Musical Stories — Christmas with Caritas
December 7th, 2024
7:30 PM
Christ United Methodist Church
December 7th, 2024
7:30 PM
Christ United Methodist Church
Featuring
Caritas Vocal Ensemble Paolo Debuque, artistic director Monte Mason, interim music director June Bethke Petrie, soprano Laurie Botes Zaepfel, soprano Anne Carlson, soprano Laura Saetre, alto Katie Hines, alto Kristen Tibben, alto Erik Gulsvig, tenor Matthias Hunt, tenor Peter Smith, tenor John Walsh, baritone/bass Nicholas Saetre, baritone/bass George Humphrey, baritone/bass Guest artist: Elinor Niemisto, harp Program William L. Dawson (1899-1990) - Ain’-a That Good News! J. David Moore (b. 1962), text anonymous, Medieval Latin - Ubi Caritas Gerald Finzi (1901-1956), text by Robert Bridges (1844-1930) - My Spirit Sang All Day Javier Busto (b. 1949) - O Magnum Mysterium Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) - O Magnum Mysterium Francis Poulenc - Quem Vidistis Pastores Francis Poulenc - Videntes Stellam Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548-1611) - Hodie Christus Natus Est Will Todd (b. 1970) - My Lord Has Come Kathleen Allan (b. 1989), anonymous 15th century text - I Syng of a Mayden Intermission Reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Clement Moore (1779-1863), interspersed with songs. Gustav Holst (1874-1934), text by Christina Rosetti (1830-1894) - In the Bleak Midwinter Filipino Christmas Carol, arr. George Hernandez - Himig Pasko J. Fred Coots, text by Haven Gillespie, arr. Randall Johnson - Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town 19th century American, arr. with additional music and lyrics by Kirby Shaw (b. 1942) - Jolly Old St. Nicholas Traditional English, additions by Frederic Austin (1872-1852), arr. by Ian Humphris (1927-2012) - The Twelve Days of Christmas |
Since its founding in 2001, Caritas Vocal Ensemble has combined consistent musical excellence with a deep charitable mission, and has raised over $200,000 in funds for a variety of partner nonprofit organizations. The ensemble's program in Rochester explores classic Christmas themes of joy, wonder, and mystery with an eclectic mix of a cappella selections. It includes a musical telling of the classic poem Twas the Night before Christmas and a closing singalong in which members of the ensemble will lead the audience in Christmas and holiday favorites.
Established in 2002, Caritas Vocal Ensemble (originally named "Sacred Voice") came together as a response to 9/11. It has always been a part of our mission to spread love and kindness, whether that be through song, human connection, or donation. While our roots formed in performing mainly nonsecular music, Caritas Vocal Ensemble has since branched out and taken pleasure in performing a robust variety of choral genres.
Paolo Debuque
Paolo Debuque, artistic director, is a Filipino- and Chinese-American conductor based in Minneapolis noted for his innovative programming and commitment to grassroots, community- centered art. This year he is visiting conductor of St. Olaf's Viking Chorus and Chapel Choir and pursuing his DMA at the University of Minnesota with Matthew Mehaffey.
Passionate about the advancement of Asian-American voices, Paolo is the Founding Artistic Director of A Thousand Tongues, an arts organization dedicated to uplifting Asian-American experiences through music and stories. Paolo studied music at Swarthmore College and earned the MM in Conducting (Choral) at the University of Michigan with Jerry Blackstone. |
Monte Mason
Monte Mason, interim music director, was born into a musical family where it seemed everyone could play the piano and/or sing. He graduated with a music degree from Macalester College; piano studies were with Donald Betts, choral conducting with Dale Warland. While a student at the college, he initiated and produced several avant-garde programs called Noncerts. Monte followed his keyboard and choral interests by becoming a church musician, and founding The Gregorian Singers at St. Mark's Cathedral, Minneapolis, now in its 52nd season.
Monte has worked at St. Martin's by the Lake, Minnetonka Beach, for 33 years. He was also a music editor for the Episcopal Church on the national scene. As a composer, Monte generally writes for the choirs he is associated with. A recipient of a McKnight Composer Fellowship in 1993, one of his more recent projects, arrangements of Norwegian folk tunes, won the 2024 Composer Arranging Competition sponsored by The Minnesota Grieg Society in cooperation with Norway House, Minneapolis. When not involved in musical activities, and giving himself the status of quasi-retirement, Monte spends time at the family camp in north-central Minnesota, gardens, and watches his cacti grow. |
Anne Carlson
Anne Carlson, mezzo-soprano, grew up in a musical family and sang all through childhood. She sang with the Armstrong High School Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, and with the University of Chicago Motet Choir. Anne lives in South Minneapolis with her husband and two kids. She enjoys reading, walking the dog around the lake, yoga, and strong coffee.
