Celebrating Outstanding
Performing Arts Ensembles

Sing Celebration Concert
at Knox

Kathryn Parrotta – Director
Carlos Foggin – Graduate Assistant Collaborative Pianist

OKÂWÎMÂW ASKIY (Mother Earth)
by Sherryl Sewepagaham

IMAGES OF THE SEA
by Shih Ching-Ju and Lee Ming-Yung

PĒRKONTĒVS (Father Thunder)
by Laura Jekabsone

SHENANDOAH
Arr. James Erb

TAKE ME TO THE WATER
Arranged by Rollo Dilworth.
Directed by Colette Leader-Kalumbi
Accompanied by Pascal Kalumbi

The University of Calgary Chorus would like to extend a huge thank you to Colette Leader-Kalumbi and Pascal Kalumbi, Sherryl Sewepagaham, Bonny Peng, Matthew Mak, and Carlos Foggin.

from San Pablo, California, USA

VUELA
by Carlos Cordero (1992-present) 

When composer Carlos Cordero returned to voice lessons he was reminded that vocal study is as much therapy as artistry. In Vuela, the composer wants to remind us “that we can go far together, encouraging each other to be the kindest, most loving version of our little inner birds.” Through this we can fly high, laugh, and enjoy.


A HOPE CAROL

by David Dickau / Christina Rossetti (1953-present)

The voices of the eternal call the poet to the hope of eternal life in this beautiful, melodic setting of a poem by Christina Rossetti. In A Hope Carol, Rossetti writes of the mystical time between day and night when birds, stars, and the moon call each of us, kindling fire and light.


THE INNOCENCE

by Craig Hella Johnson / Michael Dennis Browne (1962- present)
Paul Horspool, Soloist

From the 2015 Grammy Award Winning composition, Considering Matthew Sheperd, movement #17, The Innocence, speaks of a simpler time, and asks the question, “Where has it gone?”


ELEANOR RIGBY

by John Lennon / Paul McCartney
Arr. Kerry Marsh / Julia Dollison (1940-1980, 1940-present)
Emmy Sanfilippo, Soloist

In Eleanor Rigby, Kerry Marsh has reimagined the famed Beattle’s classic for a cappella choir. The piece follows it’s heroine, Eleanor Rigby, who represents the myriad of unknown people who surround us each day.


YO LE CANTO TODO EL DIA

by David L. Brunner (1953- present)

David L. Brunner uses infectious rhythms and playful melodies to characterize the setting of this Venezuelan text. Yo Le Canto Todo El Dia depicts a dance that moves with the heart and drum, while singing with affection and joy.


REJOICE IN THE LAMB
by Benjamin Britten / Christopher Smart (1913-1976, 1722-1771)
Orchestration by Imogen Holst
Tonight’s chamber orchestra is made up of members from the
Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra

Rejoice in God O Ye Tongues

Let Nimrod the mighty hunter

Hallelujah

For I will consider my cat
Emmy Sanfilippo, Soprano

For the mouse
Bridget Ahearn, Alto

For the flowers
Joseph Saeteurn, Tenor

For I am under the same accusation

For H is a spirit
Matthew Chamberlain, Bass

For the instruments

Hallelujah

Written for the 50th anniversary of St. Matthew’s church, Benjamin Britten devised a lively piece that would bring the arts and the Church closer together. Completed in 1943, Rejoice In The Lamb, uses the poem by Christopher Smart, an 18th-century poet in whom genius and madness were nearly together. The piece’s theme is that God’s humblest creations testify to the glory of God. The Times of London reviewed the work’s premiere and felt that ‘the spirit of the curious, vivid poem has been caught and the outcome of a commission by the Church for a modern work of religious art’ is beautiful.


SOFTEST RAINS

Rob and Stephanie Dietz

Written for the A Cappella Academy choir summer 2023, Softest Rains, by Rob and Stephanie Dietz, is an examination of the different ways we face adversity in the hopes of emerging stronger on the other side. The distinctive sections throughout the piece represent different, sometimes conflicting perspectives on what is needed to improve our world – whether that means protecting what we already have, building something new, or something in between.

