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LAND’S ENDNOVEMBER 9 / 7PMALTASEA AT THE PORT OF LATHE L.A. CHORAL LABPRESENTSPROGRAM
01Land’s End is a rhapsody on the beauty, wonder, and complexity of our seas: a call to celebrate, protect, and sustain their unparalleled majesty.Standing at land’s end — at the precipice of the vast ocean — one cannot help but feel humbled by its unparalleled beauty; contemplate the mysteries of its seemingly infinite expanse; and consider its powerful, yet complex, relationship with human history. The ocean has provided us with some of our greatest opportunities for interconnection while simultaneously facilitating some of our most devastating impacts on both human and natural environments. A partnership with AltaSea and the Port of Los Angeles, Land’s End speaks to the L.A. Choral Lab’s mission to utilize choral music as a vehicle to speak to some of the most pressing and complex aspects our human experience — and doing so through collaborations with L.A.-based artists, in unique concert venues, and alongside meaningful community partners.Join us to explore what lies beyond land’s end and treasure that which unmoors, challenges, and heals us. We hope you will enjoy a musical and sensory experience that features three works by L.A.-based composers — including a world premiere — that takes place in the Port of Los Angeles’s Berth 60 — the first choral performance of its kind in this location—and that transports you to a place of contemplation, wonder, and action.LAND’S END
02“The Prow” // Hazzard and Talberg (2019)“The Island Itself” // Quartel and McBreen (2022)“Maid on the Shore” // Allan (2016)“Becoming The Ocean” // Runestad and Gibran (2023)“Posthuman Water Chorus” // Kim (2024)“Song of the Sea” // Smythe and Rilke (2024)<<Intermission>>“In Waves” // Heidari and Aldape (2023)“Beneath the Wave” // Flynn (2011)“Water Night” // Whitacre, Paz, and Rukeyser (1996)“In Profundum Maris” // Nance and Sparks (2022)“Blue” // Stal and Eilish (2024)Thank you to our Program SponsorTONIGHT’S PROGRAMLand’s End runs approximately 1.5 hours with a 20-minute intermission
03SONG INFOThe Prow Composed by Matthew Lyon HazzardText by Jonathan Talberg2019The prow, the best place on the boat for a seat.Wind whipping, salt spraying, sun shining,dolphins playing above darkness and creeps in the deep,Gliding oe’r brillianceSea air, crack of sails,No one can catch us,Not even the whales!
04The Island Itself Composed by Sarah QuartelText by Joan McBreen2022 Afternoon sun on my back,irregular slap of water on rock,and then, a skylark. Fine sand blown overthe hill’s top, over the lake,swans, and the sound they make. Aquamarine, the colour of the sea.Nobody to say my name,no one to listen to me. Nothing to rememberbut the currents swell and shiftand the island itself; again my head thrown back,my eyes shut, clear music in the airand the smell of sea-wrack.SONG INFO
05Maid on the ShoreArranged By Kathleen Allan 2016T’was of the young maiden who lived all aloneShe lived all alone on the shore-oThere was nothing she could find to comfort her mindBut to roam all alone on the shore shore shoreBut to roam all alone on the shoreT’was of the young captain who sailed the salt seaLet the wind blow high blow low-oI will die I will die the young captain did cryIf I don’t have that maid on the shore shore shoreIf I don’t have that maid on the shoreI have lots of silver I have lots of goldI have lots of costly fare-oI’ll divide I’ll divide with my jolly ship’s crewIf they row me that maid on the shore shore shoreIf they row me that maid on the shoreBy subtle persuasion they got her aboardLet the wind blow high blow low-oAnd he placed her away in his cabin belowHere’s adieu to all sorrow and care care careHere’s adieu to all sorrow and careShe sat herself down in his cabin belowLet the wind blow high blow low-oWhere she sang so soft and complete
06She sang captain and sailors asleep sleep sleepShe sang captain and sailors to sleepShe robbed him of silver she robbed him of goldShe robbed him of costly fare-oThen took his broadsword instead of an oarAnd paddled her way to the shore shore shoreAnd paddled her way to the shoreWell me men must be crazy my men must be madMy men must deep in despair-oFor to let you away with your beauty so gayAnd to paddle your way to the shore shore shoreAnd to paddle your way to the shoreI deluded your sailors as well as yourselfI’m a maiden again on the shore shore shore
07Becoming The OceanComposed by Jake Runestad Text by Kahlil Gibran2023It is said that before entering the sea,a river trembles with fear.She looks back at the path she has traveled,from the peaks of the mountainsto the long-winding road crossing forests and villages.And in front of her,she sees an ocean so vast,that to enter itshe might disappear forever.There is no other way.The river can not go back.No one can go back.The river must take the riskof entering the ocean;only then will fear disappear.That's when the river will knowit's not disappearing into the ocean,but becoming the ocean.
