Dan Forrest’s fourth major work continues in the vein of his previous major works, exploring profound themes of human experience. the breath of life ponders the beauty, yet brevity, of human life as portrayed in a single breath.

From the outset, we hear breathing presented as a musical gesture for its own aesthetic value. The first movement, et Deus inspiravit, portrays the gathering of divine breath, about to be “in-spired” into humanity. Upon reaching its full force, it disappears, revealing a quiet instrumental solo representing the first human breath, and the wonder and joy of human life begins. We hear his heart beating for the first time, and can almost see him finding his feet, filling his lungs, walking, dancing, running, shouting for joy as he explores this world.

The second movement, first breath last breath, sets a poignant text written in 2006 by American poet Antler when he lost his mother. The picture of a mother receiving her baby’s first breath at his birth, then releasing it back to him at her death, provides an achingly beautiful juxtaposition, and the music reflects this, at times soaring with the joy of new life, and at times grieving the loss of a loved one. The choral breaths notably cease in this movement at the mother’s final exhaled breath.

Without pause, the third movement begins. The music of the silent kiss adds impact and weight to Yeats’ poetry, lamenting the loss of life and vulnerably questioning whether the breath of life was worth drawing or celebrating.

After these three movements trace this arc from the joy of new life to the pain of losing it, an epilogue provides Henry Van Dyke’s perspective on this passage of time in time is. The tolling of distant bells and recurring patterns in both choir and orchestra provide aural imagery of clocks and the swinging pendulum of Time, leading to the climactic phrase: “but for those who Love…Time is not.” The clockwork ends as the strings enter, and we soar above earth, looking down to ponder how Love can make life, and even its loss, worthwhile. The work’s enigmatic ending provides space for pondering its meaning for our own lives on multiple levels.

The work also seeks to bridge the gap between live performance and studio production by adding digital timbres not normally found in works for chorus and orchestra. The composer customized a specific digital sound to add texture and ambience, then scored for that “instrument” as part of the orchestral ensemble, creating a unique digital layer to the soundscape.

A note from the conductor

The first aspect of the breath of life that really impacted me was the collection of texts. The selected poetry spans thousands of years, yet each feels so relevant to our everyday lives. When I first sat down and read each of the four texts back to back, I was struck by how each poem brings out new meaning in the others. For me, there is a line in movement 3 that totally changes the way I experience movement 4. I imagine there are little gems like that hidden in this piece for you as well.

Since Dan Forrest’s music has such a distinctive sound, we’ve chosen to surround his work with other pieces of very different styles. However, each piece ties back into a theme present in the breath of life: love, loss, connection to a higher power, and living life to its fullest.
Ultimately, tonight’s concert is a meditation on the aspects of life that give us meaning and fulfillment. Like in any meditation, the key to a meaningful experience is being present in the moment. Tonight, I invite you into a few moments of mindfulness – a few minutes to simply notice. Let yourself be open to each sound, sensation, and emotion that fills this space. Just this simple practice can be a very rewarding experience.

Geistliches Lied

Let nought afflict thee with grief, with sadness,
Be still, as God ordains,
So may my will be content.

Why worry today about tomorrow?
The one who reigns above all,
Gives also to you what is yours.

In all your striving be steadfast,
Stand firm, what God decrees
is surely the best.

the breath of life

et Deus inspiravit (and God breathed)
(Genesis 2:7)

       Et Deus inspiravit in faciem eius spiraculum vitae;
       et factus est homo in animam viventem.
       (and God breathed into him the breath of life;
       and man became a living soul.)

first breath last breath
(Antler)

        When a baby boy is born
        and the midwife
        holds him up
        as he takes
        his first breath,
        Place him over
        the Mother’s face
        so when the baby exhales
        his first breath on Earth
        the Mother breathes it.

