Madrigals & MRT Singing Rainbows

 It's all about rainbows at the Madrigal Singers and Mad River Transit concert on Sunday May 1 in Fulkerson Recital Hall. 

 The Madrigal Singers perform music from a rainbow of nations and cultures, sometimes in combination. "It's a very diverse range of music in four different languages, from Rachmaninoff to a Hawaiian piece, to a traditional Yiddish folk song, to a contemporary piece set to Native American poetry," said conductor Rachel Samet.

 "Bogoroditse Devo" is from "The All-Night Vigil," an a cappella setting of a Russian Orthodox ceremonial text by Sergei Rachmaninoff. A history of Russian music published by the University of California in 2002 calls it Rachmaninoff's finest achievement. 

 The text for "Grandmother Moon" is a poem by Mary Louise Martin that uses the language of the Mi'kmaq people of Canada's Atlantic seacoast, with music by Eleanor Daley. It has been described as "tender" and "gorgeous." 

 Other selections include a Hawaiian hymn, a requiem by Texas folk singer Eliza Gilkyson, and a joyful tune taken from a Yiddish folk song and arranged by Joshua Jacobson. 

 The rainbow theme returns as the MRT jazz singers perform a program that is specifically colorful, with tunes including "Orange Colored Sky," "When Sunny Gets Blue," "The Pink Panther," "Sweet Georgia Brown" and Ella Fitzgerald's vibrant "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" ("A brown and yellow basket.") 

 Both vocal groups combine for Craig Hella Johnson's arrangement joining a 1970s Christian Rock song, "I Love You," with Louis Armstrong's 1967 hit, "What A Wonderful World." 

The HSU Madrigal Singers and MRT perform on Sunday May 1 at 8 p.m. in Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus. Tickets are $8, $5 seniors and children, free to HSU students with ID, from HSU Box Office (826-3928) or at the door.  Directed by Rachel Samet, produced by HSU Music department.

                                            Fall 2015 Madrigal Singers
A Madrigals Welcome, Mad River Transit's Christmas Lullaby

HSU Madrigal Singers go all a cappella and Mad River Transit jazz singers offer a contemporary Christmas Lullaby on Sunday December 6 in Fulkerson Recital Hall. 

 Within their traditional program of mostly English madrigals (plus one surprise), new director Rachel Samet has challenged the Madrigal Singers in two ways: with a completely unaccompanied program, and with a step beyond the usual four part harmonies, to a few selections in five parts.

 Among the songs are a Shaker tune, “Welcome, Welcome Every Guest,” and madrigals of varied mood, from a lament by John Bennett to a playful tune by John Farmer and a John Dowland love song. 

 The Madrigal Singers also pair a Renaissance song by Thomas Morley (“My bonny lass she smileth”) with a contemporary take by the famous contemporary master of parody, P.D.Q. Bach (“My bonny lass she smelleth.”) 

 Then the Mad River Transit singers take over with their program of jazz, blues and popular music. They   anticipate the holidays with “Christmas Lullaby” by contemporary musical theatre composer Jason Robert Brown, from his show Songs for a New World. 

 A traditional African-American spiritual (“Soon Ah Will Be Done”) is given what Samet describes as a “fresh and exciting arrangement” by Philip Kern. “Bim Bam” by Joao Gilberto provides a bossa nova beat. 

Except for an a cappella version of the Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine,” MRT is accompanied by a rhythm section of piano, bass and drums.

This is the first concert with Rachel Samet as choirs director. “I’m very excited to be working with all these groups,” she said. “I’m impressed with what students have accomplished over a semester and excited for where they can go.” 

 Madrigal Singers and MRT perform on Sunday December 6 at 8 p.m. in Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus. Tickets are $8, $5 seniors and children, free to HSU students with ID, from HSU Box Office (826-3928) or at the door. Produced by HSU Music department.

This year’s Madrigal Dinner will be held in the Kate Buchanan Room at HSU on December 10 at 6 p.m. as an evening of fancy hors d’ouvres and song. Tickets are $10 general, $5 students.

Media: Mad River Union, North Coast Journal, Humboldt State Now, Eureka Times-Standard Urge

Madrigals & MRT: The Program

Madrigal Singers

Welcome, Welcome Every Guest:  from Southern Harmony (Shaker tune)
 Come again, sweet love doth now invite by John Dowland
 Fair Phyllis I saw sitting all alone by John Farmer
Weep, o mine eyes by John Bennett
My bonny lass she smileth  by Thomas Morley
My bonny lass she smelleth  by P.D.Q. Bach

Madrigal Singers: (Sopranos)Tonya Bills, Camille Borrowdale,  Ana Ceja,  Ana Cruz, Lisa Ko, (Altos) McKinlee Burkhardt, Jenna Donahue, Rayden Marcum, Renee Ramirez,  Rosemary Torres,  (Tenor) William English,  Victor Guerrero,  Kyler Hanson,  Dustin Kemp, David Vaughan,  (Bass) Luis Cardenas, Matthew Flint,  Joseph Mayer,  Edrees Nassir,  John Pettlon, Alberto Rodriguez, Jimmy Sanchez.