08Posthuman Water ChorusComposed by Sharon Chohi KimText by Sharon Chohi Kim2023“Posthuman water chorus” emphasizes the idea that all beings on earth – animals, land and material – are bodies of and connected through water. This piece imagines a future world in which humans disband from the ideas of individualism and humanism as the basis of their existence on this planet. The Korean words “na, nuh, oori” (I/me, you, we/us) disappear into ripples of “we are”, and language eventually dis-solves as the music evolves. Sprinkled throughout are questions from water such as, “we will heal you, will you heal (us)?” and “we will love you, will you love?” This piece is part of a larger work called Haenyeo, based on the women freedivers of Jeju Island, South Korea.
09Song of the SeaComposed by Mark SmytheText by Rainer Maria Rilke Parts 2 & 3 commissioned for The L.A. Choral Lab2024 Timeless sea breezes,sea-wind of the night:you come for no one;if someone should wake,he must be preparedhow to survive you.Timeless sea breezes,that for aeons haveblown ancient rocks,you are purest spacecoming from afar…Oh, how a fruit-bearingfig tree feels your cominghigh up in the moonlight.
10Part I - The sea as a living entity: it breathes with the tide and cries with the wind.Part II - The dichotomy of the sea: comforting mother and treacherous beast.Part III - We speak directly to the sea: take us away - teach us to forget.Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke's 1904 poem "Song of the Sea" depicts the ocean as a metaphor for life - it speaks of timelessness, awakenings and survival. The sea connects us to something larger than ourselves; aconnection I had growing up in a coastal New Zealand town, where I sang treble in the cathedral choir - another nexus to the ethereal. A few years and voice-breaking juvenescence later I played in rock bands, and have had an affinity for guitars ever since. Guided by Rilke's evocative text, "Song of the Sea" illustrates the ebbs and flows of our undulating lives, articulated through my love of voices, strings that both soar and cement, and electric guitar. Tonight we premiere the work in California, the birthplace of surf music.
11In WavesComposed by Kion HeidariText by Sam Aldape2023It seems as though it was always like this.Hollow vision-the old scripture passed along, a light to come to blind, birthing this song:Blossoms give their handsin glades of false gold.Vines climb my limbs,speaking words yet known as the burrowing kingsconsume my soul.DriftingJust driftingNothing to do but wait For I know it comes in wavesIt comes in wavesA boy of ice cracksin a dim, distant home.With only shadows to watch himhe loses control;snow falls, and the night waitsto consume my soul.
12FloatingJust floatingNothing to do but swayFor I know it comes in wavesIt comes in wavesThe sun begins to gazeand so Day starts its toll.My core rips and tearsthrough pits of fleshy coal,boiling in my waters,heaving rotten, molten bone.The inferno burns my lungsand consumes my soul.FallingJust fallingNothing to do but prayFor I know it comes in wavesIt comes in wavesWith each falling of the moonor rising of the tide,this cycle does not break.I simply stand aside,waiting for a daywhen I might feel alive,but-it seems as though it was always like this.
