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Still I Rise

Our FREE, RAD Days concert

Calvary United Methodist Church

971 Beech Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15233

September 24, 3pm

Please join us for a celebration of strength, courage, and hope.

"You must do the thing you think you cannot do."

"You gain courage and strength every time you look fear in the face...

Life must be lived! "

-from "The Beauty of Your Dreams" - music by Joan Syymko,

text adapted from the words of Eleanor Roosevelt  

"Still I Rise" marks a new beginning for Belle Voci, the debut of Artistic Director, Lorraine Milovac:

"We are so thankful to RAD for continuing to support the mission of Belle Voci,

and we look forward to sharing this inspirational music with the community.”

Belle Voci is proud to be a RAD Cultural Asset since 2020. 

Program
Still I Rise 

 

 Lorraine Milovac, Artistic Director of Belle Voci Choirs

Rachel Eaton, Director of Solo Voci

Kelsey Benigni, Accompanist for Belle Voci

ASL Interpreter provided by SLIP, Sign Language Interpreting Professionals

Alison Bartley

 

 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 @ 3:00PM

CALVARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

971 Beech Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233

Open Seating

PRELUDE

Brian Burns, Director of Music, Calvary United Methodist Church

BELLE VOCI

Lorraine Milovac, Director

 

“Ad Astra” - Jacob Narverud (b. 1986)

 

 To the stars through difficulties, look upward, move forward, leave all cares behind.

 

 

Welcoming Remarks - Pamela Bruchwalski

 

BELLE VOCI

 

“I am a Voice that Sings” - Michael Bussewitz-Quarm (b. 1971)

Darlene Matta, Soloist     

 

    In the dark of night, in shades of fear, I will reach within, deep in my soul,

            to find the promised light, a dream to keep in sight:

I am a voice that sings!

 

When all hope seems gone, on your path unknown, feeling all alone,

I’ll keep right on, and blend my voice with yours, to lift and reassure:

I am a voice that sings!

 

I’m resolved to love, to be a voice for change, 

My hand will hold your tender wounds: 

together we will find something of grace and peace.

 

When the flowers fade, when the stars grow dim; 

when the smile leaves and tears appear;

from deep within the heart, the song of life draws near:

I am a voice that sings!

 

Together, we will find something of grace and peace, I am a voice that sings! 

Together we will sing!

 

 “Crowded Table” - Arr. Andrea Ramsey (b. 1977)

Ashley Freeburn, Violin

 

You can hold my hand when you need to let go. I can be a mountain when you’re feeling valley low. I can be a streetlight showing you the way home. 

If you can hold my hand when you need to let go. 

 

I want a house with a crowded table and a place by the fire for everyone. Let’s take on the world while we’re strong and able and bring us back together when the day is done. 

 

If we want a garden, we’re gonna have to sow the seed. Plant a little happiness, let the roots run deep.

If it’s love that we give, then it’s love that we reap. If we want a garden, we’re gonna have to sow the seeds. 

 

The door is always open, your picture’s on my wall. Ev’ryone’s a little broken and ev’ryone belongs.

 

“Landslide” - Stevie Nicks, Arr. Ed Lojeski (1942 - 2020)

 

I took my love and I took it down. I climbed a mountain, and I turned around. And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills when a landslide brought me down. Oh, mirror in the sky, what is love? Can the child within my heart rise above? Can I sail through the changing ocean tides? Can I handle the seasons of my life? Well, I've been afraid of changin' ‘cause I've built my life around you. But time makes you bolder, children get older and I'm getting older too. So take this love and take it down. Yeah, if you climb a mountain and you turn around. And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills  when a landslide brought me down. And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills, well maybe, a landslide will bring you down.

 

“The Beauty of Your Dreams” - Joan Szymko (b. 1957)

 

I will make a prayer to ask what I can do; I will make a prayer to ask for courage to follow the light as it is given to me.

You gain courage and strength every time you look fear in the face. You gain strength you gain courage and strength; you gain courage and confidence every time that you are forced to look fear in the face.

You must do the thing you think you cannot do.

Life must be lived! Cast out fear, we must cast out fear and face the unknown, face the unknown with courage and integrity and a high heart.

You must do the thing you think you cannot do.


