A Bel Canto Christmas: Songs of the Season

Songs of the Season

Program

Emcee:
Steve Carignan
Executive Director
Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center

Preshow Music and Interludes:
Josh Hakanson Trio
Josh Hakanson, Percussion
Alayna Ringsby, Piano
Dave Altemeier, Bass

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Jesse Cosby Community Collective:

Sharrie Wright, Director
Victor Evans, Accompanist
Rev. Willie Rockett, Bass
Juan Hollingsworth, Drums
Minister Heather Newman, Keyboard

Emmanuel by Norman Hutchins
Valerie Norman, Director
Heather Newman, Keyboard

He Has Come by Norman Hutchins
Sharrie Wright, Director
Soloist: Reatha Moore

In the Presence of a King by Donald Lawrence
Reatha Moore, Director
Heather Newman, Keyboard
Soloists: Toyia Hunter and Sharrie Wright

You Are the Living Word by Fred Hammond
Sharrie Wright, Director
Soloist: Kaliah Porter
Featuring the Union Baptist Praise Dance Ministry

Hallelujah by G.F. Handel, arr. Quincy Jones
Sharrie Wright, Director
Soloist: Reatha Moore

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Community Sing Along: Go Tell It On The Mountain
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born

When I was a seeker,
I sought both night and day;
I asked the Lord to help me,
And He showed me the way.

Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born

He made me a watchman,
Upon the city wall;
And if I am a Christian,
I am the least of all.

Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
 

Cedar Falls High School Concert Choir

Eliott Kranz, Director
Elizabeth Wild, accompanist

Noel
Todd Smith, arranged by Brad Holmes
Percussion: Kate Galyen & Paige Steffen
Soloists: Griffen Searfoss, Jack Brooks, Colin Hayes, Josh Umemezie, Ethan Beneke, Wes Kitzman

Kituba dialect: 
Noel! Noel! Jesu me kwisa ku zinga ti beto.
Kana nge zola ku zaba mwa na.
Nge fwiti kwisa ku fukama.

Translation:
Noel! Noel! Jesus has come to live with us.
If you want to know the Child, you have to come kneel.

Ding! Dong! Merrily on High 
16th century French Carol
Arranged by: Mack Wilberg
Featuring: Marsha Nichols

Still, Still, Still
Austrian Carol 
Arranged by: Norman Luboff

Brightest and Best 
Southern Harmony, 1835
Arranged by:  Shawn Kirchner
Violin: Emma Halvorsen   
Bass: Drew Ludeman

We Wish You a Merry Christmas
English Traditional Carol
Arranged by: John Rutter

-Intermission-

Cedar Falls High School Concert Choir and Bel Canto Cedar Valley

Eliott Kranz, Director

Deck the Halls
Welsh Traditional Carol
Arranged by John Rutter

Bel Canto Cedar Valley

Alice Reid Pruisner, Director
Bethany Brooks, Accompanist

Yule Be Swingin’ 
Arranged by Mac Huff
Featuring the Josh Hakanson Trio
Singers: Amanda Bridges-Kramme, Alice Reid Pruisner, Jess Lieb, Kelsey Williams, Darwin Johnson, Matt Rector, Chris Hale, Travis Toliver

Gaudete! 
Piae Cantiones, 1582
Arranged by Michael Engelhardt
Soloists: Mitchell Stover, Zachary Rogers, Elizabeth Nelson, Sarah Rueber, and Kennedy Hiles

Percussion Ensemble: Josh Hakanson, Ian Wetzler, and Kate Galyen

Gaudete, Gaudete! Christus est natus
Ex Maria Virgine: Gaudete!

Tempus adest gratiae,
Hoc quod optabamus;
Carmine laeticiae
Devote readdamus.

Deus homo factus est,
Natura mirante;
Mundus renovatus est
A Christo regnante.

Ergo nostra concio 
Psallat jam in lustro;
Benedicat Domino:
Salus Regi nostro.

Translation:

Rejoice, rejoice! Christ is born
Of the Virgin Mary: rejoice!

It is now the time of grace,
That we have desired:
Let us devoutly return
Songs of rejoicing.

God has become man,
And nature marvels;
The world has been renewed
By Christ who is King.

Therefore let our song,
Now resound in purification;
Let is give praises to the Lord:
Salvation to our King


What Child is This? 
Traditional English Carol
Arranged by Donald McCullough

Winter Wonderland
Lyrics by Dick Smith
Music by Felix Bernard
Arranged by Ruth Elaine Schram
Featuring the Josh Hakanson Trio

Christmas is Coming
Traditional English Carol
Arranged by Mack Wilberg
Featuring Elizabeth Wild

Community Sing Along:  Silent Night

Alice Pruisner, Director
Bethany Brooks, Accompanist

Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and Child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace;
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar;
Heav’nly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!

Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth;
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

I Sing Because I’m Happy

Words by Civilla D. Martin
Music by Charles H. Gabriel
Arranged by Kenneth Paden
Adapted by Rollo Dilworth

Alice Reid Pruisner, Director
Victor Evans, Accompanist
Willie Rockett, Bass Guitar
Juan Hollingsworth, Drums
JoAnn Wright, Soloist

Community Sing Along:  Silent Night
Alice Pruisner, Director
Bethany Brooks, Accompanist

Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and Child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace;
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar;
Heav’nly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!

Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth;
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

I Sing Because I’m Happy

Words by Civilla D. Martin
Music by Charles H. Gabriel
Arranged by Kenneth Paden
Adapted by Rollo Dilworth

Alice Reid Pruisner, Director
Victor Evans, Accompanist
Willie Rockett, Bass Guitar
Juan Hollingsworth, Drums
JoAnn Wright, Soloist

 

Bel Canto Cedar Valley, Jesse Cosby Community Collective, and the Cedar Falls High School Concert Choir

A special thank you to West Music and the UNI Department of Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice for their support of this performance, and to Quota Club of the Cedar Valley for providing support for ARTcessible sign language interpretation.

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About the Choir Members

Jesse Cosby Community Collective

Artistic Director: Sharrie Wright

Musicians:
Rev. Victor Evans, Keyboard/Piano,  (Promised Land Ministries, Dubuque, IA)
Rev. Willie Rockett, Bass Guitar (Shilliam Ave. COGIC)
Juan Hollingsworth, Drums (Christian Fellowship Baptist Church)
Minister Heather Newman, (Union Missionary Baptist Church)

​Soprano:
Debra Hodges-Harmon (Payne AME Church)
Toyia Hunter (Antioch Baptist Church)
Caroline Loveless (Mt. Carmel Baptist Church)
Theresa Montgomery (Union Missionary Baptist Church)
Reatha Moore (Antioch Baptist Church)
Kaliah Porter (Antioch Baptist Church) 
Ginger Shirley (Koninia Full Gospel Baptist Church)
Jo Ann Wright (Christian Fellowship Baptist Church)

Altos:
Sylvia Anderson (Union Missionary Baptist Church)
Cynthia Smith-Balark (Corinthian Baptist Church)
Josette Bates (Payne AME Church)
Beverly Cosby (Faith Temple Baptist Church)
Demetria Campbell (Christian Fellowship Baptist Church)
Ann Davis (Southern Baptist Community Church)
Sherrie Jones (Saviors Baptist Church)
Sheryl Jones (Christian Fellowship Baptist Church)
Maxcine Bishop Keller (Christian Fellowship Baptist Church)
Toyia Scott (Christian Fellowship Baptist Church)
Tierra Starks (Antioch Baptist Church)
JaTera Wiley (Christian Fellowship Baptist Church)

Tenors:
Marsha Gwennette Harmon (Payne AME Baptist Church)
Judy Lindsey (Mt. Carmel Baptist Church)
Heather Newman (Union Missionary Baptist Church)
Valerie Norman (Union Missionary Baptist Church)
Dr. Beverly Smith (Hope City)

Cedar Falls High School Concert Choir

Director: Eliot Kranz

Accompanist: Elizabeth Wild

Soprano:
Gabrielle Bamford
Josie Barry
Emily Bennett
Gina Brooks
Adalynn Budke
Olivia Carter
Lauren Ferguson
Kate Galyen
Emma Halvorsen
Faith Hansel
Ashlynn Headington
Anna Jacobsen
Drew Ludeman
Abigail Mauss
Grace Roth
Lilly Schildroth
Catie Shockley
Cadence Smith
Maya Smith
Ava Torres
Rhiannon Yaunk

Alto:
Molly Bailey
Kaia Bartlett
Adriana Breddin
Amelia Bryant
Abby Dvorak
Kristen Engelhardt
Juliana Heinen
Ivy Hemmer
Addison Jolley
Mary Kettman
Eliza Kirschenmann
Gena Koinzan
Viviane Nunez
Natalie Olsen
Sidney Pence
Paige Sommerfeldt
Paige Steffen
Melia Stone
Natalie Thomas
Elle Thompson
Aubrey Wiedman

Tenor:
Ethan Beneke
John Butler
John Ferguson
Varun Gulwadi
Colin Hayes
Ian Rhys Hitchman
James Schafer
Griffin Searfoss
Nathan Standing