13Beneath the waveI am sleepingI am home.Above the mountainsI am awakeI watch.Cherry blossom rainPaints the sky,The great wavePaints our eyesTremblingFallingRebuildingnami uranete imasutadaima yamano uemezameruwatashiwa miru sakurawa sora ni egaku,ameno yoniokinamiwawatashitachino meni egaku furuerakkasai kouchiku suruBeneath the WaveComposed by Luke FlynnText by Luke Flynn 2011
14Water NightComposed by Eric WhitacreText by Octavio Paz, Adapted by Eric Whitacre, Translation by Muriel Rukeyser1996Night with the eyes of a horse that trembles in the night,night with eyes of water in the field asleepis in your eyes, a horse that trembles,is in your eyes of secret water.Eyes of shadow-water,eyes of well-water,eyes of dream-water.Silence and solitude,two little animals moon-led,drink in your eyes,drink in those waters.If you open your eyes,night opens, doors of musk,the secret kingdom of the water opensflowing from the center of night.And if you close your eyes,a river, a silent and beautiful current,fills you from within,flows forward, darkens you,night brings its wetness to beachesin your soul.
15In Profundum MarisComposed by Richard Nance Text by Kathryn I.W. Sparks2022Deep in the ocean, fathoms far,Beyond the reach of the brightest star,In the abyss of the secret sea—Seemingly past where life could beSustained—lies a billowing bed of kelpThat waves in the dark, where sleep, where help,Where the mystical marvel of music callsAs the tides turn back and the current falls,As the storms above relent, abate,Becalm, bring peace—it is not too late.Mercy and hope ripple through the greenSea forest, inscrutable and unseen–Redemption hazy and far away–Until, like dawn of blessed Day,Miracles, beautiful dreams, immense,Suffuse the soul in every sense,Resound to the rush as the seas roll by:Too lovely is melody to die…
16BlueArranged by Dave StalOriginal Music by Billie Eilish2024I try to live in black and white, but I'm so blueI'd like to mean it when I say I'm over youBut that's still not trueAnd I'm still so blueI thought we were the same Birds of a feather, now I'm ashamedI told you a lie, désolé, mon amourI'm trying my best, don't know what's in storeOpen up the doorIn the back of my mind, I'm still overseasA bird in a cage, thought you were made for meI try to live in black and white, but I'm so blueI'd like to mean it when I say I'm over youBut that's still not true, trueAnd I'm still so blueI'm true blue, true blueI'm true blue
17You were born bluer than a butterflyBeautiful and so deprived of oxygenColder than your father's eyesHe never learned to sympathize with anyoneI don't blame youBut I can't change youDon't hate youBut we can't save youYou were born reaching for your mother's handsVictim of your father's plans to rule the worldToo afraid to step outsideParanoid and petrified of what you've heardBut they could say the same 'bout meI sleep 'bout three hours each nightMeans only 21 a week now, nowAnd I could say the same 'bout youBorn blameless, grew up famous tooJust a baby born blue now, nowI don't blame youBut I can't change youI don't hate youBut we can't save you
18FEATURED ARTISTSBaraka May, ConductorBaraka May is a studio singer for some of the world’s finest composers and artists. A vocal chameleon, she has sung behind artists such as Billie Eilish, Pentatonix, Celine Dion, Harry Styles, Pharrell, Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Jennifer Hudson, Josh Groban, and Muse, among others. She has been featured on stages all over the world, from the Hollywood Bowl to the Tokyo International Forum to Wembley Stadium and has toured with, music directed,and coached many of Hollywood's elite singers and actors. Since joining SAG-AFTRA in 2011, Baraka's voice can be heard in over 500 major motion pictures, tv episodes, video games, commercials, and albums, including La La Land, Frozen II, Encanto, Star Trek Beyond, The Lion King, Jurassic World, Finding Dory, Coco, The Voice, and more. A-List film composers including Danny Elfman, John Powell, Hans Zimmer, and Michael Giacchino have enlisted her talents singing everything from belted gospel to ethereal soprano to child-like character voices and celebrity impressions. A summa cum laude graduate of USC's Thornton School of Music, Baraka holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching Music and has directed thousands of singers as a choral director with LAUSD, BUSD, The Gifted and Talented Conservatory Program, ETMLA, Larchmont Charter School, Reality LA church, and more. She is regularly asked to serve as a vocal contractor, music director, and guest clinician of adults and children within the choral and a cappella communities throughout Los Angeles. She has worked as a contractor, director, arranger, and transcriber for many projects with Disney Television Animation, DreamWorks Animation, and Netflix among others. A founding member of The LA Choral Lab, Baraka is honored to be directing her fourth concert with the choir.