Believe in your dreams, Believe in the beauty of your dreams. The future be longs to those who dream, to those who do believe in the beauty of their dreams.

*Text used by permission of the estate of Eleanor Roosevelt, Nancy Roosevelt Ireland,

daughter of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr., literary executor.

 

SOLO VOCI

Rachel Eaton, Director

 

“On Justice, Truth and Peace” - Amy F. Bernon (b. 1967)

 

On justice, on truth, on peace, oh peace. Rabban Shim’on ben Gamli’el said, “On these three things the whole world stands: on justice, on truth, on peace.” Rav Muna added, “Where justice is done, truth is done, and peace is made.” Hebrew: Hine matov uma naim shevet achim gam yachad.

 

“Kaleidoscope Heart” - Arr. Allison Girvan (b. 1967)

 

All the colors of the rainbow hidden ‘neath my skin. Hearts have colors, don’t we all know. Red runs through our veins. Feel the fire burnin’ up. Inspire me with blood of blue and green. I have hope inside is not a heart but a kaleidoscope.

 

BELLE VOCI

 

“May I Suggest” - Arr. Lisa G. Littlebird

Kathleen Galper, Cynthia Goff, Soloists

 

May I suggest to you, may I suggest this is the best part of your life. May I suggest this time is blessed for you. This time is blessed and shining almost blinding bright. Just turn your head and you'll begin to see the thousand reasons that were just beyond your sight. The reasons why, why I suggest to you why I suggest this is the best part of your life.

 

There is a world that's been addressed to you, addressed to you, intended only for your eyes, A secret world like a treasure chest to you of private scenes and brilliant dreams that mesmerize. A lover's trusting smile, a tiny baby's hands, the million stars that fill the turning sky at night. May I suggest, may I suggest to you, may I suggest this is the best part of your life. 

 

There is a hope that's been expressed in you, the hope of seven generations, maybe more. And this is the faith that they invest in you, it's that you'll do one better than was done before. Inside you know, inside you understand, inside you know what's yours to finally set right. And I suggest, and I suggest to you, and I suggest this is the best part of your life.

 

This is a song comes from the west to you, comes from the west, comes from the slowly setting sun with a request, with a request of you to see how very short the endless days will run. And when they're gone, and when the dark descends, oh we'd give anything for one more hour of light. And I suggest, and I suggest to you, and I suggest this is the best part of your life.

 

       “The Times They Are A-Changin’” - Bob Dylan, Arr. Adam Podd (b. 1986)

Casey Bruchwalski, Pamela Bruchwalski, Soloists

 

Come gather 'round people wherever you roam, and admit that the waters around you have grown, and accept it that soon you'll be drenched to the bone. If your time to you is worth savin', and you better start swimmin' or you'll sink like a stone, for the times they are a-changin'.

 

Come mothers and fathers throughout the land and don't criticize what you can't understand. Your sons and your daughters are beyond your command. Your old road is rapidly aging. Please get out of the new one if you can't lend a hand for the times they are a-changin’.

 

The line it is drawn, the curse it is cast. The slow one now will later be fast. As the present now will later be past. The order is rapidly fadin', and the first one now will later be last for the times they are a-changin’.

 

“Masterpiece” - Ayrian Norman, Bryan Sable

Bryan Sable, Accompanist

 

You are a masterpiece; in all the fading of the universe you sparkle with such ease. You are a masterpiece. How beautiful you shine, the melodies that you design, a masterpiece. The sun may sometimes fade on you, the rain may ever fall, the wind may push you from the race, the tide may keep you stalled. But clouds will roll away, rain will slowly stray. The wind will shift, the tide will turn, the dark will turn to day and you remain a masterpiece in all the imitation of the truth, the authenticity of you, a masterpiece. How beautiful you shine, the melodies that you design, a masterpiece you remain.

 

“Still I Rise” - Rosephanye Powell (b. 1962)

Jude Barrett, Annie Herman, Soloists

 

Though I have been wounded, aching heart full of pain. Still I rise, yes, still I rise. Jus' like a budding rose, my bloom is nourished by rain. Haven't time to wonder why, though fearful I strive. My pray'r and faith uphold me 'til my courage arrives.

