Rialto Center for the Arts
Sunday, December 4th, 2022
3:00pm
New Day’s Lyric
Amanda Gorman (b. 1998)
Dr. Bridget Blake, First Lady of Georgia State University
Children, Go Where I Send Thee
Arr. Kevin Phillip Johnson
Rap crafted by Ayana Davis
Treble Choir
Jennifer Sengin, conductor
Dr. Kyung-Mi Kim, collaborative pianist
Winter Wonderland
Felix Bernard (1897 - 1944)
Georgia State Second Line Combo
Bridget Blake
First Lady of Georgia State University
Dr. Bridget Blake is the First Lady of Georgia State University. In her professional career, she serves as a principal business analyst for the MITRE Corporation. Dr. Bridget, as she is known around campus, received her bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech. She holds a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management and finance from Johns Hopkins University. In 2021, she earned an executive doctorate in business administration in leadership decision-making from Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business. She and President Blake have two sons, Brendan and Bryce.
Dr. Alex Freund
GSU Double Brass Quintet Conductor
Alexander is the Assistant Professor of Trumpet at Georgia State University since 2018. Alex is a certified meditation teacher and created the GSU undergraduate/graduate seminar “Mindfulness & Meditation”(MUS 4200/6200), which is an accredited elective course. He is an Honorary Professor of the Peruvian Trumpet Academy (Universidad de Música, Lima/Peru and Assistant Director of the World Trumpet Society WTS. He has taught hundreds of masterclasses, lectures, and workshops and continues to do so very actively, to name a few; North Western University, UCLA, 1.Symposium for Wind Instruments in Warsaw (Poland), McGill University, 1.Congreso International de Trompeta, Castellon (Spain), 5. Festival Internacional de Trompeta, Lima (Peru), University of music and Theatre Rostock (Germany), etc. At GSU he has created an ongoing series of world-renowned guest artists. Between Fall 2018 and Sprin 2021, 22 guest artists visited GSU or taught virtual classes, for example, Rex Richardson, Huw Morgan (UK), José Chafer (Spain), Vince DiMArtino, Peter Bond (Metropolitan Opera), Rainer Auerbach (Berlin State Opera), Romain Leleu (France), Jack Burt (UMaine), Steve Leisring (KU), Richard Stoelzel (McGill), Stuart Stephenson (ASO), James Ackley (UofSC), etc.
Dr. Deanna Joseph
University Singers Conductor
Dr. Deanna Joseph is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at the Georgia State University School of Music where she conducts the University Singers and leads the master’s program in choral conducting. In her time at GSU, Dr. Joseph has received numerous University awards, including the College of the Arts’ Outstanding Faculty Achievement Award (2021), the Alumni Distinguished Professor Award, a University-wide award given to “a model of the teacher-scholar ideal” (2018) and the College of Arts and Sciences’ Outstanding Teacher Award (2015). A recent review of her work states, “[t]he choir sings with great musicality, excellent intonation, clear diction, and a healthy and beautiful pallet of tone colors…” (The Choral Scholar). In May of 2017, the University Singers under Dr. Joseph’s leadership won first place in the renowned Marktoberdorf International Chamber Choir Competition while on a concert tour of Austria and Bavaria. In May of 2013, the University Singers competed in La Florilège Vocal de Tours where the choir placed second overall in the mixed choir category and Dr. Joseph was honored with the Prix du chef de choer (conducting prize). The Georgia State University Singers have been invited to perform at two Southern Division conventions of the American Choral Directors Association and at two conventions of the Georgia Music Educator’s Association during Dr. Joseph’s tenure at GSU, and the Georgia State University Choirs have been hired to sing two productions of David Bintley’s Carmina Burana with the Atlanta Ballet: in 2013 (North American premiere performances) and 2017. The choir’s professional recordings, Evening Hymn (2016), and Heavenly Display – Songs Inspired by Shaker Tunes (2020), released by Gothic Records, are distributed internationally by Naxos and are available for purchase or streaming on all the major music distribution outlets including Amazon, Spotify, iTunes, etc. A review in the American Record Guide states “There are no runts in the repertory litter…[and] [t]he Georgia State choir of 40 is very good at all of it: radiant as dusk approaches, but hushed and sensitive to the coming darkness as shadows deepen and fall.” The disks have been featured several times on National Public Radio’s program, With Heart and Voice.
Dr. Kyung-Mi Kim
Collaborative Pianist
Pianist Kyung-Mi Kim received both Doctor of Music and Master of Music degrees in piano performance from Indiana University. She also received master’s and bachelor’s degrees in piano from Ewha Woman’s University in Seoul, Korea. Her major teachers include Jin-Woo Chung and Yoon-Bo Chung in Korea. At Indiana University, she studied with the late Leonard Hokanson , a pupil of legendary pianist Artur Schnabel, Shigeo Neriki, and Evelyne Brancart. Dr. Kim served as a collaborative pianist at DePauw University from 1998-2000. Throughout her career, she has performed more than 500 recitals, collaborating with numerous outstanding vocalists and instrumentalists in Asia and throughout the United States. Dr. Kim has played for many summer music programs, masterclasses, and summer opera workshops as a coach. She was invited to be the pianist for the Michael Palmer International Conducting Workshop in 2007 and 2008. She has also been invited to the 2009 American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition to serve as pianist. Recently, Dr. Kim performed in recital with award winning tenor Russell Thomas, for Atlanta Symphony Orchestra 2014-2015 Artist in Residence series. Dr. Kim moved to Atlanta in 2006 and became one of the most active collaborative pianists in the Atlanta area. She joined the Georgia State University School of Music in 2006.