                                                 
Mad River Transit

Blue Skies by Irving Berlin, arr. Steve Zegree
 God Bless the Child  by Arthur Herzog, Jr. and Billie Holiday, arr. Steve Zegree
 Take the A Train by Billy Strayhorn, arr. Steve Zegree
Bim Bam by Joao Gilberto, arr. Kirby Shaw
Yellow Submarine by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, arr. Mark Brymer
Christmas Lullaby from Songs for a New World by Jason Robert Brown, arr. Mac Huff
 Soon Ah Will Be Done: traditional African-American spiritual, arr. Brian Tate Anything Goes by Cole Porter, arr. Philip Kern

Mad River Transit Singers: (Soprano) Olivia Bright, Michelle Latner, Kayla LeClair,  (Alto) McKinlee Burkhardt, Catherine Rippetoe, Skyler McCormick, (Tenor) David Cadena, Joshua Roa, Noah Sims,  (Bass) Mark Berman, Jimmy Sanchez, Corey Tamondong.

Alums of Four Decades Sing for Harley

How to honor retiring professor Harley Muilenburg after 32 years of teaching Humboldt State students to sing? More than 20 of his former students who were members of his Mad River Transit jazz singers from the 1980s through 2015 will return to Fulkerson Recital Hall from all over California. They join HSU Music department faculty performers including pianist Daniela Mineva and violinist Cindy Moyer in a celebratory retirement concert on Saturday June 27 at 7 p.m.  Everyone is invited and admission is free. Program information is the post below.

 Born in North Dakota and a graduate of North Dakota State, Harley Muilenburg taught first at the high school level and then at couple of junior colleges. He was looking for a position at a four-year institution when choral music professor Lee Barlow was retiring from HSU. “The stars lined up,” he says now. He was hired to begin teaching at Humboldt State in 1983.

 As he prepared to head to the North Coast that summer he spoke with Barlow on the phone and asked about the Arcata weather. “Lee chuckled a little and said it’s really nice in the summer, although just about every evening you’re probably going to need a sweater if you’re outside,” he recalled. Muilenburg was still at his current teaching job in Loredo, Texas, where it was so hot and humid it was hard to breathe. “I didn’t really believe him until I got here.” 

 Over the years Muilenburg transformed the small HSU chamber choir into the large concert choir now called the University Singers. He started Mad River Transit as a smaller adjunct to the existing jazz ensemble, eventually combining the two in today’s slightly larger MRT. 

 HSU is one of only a few universities to have a Madrigal choir specializing in Renaissance music. But another was North Dakota State, and as an undergraduate Muilenburg had sung in its madrigal group. “Lee Barlow started the Madrigal Singers here in the 50s,” he said. “I added the Madrigal Dinner every December, based on the Elizabethan tradition of singing and feasting at Christmastime.” 

 In his 32 years, Muilenburg saw the Music department faculty grow and shrink back. “It’s kind of a bell curve in terms of numbers. But the number of majors has remained the same. The quality, the expertise, the care and concern, the excellence of the faculty have helped make this a great place to teach. In a lot of ways, the Music department at HSU has been a well-kept secret. Students find out about it when they come here, or when one of our groups tours in their community. But I’ve had distinguished, top-notch colleagues in the department here.” 

 Though he has been honored with teaching awards and published scholarly articles and vocal arrangements, Muilenburg talks less about his own accomplishments than those of his HSU Music faculty colleagues, and especially his students. He mentions such distinguished alums as internationally known blues singer Earl Thomas (whose entry in the Blues Encyclopedia notes his “powerful classically trained voice”) and jazz singer Juanita Harris, a mainstay in Mad River Transit during her years at HSU. She went on to Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music and a professional career based in the Bay Area. 

But he is equally pleased by his many alums who became music teachers, or who participate in community ensembles where they live. (They’ve kept in touch, he notes, even before the advent of email and social media.) “They carry on the legacy of music and keep it alive,” he said. “I’m really proud of that.” 

 One of those alums was Grant McKee, now a retail store manager in Santa Barbara. “He was my student in the 90s,” Muilenburg recalled. “He loved Humboldt, loved the Music department and he loved singing. He decided at least five or six years ago that when I retire, there’s going to be a concert for me. I smiled and thought it’s a great idea but it’s not going to happen.” 

But after Muilenburg’s retirement was announced, McKee got on Facebook to contact other MRT alums. Music department chair Cindy Moyer got involved, and the concert was scheduled. “There are probably 22 students who are going to trek from all parts of California, and this alumni group of jazz singers from the 80s right up until the past year. They’ll perform the second half of the concert,” Muilenburg said. “I couldn’t feel more excited and happy and blessed and proud.”

Among those making the trip to HSU to sing for Harley is Juanita Harris.

 Muilenburg’s retirement has been in the works for awhile. “Five years ago I had a student whose parents had been my students in the 80s. So I felt it was definitely time for me to retire.” 

He is currently busy preparing to move in July, to be near family in southern California. “I know I’m going to miss the students,” he admits. “August is going to come and I won’t have a choir. I’ll miss the rehearsal process, contact with students and my academic colleagues. I’ll probably sneak back here and drop in sometime, and see how things are going.” 

Pianist Daniela Mineva, violinist Cindy Moyer and other HSU faculty will open the Harley Muilenburg retirement concert on Saturday June 27 at 7 p.m. in Fulkerson Recital Hall at HSU. Admission is free. Concert is produced by HSU Music department. 