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Erik Gulsvig
Erik Gulsvig, tenor, teaches seventh grade life science and has worked in the Wayzata Public Schools for over 20 years. He was previously in Caritas but took a hiatus to complete his Master's Degree in Curriculum and Teaching. His other choral experience includes the Gustavus Choir, Wright County Chamber Chorus in Buffalo, Two Rivers Chorale, One Voice Mixed Chorus, and The Summer Singers. Erik loves birds, having raised three different species of doves, two species of quail, canaries and a conure.
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John Walsh
John F. Walsh, Jr, baritone/bass, is a professional photographer in the Twin Cities. John has been singing in one group or another since grade school. With over 30 years in the Minnesota Chorale, John is enjoying honing his listening skills in a smaaller ensemble. John lives with his love of 42 years in the Powderhorn neighborhood of Minneapolis and is proud of his son, his daughter-in-law, and his two beautiful granddaughters.
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June Bethke Petrie
June Bethke Petrie, soprano, is a charter member of Caritas and is gratified to have spent these many years singing with wonderful people to help other non-profits fulfill their missions. As a child, she was in as many school groups and musical productions as she could be. As an adult, June sang in ensembles at the UW-Madison and with the Clara-Schumann-Kammerchor of Düsseldorf, but Caritas has been her choral home since the group formed in late 2001. She recently gave up her German-English translation business and retrained to teach English to adult speakers of other languages.
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Katie Hines
Katie Hines, alto, has enjoyed both singing and making music as a cellist throughout her life. At Gustavus Adolphus College, Katie sang with the Gustavus Choir and Chamber Singers while pursuing her music education degree. She taught music for a few years, and then transitioned to the business world as a learning and development consultant and producer. She is presently employed at Land O' Lakes, serves on the Caritas board, and lives in Brooklyn Park with her husband Rob, along with the occasional visit from her two grown daughters.
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Kristen Tibben
Kristen Tibben, alto, graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with degrees in music and organizational management. While at Gustavus, she sang with the Gustavus Choir and Chamber Singers. After graduation, Kristen sang with the Dale Warland Symphonic Chorus and the Minnesota Chorale. She has been a member of Caritas Vocal Ensemble since 2006. Kristen is married and has two children. When she isn't singing or doing work for the Caritas Board, she enjoys tromping around in Minnesota state parks, reading, and gardening.
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Laura Saetre
Laura Saetre, mezzo-soprano, developed her love of choral singing at a young age through the Ascension Youth Choir in Stillwater. She continued to sing in multiple church choirs and school ensembles during high school and while attending Luther College. In recent years, Laura has enjoyed singing with the Valley Chamber Chorale in Stillwater, and the River City Chorale in Hudson. She is very excited for the opportunity to sing with a smaller ensemble again! Laura is a speech language pathologist for the Anoka-Hennepin School District. She lives in St. Paul with her husband and fellow-singer, Nick, and their two cats, Holly and Ivy. In addition to singing, they enjoy traveling, gardening, and adventurous eating!
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Laurie Botes Zaepfel
Laurie Botes Zaepfel, soprano, has been a singer since childhood, participating in a variety of church, school, and community groups through the years. At St. Olaf College, she sang with the Chapel Choir and the Repertory Singers. Although large oratorio choirs have their own thrills, her real musical love is the intimate chamber choir. Laurie manages the office for Salem English Lutheran Church in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis. She lives in St. Paul with her husband Joseph and has two young adult children. When not singing or tending to work, family needs, or social justice, Laurie likes to cook and to read, especially children's literature.
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Matthias Hunt
Nicholas Saetre
Nicholas Saetre, bass, is an IT technician and manager in Bloomington, and a lifelong singer. He took a long hiatus from singing professionally to pursue a career as a chef, and on his return to choral music, sang with several groups in the Stillwater Valley Area. He lives in the Highland Park neighborhood with his wife Laura, who also sings with Caritas. When not carrying a tune, Nick enjoys gardening, camping, and fly fishing.
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Peter Smith
Peter Smith, tenor/baritone, spent much of his school life in music in both band and choir, and made himself a tenor in order to face off with his rival. He went to the University of Minnesota for music for a brief time before leaving to continue singing in musicals and church choirs across Minnesota. Caritas is his first group in many years and he looks forward to many more.
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George Humphrey
George Humphrey, baritone/bass, is a lifelong singer who sang in choirs and a cappella groups throughout school and college. After living on the east coast for a while, he recently returned to Minnesota and now sings with Caritas and The Gregorian Singers. Outside of singing, George enjoys playing a wide variety of sports, like tennis, platform tennis, pop tennis, and padel tennis.
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Elinor Niemisto
Elinor Niemisto, harp, holds a master of music degree from the University of Michigan and has registered teacher training in Suzuki Harp. She is principal harpist for the Rochester Symphony Orchestra and retired from the same position in the La Crosse Symphony. She served as harp instructor at St. Olaf College from 1981-2018 and is currently senior lecturer in harp at Carleton College. Elinor is a frequent guest artist for orchestra, choir and chamber music ensembles in the southeastern Minnesota area.
Elinor maintains a small studio of harp students and serves as treasurer of the Minnesota chapter of the American Harp Society. |
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