Bass:
Jack Brooks
Wes Kitzman
Charlie Lubs
Aiden Mott
Sam Smith
Walker Taylor
Joshua Umemezie


Dancers for Jesse Cosby Community Collective
Union Baptist Praise Dance Ministry

Delores Turner, Director
Tyrone Davis Jr
LaTaija Jordan
LaRyah Jordan
Justyz Johnson
Charryse McHerron
Za'thia Williams
Damani Price
Sionna Keller
Kei'Monie Matlock
Serenity Wise
Samiyah Ellis
Kayden Caradine
Novanna Campbell
Nyla Wise
Kelis Jordan
Honesti Allen
Gregory Ary
Josiah Johnson
Malakai Ford
Korian Johnson
Makakali Ford
Korian Johnson
Carl Johnson III
Brittney Wise
Ta'Nayjah Williams
Zoe Brown

Bel Canto Cedar Valley

Artistic Director: Alice Reid Pruisner
Accompanist: Bethany Brooks

Soprano:
Amanda Bridges-Kramme
Sarah Burke
Charis Crozier
Emily Fakler
Patty Foster
Kate Hahn
Jennifer Jacobsen
Alexis Kraayenbrink
Kayla Mahler
Elizabeth Nelson
Tiffany Peterson Rasmussen
Megan Schwickerath
Meg Stineman
Ellen Waterman
Kelsey Williams

Alto:
Christine Anderson
Max Coon
Shoshanna Coon
Melanie Drake
Kim Erisman
Regan Hage
Kennedy Hiles
Lucinda Lear
Jess Lieb
Megan Lien
Sarah Rueber

Tenor:
Bill Atkins
Mark Fakler
Joel Haack
Darwin Johnson
James Mossman
Matt Rector
Mitchell Stover
Robert Wiersma
Devin Wipperman

Bass:
Jonathan Bridges
Chris Hale
Brook Jacobsen
Chris Knudson
Kevin Lam
Ryan Occeña
Micah Pruisner
William J. Ranney
Zachary Rogers
Ben Stineman
Travis Toliver

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Songs of the Season

About the Choirs and Directors

Bel Canto Cedar Valley

Bel Canto Cedar Valley is a premiere auditioned-based chamber choir serving communities throughout the Cedar Valley. Its mission is to contribute to the cultural enrichment of the communities it serves, by promoting quality choral music, exploring vast and varied choral repertoire, and encouraging music as a life-long passion. BCCV was founded in 2012, and has joyfully spent the last decade forging musical ties throughout the Cedar Valley with local composers, instrumentalists, venues, and other performing groups including the WCF Symphony Orchestra, the Wartburg Community Symphony Orchestra, the Metropolitan Chorale, and public-school choirs from Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Aplington-Parkersburg, Waverly-Shell Rock, to name a few. Bel Canto Cedar Valley’s members come from a wide array of backgrounds and professions and we are thrilled to bring the spirit of community music to the Gallagher stage along with the Jesse Cosby Community Collective and the Cedar Falls High School Concert Choir. To find out more about BCCV or how you can be involved, please go to our website at belcantocedarvalley.org.  

​Jesse Cosby Community Collective 

Located in the heart of Waterloo, the Jesse Cosby Center has been dedicated to keeping and enhancing the quality of life for neighborhood families. For over 50 years, the center has provided senior services with an adult day center, meals on wheels, and the youth summer feeding program throughout Black Hawk County. The center also provides services for the disabled, the sick, shut-ins, the homeless, and low-income households in crisis by providing connections to financial assistance programs and services. 

The namesake of the center, Jesse Cosby was born in 1907 in Jefferson County, Alabama. He always had a passion for music, and as a shoeshine in Alabama, he was known as the "kid with the musical cloth." Because of segregation he was not able to study music formally, but instead studied under tutors who recognized his ability. Using his musical talents and square-dance-calling skills, Jesse Cosby was responsible for creating some of Cedar Valley's first racially integrated social venues, bringing the community together in a radical way. In 1950, his efforts were recognized at the National White House Conference on Children and Youth in Washington, D.C. It was here that he began organizing a traveling choir that traveled and performed throughout Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota. The proceeds from the choir were intended for a community and recreation center - a dream that wouldn't actualize during his life. 

The Jesse Cosby Community Collective is born from Jesse Cosby’s legacy, and with the formation of the choir, the dream continues. Under the direction of Ms Sharrie Wright, amateur and professional musicians from across the Cedar Valley and various church communities have joined together to lift up the mission of the Jesse Cosby Center and continue to bring the community together through music.