Media: Times-Standard Urge Magazine, Mad River Union, North Coast Journal Setlist, Humboldt State Now.

Soloists for MRT include Lorena Tamayo, Jessie Rawson, Ian Alexander, Catherine Rippetoe and Jordan Kramlich. 
Love Songs and Chili with Madrigals & MRT 

 HSU Madrigal Singers perform a program of love songs, and Mad River Transit sings blues, a jazz waltz, a Martin Luther King tribute and a swinging chili recipe on Sunday May 3 in Fulkerson Recital Hall. 

Madrigal singers Ana Ceja, Erin Corrigan and Edrees Nassir perform “Say Love If Ever Thou Didst Find” by Renaissance composer Thomas Morley. Catherine Rippetoe sings “The Lone Wild Bird,” arranged by Madrigals director Harley Muilenburg. The singers combine on the romantic ballad “Midsummer Song” by English composer Frederick Delius, and Orlando di Lasso’s madrigal “O Eyes of My Beloved.”

     Soloists for Madrigal Singers include Ana Cejar, Erin Corrigan, Catherine Rippetoe and Edrees Nassir.

Also on the program are three excerpts from the 2009 Patrick Hawes album “Song of Songs,” with solo by soprano Kellie Ventura. “Hawes’ choral writing is marked by flowing lines and beautiful harmonies,” said Muilenburg. “The keyboard accompaniment by John Chernoff provides contrasting music rich with rhythmic drive.” 

 Mad River Transit singers continue the evening with blues, a jazz waltz by famed pianist Bill Evans and a quick-witted novelty number that provides a musical recipe for Chili Con Carne. 

Jesse Carpentier solos on a tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.: MLK by the British rock group U2. Other soloists and improvisers include Lorena Tamayo, Jessie Rawson, Ian Alexander, Catherine Rippetoe and Jordan Kramlich. John Chernoff accompanies both groups on keyboards.

 Madrigal and MRT Singers perform on Sunday May 3 at 8 p.m. in Fulkerson Recital Hall. Tickets from HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door: $8 general, $5 seniors and children, HSU students with ID admitted free. Directed by Harley Muilenburg, produced by HSU Music department.

Media: Times-Standard "Urge," Mad River Union, Humboldt State Now

Madrigal & MRT Singers: Programs and Notes

2015 Madrigal Singers (not in order pictured; click photo to enlarge):
Ariana Bustos, Sandee Castaneda, Tiffany Casparis, Erin Corrigan, Ana Ceja,      Jessica Currow, Michelle Latner, Catherine Rippetoe, Robyn Strong, Rosemary Torres,  Kellie Ventura, Victor Guerrero, Maximilian Cox, Fidel Garzia, Dylan Kinser, John Pettlon, Edrees Nassir, Felipe Pezzoli, Jeremy Rodda, John Schutt,     Jaime Sanchez, Leonardo Simmons. Keyboards: John Chernoff.  Directed by Harley Muilenburg.

Notes from director Harley Muilenburg:

HSU Madrigal Singers present a program of Madrigals and songs of love from the 1600’s and the 1900’s. Featured in the program will be a madrigal by Thomas Morley with solos sung by Ana Ceja, Erin Corrigan, and Edrees Nassir. This Madrigal examines the nature of the pursuit of young love.

 The singers will perform three excerpts from Patrick Hawes’s Song of Songs. Hawes’s choral writing is marked by flowing lines and beautiful harmonies. The keyboard accompaniment provides contrasting music rich with rhythmic drive. Frederick Delius’s Midsummer Song is an ABA romantic ballad with a Madrigal type la la section in the middle of the form. The singers will close the program with di Lasso’s beautiful madrigal O Eyes of my Beloved.

Madrigal Singers Program:

Say Love If Ever Thou Didst Find by Thomas Morley
 Ana Ceja, Soprano;  Erin Corrigan, Alto;  Edrees Nassir, Baritone

From Song of Songs by Patrick Hawes
 Kellie Ventura, soprano
 Rhapsody
 Love’s Promise
 Song of Songs

 The Lone Wild Bird arr. Harley Muilenburg
 Catherine Rippetoe, alto

 Midsummer Song by Frederick Delius
 O Eyes of My Beloved by Orlando di Lasso
 Fie on Sinful Fantasy by George Shearing


2015 Mad River Transit

Olivia Bright ,Jessie Rawson, Jordan Kramlich, Catherine Rippetoe, Jesse Carpentier, Lorena Tamayo, Ana Ceja, Linh Pham, Anna Duchi, Lizzie Thorne,       Ian Alexander, Christian Lesko, Sean Laughlin, Jeremy Rodda, Joshua Roa,       Alberto Rodriguez, Alberto Zamora, Luke Smetana, Daniel Szylewicz, Corey Tamondong , Greta Goshom,  Mari Harsch, Ian Taylor, Andrew Henderson, Ryan Woempner.  Keyboards: John Chernoff.  

MRT’s night of singing includes classic vocal jazz featuring Claire Fisher’s Latin arrangement of the German folk song “Du, Du, Leigst Mir Im Herzen.” The program includes a jazz waltz, Bobby McFerrin’s 23rd Psalm, and the beautiful song MLK, written in memory of Martin Luther King. Jesse Carpentier will be the soloist.