        And when the Mother dies,
        her middle-aged son
        the baby grew up to be —
        by her side,
        his head next to her head —
        Follows her breathing with his breath
        as it becomes shorter,
        and as the dying Mother
        exhales her last breath
        her son inhales it.

the silent kiss
(from “A Man Young and Old”, W. B. Yeats)

        In the long echoing street the laughing dancers throng,
        The bride is carried to the bridegroom’s chamber
        through torchlight and tumultuous song;
        I celebrate the silent kiss that ends short life or long.
        Never to have lived is best, ancient writers say;
        Never to have drawn the breath of life,
        never to have looked into the eye of day;
        The second best’s a soft goodnight and quickly turn away.

epilogue: time is
(Henry Van Dyke)

        Time is
        Too Slow for those who Wait,
        Too Swift for those who Fear,
        Too Long for those who Grieve,
        Too Short for those who Rejoice;
        But for those who Love…

        …Time is not.

Dr. Lindsey Bruner Woodcock, Conductor

Dr. Lindsey Bruner Woodcock is Director of Choral Activities and Coordinator of Music Education at Meredith College. She directs three choirs and teaches courses in elementary music methods, secondary choral methods, conducting, and supervises Music Education students through their student teaching internships. Lindsey has enjoyed a varied teaching career in elementary, middle school, high school, collegiate, community, and church settings.

As a conductor, singer, and double bassist, she has immersed herself in community music-making. Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, Lindsey has served as Fundraising Chair for Des Moines Choral Society, Assistant Conductor of the Chamber Singers of Iowa City, and member of the Des Moines Community Orchestra, Des Moines Bluegrass, Indianola Community Jazz Band, University of Illinois Oratorio Society, Ecco early music ensemble, and was a founding member of Des Moines Camerata.

Lindsey earned her DMA degree from the University of Georgia, where she studied with Daniel Bara and J.D. Burnett. She received her MM degree in Choral Conducting and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa under the instruction of Timothy Stalter and David Puderbaugh. Her BM degree in Vocal Music Education is from Iowa State University, where she found her love of conducting with the guidance of James Rodde.

Lindsey enjoys serving as a guest conductor and adjudicator across North Carolina and the Midwest. She is also an active choral singer and soloist in the Triangle area. Her current research is focused on audience engagement and the ways in which interactive performances can create more impactful listening experiences. Her findings have been presented at American Choral Directors Association and Chorus America conferences across the country, and she continues to be sought after as a consultant for professional and civic choirs on the subject of interactive performance.

Allen Bailey, Pianist

Allen Bailey received a Master’s Degree in Piano Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro 1987. As a student of Dr. George Kiorpes, he was awarded the Dean’s Scholarship and won the University’s Concerto Competition in 1985. His professional career as a soloist and accompanist has spanned the state during which he has worked with churches, soloists, large ensembles, professional and amateur, scholarly and civic. Affiliated groups include the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Duke University, NC State University, UNC-Chapel Hill, Meredith College, Peace College, NC public schools, Durham Chorale, NC Master Chorale, Concert Singers of Cary, Wake Forest United Methodist Church, and The NC Symphony. Currently, Mr. Bailey is employed by Fidelity Investments as a Software Engineer, specializing in network security.

Mallarmé Music

Mallarmé Music is a flexible collective of professional musicians based in Durham, North Carolina, whose mission is to enrich the lives of the community through outstanding chamber music performance.

The organization distinguishes itself in the community by its innovative educational programs, its commitment to creative collaboration with other organizations, its creation of significant new work, and its dedication to serve a diverse population.

Visit their page here.

Soprano

Brooke Adkins
Kelly Amato
Francesca Balestrieri
Shannon Beall
Catherine Bennett
Kathryn Blew
Christine Bowden
Joy Burnette
Hannah Calhoun
Nancy Canterbury
Debbie Carroll
Kelly Cash
Joan Eastwick
Heather Fitch
Andrea Garcia
Stacy Hanna
Kathryn Jones
Yen-Ping Kuo
Anneli Leander
Kaitlyn Lincoln
Ashley Louden
Rachael Lubbers
Erica Moll
Beverly Olson
Laura Pavlot
Lauren Presley
Melissa Sawyer
Trisha Scott
Wendy Shaw
Nikki Stoudt
Dana Thomas
Jennilyn Tillotson
Laura Yurco
Ying Zhu

