee, with fairy sound, The waters clear is humming round, And the cuckoo sings unseen, And the leaves are waving green—

O! then ‘tis sweet, In some retreat,

To hear the murmuring dove, With those whom on earth alone we love And to wind through the greenwood together. But when ‘tis winter weather, And crosses grieve, And friends deceive, And rain and sleet

The lattice beat— O! then ‘tis sweet

To sit and sing

Of the friends with whom, in the days of spring We roamed through the greenwood together.

—William Lisle Bowles

Choi: Leron, Leron Sinta

Leron, Leron sinta, buko ng papaya, Dala-dala’y buslo, sisidlan ng bunga.

Pagdating sa dulo’y, nabali ang sanga.

Kapos kapalaran, humanap ng iba.

Gumising ka, neneng; tayo’y manampalok.

Dalhin mo ang buslong, sisidlan ng hinog.

Pagdating sa dulo’y, lalamba-lambayog. Kumapit ka, neneng, baka ka mahulog.

Ang iibigin ko’y lalaking matapang.

Baril niya ay pito; sundang niya ay siyam. Ang lalakarin niya’y parte ng dinulang. Isang pinggang pansit ang kanyang kalaban.

—Traditional Tagalog Folk Song

Palestrina: Sicut lilium inter spinas

Sicut lilium inter spinas, sic amica mea inter filias.

Sicut malus inter ligna silvarum, sic dilectus meus inter filios.

Sub umbra illius quem desideraveram sedi et fructus eius dulcis gutturi meo.

—Song of Songs 2:2-3

Choi: Leron, Leron My Dear

Leron, Leron my dear, blossoms of the papaya tree, with a bamboo basket, he’d gather some fruits. But when he reached the top (of the tree), the branch broke.

Oh, what a trick of fate, he had to search for another.

Wake up, neneng (*girl) let’s pick some tamarind fruits. Take the bamboo baskets, to put the ripe ones in. Upon reaching the top (of the tree), the branches swayed heavily. Hold on tight, neneng, as you might fall.

The one I will love is a fearless man. He has seven guns and nine knives. The journey he will take is the distance of a table. A plate of noodles is his foe!

—trans. unknown

Palestrina: As the lily among thorns

As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. As the apple tree among the trees of the woods, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow, whom I desired: and his fruit was sweet to my palate. —trans. unknown

Kirchner: Brightest and Best

Hail the bless’d morn, see the great Mediator down from the regions of glory descend! Shepherds go worship the babe in the manger, lo, for his guard the bright angels attend.

Refrain:

Brightest and best of the stars of the morning, dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid. Star in the East, the horizon adorning, guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Cold on his cradle the dewdrops are shining, low lies his bed with the beasts of the stall. Angels adore him in slumber reclining, Maker, and Monarch, and Savior of all.

Refrain

Shall we not yield him, in costly devotion, odours of Edom and off’rings divine, Gems of the mountains and pearls of the ocean, myrrh from the forest and gold from the mine?

Refrain

—Reginald Heber

Cordero: Pastores

Pastores, cuiden al niño como cuidan su rebaño. El es el Cordero de Dios, Nuestro salvador.

Pastores, cuídenlo bien el trae amor y salvación, pero como lobos en la noche daño le harán.

Pastores, pastores, pastores, el Niño es santo. Es el Cordero de Dios.

Cuídenlo, cuídenlo, cuídenlo al rebaño.

Protégé al hijo de Dios, el trae la salvación.

Pastores, cuiden al niño como cuidan su rebaño.

—Carlos Cordero

Cordero: Shepherds

Shepherds, take care of the child like you take care of your herd. He is the Lamb of God, our savior.

Shepherds, take good care of him he brings love and salvation, but like wolves in the night they will harm you.

Shepherds, shepherds, shepherds, the Child is holy. He is the Lamb of God.

Take care of him, take care of him, like you take care of your herd.

Protect the child of God, he brings salvation.