MRT Program

Moanin’ by Lambert, Hendricks & Ross
 Solo: Jessie Rawson
 Improv: Jessie, Lorena, Ian, Linh Olivia, Alberto

 MLK arr. Bob Chilcott
 Jesse Carpentier

  Le Nommage  by Kerry Marsh and Julia Dollison
 Improv: Sean, Jordan, Jessie, Olivia, Alberto

23rd Psalm by Bobby McFerrin
 Chili con Carne by Anders Edenroth
 Du, Du, Leigst Mir Im Herzen arr. Claire Fisher
 Blues in the Night arr. Muilenburg
 Waltz For Debby by Bill Evans, arr. Muilenburg & Lorena Tamayo
 Improv: Jessie, Catherine, Lorena, Christian

The Holidays Start with Madrigals and MRT 

 HSU Madrigal Singers in costume jump-start the holiday season with their traditional program of madrigals and English folk songs, plus the Mad River Transit Singers perform jazz, be-bop and blues with a four piece backing band on Sunday December 7. 

 The Madrigal Singers feature songs of young love by Robert Jones and Orlando di Lasso, composers of the Elizabethan age in England. But the best-known writer of that era will also make an appearance, with the final three madrigals set to the words of William Shakespeare.

 “Lord” Clint Rebik and “Lady” Kristen Mack will present news of the day (the 1500s), another traditional part of the program. 

 Then the Mad River Transit Singers take over with their program of ballads and up-tempo numbers that include arrangements ranging from “God Bless the Child” and “O Mary, Don’t You Weep” to “Ray’s Rockhouse” and “Route 66.” MRT is backed by John Chernoff on piano, Ryan Woempner on bass, Thatcher Holvik-Norton on drums and Kyle McInnis on alto saxophone.

HSU Madrigal and MRT Singers perform on Sunday December 7 at 8 p.m. in Fulkerson Recital Hall at HSU. Tickets are $8, $5 seniors & children, HSU students free with ID, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Directed by Harley Muilenburg, produced by HSU Music department.

 This year’s MRT Singers (not in order pictured; click photo to enlarge): Ian Alexander, Laura Doughty, Hannah Fels, Trina Garrett, Melody Gonzalez, Christian Lesko, Kyle McInnis, Danielle Murray, Christopher Parreira, Corey Tamondong, Rilo Wade, and Alberto Zamora.

 Madrigal Singers (not in order pictured; click photo to enlarge) Tiffany Casparis, Ana Ceja, Erin Corrigan, Victor Guerrero, Jessica Golden, David Howard, Charles Hollowell, Jordan Kramlich, Rich Macey, Kristen Mack, Megan McCaffrey, Edrees Nassir, Matthew Nelson, Nicholas Notthoff, John Pettlon, Linh Phom, Rosemary Torres, Rebeca Ramos, Clint Rebik, Catherine Rippetoe, Shay Singh and Kellie Ventura.

Media: North Coast Journal, Mad River Union, Humboldt State Now

Madrigal and MRT Singers: From Dowland to a cappella Jazz

 Madrigal Singers highlight songs of John Dowland and Mad River Transit adds a cappella jazz to its offerings in a shared spring concert on Sunday May 4 in Fulkerson Recital Hall.

 John Dowland is perhaps the most famous of the madrigal era composers, especially after Sting recorded an album of his songs. The Madrigal Singers perform solo selections accompanied by HSU alumnus Jason Hall on guitar. “Jason’s superb guitar playing will provide an insight into the Elizabethan Madrigal style of music,” said director Harley Muilenburg.

 In various combinations, the Madrigal Singers perform other Renaissance era songs, including Peter Warlock’s “Pretty Ring Time” and settings by Henry Purcell, Gabriel Faure and Benjamin Britten, with John Chernoff accompanying on keyboards.

 The Mad River Transit singers perform their program of ballads, blues and swing accompanied by a three-piece rhythm section, ranging from Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen to James Taylor and Theolonius Monk. New this year is a student-led a cappella group called Syncopations, which performs two songs recorded by Take Six: “Gold Mine"and "Get Away Jordan.”

The MRT rhythm section is John Chernoff (piano), Ian Taylor (bass) and Thatcher Holvick-Norton (drums.)
 
Madrigal Singers and Mad River Transit perform on Sunday May 4 at 8 p.m. in Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $8/$5, free to HSU students with ID, from HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Directed by Harley Muilenburg, produced by HSU Music Department.

Madrigal & MRT Singers: Additional Notes

John Dowland was above all the composer of lute songs, publishing his first collection of airs in 1597, followed by a second in 1600 and a third in 1603. He left over 80 secular songs of moving intensity.

 Melancholy was all the rage in Elizabethan England, and John Dowland was the most stylish composer of sad-themed music of his time. "Semper Dowland, semper dolens" was his motto, and much of his music is indeed exquisitely dolorous. Although he was a talented singer, Dowland mainly followed a dual career as a composer and lutenist. He was the period's most renowned and significant composer of lute solos, and ayres and was a gifted writer of consort music. —‘Dowland, semper dolens’ (‘Dowland, always grieving’)—Dowland had a reputation as being a cheerful man, despite his reputation for composing exquisitely melancholy music.