Alto

Mana Aoi
Christine Bonin
Emily Brossart
Carolyn Bruce
Debi DeAnn
Elizabeth Dworkin
Susan Ebbs
Giuliana Giddings
Madison Ham
Jessica Hamm
Lenora Harris-Field
Pamela Hartsfield
Lauren Hauser
Maggie Hemedinger
Muriel Hoequist
Cristina Jannings
Pauline Jillson
Brenda Kucin
Emiko Kuroda
Melissa Martin
Grace Matthews
Deborah Meehan
Madison Muralt
Morgan Pyrtle
Terri Ring
Olivia Roe
Ellen Schloemer
Jaime Schnurr
Susan Schnurr
Debra Shaw
Nancy Smith
Deborah Stirdivant
Jackie Tice
Jennie Vaughn
Diana Vazquez
M.J. Weissenberger
Valerie Wettlaufer
Libby Wendorf
Carolyn Wilcox
Nicole Wood

Tenor

Neal Braswell
Jimmy Capella
Stephen Cole
Phil Ferski
Caleb Gannon
Nikhil Gheewala
Jeremy Kelly
Cary Murphrey
Devon Olds
Drew Schell
Jaylen Spencer
Paul Stapleton
Marc Stracuzza
David Talbot
John Ting
Daniel Tsui
Jeff White

Bass

Rock Angier
Kevin Ballesteros
Jackson Burnette
Forrest Burris
Devon Cessna
Ryan Chung
Coltan Compton
Collin Dail
Tim Devinney
Thom Haynes
Connor Heinen
Ben Jones
Richard Kleiman
Clay Michalec
Al Pasquale
Jonathan Pelletier
Elijah Powell
Alex Smith
Todd Stevens
Greg Tarsa
Jeff Wright

Thank you to our generous donors!

Visionary

Longtime member of Concert Singers of Cary
Presented by Warren Ferguson

Benefactor

Shayna Feldstein
Paul Stapleton
Jeff White+
Brian & Vickie Wong
Laura Yurco

Producer

Robert Angier
Nancy Canterbury

Sponsor

Christine & Christopher Bonin
Christine Bowden
Sue Chaploney
Debi DeAnn & Ric Goldstein
Tim Devinney
Joan Eastwick
Susan Ebbs
Susan & Lee Hanna
Lenora Harris-Fields
Pamela Hartsfield
Thom Haynes+
Connor Heinen
Pauline Jillson
Anneli Leander
Terri & Mark Ring
Ellen Schloemer
Sue Schule
Deborah Stirdivant
Jackie Tice
Libbey Wendorf
Jeff+ & Kitty Wright

Friend

Kelly Amato
Allen Bailey
Francesca Balestrieri*
Carolyn Bruce
Forrest Brurris
Hannah Calhoun
Ryan Chung
Phil Ferski
Heather & Brian* Fisk
Stacy Hanna*
Maggie Hemedinger
Marisa Highsmith+
Emiko Kuroda
Ashley Louden
Peter Lunt
Melissa Martin
Deborah Meehan
Beverly Olson
Al Pasquale
Laurie Ray
Melissa Sawyer
John Schell
Jaime Schnurr
Jan & Paul Schnurr
David Talbot
Greg Tarsa
Jade Vogelsong
Carolyn Wilcox

CSC Board Members *
CSC Staff / Volunteer Staff +

Thank you to the following businesses for their generous donations:

Food Lion

Staff

Executive Director– Marisa Highsmith
Accompanist– Allen Bailey
Membership Administrator– Thom Haynes
Web Master– Jeff Wright
Designer– Rachael Lubbers
Section Leaders– Beverly Olson, Soprano; Terri Ring, Alto; Jeff White, Tenor; Thom Haynes, Bass

Board Members

President– Stacy Hanna
Vice President– M.J. Weissenberger
Treasurer– Lauren Presley
Secretary– Laura Pavolt

Francesca Balestrieri
Forrest Burris
Brian Fitch
Clay Michalec