 

Still I rise as an eagle, soaring above ev'ry fear. With each day I succeed, I grow strong and believe that it's all within my reach; I'm reaching for the skies, bolstered by courage, yes, still I rise. Yes, it's all within my reach; I'm reaching for the skies, yes, still I rise.

 

Gentle as a woman; tender sweet are my sighs. Still I rise, yes, still I rise. Strength is in my tears and healing rains in my cries. Plunging depths of anguish, I determine to strive. My pray'r and faith uphold me 'til my courage arrives.

 

Though you see me slump with heartache; heart so heavy that it breaks. Be not deceived I fly on bird's wings, rising sun, its healing rays. Look at me, you see a woman; gentle as a butterfly. But don't you think, not for one moment, that I'm not strong because I cry.

 

 

Closing Remarks - Pamela Bruchwalski

“You’ll Never Walk Alone with Climb Ev’ry Mountain” 

- Arr. Mark Hayes (b. 1953)

Alli Frymoyer, Soloist 

 

When you walk through a storm hold your head up high, and don't be afraid of the dark. At the end of a storm is a golden sky and the sweet silver song of a lark.  Walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain tho’ your dreams be tossed and blown. Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart and you’ll walk on with hope in your heart, and you'll never walk alone.

 

Climb every mountain. Search high and low. Follow every byway, every path you know. Climb every mountain. Ford every stream.
Follow every rainbow ’till you find your dream. 

 

A dream that will need all the love you can give every day of your life for as long as you live. Climb every mountain. Ford every stream. Follow every rainbow ‘till you find your dream. Walk on with hope in your heart, and you'll never walk alone.

 

 

BELLE VOCI

 

Soprano I

Jude Barrett *

Celeste Callahan*

Maureen Cassley

Lisa Endler 

Mikayla Ferchaw *

Kathleen Galper*

Yukiko Giho

Cynthia Goff *

Annie Herman

Pamela Kimmel 

Jennie Miller

Eileen Murray

Lindsay Patterson

Hannah Powell

Maddy Stewart

Frances Verschuure

 

Soprano II

Casey Bruchwalski*

Audrey Callahan * 

Alli Frymoyer

Joy Givens

Ellie Ives

Diana Koch

Sandra Miller

Mary Phan-Gruber

Jeannine Pitas

Rachel Schultz

Holly Smith

Josie Strong

Finn Sutton

Carly Tansimore *

Vanessa Torres 

Tiffany Vasilakis*

Lynne Williams

 

Alto I

Alyson Barra

Alexis Bovalino

Carolina Cappetta

Francesca Cappetta

Emily Duque

Katie Fike

Erica Hacker

Naomi Killian *

Sandi Kruse

Judie Lai

Mara Letterle

Eva Malecki

Kristin McCrory

Allison Miller

Megan Mulert 

Gail Planz-Wachter

Susan Straus

 

Alto II

Natalie Antonucci*

Darlene Berkovitz

Pamela Bruchwalski *

Lori Cole*

Janet Dykstra

Rachel Eaton * 

Mary Findlay

Suzanne Masri

Paula Meverden

Beth Minnigh 

Roberta Nicholas 

Darlene Matta

Doris Zurawka

* Solo Voci - September 2023

Lorraine Milovac is the Artistic Director of Belle Voci, a community-based, adult treble (soprano, alto) choral ensemble, and is in her twenty-fifth year as the Director of the University of Pittsburgh’s Treble Choral Ensemble. A recently retired high school choral director, Ms. Milovac taught in the Upper St. Clair and Woodland Hills school districts. During her tenures, she conducted multiple-level choirs, sponsored both theInternational Thespian Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society, and served as vocal director for the musicals. Her choirs and students were consistently selected to perform in the PMEA All-State and NAfME All-Eastern Division and National conferences. She has served as guest conductor for ACDA, PMEA, and County Chorus festivals.


Ms. Milovac is the Assistant Director of Music at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania, having previously served churches in the Serbian Orthodox and United Methodist traditions. She has performed in Europe with the Pittsburgh Concert Chorale, and locally with the Masterworks Concert Chorale, the Czarica Milica Serbian Women’s Choir, and Voces Solis’ Summer Singers. Lorraine was chosen in 2009 as one of the top one-hundred teachers in eighty-three school districts for the Teacher Excellence Center program. In 2023, Ms. Milovac was the recipient of the PMEA Citation of Excellence Award, a recognition given to PMEA members who have made lasting contributions in their area of teaching.


