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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Concert Program
December 10, 2011
Salem United Church of Christ, Old Route 940, Pocono Lake, Pa.

Holiday Concert Video Clips

Historical Association of Tobyhanna Township Welcomes You

The Historical Association of Tobyhanna Township is pleased to sponsor this new Community event.

It is the purpose of HATT to preserve the history of Tobyhanna Township for all of us to enjoy. Today our Community will share together some of the music of our past.

This afternoon, sit back and think of those who have preceded us, sitting in your place listening to the very music being performed today. Imagine being here in 1894, or 1898, experiencing the same music as is on today‟s program.

Our sincere appreciation to all of the wonderful volunteer performers and organizers, the Salem Church, and especially to you for bringing our Community together, sharing with each of us our rich history of Tobyhanna Township.

Salem United Church of Christ

Built in 1883, the Salem Church has been supported by the very families that also believe in our Community.

This land was purchased for $20.00 from William & Myrtle Wallace. The new church was heated with a pot belly stove and illuminated with kerosene lamps placed in the ceiling.

The first minister was Rev. Franklin W. Smith, and the first communion was held on January 27, 1884. The first marriage of record was between Francis Christman and Carrie Kester on April 6, 1884.

The first catechumens were Alice Stauffer, Lewis Miller, Ida Sansenbach, Richard & Milton Bonser and Barbara Custard.

From 1883 to 2011, this historic site has been a significant part of the foundation of Tobyhanna Township.

“Home for the Holidays ...
… A Community Musical Celebration”
1:00 PM

PROGRAM


Prelude
“Pastorella” | Johann Sebastian Bach
“Pastorale Symphony” from Messiah | George Frederick Handel
“In dulci jubilo” | J.S. Bach
Sarah Davies, Organ

Community Welcome | John Kaltenthaler, Narrator

“Good Christian Men, Rejoice” | Tune: Traditional German carol
Text: Heinrich Seuse / English Text: John Mason Neale
The Carolers • Sarah Davies, Organ

Audience, please join the Carolers in Verses 2 & 3:
Good Christian men, rejoice with heart and soul, and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss: Joy! Joy! Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath opened heaven‟s door, and we are blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!

Good Christian men, rejoice, with heart and soul, and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all, to gain His everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!

“Haste Ye Shepherds” | The Christmas Oratorio J.S. Bach
Michael Yasenchock, Tenor • Sarah Davies, Organ • Bob Riday, Flute

“Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring” | J.S. Bach
Dave Miller, Guitar

“Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming” | Michael Praetorius
Bob Baechtold • Colin Cruz • John Kaltenthaler • Michael Yasenchock

“Silent Night” | Tune: Father Joseph Mohr • Text: Franz Gruber
June Steinberg, Soprano • Sarah Davies, Organ • Dave Miller, Guitar

“Magnificat” | J.S. Bach
Sarah Davies, Organ

We Pass the Basket for Your Gracious Contribution to Defray the Expenses for this Event

“Deck The Halls” | Old Welsh Air, John C. Hughes
The Carolers • Bob Riday, Piano

Joined by the Audience
Deck the hall with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Don we now our gay apparel,
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol,
Fa la la la la, la la la la

See the blazing Yule before us,
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Strike the harp and join the chorus,
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Follow me in merry measure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la,
While I tell of Yuletide treasure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la

“What Child is This?” | ”Greensleves” | Variations on “Greensleves”
Tune: Elizabethan Ballad • Text: W.C. Dix, Francis Cutting
Dave Miller, Guitar

“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” | Tune: John B. Calkin Text: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Michael Yasenchock, Tenor

“The Bells” | William Byrd
Sarah Davies, Organ

“Panis Angelicus” | Cesar Franck
Margaret Rapp-Roesch, Mezzo-Soprano • Bob Riday, Piano

“Go Tell It On the Mountain” | Traditional, Arr: J.W. Work, Jr.
Community Chorus • Bob Riday, Piano

“Jesus of Nazareth” | Charles Gounod
Michael Yasenchock, Tenor • Bob Riday, Piano

“Joy To The World” | Tune: Handel • Text: Isaac Watts
The Carolers

Joined by the Audience
Joy to the world! The Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove,
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Cantique de Noel “Minuit, Chretien” / “O Holy Night” | Adolphe Adam
French Text: Placide Cappeauu • English Text: John Sullivan Dwight
Elise Quagliata, Mezzo-Soprano • Sarah Davies, Organ

“Noel Suisse” | Louis-Claude D‟Aquin
Sarah Davies, Organ

Please Join Us in Reception for Refreshments

HISTORICAL NOTES

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist and Director of Music for Leipzig, whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period to its ultimate maturity. Bach’s abilities as an organist were highly respected throughout Europe. He is generally regarded as one of the main composers of the Baroque style, and was one of the greatest composers of all time.