Shepherds, take care of the child Like you take care of your herd.

—trans. Carlos Cordero

Runestad: Winter

When a dead tree crosswise in a living tree’s arms lies balefully bowing in the glade, winter seems colder, the earth a little older, the living more forgiving, and loving well made.

Smith: Better

—Todd Boss

People come, people go. Your life has been out of control. You’re confused, don’t worry your soul. It will get better, better. God is in control. Find a praise within your heart. Hold it close; don’t ever depart. It gets cold in the night, but you’ll be alright. It will get better, better. God is in control.

Whatever state I find myself in I’ve learned how to be secure, knowing that God will supply all my needs and He’ll work things out for my good. Better, better, it will get better, better. God is in control.

—Jason Clayborn

Sáez/Ortiz: Parranda

Esta es la parranda que viene de lejos, deseando a todos feliz año nuevo. Con sabor Boricua venimo’a cantar con mucha alegría en la Navidad.

Abréme la Puerta, abréme la Puerta que estoy en la calle y dirá la gente que esto es un desaire.

La la la la la la...

Señores adios porque ya nos vamos, todos los presents pasen feliz año. Dueño de la casa, dueño del hogar ahora me despido para terminar.

Esta es la parranda que viene de lejos, deseando a todos feliz año nuevo. Con sabor Boricua venimo’a cantar con mucha alegría en la Navidad.

Lo le lo le lo la.

—Diana Sáez, Suzette Ortiz

Havrylets: Prayer

Presvjataja Bogorodice, visluhaj nas. Presvjataja Bogorodice, bud′ nam zastupniceju.

Vsesil′noju tvoèju rukoju dopomoži nam

Peremogti vorogіv ŝo napali na nas.

—Anonymous

Sáez/Ortiz: Parranda

This is the parranda that comes from afar, wishing everyone a happy new year. With Puerto Rican swing we come to sing with joy this Christmas.

Open the door for me, open the door for I am in the street and people will think That this is a rebuff.

La la la la la la...

Farewell everyone, for we are leaving now to all those present, have a happy new year. Owner of this house, owner of this home now I say goodbye to conclude. This is the parranda that comes from afar, wishing everyone a happy new year. With Puerto Rican swing we come to sing with joy this Christmas.

Lo le lo le lo la.

—trans. Diana Sáez, Suzette Ortiz

Havrylets: Prayer

Holy Mother of God, hear us. Holy Mother of God, be our intercessor.

Help us with your almighty hand Rescue us from those who wish us harm.

—trans. unknown

Hagenberg: Nox

Nox et tenebrae et nubile, confuse mundi et turbida.

Caligo terrae scinditur, percusa solis spiculo.

—Aurelius Prudentius Clemens

Whitacre: Sing Gently

May we sing together, always.

May our voice be soft.

May our singing be music for others and may it keep others aloft.

Sing gently, always.

Sing gently as one.

May we stand together, always. May our voice be strong.

May we hear the singing and May we always sing along.

Sing gently, always. Sing gently as one.

—Eric Whitacre

Epperson: How Can I Be a Bringer of Peace?

How can I be a bringer of peace? What can I do? Who can I be?

How can I be bringer of peace— That we so endlessly need. Open my eyes and my ears and my hands and my heart, that they might open others. How can I be a bringer of peace? What can I do? Who can I be?

Make me a bringer of peace.

—Brett D. Epperson

Hagenberg: Night

Night and darkness and fog, confused world and turmoil. Dark and gloom tears the earth, beats and stabs the sun.

—trans. unknown

Brett D. Epperson is assistant professor of music–choral conducting at University of the Pacific where he teaches courses in conducting, music education, and functional voice, in addition to guiding Pacific’s two concert choral ensembles, University Chorus and Pacific Singers. Previously, Epperson was director of choral activities at Hastings College as well as the chancel choir director and director of the Langenberg Music Series at First Presbyterian Church of Hastings, Nebraska.

