Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus
Alex Heetland, director
“Considering Matthew Shepard,” first performed in 2016, is a
full-concert length modern-day oratorio, which honors and
celebrates the life of Matthew Shepard.
The choral work is fused together with different styles. The
texts are from poets, including Rumi and Hildegard von Bingen,
along with words from Shepard’s own journal. The Chicago
Tribune wrote: “Moving among styles ranging from Lutheran
hymnody to blues to Broadway, this modern-day Passion will move
many listeners to tears even as it reaches beyond tragedy to
peace, understanding and forgiveness.”
With guest conductor Dr. Jan Taylor, the choruses of UC
Davis — the Concert Choir and the Chamber Singers — join
to sing the music that Albert J. McNeil (1920–2022) loved and
championed.
McNeil was a transformative force in the music department
during his 21 years as a faculty member (1969–90). He greatly
increased participation in the University Chorus from an
occasional course to a full public performance group, and
created the University Chamber Singers. He founded a music
education program and was an original faculty member of the
African American and African studies program. As founder and
longtime director of the Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers in Los
Angeles, he had a profound effect on the performance,
preservation and presentation of African American spirituals.
Featuring a guest orchestra, the choruses of UC Davis — the
Concert Choir and the Chamber Singers — join together to
perform choral music with texts that often center on homeland
and migration. Where is home? Is it where you have been or
where you are going? From India to China to Britain, Mexico,
Africa, Syria and Iraq, the concert selections paint
pictures of movement, faith and beauty across many cultures and
time periods. The program ends with J.S. Bach’s uplifting
Magnificat.
Tiara Abraham, soprano (B.A. music ‘22)
Kathleen O’Rourke, soprano
Julie Miller, mezzo-soprano
Michael Jankosky, tenor
Malcolm MacKenzie, baritone
Program
Brad Holmes: Noel
Mack Wilberg: Jubilate Deo
Zanaida Robles: Veni Sancte Spiritus
Salim Bali (arr.): Fōg Elnā Khel
Stacey Gibbs (arr.): Way Over in Beulah Lan’
Abbie Betinis: Carmina mei cordis
Sergio Barer: “¿Me quedo o me voy?” from The Immigrants
Yang Hong and Zhang Quanfu: 月亮船 (Moonboat)
arr. Saunder Choi
A. R. Rahman: Balleilakka from the Tamil film
Sivaji
arr. Ethan Sperry
The UC Davis Concert Choir is a large mixed ensemble open to
members of the university and the greater Davis community. The
focus of this ensemble is the performance of large-scale
choral-orchestral and extended choral works. Vocal
placement for this ensemble consists of the following:
Vocal warmup and range exploration
Pitch matching exercises and singing Happy Birthday
Brief chat about your musical goals and why you love singing.
I will also answer any questions that you may have about the
choral ensembles and singing at UC Davis.
Those who wish to be considered for the UC Davis Chamber Singers
should review the criteria for that ensemble as it has different
requirements.
Course Information
MUS 144
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:10–6:00 pm, Room 115, Music
Building
The UC Davis Chamber Singers is a select ensemble of mixed voices
between 16–24 (student) members that specializes in advanced a
cappella repertoire for SATB voices. The Chamber Singers will
serve as ambassadors for the choral program. All singers who
audition
for the UC Davis Chamber Singers will also be considered for
the UC Davis Concert Choir and do not need to schedule an
additional audition for that ensemble. Singers that wish to be
considered for this ensemble will be asked to do the following:
Submit a video of an aria, art song, or folk song (similar to
what would be expected for an all-state audition) prior to the
in-person audition.
Complete pitch matching exercises and sight-reading at the
in-person audition.
Have a short conversation about your musical goals and why
you love singing. I will also answer any questions that you may
have about the choral ensembles and singing at UC Davis.
Course Information
MUS 142
Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:10–6:00 pm, Recital Hall, Ann E.
Pitzer Center
Prior to accepting the position at UC Davis, Dosman was
the Director of Choral Studies and associate professor at the
University of Southern Maine. He was also the artistic director
of the Community Chorus at South Berwick, the Chorus Master for
the Portland Symphony Orchestra’s Magic of Christmas series and
Opera Maine. He began his collegiate teaching career as the
Director of Choral and Vocal Activities at Colby College and
worked as an adjunct voice professor at Molloy University.