19Sharon Chohi Kim, ConductorSharon Chohi Kim’s work as a performing artist and composer includes immersive experimental opera, performance art, improvisation, electronic sound art and site-specific space activation through movement and voice. Chohi has performed with the LA Philharmonic, Industry Opera, Long Beach Opera, MOCA, LA Opera, the Broad Museum, LA Master Chorale, the Getty Center, in tunnels, mountains, gardens, and in water.Fletcher Sheridan, ConductorEmmy™ Award-Winning Fletcher Sheridan has been at the center of LA’s vocal community for the past 20 years, earning the respect of singers and composers alike with over 1,000 projects for Film, TV, & media under his belt. His vast and varied experience in front of a mic, on the stage, and in the boardroom has made him an invaluable resource. He has served in many functions: Music director to world-class vocalgroups, vocal producer for tours and live shows, community organizer for the best singers in the world (LA singers!), and as a tenor/conductor for one of the best choirs in Los Angeles, LA Choral Lab.As a vocal contractor, he has proven to be a nexus of talent, organization, and diplomacy. In 2022, he co-founded Concord Vocal Services, and has since contracted for major studios such as Disney, Netflix, 20th Television, Paramount, Universal and Warner Brothers Discovery to name a few. Fletcher thrives on being a resource, and raising up the community of singers that has given him so much.
20Mark Smythe, Commissioned Composer Composed Parts 2 & 3 of “Song of the Sea”Eric Kenneth Malcolm Clark, ViolinEric KM Clark is an accomplished violinist, composer, and educator based in Los Angeles. He is actively involved in performing, teaching, and curating concerts in the greater Los Angeles area. Eric is passionate about music and shares his expertise through teaching in his private music studio, at Ventura College, and in various guest roles. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with numerous innovative artists andensembles including Sarah Davachi, OCS, Carolyn Chen, OTGW, Heather Lockie, The Industry, Mikal Cronin, Object Collection, Ty Segal, Jürg Frey, Cat Lamb, and Guy Maddin. Previously he co-founded and co-directed the wulf. and was a member of The California E.A.R. Unit. His musical works, both as a performer and composer, have been featured on various record labels. www.ekmc.usthe SCL Awards (USA) and World Soundtrack Awards (Belgium). Whether for the concert hall or screen, Mark's music interlaces captivating melodies with mercurial harmonies. Movie Music UK compares his score for The Reef: Stalked to early Basil Poledouris: "The first thing you notice is how beautiful large parts of it are." Mark holds a Masters in Screen Composition from the Australian Film, Television and Radio School, and is a Media Composition professor at California State University, Northridge.Mark Smythe is a New Zealand-born composer of choral, film and concert music, based in Los Angeles. He was a selected Composer Fellow for the 2024 Choral Arts Initiative PREMIERE|Project Festival, and previously collaborated with LA Choral Lab for their acclaimed Apsis concert, which included the premiere of his "Alone" for choir and electric guitar. In 2023, his score for The Reef: Stalked (Hulu) was nominated in both
21David Stal, Commissioned ComposerArranged “Blue” by Billie EilishDavid studied composition at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, and then continued on at USC to complete their Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television graduate certificate program. At the conclusion of the SMPTV program, he was awarded the Joe and Alice Harnell Scholar Award for Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television. While at USC, David also sang with the a cappela group Reverse Osmosis, making lifelong friends in the process. This connection led him to the LA Choral Lab, a group David is proud to have sung with for 9 years. Currently, David is working in the film/TV industry as co-composer for the HBO Max series "Hacks." David has also contributed additional music to projects such as "Lessons In Chemistry," “The Queen’s Gambit,” and “Godless,” to name a few.When he’s not writing music, David is enjoying time with his amazing wife Andi, and their four pets at their home in Pasadena, California. Or he's watching the Dodgers :-)David Tranchina, Double BassBassist and composer David Tranchina is a well-known musician in the Los Angeles Jazz and creative improvised music scene. Originally from Northern California, David moved to Los Angeles to attend CalArts, studied with Charlie Haden and Darek Oles, and received his Master's in Jazz Performance in 2008. Since graduating, he has been an active performer in live venues and studio recording sessions. His debutalbum, "Grey Sky," was released on Orenda Records in 2017. In 2020, he released "The Ogre," featuring a 12-piece ensemble, and was rated "4 stars" by Downbeat magazine 2020.