“Pastorella” was Bach's single work for organ in the Christmas genre of “shepherd‟s music,” a type which became popular in Italy in the 17th century based on the drones of bagpipes (“piva”) and the lilting, triple rhythms of little reed pipes (“piffaro”). For the Christmas portion of the “Messiah,” Handel wrote a “Pifa,” the instrumental interlude we now know as the “Pastoral Symphony.”

George Frederick Handel (1685-1759), the German-born organist and composer active in England, is best known for his 1741 oratorio, “Messiah.” Thematic similarities in some of Bach‟s cantatas suggest that he was familiar with Handel‟s work and greatly admired him. Handel, in turn, was influenced by Bach. In addition to operas and oratorios, Handel wrote Psalms, anthems, cantatas, chamber works, organ concertos and solo works for harpsichord.

“In dulci jubilo” was one of the earliest and most loved Christmas songs of the German people. Bach set the melody several times, two of which we will hear today– the first with the melody in canon between the right hand and the pedal, the second, an elaborately improvised harmonization.

Heinrich Seuse, a 14th century German monk and mystic, is thought to have written “In Dulci Jubilo” around 1328, a “macaronic” carol featuring alternating lines of Latin and German. According to folklore, the mystic Seuse heard angels sing these words and joined them in a dance of worship. There have been a number of English translations, the most popular of which is John Mason Neale's 1853 “Good Christian Men, Rejoice.”

“Haste Ye Shepherds,” a virtuoso aria for tenor with flute obbligato, is from Bach‟s “Christmas Oratorio,” a series of six cantatas which were performed at St. Thomas Church in 1734. Bach incorporated music from earlier compositions including three secular cantatas. The oratorio is in six parts intended for presentation on each of the major feast days of the Christmas season.

“Jesu Joy of Man‟s Desiring” from Bach‟s Cantata No. 147, “Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben” was written during his first year in Leipzig in 1723. Contrary to common assumption, the violinist and composer Johann Schop, not Bach, composed the movement‟s underlying chorale melody in 1642. The English lyrics were written by the poet laureate Robert Bridges, inspired by Martin Jahn‟s German text of 1661.

Michael Praetorius, one of the most versatile composers of his age significant in the development of musical forms, wrote the well-known setting of “Lo, How a Rose E‟er Blooming” (1609), based on an earlier tune in the Speyer Hymnal (1599). The German words are a paraphrase of Isaiah 11:1 “And there shall come forth a rose out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots” and the Song of Solomon 2:1. “I am the rose of Sharon.” In 1896, Johannes Brahms used the tune as the basis of one of his most beautiful chorales for organ.

Father Joseph Mohr, a parish priest, wrote the original lyrics of “Silent Night” in 1816. The melody was composed by the Austrian organist and headmaster, Franz Xaver Gruber, and was first heard on December 24, 1818 in the Nikolaus-Kirche in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria. Legend holds that it was played on a guitar because the organ was broken. The carol has been translated into 44 languages.

“Magnificat” is the “Song of Mary” from Luke 1:46-55, beginning “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.” Bach‟s best known “Magnificat,” is one choral version of 1723, based on the Latin chant, which was performed again in 1733 at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig. Bach also used the melody, which had been transformed into a German chorale, in Cantata No. 10; today‟s setting is Bach‟s own transcription for organ taken from the chorale of that Cantata.

“Deck the Halls” (16th Century) is believed to be Welsh in origin and may have come from a tune called “Nos Galan.” In the 18th Century Mozart used the tune for a violin and piano duet. The author of the words is unknown, however, the words are thought to have originated in America.

