Spring Choir Concert
FEATURING
Northwestern Lyrica, Orpheus, and Chamber Choir
Dr. Shane Thomas, director
Mr. Adam Philley, director
Tuesday, April 14 2026 7:30pm | Magale Recital Hall
Dear audience members,
We are so grateful you’ve decided to attend the Northwestern State University Choral Department’s Spring Concert this evening. My name is Dr. Shane Thomas and I proudly serve as the Director of Choral Activities. On behalf of Professor Adam Philley, Associate Director of Choral Activities, and myself, we are honored to present to you our combined spring concert featuring the Northwestern State University Chamber Choir, Lyrica, and Orpheus.
With over 150 participants across six choral and vocal ensembles, the School of Creative and Performing Arts at Northwestern State University offers a comprehensive vocal program that prepares the music major and non-music major for the rigorous demands of the 21st century performing world. Students engage with diverse repertoire and participate in innovative performances that will allow them to find their voice. Choral students collaborate with active professionals across Louisiana and beyond to receive outstanding training and experiences that can only be found at NSU. Students work with exceptional faculty through applied lesson instruction for majors in Music Education, Vocal Performance, Music Business, and Sacred Music. The NSU Choirs provide opportunities for international travel, significant touring and performances, and experiences with pedagogical leaders in the field through guest artists and world-class performers.
Lyrica will be giving regional premieres of five selections as a part of the 2025 Treble Choir Commission Consortium of the American Choral Directors Association. Orpheus will be performing selections surrounding a theme of Blessings and will feature student conductor Josue Bustillo Aguero. Chamber Choir will be performing selections surrounding a theme of Heaven on Earth and will feature Robert Cruz on organ and graduate student conductor Kat Wilkinson.
We welcome and encourage you to donate to the Northwestern State University Choral Society Sponsorship program. Your tax-deductible donation will go immediately back into the choral department by helping supply funding for concert tours, student conference travel, choral library needs, and more. If you have any questions regarding how to donate to this program, please find the Donation Page within the program and contact Dr. Shane Thomas at thomassh@nsula.edu.
We thank you again for attending this evening’s performance by the NSU Choirs. We look forward to welcoming you at the next performance!
Sincerely,
Dr. Shane Thomas Director of Choral Activities Northwestern State University
Fair Weather Friend*
Program
Northwestern State University Lyrica
Adam Philley, conductor Dan Ley, collaborative artist
Jennifer Lucy Cook living Time……………………………………………………………………………………………
Lucy Cook living
Thaima* Carlos Cordero b. 1992
Audrey Gorum, descant
The Redwood*……………………………….………….………………
Kat Wilkinson, soloist
Lyon Hazzard Living
The Winds* .Laura Jekabsone b. 1985
Lhareen Lazo, soloist
Songs for the People*
Reginal S. Wright living
* Regional Premiere commissioned by the 2025 Treble Choir Commission Consortium of the American Choral Directors Association
Northwestern State University Orpheus
Adam Philley, conductor
Steven Mendoza, collaborative artist
Missa Kenya…………………………..…….……….……………………...……… .…..……………………….….…Paul Basler b. 1963
Sanctus
Agnus Dei
Dr. Alexis Sczepanik, horn
Prayer of the Children……………………….……….………………………………………………………………Kurt Bestor arr. Andrea Klouse living
A Gaelic Blessing…………………………………………………………………………………..……….………Daniel J. Ward living
Ose Shalom (The One Who Makes Peace)…………………………………………………………..…….John Leavitt living
Josue Bustillo Aguero, conductor Oscar Carballo Torres and Jesus Calderon Pena, strings
Dona Nobis Pacem……………………………………………………………………………………………..Joseph Gregorio living
Baba Yetu…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Christopher Tin arr. Roger Emerson living
Bryant Simmons, soloist Angel Maradiaga, percussion
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!............................. .......................................................arr. Howard Helvey living
Northwestern State University Chamber Choir
Dr. Shane Thomas, conductor
Dan Ley, collaborative artist
Mama Said Ruthie Foster arr. Paul Rardin living
Behold, How Good Michael John Trotta Living
Kat Wilkinson, conductor
Claudette Cruz, soloist
Hidden Heaven…………………………….…………………………………………………………………………....Dylan Tŕân living
World Premiere - commissioned for the NSU Chamber Choir