Finale – Everyone on Stage

SEAL LULLABY
by Eric Whitacre

Mountain Spring Festival is a project by MCM Arts

© Copyright 2025 Mountain Spring Festival    |    All Rights Reserved

The Orchestra

Tonight’s chamber orchestra is made up of members from the
Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra.
These musicians come from many walks of life, including professional musicians, educators, health care, students, and more!  They are lead by their music director, Carlos Foggin

ORCHESTRA MEMBERS
Rose Schmaltz – Flute
Barb Hume – Clarinet
Melody McKnight – Oboe
Jace Stearn – Bassoon
Kristin Stearn – Horn
Chris Santos – Percussion
Peter Li – Violin
Kristin Flores – Violin
Michael Gray – Violin
James Watson – Violin
Duarte Silva – Viola
Margot Scullen – Viola
Liz Tremblay – Cello
Erin Beach – Cello
Ross Lemon – Bass

UCalgary Chorus

The University of Calgary Chorus is our largest choir and provides an opportunity for all university students to be involved in a choral experience. Membership is maintained at approximately 85 with a very good balance of voice parts. Repertoire consists of classic major works as well as Canadian, folk, and contemporary pieces.

CHORISTERS
Alan Alcocer-Iturriza, Sandra Amin,
Sweta Babladi, Alysa Beaton,
Dan Boiteau, Ezra Botardo,
Connor Burgart, Victor Bustamante,
Rehmat Chahal, Tess Coleman,
Isabella Davenport, Justin Dizon,
Michaelle Docking, Shanessa Dones,
Brooklyn Draper, Nadya Dunfield,
Aaron Dunstan, Aubrey Fleming,
Michelle Franciso, Kiwa Fukuchi,
Rozina Galla, Ethan Garalde,
Julianna Garcia, Cole Gaynor,
Kaitlyn Gervais, Jackie Gibson,
Erich Herchen, Luke Haslbeck,
Mikayla Head, Emily Heninger,
Elisabeth Hudson, Dexter Johnston,
Alisha Jyoti, Patricia Karganilla,
Anika Kehrig, Liza Khromova,
Caleb Kinzer, Nadia Koski,
Chilli Kwok, Brayden Lachambre Renkas,
Katrina Lahey, Derek Lee,
Jensen Maclean, Matthew Mak,
Elise Marleau, Jane McCruden,
Benjamin Milner, Kaitlyn Murgatroyd,
Gaby Nunez, Abbey Quantz,
Benjamin Milner, Valerie Naylor,
Kathy Pham, Donavan Ralph,
Jia Yi Ren, John Sales,
Gabriel Sanchez, Christian Savard,
Ryan Shaw, Daniel Sigaya,
Ian Stooke, Jiayang Sun,
Hannah Thomson, Veronique Tomlinson,
Nhu Tran, Daina Tribble,
Michaella Trconic, Hannah Thomson,
Michaella Trconic, Seamus Twyman,
Gaby Uhuegbulem, Jerome Wang,
Gino Velasco, Yi Zhi Wang,
Katrina Weimer, River Wilks,
Kalina Wolska-Chaney, Tosia Wolska Chaney,
Griffin Wong, Fatima Yasin,
Megan Yet, Rachel Yeung

Contra Costa Singers

The Contra Costa Singers (CCS) have been acclaimed for their beautiful and exciting performances. Audiences, reviewers, judges and university faculty have rated them among the finest ensembles nationally and internationally. CCS have performed at Carnegie Hall in New York and the historic Basilica de Saint Louis in New Orleans. The Contra Costa Singers are the auditioned vocal chamber ensemble at Contra Costa College in San Pablo, CA, USA. Composed of music majors, the ensemble performs choral masterworks and octavos.

CHORISTERS
Joseph Agredano, Julianne Alcantara,
Susan Blair, Bridget Ahearn,
Dakota Aguilar-Sorrosa, Cathy Barba,
Laura Blanton, Irving Bonilla,
Tevin Caranto, Matthew Chamberlain,
Mathan Densing, Estefania Hernandez,
Paul Horspool, Laura Karst,
Nino Angelo Lastimosa, Ngwesse Celine Ntube Mengang,
Lucia Perez, Joseph Saeteurn,
Emmy Sanfilippo, Zach Szerlip,
Nora Voilyn

Jennifer Griest

Jennifer Griest is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she received master’s degrees in Piano Performance and Pedagogy. Her teachers have included Donald Gren (a Protégé of Nadia Boulanger), Ricardo Miura, Nelson Harper, and internationally renowned pianist Timothy Ehlen. She has also studied with Reid Alexander, an expert and leader nationally in the field of piano pedagogy, and co-author/editor/composer of several teaching texts and editions. Additional studies were with Cristos Tsitsaros, composer and contributing author to the Hal Leonard Student Piano Library.

Ms. Griest has taught private and group piano lessons and has served as an instructor for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, but she currently teaches at Contra Costa College. She received teaching awards in Columbus and was named six times to the “Incomplete List of Instructors Ranked Excellent” compiled by the Office of Instructional Resources at Illinois. She is a member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers and has been invited to adjudicate the 2011 Piano Guild Auditions.