Cedar Falls High School Concert Choir

The Cedar Falls High School Concert Choir is a 60 voice auditioned group of singers in grades 11 & 12 that meets daily for 48 minutes.  Their repertoire is diverse, incorporating music of many time periods, languages, cultures and styles.  In April of 2014, they were selected to sing at the Luther College (Decorah, IA) Dorian Choral Invitational and in February 2016 this group was featured at the NCACDA Convention in Sioux Falls, SD and again in February of 2022 at the Midwest ACDA Convention in Chicago, IL.  Concert Choir also made an appearance as the guest choir at the Wartburg College (Waverly, IA) Meistersinger Singer Honor Choir Festival in January of 2018 as well as being the featured choir at the Dorian Vocal Festival in January of 2023 at Luther College (Decorah, IA).  Cedar Falls High School Choirs have a long tradition of excellence in performance and have consistently received Division I ratings at state contests. 

Choir Directors

Director Alice Reid Pruisner

Alice Reid Pruisner is the Founder and Artistic Director of Bel Canto Cedar Valley. She graduated with honors from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with an undergraduate degree in Vocal Music Education and from The University of Northern Iowa with a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting. Ms. Pruisner has experience conducting choirs of all ages, and is especially passionate about community building and outreach. Ms. Pruisner lives in Cedar Falls with her husband, two daughters, and two mini dachshunds.

Director Sharrie Wright

Sharrie (Jordan) Wright migrated to Waterloo with her family when her father, the late Rev. L. J. Jordan was elected Pastor of Union Missionary Baptist Church. Sharrie was very young at the time so, though not born here, she has been raised and nurtured by the village of Waterloo, IA. Sharrie comes from a singing family. The “Jordanheirs” have been known to spread the love of God around the midwest since the early 50’s.

Sharrie began teaching, directing and playing for her first choir at age 11 at Union Baptist Church. She has been involved in the music ministry for over 60 years serving in various churches as the Minister of Music, musician, director and soloist. She has served in that capacity as well in the Iowa Missionary Educational Baptist Convention as well as the Eastern District Association. 

Sharrie earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Upper Iowa University and a Masters of Arts in Education Administration from the University of Northern Iowa. Shas served in the Waterloo Community School District for 41 years. She began as a para educator, an elementary teacher then a Family Support Worker. Her last 23 years have been in administration spending 4 years at elementary, 4 years at middle school and the remainder at the high school level. 

Sharrie is currently serving at the Antioch Baptist Church under the Pastoral leadership of Rev. Charles Daniel. She considers herself a servant and lives a “God 1st” life according to Matthew 6:33. Her favorite scripture however comes from Romans 8: 38 - 39. (38) “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39) nor height not depth nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus.”

She is married to Charles Wright, and has 1 son Darrian Jordan, and 1 grandson, Dallas Jordan.


Director Eliott Kranz

Eliott Kranz is in his twenty-first year of being a music educator, the last fourteen serving as the choir director at Cedar Falls High School in Cedar Falls, Iowa.  At CFHS, he enjoys leading the Bass Clef Chorus, Treble Clef Chorus, Concert Choir, teaching A.P. Music Theory, rehearsing Vocal Jazz as well as being the vocal director of the all school musical.  His choirs have had the privilege of working with Dale Warland, Dr. Andrew Last, Dr. Mark Potvin, Marques Garrett, Shawn Kirchner & Dr. Lee Nelson.  He is a graduate of Luther College in Decorah, IA (2003), where he studied under Weston Noble, Dr. Timothy Peter and Dr. Sandra Peter. He received his Master’s Degree in Music Education from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN (2012) under the guidance of Dr. Angela Kasper. He and his wife, Kim, live in Cedar Falls with their daughter Adeline (9) and son Oliver (2).

Director Josh Hakanson/Josh Hakanson Trio

Josh Hakanson is a musician and educator based in Cedar Falls, IA. On drum set, Hakanson has played professionally in the Pacfic Northwest and Midwest in a range of musical styles, encompassing jazz, rock, hip-hop, and fusion. As a student and professional performer, he has shared the stage with such musicians as Bobby Shew, Adam Kolker, Luis Bonilla, John Fedchock, Jennifer Wharton, Benny Green, John Wojciechowski, Steve Owen, Idit Shner, Joe Manis, Bob Washut, Chris Merz, Dave Rezek, and many others. As an educator, he has taught private lessons to all ages, coached large and small jazz ensembles at the collegiate level, and served as a clinician for middle and high school level students. He is currently a member of the percussion faculty at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA and maintains a private teaching studio.

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