“Greensleves” was registered in the London Stationer‟s office in September, 1580 as “A New Northern Dittye of the Lady Green Sleves.” “What Child is This?,” the popular carol of 1865 by William Chatterton Dix, was set to the tune of “Greensleves.” Some have thought that King Henry VIII wrote “Greensleves” for Anne Boleyn; however, the song was probably Elizabethan in origin and is based on an Italian style of composition that did not reach England until after his death.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow penned the words for “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” in 1864, reflecting his despair of the terrible toll of the Civil War. John B. Calkin, born in London, served as a choirmaster and organist, and later as professor of the Guildhall School of Music and Croydon Conservatory. He set Longfellow‟s words to music in 1872.

William Byrd (c1539-1623), an organist in Queen Elizabeth‟s Chapel Royal, was arguably the finest composer of the English Renaissance. His output of about 470 compositions amply justifies his fine reputation. “The Bells” is a unique work based on a two-note “ground” (C to D) evoking tolling bells, with fanciful variations of increasing momentum in the upper voices. From the Cathedrals to the great churches of London, bells rang out frequently on every feast day and royal occasion.

Cesar Frank (1822-1890), born in Belgium, was a composer, organist and music teacher who worked in Paris during most of his adult life. As an organist, he mastered the new three-manual Cavaille-Coll instrument, and toured in France demonstrating them. His most famous composition for voice is the enduring Communion anthem, “Panis Angelicus.”

John Wesley Work (1871-1925), an educator and director of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, became a leader in the movement to preserve, study and perform African American spirituals, such as “Go Tell It on the Mountain.” Its inspiring text and memorable tune have made it one of the most uplifting songs of the holiday season.

Charles Gounod (1818-1893), born in Paris, studied at the Paris Conservatory and later won a scholarship to study in Rome where he concentrated on the study of church music, particularly the Renaissance music of Palestrina. Highly religious, Gounod wrote an enormous number of sacred songs and motets, which include the “Chant evangelique” of 1856, “Jesus de Nazareth.” The text, by A. Porte, was set in English in 1862 by the music critic Henry Chorley and became popular in London in the 1870‟s.

Isaac Watts (1674-1748), was an English pastor, poet and hymn writer. Often called the “Father of English Hymnody,” he wrote about 600 hymns, including “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” and “Joy to the World” (1719), based on Psalm 98. The music was arranged to Watt‟s lyrics by Lowell Mason in 1839, perhaps from an earlier melody by Handel.

Adolphe Charles Adam (1803-1856), Parisian organist, opera composer and critic, is best known for his 1844 ballet “Giselle” and his Cantique de Noel of 1847, “Minuit, Chretien.” The text was penned by Placide Cappeau, a simple French wine merchant who was also a poet, and had been asked by a parish priest to write a poem for Christmas. It quickly became an international favorite, and in 1855, a Unitarian minister John Sullivan Dwight wrote the text “O Holy Night” to Adam‟s music.

Louis-Claude D‟Aquin (1694-1772), keyboard virtuoso who as a six-year old child performed for Loius XIV, was organist at the French court and later served Notre-Dame in Paris. As a composer, he is most remembered for his organ settings of twelve French Noels, particularly the “Swiss” noel, heard today, which concludes his only known collection. The “noel” originated as a medieval folk song for Christmas, its popularity attested to by many printed anthologies of texts in the 16th and 17th centuries. Organists typically improvised brilliant variations on the melodies associated with the texts, and many more were published. D‟Aquin‟s works represent the culmination of the tradition.

THE PERFORMERS

Bob Baechtold, Baritone, makes his living as a trial lawyer in pharmaceutical patent cases, but his avocation is music. He began singing at age 10 as a boy soprano in St. James Church in NY. From there, he joined his high school chorus and was selected for the NJ All State chorus. At Rutgers University, he was a member of the Glee Club, the Club's barbershop quartet and the University Choir, performing choral works with major orchestras at Carnegie Hall, the UN, Philadelphia, Boston and Expo 67 in Montreal. He has also sung with local choruses in NJ and NY and most recently with the West Village Chorale for a series of performances of the Mozart Requiem in Italy.

