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Show Information

The show will run for approximately 90 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.

Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

Handheld flashlights will be used as part of on-stage choreography for one of the songs.

Show Sponsors
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Conservatory Note
Rick Walters headshot

Welcome to our 2024-25 season at the Conservatory!

We’re thrilled to invite you on a journey that only live theatre can offer. This season, prepare to experience a diverse array of stories—from gripping mysteries to joyous musical adventures.

We begin our season with the chilling tale of the infamous Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, brought to life by the genius of Stephen Sondheim. By spring, we’ll plunge miles under the sea, where a singing sponge named “Bob” awaits your company.

In between these remarkable tales, we’ll share the community joy of our annual holiday tradition, A Viterbo Christmas: Star of Wonder.

Your journey through the season also features a Tony Award-winning comedy, a powerful true story of courage, a timeless Mozart opera, and an inspiring evening of dance featuring talented young performers on the brink of their professional careers.

You are why we’ve embarked on this journey. Thank you for being with us, and we hope you’ll join us for every moment!

Rick Walters
Rick Walters signature
Executive Artistic Director
Conservatory for the Performing Arts

Director's Note
James Wilson headshot

Thank you for coming out in support of Viterbo University’s long held tradition of fine choral music. For many decades, A Viterbo Christmas has served as our community’s opening of the Christmas season. Our singers have worked hard to prepare a beautiful and nuanced presentation of varied works that are in some way related to the spirit of Christmas and our hope for a peaceful new year. This year’s pieces are meant to capture the drama, the wonder, and at times a bit of the fun of the season. Choral music is one of the few ways that people from various walks of life, ideologies, and faiths can come together for the shared endeavor of human expression, and we are delighted to share this important work with you today.

On behalf of the singers, instrumentalists, and behind-the-scenes artists, we wish you a joyous holiday season and a happy new year!

Sincerely,
James Wilson

Song List
COMBINED CHOIRS

We Three Kings (with special introduction)
by Gian Carlo Menotti/Craig Courtney

Tanner Groshek, Lukas Nederloe,
Jeremiah Robinson, soloists

VITERBO CHORAL ARTS

Star Carol
by John Rutter

O Holy Night
arr. Rene Clausen by John Rutter

CAROL

Hark the Herald Angels Sing!
by Felix Mendelssohn
arr. Sir David Willcocks

Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King:
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
with th'angelic hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

Refrain
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King"

Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of the Virgin's womb:
veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th'incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.

Refrain

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.

Refrain

9TH STREET SINGERS

A Spotless Rose
by Herbert Howells

Lukas Nederloe, soloist

Waltz of the Flowers
by Tchaikovsky/arr. George Wu

Fum Fum Fum
arr. Mack Wilberg


–INTERMISSION–

ORCHESTRA

Sleigh Ride
by Leroy Anderson

CAROL

The First Nowell
Arr. Sir David Willcocks

The First Noel
the Angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds
in fields as they lay;
in fields where they lay
keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter's night
that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel.
Born is the King of Israel!

They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.
Noel Noel Noel Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made Heaven
and earth of nought
And with his blood
mankind hath bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel!

CONCERT CHOIR

Ave Maris Stella
by Edvard Grieg

O Little Town of Bethlehem
arr. Dan Forrest

Gaudete
arr. Michael Engelhardt

Tammy Fisher, Carson Kopecky, Gwendolyn Mahoney, Yassia Felts, percussion

Love’s Pure Light
by Elaine Hagenberg

CAROL

O Come All Ye Faithful
Arr. Sir David Willcocks

O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O Come ye, O come ye,
to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of angels;

Refrain
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation;
Sing, all ye citizens
of heaven above!
Glory to God, In the highest;

Refrain

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be glory given;
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing.