Collegium Regale Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis……………….………….…………………….Herbert Howells 1892-1983
Robert Cruz, organ
Douglas Flores Reyes, soloist
Come to the Woods…………………………………………….…………….……………….…………………Jake Runestad living
Swing Low Sail High
.……………………………..Nicky Mehta arr. Evan Powers living
Allison Flores Reyes, Phillip Voorhees, and Kat Wilkinson, soloists
Phillip Voorhees and Kat Wilkinson, instrumentalists
Program Notes and Translations
Fair-Weather Friend
The choral sound is often synonymous with beauty, and choirs are capable of some of my favorite sounds in the world. But for this piece, I explored a less-than-beautiful emotion: betrayal. Somehow, it felt safer to vulnerably talk about being betrayed by a friend from within the security of a group of voices: a common ground where we can empathize that we’ve all been there before, and we can endure together. The melody, with its unsuspecting leaps, leaves us feeling as wrong-footed as our former friends have. Holst gets a little quotation during the “Moon squared Mars” moment, because disloyalty can certainly feel warlike. And, the canon moments reflect the way that betrayal can play and replay in our minds in the most torturous loop. I’ve known the sting of friendship that only showed up when times were good. Worse, I’ve also known the sting of realizing that I was being that friend. By writing this piece I’m signing a contract with myself never to be a fair-weather friend again – and may every choir that sings this be my notary. Jennifer Lucy Cook
Thaima
Time. Can you pause for a minute and think about time? Do we take it for granted? Most of us don't remember how time eventually runs out. What we do with thetime we have is what matters. Some did not have enough, and that was the case of my aunt, Thais MarĂa GarcĂa Fajardo, a victim of domestic violence. All the possibilities my family missed to build lasting memories because somebody she loved decided to hurt her. In Venezuela, we say "Taima" to refer to "time out" when playing hide-and-seek (or any other active game), especially when we are in "danger of being caught or tired." We have the option to pause, rest, gather, and plan before we are ready to return to the action and try to escape again or decide to stop the activity. But, in life, it is more complicated than simply calling out and expecting the other person to comply. I think a healthy and kind community could be a response to this atrocity. It could be a start to have people who support those suffering from domestic violence before it is too late. Carlos Cordero
Thaima comes from THAIs MArĂa.
The Redwood
In 2023, I wrote a choral-orchestral piece called Finding Light, which was about finding hope in the midst of darkness. At the time, it was an excuse for me to dive into my concern about the state of the world and it’s failing climate. I thought that if I wrote the piece, it would help me navigate what I was feeling and let me explore what light anyone could sincerely find at “the bottom of the well.” After its premiere, I took a road trip to northern California. On the return trip south, we stopped in a redwood forest. I opened the car door and looked out, and I noticed the bark of the trees woven like wool. The moss floor dampening the car door closing under its
weight. The baren columns of red and brown going up and up, brushstroke by brushstroke into a canopy of high, high leaves and sky. We only stopped for 15 minutes, but I still remember my hand tracing the intricate streaks of bark and laughing at sprouting greenery that looked adorable against such giants. I can’t describe exactly how it changed me. However, I can say it felt like looking at the world and humanity when I’ve seen it at its best. Matthew Lyon Hazzard
The Winds
The piece speaks about the times we live in through Latvian folk songs and the words of poet Christina Rosetti. The wind in this work symbolizes both change and rapid events and significant surges of information that often blow like-minded and close people each to their own shore. In a Latvian folk song, a sister sings of her brother going to sea and prays to the mother of the wind to protect him. After a storm, she finds a boat, finds an oar, but does not find her brother. Christina Rossetti's description of the wind symbolizes the idea that even things we do not see affect us, and only affect us when we are already deep inside them. In today's world, this storm is no longer to be taken directly and literally, but figuratively in events of different scales. I hope this windy musical journey will make us think about the wind in our lives.