Dr. William Mann
GSU Trombone Choir Conductor
William Mann is the Associate Professor of Trombone at Georgia State University and has been on faculty since 2013. Prior to his appointment at GSU, William taught at Morehead State University, the University of Missouri, Prairie View A&M University and the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor. In addition to college teaching, William taught instrumental music in the Texas Public Schools and served as a private studio teacher for over 12 years. William is currently the Second Trombone with the Atlanta Ballet, the Des Moines Symphony, and the Columbus Symphony (GA) Orchestras. His orchestral experiences also include performances with the Atlanta, Chattanooga, Lexington Philharmonic, Ohio Valley, West Virginia, Quad-City, Missouri, Tuscaloosa, Meridian, Victoria and Waco Symphony Orchestras. He has also performed with the Austin Lyric Opera, as well as the Victoria Bach, Texas Music and Hot Springs Music Festivals, and the 49th Armored Division Band. His jazz experience includes performing with the Di Martino Osland Jazz Orchestra (DOJO) and the Waco Jazz Orchestra, among others. William received his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in trombone performance from the University of Texas at Austin in addition to a Bachelor of Music Education from Baylor University.
Michael Palmer
Georgia State Symphony Orchestra Conductor
Michael Palmer has long been considered one of this country’s finest conductors. In addition to appearances in the United States, he has also appeared in Europe as a guest conductor in Austria and Poland, where his performances have brought him critical acclaim. Mr. Palmer began his career at age 21, when he came to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as assistant conductor at the invitation of Robert Shaw. He was soon made associate conductor, and also founded and was music director of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. While in Atlanta, Michael Palmer was honored as one of five of the first conductors in the United States chosen by the National Endowment for the Arts to be Exxon Arts Endowment Conductor, and he was soon in demand with orchestras throughout the country. While continuing in his post in Atlanta, he was appointed guest conductor of the Houston Symphony Orchestra for a three-year period. He also worked extensively with the National Symphony Orchestra during this period, and he was, subsequently, named co-principal guest conductor of the Denver Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Palmer joined the Georgia State University School of Music faculty as director of orchestras in August 2004, after serving in the same capacity at Wichita State University. In 2006, he was appointed as the Charles Thomas Wurm Distinguished Professor of Orchestral Studies.
Dr. Chester Phillips
Director of the School of Music
A metro-Atlanta native, Dr. Chester B. Phillips (he/him/his) serves as the Director of the School of Music at Georgia State University where he has been on faculty since 2009. His passion is “making the world better by making music together”. Prior to his current appointment, Dr. Phillips served as the founding director of the Panther Band and Associate Director of Bands at Georgia State University. Under his leadership, the Georgia State Panther Band has received several honors and accolades including participation in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (2014), performing in the Pepsi Super Bowl LIII Halftime show (2019), marching in the 57th Presidential Inaugural Parade (2013), a national top-ten honor by the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), selection by the Southern Division of CBDNA for outstanding performance (2012, 2016, and 2020), and participation in the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. Prior to his appointment at Georgia State, Dr. Phillips taught for seven years as the associate director of bands at Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Georgia and for two years in the Gwinnett County public schools at the middle and high school level. Chester Phillips received a Bachelor of Music degree in music education from the University of Georgia, a Master of Music degree in music education from the University of Illinois and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in wind conducting at the University of Georgia. His principal conducting teachers have been John P. Lynch and James Keene. He is affiliated with professional organizations that include the National Band Association, College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, Drum Corps International and Music for All. Chester lives in Roswell, GA with his wife, Megan, their three children and their dog, Bella.
Dr. Jennifer Sengin
Treble Choir Conductor
Jennifer Sengin is the Associate Director of Choral Activities at Georgia State University where she conducts the Women’s Chorus and Choral Union and teaches graduate choral literature, graduate and undergraduate conducting, undergraduate choral methods, and supervises student teachers. Under her direction, the Women’s Chorus recently performed at the Georgia Music Educators Association Conference in January, 2020. Dr. Sengin is very passionate about recruiting. In collaboration with the Director of Choral Activities, she has worked to increase enrollment in the choral program at GSU. In 2021, Dr. Sengin was named a semi-finalist for The American Prize in Conducting–college/university division and the Women’s Chorus was named a semi-finalist in Performance–college/university division.