22Wells Leng, PianoWells Leng is a performer/composer/improviser based in Los Angeles. Having graduated from USC with a BM in Composition and a BA in Piano Performance and CalArts with an MFA in the Performer-Composer program, they have studied composition with Donald Crockett, Brian Head, Andrew Norman, Frank Ticheli, Andrew McIntosh, and Nicholas Deyoe; piano with Antoinette Perry and Vicki Ray; cello with Erika Duke-Kirkpatrick. As both a performer and composer, Wells has collaborated with many other artists all over the world. An active member of the LA taiko community, they have worked closely with prominent artists such as San Jose Taiko, Kris Bergstrom, Isaku Kageyama, Shoji Kameda, as well as other musicians specializing in Japanese music; Kozue Matsumoto and Rachel Rudich. Wells is part of House on Fire Trio, stickytack, and Quartet Friends, and has performed in such venues as Carnegie Hall, REDCAT Theater, Aratani Theatre, among others. Aside from playing taiko, cello, and piano, Wells is also an amateur player of several other instruments. Wells is currently the associate music director and collaborative keyboardist at Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church.
23LAND’S END SINGERSSOPRANODevon DavidsonRachel BearerSara Sinclair GomezCarrah StamatakisJessica FreedmanNatalie Babbitt-TaylorAnn SheridanBaraka MayTENORRohan RamananAbram PoliakoffFletcher SheridanFrank HobbsJosh MunnellSaunder ChoiBASSCharles McDonaldBen McLainKenton ChenRyan AlvarezJoe SantoniMatthew LewisDaniel WeidleinDave StalALTOKatharine EamesMarisa EspositoHannah LewisDivya MausRachel SteinkeSara MannSharon Chohi KimValerie TambaoanNatalie Gonzalez
24AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles is a nonprofit organization making a lasting mark on the future of Los Angeles and the planet through a unique public-private ocean institute that joins together the best and brightest in exploration, science, business and education. AltaSea has created an urban, ocean-based research and blue technology innovation campus where ocean innovators work together to understand and address current and future threats to our ocean environment. Onsite partners of AltaSea can enjoy an open workspace featuring their own modular offices and labs within a warehouse shell constrution. Additionally, all science and business partners have full access to the waterfront berths and docks. Our mission is to accelerate scientific collaboration, advancing an emerging blue economy through business innovation and job creation, and inspiring the next generation, all for a more sustainable, just and equitable world. COLLABORATORSLAND’S END SINGERS
25Spirit Guides is an experience-based cocktail & spirits company. Their unique thematic drink designs have been featured at weddings, entertainment industry events, private parties, and immersive cocktail programs throughout southern California. Clients include Lizzo, Amazon, Netflix, Activision, TikTok, Skybound Entertainment, Fever, LexisNexis, Intuit, & many more. Spirit Guides also manufacture their own handmade ingredients which are available for purchase at www.spiritguidescocktails.com.Farm Lot 59 is a nonprofit urban farm in Long Beach, California, dedicated to promoting food security, sustainability, and community resilience. They provide hands-on training in agriculture, support for local growers, and fresh produce, all while fostering connections within the community. The farm's programs, workshops, and educational opportunities focus on empowering individuals with knowledge and skills to create a more sustainable and locally supported food system.