In addition to her work as conductor-clinician, Ms. Milovac teaches private voice, piano, and musical theatre classes, and maintains an active presence in professional, community, and high school theatre productions as a performer, vocal director, and musician. She holds membership in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA), NAfME: National Association for Music Education, and the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).

 

  

Kelsey Benigni is a pianist and accompanist based in Pittsburgh, PA and has been serving as Belle Voci’s accompanist since January 2022. A graduate of both Duquesne University (Bachelor of Science in Music Education, 2017) and Boston University (Master of Music in Music Education, 2021), Kelsey taught instrumental and vocal music in public schools for five years and is an active musician in the Pittsburgh area.

 

At Duquesne, Kelsey studied classical piano with Sister Carole Riley and was the recipient of two awards for Excellence in Piano Performance by the university piano faculty. She also sang and served as section leader in the Pappert Chorale. Upon graduation, Kelsey was awarded the PMEA Society for Music Teacher Education Award for Scholarship and Research and the Presser Foundation Undergraduate Scholar Award.

 

In addition to accompanying Belle Voci, Kelsey has served as a piano accompanist with the Pittsburgh Youth Chorus, at Faith United Methodist Church in Fox Chapel, and for a range of school choral programs, musicals, and festivals, including PMEA and the Allegheny Valley Honors Band.

 

 

Rachel Eaton received her bachelor’s degree from Yale University in 2002 and her PhD in cognitive psychology from Harvard University in 2007, where she was also the recipient of the Derek Bok Prize, a university-wide award for excellence in teaching. Trained in voice, violin, and musical theater, Rachel served as the musical director and CD producer of a women’s a cappella ensemble at Yale University and has performed in multiple ensembles and theater productions at Yale, Harvard, and around the Pittsburgh area. Rachel has served as a preschool music teacher and advocate for early music education. Rachel is proud to have sung with Belle Voci since its inception in 2012, and she was thrilled when she was asked to form Solo Voci, which she has directed and performed with since 2015.

 

 

****

 

ABOUT BELLE VOCI — CONNECTING SONG AND COMMUNITY

 

Belle Voci is a community-based, adult choir that sings music for voices in the treble range. Belle Voci performs an eclectic repertoire of wide-ranging styles, showcasing the performance practices of the music’s origin. Belle Voci was founded in 2012 by Craig Cannon, who serves as the organization’s President. Lorraine Milovac is our Artistic Director as of June 2023.

 

Founded in the fall of 2012 by Craig G. Cannon, Belle Voci is currently operating in its twelfth concert season.

 

Our mission is “Connecting Song and Community” through exemplary collaborations of artistic diversity. We are committed to fostering and preserving a culture of diversity, accessibility, and inclusion. We believe music encourages creativity and promotes civic engagement and a healthy community. Belle Voci welcomes singers of all backgrounds, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, races, religious beliefs, and mental and physical abilities. 

 

 

As a registered Pennsylvania Non-Profit Corporation with an IRS approved designation as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt Public Charity, Belle Voci is “In Residence” at Aspinwall Presbyterian Church, 299 Center Avenue, Aspinwall, PA 15215. Belle Voci and Solo Voci rehearse in the church’s Fellowship Hall once a week.

 

If you would like to support Belle Voci with your voice, your time, or your financial assistance—we’d love to hear from you! Check us out at www.bellevocipgh.com

 

SPECIAL THANKS

 

 The congregation and staff of Calvary United Methodist Church. 

 

calvarypgh.com

 

Thank you for sharing your stunning space with us. 

 

Brian Burns, Director of Music

 

 

 

BELLE VOCI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

September 2023

 

President

Craig G. Cannon

 

Board Chair

Doris Zurawka

 

Board Secretary/Treasurer/Board Member

Charles J. Wolenter, C.P.A.

 

Peter Bianchi

Pamela Bruchwalski

 Nathan Hart

Tara Hutchinson, Esquire

Pamela Kimmel

Suzanne Masri

Victoria Rogers

Gerald Savage

Denise Sheffey-Powell

Jackie Slaugenhaupt

 

 

Belle Voci is proud to be an Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD) Cultural Asset since 2020 and receive its support.   

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