The Madrigal Singers (not in order pictured; click photo to enlarge) are: Tiffany Casparis, Ana Ceja, Stevy Marquez, Linnea Hill, Robyn Strong, Elena Tessler, Kellie Ventura, Erin Corrigan, Danielle Dias, Jessical Golden, Hannah Kelly, Rebeca Ramos, Rosemary Torres, Rae Marcum, Fidel Garcia, Evan Goldsborough, Victor Guerrero, JoeBoy Kitzerow, John Pettlon, Raul Yepez. Dylan Kinser, Jason Hall, Edrees Nassir and Jeremy Rodda.

 Mad River Transit (not in order pictured; click image to enlarge):Hannah Fels, Trina Garrett, Sandy Lindop, Laura Doughty, Kelsey Goldstein, Danielle Murray, Lorena Tamayo, Olivia Bright, Jo Kuzelka, Jessie Rawson, Michelle Green, Kenneth Bridges, Steven Eitzen, Jason Garza, Kyle McInnis, Kobe Thompson, Raymond Alvarez, Dolan Leckliter, Christopher Parreira, Alberto Rodriguez, Corey Tamondong and Braxton Corbin.

Madrigal Singers: The Program

The Madrigal Singers will present madrigals, part songs, solos, and duets along with the news of the day, the day being the time of Shakespeare in merry old England. Madrigals by Weelkes, Morley, Vecchi, Campion Lawes, Dowland, Henry Purcell, and Eric Whitacre will be sung, and News of 1600 England will compliment the Madrigal performance.  Directed by Harley Muilenberg.

  Madrigal Singers Fanfare For Christmas Day by Martin Shaw
 In These Delightful Pleasant Groves by  Henry Purcell
 Since Robin Hood by Thomas Weelkes
 Fa Una Canzona Orazio by Vecchi
 Toss the Pot by Thomas Ravenscroft
 Which is the Properest Day to Drink
 Shepherd, Shepherd by Henry Purcell
 Mary Now Winter Nights Enlarge by Thomas Campion
 Beauty and Love by Henry Lawes
 Nymphs and Shepherds by Henry Purcell
 The Peaceful Western Wind by Thomas Campion
 Flow my Tears by John Dowland
The Willow Song- Time of Elisabeth I
Can She Excuse my Wrongs arr. Harley Muilenburg
 A Secret Love or Two by Thomas Campion
 Come Again Sweet Love by John Dowland
Change Then for Lo She Changeth by William Holborne Abbey
What If a Day--Time of Elizabeth
 Florian’s Song by Benjamin Godard
And Would You See my Mistress Face by  Philip Rosseter
 Strike The Viol by Henry Purcell
Me, Me, and None But Me by John Dowland
 If Music Be the Food of Love by Henry Purcell
 Kala Kalla (from 5 Hebrew Songs) by  Eric Whitacre
 Sir Christmas by William Mathias

December 2013 Madrigal Singers (not in order pictured): Ana Ceja,  Erin Corrigan,  Jessica Golden,  Tiffany Casparis,  Robyn Strong,  Erika Luna, Stevy Marquez,   Kristin Mack,  Rosemary Torres,  Abbey Teitelbaum, Elisabeth Gent, Ray Alvarez, Dylan Kinser, John Pettlon, Edrees Nassir,  Kenneth Bridges,     Clint Rebik, Victor Guerrero,  Jeremy Rodda, Kyle McInnis, Christian Rosales, Aubrey Ross. Click photo to enlarge.

Mad River Transit: The Program

MRT’s December concert will feature solo singers and solo piano by our staff accompanist John Chernoff. MRT will feature music of a number of well known vocal jazz arrangers, including Paris Rutherford, Michele Weir and Greg Jasperse. There will be up-tempo jazz, slow tempo jazz, and medium swing jazz for variety of style in the program. Bee bop and Blues will reign.

 MRT’s rhythm section includes: John Chernoff, piano; Ian Taylor, bass and Tyler Burkhart, drums.

 Favorite Things arr. Harley Muilenburg

 After the Goldrush by Neil Young, arr. Elliott Shay

 Anthropology arr. Paris Rutherford

 Boplicity by  Miles Davis, arr. Clinton Day

 New York Voice Dance by  Greg Jasperse

 Muddy Water arr. Michele Weir

 Birdland arr. Paris Rutherford

December 2013 Mad River Transit (not in order pictured): Ana Cruz,   Hannah Fels, Jillian Gibson, Trina Garrett, Jo Kuzelka, Jessie Rawson,  Molly Harvis, Sandy Lindop, Danielle Murray,  Kenneth Bridges,      Dolan Leckliter, Steven Eitzen, Edrees Nassier, Christian Lesko, Christopher Parreira, Maxime Tanti,  Vance Uhphrey, Kobe Thompson.  Directed by Harley Muilenberg. Click photo to enlarge.

                                                              MadRiver Transit
From Dowland to the Beatles with Madrigal and MRT

 Songs from the Renaissance to the Beatles are given voice in the Madrigal and Mad River Transit Singers spring concert on Sunday May 5. 

 The concert also features a new a cappella group called the Humboldt Tones that starts off the second half with four songs, including “Discipline” by Bobby McFerrin, and Kerry Marsh’s musical version of an e.e. cummings poem, “Love Is More Thicker Than Forget.”