Colin Cruz, Tenor, is a senior at Pocono Mountain West High School, and has been involved in music his entire life. Colin had the lead role in “Footloose” in 9th grade and performed as a featured character in “42nd Street” in 11th grade, as both a singer and tap dancer. Being selected for the District Chorus Festival since 10th grade, Colin just recently placed 3rd out of 55 tenors. He has been with The Buck Hill/Skytop Festival, participating as a soloist in “Porgy and Bess.” Colin is also in the show choir, the Urbane Gospel Choir and recently joined the marching band in auxiliary percussion. His college plans include Bio-Chemistry and Music.

Sarah Davies, Organ, recently earned her Ph.D. in Musicology from NYU with a dissertation on Swiss and German Renaissance tablatures for lute and organ. Over the past ten years she has given papers at nearly twenty music and interdisciplinary conferences in the U.S. and Europe. Before returning to academe, she worked in the music business in New York as a publicist, agent and manager, ending at ICM Artists. As a performer, she has been heard on organ series and in recital on historical or historically-based instruments in Switzerland, Germany, Holland, France and America.

John Kaltenthaler, Narrator and Baritone – John, a Lehigh University graduate and retiree from the U.S. Army, has performed with musical groups wherever he was stationed. He continues to perform as a Square Dance Caller. For over fifty-five years he has been „Calling‟ the world over as well as in forty-seven states. John has sung with community groups and church choirs, currently with the Pocono Lake Methodist Church, and has participated in eight Habitat for Humanity concerts.

Dave Miller, Guitar, started his music career studying piano with his remarkable mother, a professional singer, pianist and conductor. His brother Llewellyn taught him "Blackbird" on the guitar at the age of 18, but some twenty years later listening to the guitarist John Williams, he became obsessed with the sound of J.S. Bach. He began to study music with Princeton-based classical guitar virtuoso Alice Artz, who advised him that he had some ability. Inspired , the Scranton-based IT tech , who works for Aspect Software, now spends every waking minute thinking of music, and has played for weddings, church services, coffee houses, cocktail parties and various celebrations. He recently performed with well-known violinist Mark Woodyatt at the inauguration of the New York Peace Institute.

Elise Quagliata, Mezzo-Soprano, has received outstanding critical notice for her appearances in opera, as a soloist with orchestra and in recital. She has sung many leading roles, including Carmen in Carmen, Sister Helen in Dead Man Walking, Jo in Little Women, Cornelia in Guilio Cesare, Nicklause/The Muse in Les contes d'Hoffmann, Rosina Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and Dorabella in Cosi fan tutte. In 2012, she sings Suzuki in Madama Butterfly with Pensacola Opera. She has also been a featured soloist with numerous orchestras, including the Virginia Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, New Hampshire Philharmonic, Reno Philharmonic, Pensacola Symphony and Jacksonville Symphony. Upcoming recitals in 2012 include a performance of opera and cabaret for the Beacon Hill Concert series in Stroudsburg. Website: www.elisequagliata.com

Margaret (Peggy) Rapp-Roesch, Mezzo-Soprano, came to the mountain to live full time from New York in 1996. She sang in many choirs and the All-American chorus at Carnegie Hall, and has been in various productions in her earlier years. In 2000, she married Robert Roesch (now deceased), composer and organist; she sang and composed music with him which today is published by Glory Sounds, Augsburg-Fortress and Shawnee Press. Peggy enjoys singing in the various choruses and programs on the mountain. Having a Ph.D. she is chair of the Sociology and Social Work Department at Misericordia University and holds a clinical license in Social Work.

Bob Riday, Piano and Flute Accompanist – Bob is Choral Director at Belvidere High School, NJ. He studied music at the State University of New York at Fredonia. He is also Chancel Choir Director at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tannersville, and a member of the Pocono Flute Society. Bob has been involved with the Habitat for Humanity concerts in Monroe County, along with many other musical group activities in Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

June Steinberg, Soprano – While an accomplished painting artist, June has also performed as a singer on the radio and had won the CYO singing championship at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. She has always sung in choirs, currently with the Salem UCC church and enjoys the fellowship it affords. For many years, June and her husband, Al, directed the Lake Naomi Christmas Shows. June states,” music has always played an important role in my life and I have been thankful to reap some of its rewards.”