Laura Jekabsone
Missa Kenya
Sanctus
Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth Holy, Lord God of Hosts Pleni sunt coeli et terra Gloria Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in excelsis Hosanna in the highest!
Agnus Dei
Agnus Dei
Qui tollis peccata mundi
Miserere nobis
Dona nobis pacem.
Ose Shalom
Oseh shalom bimromav
Hu ya’se shalom aleynu
V’al kol Yisrael
V'imru, imru amen
Lamb of God
Who takes away the sins of the world
Have mercy on us.
Grant us peace.
The One who makes peace in the heavens, may He make peace for us, and for all Israel, and let us say, let us say Amen.
Baba Yetu
Baba yetu, yetu uliye mbinguni
Our Father, ours who art in Heaven
Yetu, yetu, Amina
Baba yetu, yetu uliye m’
Our, Ours, Amen
Our Father, Our who art in HeJina lako eh litukuzwe
Hallowed be Your Name
Utupe leo chakula chetu
Give us this day our daily Bread Tunachohitaji, utusamehe
Forgive us of makosa yetu eh!
Kama nasi tunavyowasamehe,
Our trespasses
As we forgive others waliotukosea usitutie
Who trespass against us katika majaribu lakini
lead us not into temptation, but Utuokoe na yule muovu e, milele
Ufalme wako ufike utakalo
Lifanyike duniani kama mbinguni
Deliver us from the evil one, Forever
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
On Earth as it is in Heaven.
Amina Amen
Hidden Heaven
Hidden Heaven is inspired by the phrase coined by Belinda Carlisle, “Heaven is a place on earth.” The piece contrasts the fruitless search for a “grande happiness” with the comforting realization that "heaven" can be found in all things.
The opening chords are dissonant and dominant, attempting to lead somewhere, only to be resolved backwards into subdominant chords. Melancholic, longing counterpoint further expresses the sense of searching. A common chord modulation takes us to a more gentle tonality that lists the various joys, challenges, and banalities of life. The list is non-repeating and set in a post-minimalist style, emphasizing the meditative, mindful nature of being present. A final modulation launches us into a soaring declamation of the core theme, “[Heaven is] not a place far away, but a choice we can make every day.” The coda repeats “everyday” to both express the meaning of the word and to indulge in the fruits of practiced gratitude. The piece ends on a Major 9th chord in 2nd inversion the chord extensions convey beauty found in the imperfections of life, and the 5th chord tone in the bass (assuming the low C is not sung) leaves us with a gentle sense of “unresolvedness,” expressing a learned comfort with the unknown.
Choral Department Faculty
Director
of Choral Activities – Dr. Shane Thomas
Dr. Shane Thomas is the Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music in the Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts at Northwestern State University where he conducts the Chamber Choir, Cane River Singers, and the Northwestern Choral Artists. He teaches courses in undergraduate and graduate vocal music education, choral methods, choral literature, and administrates the choral activities within the department. Thomas serves as the founder and artistic director of the Louisiana Vocal Arts Ensemble. He also serves as the Louisiana ACDA President-Elect and on the National Board for the National Collegiate Choral Organization
Thomas received a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Cincinnati CollegeConservatory of Music, Master of Music in Choral Conducting with distinction from Westminster Choir College, and a Bachelor of Music Education from Stetson University. He holds professional memberships in ACDA, NCCO, NAfME, Chorus America, Pi Kappa Lambda, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Professor Adam Philley is the Associate Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Voice at Northwestern State University where he conducts the low voice choir, Orpheus and the treble choir, Lyrica. He holds a M.M. in Choral Conducting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a B.M. in Sacred Music from Centenary College. Adam also serves as Director of Music at Broadmoor United Methodist Church and the B’nai Zion Congregation of Shreveport. He also founded and conducts the PrĂsma Vocal Ensemble, Shreveport/Bossier’s only semiprofessional vocal ensemble.