 Then the Mad River Transit Singers perform songs from the 1940s, including “Knock Me A Kiss” and “All the Cats Join In.” The Beatles tunes are “Norwegian Wood” arranged by MRT and Madrigal Singers’ director Harley Muilenburg, and the lush harmonies of “Because” from the Abbey Road album.

  MRT is accompanied by the rhythm section of Joseph Welnick and John Chernoff on piano, Steven Workman on bass and Dylan Williams on drums.

 The evening begins with the Madrigal Singers, performing works by John Dowland, Emma Lou Diemer and Orlando di Lasso, as well as anonymous Renaissance love and drinking songs. Two senior music majors, James Gadd and Daniela Godinez, each conduct a movement from Cecelia McDowall’s “A Fancy of Folksongs.”

 HSU Madrigal and MRT singers perform their spring concert on Sunday May 5 at 8 p.m. 8 p.m. in Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. $7/$3 seniors & children. HSU students admitted free. Tickets:826-3928 or at the door.  Directed by Harley Muilenburg, produced by the HSU Music Department.

Madrigal and MRT Singers Concert

Madrigal Singers

 Come Away, Sweet Love by Thomas Greaves
 Say Love Is Ever Thou Didst Find by John Dowland
 A Fancy of Folksongs
 1. Green Bushes conducted by James Gadd
2. O No, John! conducted by Daniela Godinez

 Down Among the Dead Men by anon
 Take O Take Those Lips Away by Emma Lou Diemer
 I Know A Young Lady by Orlando di Lasso

Madrigal Singers  (not in order shown): Daniela Godinez, Ana Ceja, Rebecca Ashbach, Kayleigh Lindquist, Natalie Whiting, Robyn Strong, Danielle Murray, Julia Whelpton, Rosemary Torres, Kenneth Bridges, James Gadd, Fidel Garcia, Jason Garza, James Adams, JoeBoy Kitzerow, Edrees Nassir, John Pettlon, Christian Rosales, Joseph Saler, Matt Walton and Greg Willis.

 Humboldt Tones 
Discipline by Bobby McFerrin
 Love is More Thicker Than Forget arr. Kerry Marsh
 Land of Pure Imagination arr. Greg Murai
We Love You Madly by Terry Winch

 The Humboldt Tones are Olivia Bright, Sandy Lindop, Jessie Rawson, Laura Emerson, Lorena Tamayo, Kenny Bridges, Nick Durant, Alberto Rodriguez, Corey Tamondong and Joseph Welnick.

 Mad River Transit 
 Knock Me a Kiss arr. Steve Zegree
 Norwegian Wood by Lennon-McCartney arr. Harley Muilenburg
 Everything I Have Is Yours by Burton Lane
All the Cats Join In arr. Kirby Shaw
And So It Goes arr. Bob Chilcott Spain arr. Rare Silk
Because by Lennon-McCartney arr. Kerry Marsh
Vine Street Bar and Grill arr. Sharon Broadly

Mad River Transit Singers: Oliva Bright, Trina Garrett, Dani Godinez, Hannah Fels, Katie Wolter, Jacqui Hernandez, Jessie Rawson, Lorena Tamayo, Steven Eitzen, Cristian Lesko, Ken Montalvo, Maxime Tanti, Alberto Rodriguez, Jason Hall, Dolan Leckliter, Jerry Olofsson and Eric Taite.

 Rhythym Section: Joseph Welnick, John Chernoff, Piano
 Steven Workman, Bass
 Dylan Williams, Drums

Annual Holiday Concert with Madrigal and MRT Singers

The HSU Madrigal Singers present their annual holiday show of 16th century English hits, followed by the Mad River Transit Singers creating some spontaneous jazz combustion in their joint concert on Sunday December 2 at Fulkerson Recital Hall.

The Madrigal Singers perform traditional works by Henry Purcell, John Dowland and Ralph Vaughan Williams as well as madrigals by Thomas Weelkes, Thomas Morely and Robert Jones—all beginning with “Fanfare for Christmas Day.” As usual the 28 singers will be in full Elizabethan costume, singing in various combinations: for example, four Ladies combine on Purcell’s “What Can We Poor Females Do?” Harley Muilenberg conducts and John Chernoff performs keyboard accompaniments.

Then the MRT Singers take over for an eclectic program, focusing on music of well-known vocal jazz arrangers. Among the tunes they perform are “Spontaneous Human Combustion” by Richard Greene and Joe Finetti, a vocal arrangement of Paul Simon’s “Baby Driver,” and Hoagy Carmichael’s “Georgia On My Mind.” They will also celebrate the salvation of Big Bird with the “Sesame Street” song.

Singers will be accompanied by a rhythm section of Steven Workman on bass, Dylan Williams on drums, and John Chernoff on piano, who also promises a solo or two.

The Madrigal Singers and MRT perform their holiday concert on Sunday December 2 at 8 p.m. in Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets from HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Directed by Harley Muilenburg, produced by the HSU Music Department.

Media: Tri-City Weekly, Humboldt State Now

Members of the Fall 2012 Madrigal Singers:

Cayla Crofts, Ana Cruz, Rebecca Ashbach, Jacqui Hernandez, Shawny Hard,Erin Corrigan, Michaela Presler, Daniela Godinez, Savannah Bouton, Cynthia Stuart, Kristin Mack, Robyn Strong, Elena Tessler, Georgia Sack, Rosemary Torres,Natalie Whiting, Jason (JD) Garza, James Adams, Ken Montalvo, Dylan Kinser, John Pettlon, Kris Lang, James Gadd, Edress Nassir, Clint Rebik, Kobe Thompson, Matt Walton and Greg Willis. (Not necessarily in order of photo above.)