26Port Town Brewing Company is where great beer meets unforgettable experiences. Nestled in the heart of downtown San Pedro, our brewery is not just a place to enjoy craft beer; it's a vibrant community hub designed to bring people together. At Port Town, we pride ourselves on brewing a diverse range of exceptional beers, from hoppy IPAs to smooth stouts, all crafted with the finest ingredients and utmost care. Our spacious and versatile venue doubles as an event space, and our dedicated team is passionate about creating a welcoming atmosphere where friends can meet, families can celebrate, and new connections can be made. We offer a calendar full of exciting events, ensuring there is always something happening at Port Town.La Lune Sur la Mer is a cottage nano-bakery located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. We provide handmade baked goods of the highest quality using only the finest ingredients, without compromise. Our name translates to: “The moon over the ocean.” When the moon’s light shines upon the sea, it is magical! Our mission is to create that same magic whenever someone delights in one of our sumptuous creations!
Tina & John FreedmanEdie Lehmann BoddickerThe Crail-Johnson FoundationMichael Alfera and Weinberg Gonser LLPRichard Gomez of Total Corporate SolutionsDaniel November, Real Estate Agent of the Brock and Lori Real Estate TeamJericho Trinidad of Triple Beam Pizza (Echo Park)Nikki Lennertz of La Lune Sur la MerJeremy Needleman and Al Rahn of Spirit GuidesSammi Smith and Chester McCurry of First Congregational Church of Los AngelesJenny Krusoe, Robin Aube, Alex Cornejo, and Natasha Berendzen of AltaSeaKevin MillerAlex JaramilloDolores StefLauren JohnsonJanet EspositoLauren HowleyGuy MaedaChad DetloffDavid WertheJames BlashawThis performance is supported, in part, by the LA County Department of Arts and Culture as part of Creative Recovery LA, an initiative funded by the American Rescue Plan.27SUPPORTERS
28www.wgcounsel.comDiscover the power of partnership with Weinberg Gonser LLP, where our people-centered approach helps you achieve your goals. Attorney Michael Alfera, the Founder of the L.A. Choral Lab, brings his passion for excellence to our firm, ensuring that every client receives personalized guidance through their legal journeys. Let us be your trusted advisors, guiding you through legal challenges while championing your success.1100 Glendon Ave PH-9, Los Angeles CA 90024 | malfera@wgcounsel.com
29Jeff Eames, Technical Direction Stacie Ellis, Event SupportTC Knoch and Skyline Production Group, Production SupportJames Blashaw, Program DesignLauren Johnson, Logo Design Brent Bailey, Videography Ruth Kim, PhotographyLAND’S END ARTISTIC LEADERSHIPTotal Corporate Solutions is a Minority Owned Business, based in Torrance, CA, that serves businesses throughout Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. As a leader in the professional B2B services space, Total Corporate Solutions maintains an experienced staff of professional salesman and technicians each capable of executing customer project needs from concept to completion. Unmatched expertise and extensive experience allows Total Corporate Solutions’ management to identify the most cost effective route to meet project completion, on schedule and within budget.
30The L.A. Choral Lab is led completely by volunteers, singing members who collaborate to manage all creative and logistical aspects of the organization in partnership with the Executive Director and Board of Directors.L.A. CHORAL LABLEADERSHIPAdministrative CommitteeRyan AlvarezJessica FreedmanAnn SheridanBoard of Directors Lauren Johnson, Chair David Werthe, Treasurer Kathryn Caterina Edie Lehmann Boddicker Gabriel Mann Daniel NovemberExecutive LeadershipChad Detloff, Executive Director Creative Leadership TeamAbram Poliakoff, Musical Coordinator Sara Sinclair Gomez, Head of Production Chad Detloff, Chair
The L.A. Choral Lab is a 100%volunteer-led choir and 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization that reimagines the definition of choral music by deliveringunique, transformative performances of original choral repertoire. Every dollar you give supports its mission in creating unique experiences like tonight’s. Scan the QR code below or visit https:/ /secure.qgiv.com/for/lcl to keep the mission moving forward. Thank you!SUPPORT US!