Michael Yasenchock, Tenor, is a 1983 graduate of Pocono Mountain High School and a 1987 graduate of West Chester University. Michael is employed as Cantor and choir director of the Church of Saint Luke in Stroudsburg. He also serves as an associate cantor of St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church , Pocono Summit, as well as for the Eparchy of Passaic, NJ. Michael’s operatic roles include Parpignol (La Boheme) with Shawnee Opera and Pennsylvania Lyric Opera. King Kaspar (Amahl) in Stroudsburg, the Fisherman (William Tell), the Duke (Rigoletto) , Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), Fernando (Marino Faliero) and Don Sebastiano (Don Sebastiano) with Amici Opera in Philadelphia. His concert performances include 13 years with the Shawnee Messiah sing-along, Haydn‟s Teresa Mass and Handel‟s Ode to St. Cecilia with the Singing Boys of Pennsylvania and the Three Tenors Concerts with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Community Orchestra. Michael‟s community involvement includes membership in HATT, the Knights of Columbus, the NHRS and as a Judge of Elections for Tobyhanna Township.

The Carolers and Community Chorus

◦ Bob Baechtold
◦ Cynthia Bender
◦ Colin Cruz
◦ Brenda Gillis
◦ Joan Hild
◦ John Kaltenthaler
◦ Margaret Rapp-Roesch
◦ June Steinberg
◦ Al Steinberg
◦ Judy Tim
◦ Lillian Ventrelli
◦ Mort Wolpert
◦ Michael Yasenchock

PROGRAM COMMITTEE, VOLUNTEERS & SPECIAL THANKS

◦ Bob Baechtols
◦ Cynthia Bender
◦ Doug Bender
◦ Rick Bodenschatz
◦ Nance Brown
◦ Rosalind Jones
◦ Don Jones
◦ Virginia Foy
◦ John Kaltenthaler
◦ Mike Kummer
◦ June Steinberg
◦ Al Steinberg
◦ Michael Yasenchock

Refreshments

The audience will enjoy refreshments prepared by Pastry Chef Kim Ortiz, assisted by Kim's mother, Laura Laspee, Director of the Clymer Library. Kim is an alumna of the Culinary Institute of America, coming to us from the staff of Walt Disney World. Kim, her husband and 3 children have “come home” to live in Tobyhanna Township. Assisting with refreshments is Marianne Hajduk.

Ushers

◦ Britney Diaz
◦ Jacie Jaskolka
◦ Jacob Judge

Special Thanks

We express our sincere appreciation to Lil Judge and Don Evans of the Salem UCC Church for the use of this special Home for the Holidays.

Our thanks go out to the Millers and Printing Craftsmen, Inc. for their financial assistance in the printing of this program.

Thank You to John Lamberton and the Lake Naomi Rangers for traffic safety and parking-shuttle assistance.

And with a sold out audience, we are thankful to the Tobyhanna Elementary Center School for permission to use their parking lot for overflow parking and performer and volunteer parking.

Over 40 performers and volunteers have made this event possible for the Community of Tobyhanna Township. We apologize for any omission of recognition of their contributions.

Virginia Foy and Rosalind Jones have spent countless hours in conducting research for potential musical selections, and in their extensive research for the preparation of the Historical Notes and basis of this document. Thanks to Sarah Davies for adding her experience to this final product.

Nance Brown, our Artistic Director, has over 30 yrs. of experience in front of and behind the footlights, and when we realized we needed an expert to put the show on the stage, Nance came to our rescue.

Michael Yasenchock, June and Al Steinberg and Bob Baechtold have been invaluable advisers with their musical and performance experience and Michael for his talented direction and leadership of the Carolers.

John Kaltenthaler became more than just our “voice” as our professional Narrator, by advising for recruitment of performers and event production.

Cynthia Bender and Don Jones provided insights that kept our objectives tuned to a quality performance. And Don as our official Bell Ringer, and Rosalind, assured a warm Welcome to our Community.

Mike Kummer and Doug Bender have put in place all of the facility and parking details to make us comfortable and safe.

Kim Williams, HATT photographer, has made a pictorial record of rehearsals for the performers and HATT’s archives, with his expert skills.

A Most Special Thanks to Rick Bodenschatz, Producer, for his vision, expertise and encouragement in making this program possible.

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