Lyrica Personnel
Soprano 1
Maira Avellaneda
Lailah Belvin
Claudette Cruz
Dorcia Gillam
Valerie Gongre
Audrey Gorum
Perla Hipp
Jillian Huff*
Rosie Ray
Roye’l Roberts
Northwestern State University Lyrica and Orpheus
Professor Adam Philley, conductor
Dan Ley, collaborative artist
Steven Mendoza, collaborative artist
Soprano 2
Camin Cooper
Aliya Green
Natalie Hyde
Lhareen Lazo
Bella Michler
Allyce Richards
Arien Thibodeaux
Anunye Thomas
Presley Walsworth
Addie Whittle
Alto 1
Moly Amezquita
Natalie Barker
Belen Bermeo
Adriana Bradford
Astri Gomez Bravo
Veronica Galliano
Irene Gomez
Morgan Hunter
Torin Merchant
Haleigh Miller
Melissa Patiño
Jaime Perdue
Ashlynn Rice
Susana Solis
Tyla Stewart
Emma Wale
Alto 2
Rayven Benton
Abbygail Casnave
Holland LaGrone
Hope Powell
Jasmine Shadd
Abby Sims
Kat Wilkinson
Orpheus Personnel
Tenor 1
Juan Campos
Riley Hopper
Jeremiah McKinney
Colin Sebren
Dr. Shane Thomas
Phillip Voorhees
Tenor 2
Erick Cabrera
Daniel Carballo
Blake Fontenot
Jose Luzuriaga Herrera
Gabriel McCalmon
Steven Mendoza
Julian Miller
Felipe Guerrero
Morales
Michael Mumphrey
Gabriel Polo Gomez
Francisco Riego
Bass 1
Garner Allen
Jesus Calderon Pena
Fisher Cooley
Riley Corden
Leonardo Donado
Kevin Juarez Lopez
Angel Maradiaga
Joshua Noyola*
Juan Padilla
Santiago Romero Coavas
Santiago Rovira Ortiz
Santiago Sanchez
Oscar Carballo Torres
Ronald Turizo Bueno
Jose Villeda
Bass 2
Jace Atchison
William Boyd IV
Kyle Castilla
Connor Cowan
Ever Naun Galeas
Lyle Harriman
Bryant Simmons
Hal Williams III
Sopranos
Claudette Cruz
Dorcia Gillam
Audrey Gorum
Lhareen Lazo
Madison Lenser
Clairie Parent
Candace Paul
Ashlyn Underwood
Tenors
J. Cole Becton
Juan Campos
Douglas Flores Reyes
Harry Hoben
Gabriel McCalmon
Jeremiah McKinney
Joel Ramos Alvarado
Colin Sebren
Phillip Voorhees
Northwestern State University Chamber Choir
Dr. Shane Thomas, conductor
Dan Ley, collaborative artist
Altos
Allison Flores Reyes
Holland LaGrone
Torin Merchant
Jaime Perdue
Ashlynn Rice
Abbygale Sims
Emma Wale
Kat Wilkinson
Basses
Garner Allen
Jace Atchison
William Boyd IV
Josue Bustillo Aguero
Carlos Diaz del Valle
Lyle Harriman
Joshua Noyola
Adam Philley
Maximillian Pinkney
The NSU Choral Department gratefully acknowledges the generous support of:
NSU Administration
Scott Burrell, Director of the H.D. Dear, Sr. and Alice E. Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts
Dr. Terrie Sanders, Chair of the Department of Music
Daniel Blosser, Dr. Mary DeVille, Jocelyn Donlon, Molly Getsinger, Amanda Goldberg
Melinda Morrell, Craig Parent, Tim and Rhonda Perdue, Amber Potter, Elizabeth Stoker, Tanya Voorhees, and First United Methodist Church of Natchitoches
Northwestern State University Choral Society Form (please print clearly)
Name ____________________________________________________________________________
(as you would like it to appear on the program with your donation)
Mailing Address ____________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip
Phone ____________________________________________________________________________
Email Address
ONE:
Consult your tax accountant to verify the tax deductible portion of your donation. Your check is your receipt. Your donation provides resources that enable the NSU Choral Department to provide significant assistance in the areas of local and regional touring, choral library management, attire assistance, and more.
Please return this response to:
Dr. Shane Thomas
Director of Choral Activities
Northwestern State University 140 Central Avenue
Natchitoches, LA 71497
Thank you! Your name will appear in the next program.