Fall 2012 MRT Singers are:

 Jacqui Hernandez, Anna Coleman, Katrina Beck, Trina Garrett, Hannah Fels, Kathleen Johnston, Dani Godinez, Jessie Rawson, Sandy Lindop,Tina Toomata, Steven Eitzen, Raymond Alvarez, Dolan Leckliter, David Vaughan, Alberto Rodriguez, Jerry Olofsson, Joseph Welnick. (Not in order pictured.)

                                                Mad River Transit Singers 2012

Madrigal Singers & MRT Celebrate Love 
 
HSU Madrigal Singers perform songs of love and celebration from Renaissance times, and MRT jazz singers do the same in the modern idiom in their shared concert on Sunday night, April 29.

For the Madrigal Singers set, Dylan Kinser and Grayson Sandy are featured in a duet on “Rest Sweet Nymphs” by Francis Pilkington, and a dozen voices combine for John Dowland’s “Come Again, Sweet Love.” Other selections include “Dreams and Imaginations” by Robert Jones, “Sweet Day” by Ralph Vaughan Williams and Bob Chilcott’s arrangement of one of the oldest and most familiar English tunes, “Greensleeves.” John Chernoff accompanies the singers on piano.

The Mad River Transit Singers take over for the second half of the concert, featuring two jazz pieces by Bobby McFerrin: his “23rd Psalm” which blends jazz and chant, and “Sweet in the Mornin’” with a solo by Claire Bent. MRT turns stormy with “Stormy Monday Blues” by T-Bone Walker and the classic “Stormy Weather” by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler, with an arrangement by Madrigal and MRT director Harley Muilenburg. Famously recorded by Ethel Waters, Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra, this became a signature tune for Lena Horne.

   Other selections include “Voice Dance” by Greg Jasperse and “Boplicity” by Miles Davis. MRT is accompanied by the rhythm section of John Chernoff (piano), Charles Welty (bass) and Dylan Williams (drums.)

HSU Madrigal Singers and MRT perform on Sunday night, April 29 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall at HSU. Tickets $7/3/free to HSU students from HSU Box Office (826-3928) or at the door. Directed by Harley Muilenburg, produced by HSU Music Department.

Media: Humboldt State Now, Arcata Eye.

Madrigal Singers will be performing Madrigals and love songs from the late Renaissance golden age of English Madrigals as well as love ballads from the 20th century. Dylan Kinser and Grayson Sandy will be featured on a duet in "Rest Sweet Nymphs". The theme of the program is music for a celebration, such as a renaissance wedding in old England. John Chernoff will accompany Madrigal Singers on the piano.

MRT will be performing two featured jazz pieces composed by Bobby McFerrin, Sweet in the Mornin' with Claire Bent, soloist and Psalm 23. McFerrin's "23rd Psalm" is composed in quasi chant ballad style with jazz chords influencing the sound. Two "stormy" jazz titles will be performed: "Stormy Monday Blues" and "Stormy Weather". Both songs are standards for jazz singers and these arrangements are most enjoyable to sing and to hear. Our rhythm section includes: John Chernoff, Piano, Charles Welty, Bass, and Dylan Williams, Drums. --Harley Muilenburg


Madrigal Singers: The Program

Rise Up My Love, My Fair One James McCray
Dreams and Imaginations Robert Jones
Greensleeves arr. Bob Chilcott
Rest Sweet Nymphs Francis Pilkington
Come Again Sweet Love John Dowland
  Will Good Ale John Rutter
Sweet Day Ralph Vaughan Williams
Mairi’s Wedding arr. Bob Chilcott


MRT Singers: The Program

Stolen Moments arr. Kirby Shaw
Sweet in the Mornin’ Bobby McFerrin
 Stormy Weather arr. Muilenburg
Voice Dance Greg Jasperse
Stormy Monday Blues Aaron T-Bone Walker
Psalm 23 Bobby McFerrin
O Mary Don’t You Weep arr. Albert McNeil Shawny
The Frim Fram Sauce arr. Paris Rutherford
Boplicity Miles Davis, Arr. Clinton Day

Madrigal Singers Spring 2012

Cayla Crofts, Tiffany Casparis, Hayley Brick, Gloria Gutierrez, Erin Corrigan, Ashley Fields, Jacqui Hernandez,  Kristina Crawford,  Kyana Ballard, Megan May, Jessica Lovelady, Brandy Rose, James Gadd, Cole Buxton, Dylan Kinser ,Kyle McCormick, William Nevin III, Christian Rosales, John Pettlon, Elliott Pennington, Grayson Sandy, Matt Walton.


MRT Singers Spring 2012

Cara Crofts, Claire Bent, Jacqui Hernandez, Sara Scibetta, Jo Kuzelka, Nancy Soriano, Shawny Hard, Tina Toomata, Steven Eitzen, Kristofer Lang, Paul Johnston, Joseph Welnick, Philip de Roulet, Eric Taite.