Brandyn Taylor
GSU Saxophone Choir Conductor
Atlanta-based saxophonist, Brandyn Taylor, is the saxophone instructor for the Atlanta Music Academy, and the Principal Saxophonist of the 116th United States Army Band. In addition to mentoring a thriving private studio of students from across the metropolitan region, he is an Artist Affiliate of saxophone at Reinhardt University, Georgia State University, and is in demand as a clinician throughout the state. Brandyn holds degrees in music performance from Columbus State University and Georgia State University. His primary teachers include Dr. Jan Berry Baker, Dr. Alexander Pershounin, and additional studies with Dr. Frederick Hemke, Joseph Lulloff, and Mace Hibbard. Brandyn is a Vandoren Artist-Clinician and a Conn-Selmer Performing Artist.
Dr. Gordon Vernick
Georgia State Second Line Combo Director
Dr. Gordon Vernick is a Professor of Music and Coordinator of Jazz Studies at Georgia State University. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY; a Master of Music from the University of Miami, and a Doctor of Arts from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley. He is director of the GSU Faculty Jazztet which performs regularly in Atlanta and has appeared at the Atlanta Jazz Festival, the High Museum Jazz Series, the International Association for Jazz Education Conference and many other venues. He has performed with such world-renown jazz artists as Kenny Werner, Clare Fischer, John Hart, Kevin Hays, Conrad Herwig, Marc Copland, Randy Brecker, Paul McCandless, and others. As a clinician/teacher he has served residencies and performed at the Conservatory of San Juan, P.R., the Taipei American School in Taiwan, the Singapore American School, the Bangkok International School, Columbia College Chicago, The Conservatory of Bordeaux, the University of Cape Town, South Africa, and the Royal Northern Conservatory of Manchester, U.K.
John Haberlen
Founder of the Georgia State University Holiday Gala
John Black Haberlen is Emeritus Professor of Music and served as Director of the School of Music from 1996 to 2007. Prior to his appointment as Director, Dr. Haberlen served as Associate Dean for the Fine Arts in the College of Arts and Sciences and as Director of Choral Activities for over 20 years. John Haberlen began his professional career at the age of 16 as a percussionist in the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra. Upon receiving his Bachelor of Science and Master of Music degrees from Pennsylvania State University, he performed as principal timpanist with the Florida Symphony Orchestra. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting with a minor in music literature from the University of Illinois. Dr. Haberlen studied choral music and opera in Ludwigsburg, Germany and completed a year of choral study in London with the London Bach Society. The Penn State Alumni Board of Directors chose Haberlen to receive the 1994 Alumni Achievement award.
Dr. Haberlen is a past national President of the American Choral Directors Association, an organization of 20,000 school, university and church choral directors. He served on the board of the International Federation of Choral Musicians for six years. John Haberlen’s conducting debut at Carnegie Hall in 1990 featured a performance of Poulenc’s Gloria and resulted in a return conducting engagement of Brahms’ Requiem in 1992. Haberlen conducted an all-Vaughan Williams concert in Avery Fisher Hall in New York’s Lincoln Center in 1996. In Atlanta, Haberlen prepared choruses for the late Maestro Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. As chorus master of the Atlanta Ballet Company, he trained the chorus for over 20 performances of Orff’s Carmina Burana and six performances of Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms. For three summers he conducted choruses and orchestras in England’s Wells Cathedral.
Dr. Haberlen has participated as a jury member and auditor in major choral festivals worldwide, including the St. Petersburg Choral Festival; Marktobersdorf, Germany; Rive del Garde, Italy; Budapest, Hungary; Denmark and Sydney, Australia. He has been honored by his selection as a jury member of four World Choral Olympics (Linz, Austria; Busan, Korea; Cincinnati; and Riga, Latvia). Dr. Haberlen has published two books, two essays, nine articles and more than 50 choral editions, and he has guest conducted festival choruses in over 35 states.
Credits:
Created with images by weyo - "Blue christmas ball on snow with fir branches. Merry Xmas concept" • vadim_fl - "snowflake, little snowflake on the snow" • sakura - "雪がついた木の枝" • msnobody - "Illuminated by the sun snow-covered spruce trees and larches in the background of blue sky. Sunny winter day. Winter mountain landscape." • 2207918 - "Window frame with snowy fir trees outside" • Ivan Kmit - "Fantastic winter landscape glowing by star light. Dramatic wintry scene with snowy trees and comet in night sky. Carpathians, Europe" • vadim_fl - "winter photo of snowflakes in the snow" • standret - "Dairy Star Trek in the winter woods. Dramatic and picturesque scene. In anticipation of the holiday." • vadim_fl - "natural snowflakes on snow, winter" • vadim_fl - "snowflake, little snowflake on the snow" • Mikael - "Norweigan winter mountain landscape with snowy trees" • Photocreo Bednarek - "Blue Christmas balls on snow. Glitter lights" • Pavlasek Tom - "Treestop winter" • Jason - "Snow covered outdoor Christmas against cloudy sky" • Vera Kuttelvaserova - "ice texture close up in the macro detail" • sokko_natalia - "Evening on the winter road in Finland" • Fedoruk - "Abstract background with a white light blur"