Prior to working in academia, Epperson was a public school music educator, leading large high school choral programs in Iowa and Nebraska for nearly a decade. He continues to be active as a church musician, performs as a professional chorister and soloist regularly, and composes new music for choirs. Choral music has led him to traveling, singing, and conducting throughout Europe, the Caribbean, Kenya, Mexico, and Japan. Outside of teaching and music-making, Epperson enjoys cooking, reading, biking, and connecting with friends and family.

Epperson earned a Bachelor of Arts in music from Luther College (Decorah, Iowa), a Master of Music in choral conducting from Michigan State University, and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in music education-choral conducting from Florida State University.

Monica Adams has worked at Pacific as a collaborative pianist and professor of practice since 1995. From 2005 to 2024 Adams taught the voice class for music therapy and music education majors. In 2024–25, she conducted the University Chorus. Currently, she is a collaborative pianist for voice majors and the Pacific Choirs.

Adams holds a Bachelor of Music in music performance, voice, from University of the Pacific, where she studied piano with Frank Wiens, voice with William Whitesides, George Buckbee and John DeHaan, and conducting with William Dehning and Robert Halseth.

Adams has performed as a pianist with the Stockton Symphony Orchestra and sang the roles of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro and Old Maid in Old Maid and the Thief. She has served as musical director and conductor at Pacific for Pajama Game (Fallon House), Paint Your Wagon (Fallon House), You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Apple Tree, Falsettoland, Assassins and 1940's Radio Hour. She has also music-directed Oliver, La Cage aux Folles, Babes in Arms, Footloose (conducted, too), Beauty and the Beast, The Full Monty and Godspell for various theaters.

In 2004 Adams participated in the summer SongFest program, which included coaching with Martin Katz, Graham Johnson, D'Anna Fortunato, John Hall, Judith Kellock and John Harbison, as well as performing in multiple recitals.

University Chorus

University Chorus is a large, mixed chorus that performs both a cappella and choral- orchestral works in a wide variety of genres, often collaborating with other ensembles at Pacific.

Sopranos

Katie Carlos

Rachael Cross

Kiersten Hogue

Anna Kazimi

Maya Liu

Ema Perry

Siry Smith

Altos

Evelyn Aburto

Jade Anderson

Maggie Chen

Mackenzie Deems

Miranda Duarte

Nathalie Garibay

Rain Jia

Kaitlyn Tamondong

Snowy Tan

Nadege Tenorio

Sylvia Valverde

Xi Zhang

Tenors

Justice Freeman

Danny Guerrero

Daniel Judd

Pete Norman

Davis Robinson

Aiden Valdez

Matthew Young

Basses

Angel Camacho-Ibarra

Hunter Campbell

Edwin Contreras

Jake Frye

Michael Gibson

Connor Hsu

Severyn Kurach

Celestino Mederos

Michael Shove

Jason Wu

PACIFIC CHOIRS

Pacific Singers

Pacific Singers is a select, mixed-voice chamber choir who collaborates with the University Chorus for two choral concerts each semester and perform at major university events and ceremonies. They also work with the University Symphony Orchestra and the Stockton Symphony to perform major choral and orchestral pieces.

Sopranos

Magdalena Bowen

Rose Krueger

Margaret Lomova

Katie Pelletier

Olivhea Ross

Shannon Sheperd

Altos

Elleanor Cooper

Jennifer Lopez

Zoie Macapanpan

Elizabeth Neumeyer

Caroline Poso

Sara Wolfe

Tenors

Miranda Duarte

Leo Hogan

Ian Orejana

Phu Phan

Basses

Daniel Campbell

Michael Gibson

Jordan Reece Guitang

Landon Horstman

Ernesto Pena

Pacific Voice and Choral Faculty

Daniel Ebbers, program director

Brett Epperson

Eric Dudley

James Haffner

Heidi Moss Erickson

Jonathan Latta, ensembles program director

Breanna Daley, ensembles librarian

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