Rhythm Section: John Chernoff, Charles Welty, Dylan Williams.

With director Harley Muilenberg, the fall 2011 Madrigal Singers
Celebrate the Holidays with the Madrigal Singers

It’s a holiday tradition: Beginning with “Fanfare For Christmas Day,” the HSU Madrigal Singers present their annual holiday program of Renaissance madrigals and songs on Sunday December 4 in Fulkerson Recital Hall.

Tunes by Giovanni Gastoldi (“Hearts Lively Beating”), Thomas Ravenscroft (“Toss the Pot”), Henry Purcell (“Two Daughters of an Aged Stream”), Thomas Arne (“Which is the Properest Day to Drink”) and others are rendered in ensembles, duets and solos. Festive music is interspersed with news of the day---the day being 17th century England.

This year’s Madrigal Singers are Cayla Crofts, Aubrey Donen, Jacqui Hernandez, Danielle Murray, Cynthia Romano, Katie Wolter, Tiffany Guenter, Katherine Goodwin, Shany Hard, Rachael Heller, Erika Luna, Eboni Session, Tina Toomata, Victor Guerrero, John Pettlon, Chelsea Rothchild, David Vaughan, Cole Buxton, Tyler Ebright, Edrees Nassir and Elliott Pennington.

The Mad River Transit Singers follow with a rhythmic program of jazz and blues that emphasizes the solo bass as played by Charles Welty, particularly on the tune “Mr. P.C.,” honoring the famous jazz bassist Paul Chambers.

Also included on the program are “Blues for Jezebel,” “Cookin’ at the Continental” and “Chili Con Carne.” Comprising this year’s MRT are Jacqui Hernandez, Jocelyn Kuzelka, Sandy Lindop, Elena Tessler, Arianna Dobbins, Anna Coleman, Claire Bent, Sara Scibetta, Nancy Soriano, Tina Toomata, Steven Eitzen, Charles Welty, Kristofer Lang, Dolan Leckliter and Joseph Welnick. MRT is accompanied by Darius Brotman on piano, Dylan Williams on drums, and Charles Welty on bass.

HSU Madrigal Singers and MRT perform on Sunday December 4 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID. Directed by Harley Muilenburg, produced by HSU Music Department.

Media: Humboldt State Now, Arcata Eye

December Preview

Symphonic Band plays Pulitzer Prize winner Howard Hanson on Friday December 2 at 8 p.m. in Fulkerson.


Calypso Band premieres "Pan Army" and Percussion Ensemble plays on Saturday December 3 at 8 p.m. in the Van Duzer Theatre.


Madrigal Singers perform Renaissance songs of the season and MRT sings jazz and blues on Sunday December 4 at 8 p.m. in Fulkerson.


 AM Jazz Band performs on Thursday December 8 at 8 p.m. in Fulkerson.


Humboldt Symphony plays Gershwin's An American in Paris on Friday December 9 at 8 p.m. and Sunday December 11 at 3 p.m. in Fulkerson.


Jazz Orchestra plays on Saturday December 10 at 8 p.m. in Fulkerson.


Humboldt Chorale presents King Island Christmas and the University Singers perform Vivaldi's Gloria on Sunday December 11 at 8 p.m. in Fulkerson.

Madrigals Go Modern, MRT Stays Jazzy

In their annual spring concert the HSU Madrigal Singers mix the modern and the ancient, and the Mad River Transit Singers accent improvisations and variety with tunes from Duke Ellington and Stevie Wonder to Jimmy Van Heusen. Their voices share the Fulkerson Recital Hall stage on Sunday night, May 1.

The Madrigal Singers perform three “cabaret madrigals” by contemporary American composer William Bolcom and lyricist Arnold Weinstein, who also collaborated on notable operas such as McTeague and A View From the Bridge. These three songs vary from the humor of “Amor” and “Places to Live,” to the plaintive “Waitin’.”

Shakespeare’s sonnets are the theme of three songs by 20th century Anglo-American composer George Shearing and one by English Renaissance composer Thomas Morley. Soprano Cayla Crofts and soprano Tiffany Guenter solo on two of Shearing’s, with Justin Lomiglio adding bass guitar to Shearing’s “Fie on Sinful Fantasy.” The 26-voice ensemble also performs madrigals by Balthazar Donato, Thomas Ford and Gabriel Faure.


Taking over in the second half, the smaller ensemble called Mad River Transit explores jazz, blues and popular music, including Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish,” Duke Ellington’s “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me” (arranged by Madrigal and MRT director Harley Muilenburg), Victor Young’s “Stella By Starlight,” and Jimmy Van Heusen’s “Call Me Irresponsible.”


With numerous solos and group combinations on the program, the singers are Jessi Shieman, Elena Tessler, Brandy Rose, Molly Severdia, Jo Kuzelka, Kalea Hammond, Cindy Cress, Amy Chalfant, Sara Scibetta, Claire Bent, Joseph Welnic, Dolan Leckliter, Lucas Reichle, Gabriel Holman and Colin Wagner. They are accompanied by Darius Brotman on piano, Charles Welty on bass and Dylan Williams on drums.

The HSU Madrigal Singers and Mad River Transit perform on Sunday May 1 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID. Directed by Harley Muilenburg, produced by HSU Music Department.

Media: Humboldt State Now, Arcata Eye