Dr. Stephanie Austin

Stephanie Austin Letson is a singer, teacher, and clinician who has performed, taught, and worked in music for over forty years. She has performed nationally and internationally as both a soloist and director, including Carnegie Hall, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Jazz Club de Grenoble, and national Jazz Education conventions (JEN and IAJE). Her jazz vocal groups have won ten DownBeat Student Awards, been featured in DownBeat Magazine, been national finalists at the Monterey Jazz Festival Next Generation Competition, and her students have been awarded scholarships to universities throughout the nation.

Originally from New Orleans, LA, Stephanie began her career as a concert pianist and accompanist for classical soloists, choirs and churches. She majored in Piano Performance at Loyola University, New Orleans, and in Music Education at the Eastman School of Music, New York. She received her Doctorate in Music and Music Education at Columbia University, New York.

In 2000, Stephanie was invited to create a Vocal Performance program at Contra Costa College, where she became Co-Chair of the Music Department. At Contra Costa College, she founded the jazz vocal and piano programs and the classical choral program. She directs JAZZ-ology, Contra Costa Singers, JazzaNova, College Chorus, Jazz Singers, and teaches vocal performance majors.

Carlos Foggin

Awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for outstanding service to the Province in the field of arts and culture and expanding the reach of the arts in Alberta in 2023, and recognized with a Alberta Emerging Artist Award by the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta in 2020, Carlos Foggin is the Founder &Music Director Laureate of the Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra, having served as Music Director from 2016-2025.

In February 2025, he was honoured with the Professional Artist Award at the Mayor’s Night of the Arts (Airdrie, AB). In 2024, the RMSO was honoured to be named the “Community Ensemble of the Year” at the 2024 YYCMusicAwards (Calgary, AB).

Mr. Foggin is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian College of Organists, only the 100th organist to be recognized with the Society’s highest honour since 1909.

Kathryn Parrotta

Known for her enthusiastic approach to choral music, Kathryn Parrotta is a sought-after choral clinician and composer. With dozens of works published by Cypress Choral Music and Alliance Music Publishing, her works are performed globally and becoming a staple in school music programs. Born in Vancouver, Kathryn has grown up in Calgary and studied piano, flute, voice, and theory extensively with several local musicians and choirs including the UofC Women’s Choir, OnCue (contemporary a cappella), Calgary Girls Choir, and Spiritus Chamber Choir In March of 2020, Kathryn founded and was the Artistic Director for the Calgary Physician Choir- a choir of women physicians who sought music to cope with the stresses of being on the front lines during the COVID-19 Pandemic which continues to operate today. In addition to her private voice studio, she is currently the director of the University of Calgary Chorus and Chamber Choirs at the School of Creative and Performing Arts. Additionally, Kathryn is the composer in residence and Principal Choral director at the Youth Singers of Calgary, a large show choir and concert choir organization of all age groups, and the director of both the junior high and senior high divisions. Kathryn holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance and a Master of Music degree in Music Education, specializing in Choral Conducting.

Colette Leader-Kalumbi

Colette Leader-Kalumbi is an author, educator and creative soul who loves music. She shares her love of music with children and adults alike, writing books that teach life lessons, tutoring and leading seminars in various capacities on creativity. Colette is a musician and has released three Steel Pan instrumental albums; two with her sisters, and one with her husband, Pascal Kalumbi, titled All Nature Sings.

For the last decade, Colette has curated and directed the annual PowerUp Youth choir sessions and enjoys every minute of it. With her degree in Masters of Science in Education, she is able to mix what she loves with the tools she has obtained to bring others closer to God.

Today, Colette is the owner of Leading Legacies, which is an online tutoring homework support program, art and music centre. She continues to write, compose songs and to work on other creative ventures, and ministers alongside her husband in various capacities.

Pascal Kalumbi

Pascal Kalumbi is a classically trained pianist who started playing the piano at 9 years old. Self-taught until moving to Canada where pursued his love of music through higher education at Mohawk College.

In addition to his piano, playing, Pascal has been a choir director in Hamilton, St. Catharines, and Aurora, Ontario, Canada. He has also been the music director for several churches in the GTA. Currently he is the music director and choir conductor for the varsity acres Presbyterian Church here in Calgary.

His love for music is contagious and he continues to share it with others. He organizes concerts and loves to find new voices and musicians who are able to share their love of music with others. He also gives back to the generations coming after him through piano lessons and ear training.