Refrain

COMBINED CHOIRS

I Will Lift Mine Eyes
by Jake Runestad

Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah
by G.F. Handel

WPR
Performers
Concert Choir

Conductor: James Wilson
Pianist: Judy Stafslien

Soprano I
Jamie Allen
Maggie Berendes
Skye Hermsen
Allison Johnson
Amelia MacFarland
Amber Stemper
Kieran Sween
Ellyn Werner

Soprano II
Hailee Elwell
Miranda Lee
Sophia Niblock
Hannah Reischl
Kristin Schoenecker

Alto I
Mackensy Benish
Maya Dawson
Grace Jacobson
Rebekah Knudson
Lindsay Koza
Olivia Potter

Alto II
Lynn Barnet
Amelia Blasing
Grace Elton
Amelia Payne
Phoebe Schwarz
Anastasia Sieren

Tenor I
Tom Hartl
Jeremiah Robinson
Julia Salmen

Tenor II
Tanner Groshek
Gabriel Rombalski
Nick Sagen
Max Steiner

Bass I
Noah Blackburn
Kael Larson
Josh Sobotta
Dylan Woodman

Bass II
David Dewey
Adam Kurbat
Andrew Mukka
Lukas Nederloe

9th Street Singers

Conductor: James Wilson
Pianist: David Richardson

Soprano
Laurelle Bandy
Sydney Ellis
Skye Hermsen
Sophia Niblock
Kieran Sween
Ellyn Werner

Alto
Mackensy Benish
Madalaine Brown
Yassia Felts
Grace Jacobson
Gwen Mahoney
Anastasia Sieren

Tenor
Tanner Groshek
Tom Hartl
Tucker Mensen
Jeremiah Robinson
Nick Sagen
CJ Zimmer

Bass
Noah Blackburn
Xavier Carnicom
David Dewey
Andrew Mukka
Lukas Nederloe
Lou Xiong

Viterbo Choral Arts

Conductor: James Wilson
Pianist: Mary Ellen Haupert

Soprano
Alyssa Balboa
Linda Bechly
Ann Boland
Tina Cannon
Christy DeRuyter
Maya Dougherty-Harris
Michelle Edge
Darlene Ehler
Margo Erickson
Kristine Gasch
Shawna Greunke
Nancy Heerans-Knudson
Marilyn Lee
Jackie Morris
Jean Saladino
Michelle Skemp
Angela Stratton
Sue Strehl
Kerry Sullivan-Flock
Shannon Vick
Emily Wicker
Sanna Yoder

Alto
Barbara Anderson-Smith
Rhiannon Baasch
Susan Browning
Jennifer Burch
Isabelle Carr*
Annette Galstad
Megan Grinde
Sharon Hampson
Ann Hanson
Diana Herbers*
Alia Jeffords*
Kazu Kitano
Margy Krogman
Rosalind Laraway
Kathleen LeMere
Brittany Massengale
Kasey McNamer
Sheila Momont
Leanna Olson-Taunt
Esther Pearson
Bethany Pertzsch
Elizabeth Scharon
Anastasia Sieren*
Carol Smith
Lena Strange*
Nancy Zadow

Tenor
Jerry Benser
Chris Dresen
Jim Gallagher
Clay Hanson
Carol Hines
Mary Jaeger
Ralph Knudson
Eric Kraemer
Joe Kruse
Levi Magnuson
Michael Martino
Cameron Massengale
Joe O’Flaherty
Grace Olson
Dennis Pedrick
Pete Rydberg
Brad Weber
Chris Winegarden

Bass
Ron Chaney
Michael DeYoe
Ed Noelke
Bob Waedekin
Ezra Wall

*Viterbo Student

Orchestra

Concert Master: Kristina Gullion

Violin I
Kristina Gullion
Francis de la Rosa
Brad Lebakken
Marianne Buchanan

Violin II
Margit Speckeen
Linda Lebakken
Cassie Davis
Maddisen Larsen*

Viola
Busya Lugovier
Melissa Roby
Beth Becker

Cello
Monika Sutherland
Randy Mastin
Keaton Purney

Bass
Troy Birdsong

Flute
Jonathan Borja
Mary Ellen Haupert

Oboe
Mary Beth Hensel
Siena Folkers

Clarinet
Mike Chesher
Dan Sheridan

Bassoon
Jeff Copp
Viva Graff

Trumpet
Jeff Krauklis
John Cord

French Horn
Thomas Hunt
Damian Combs

Trombone
Mark Pomplun
Michelle Jensen

Timpani
Tammy Fisher

Percussion
Carson Kopecky

*Viterbo student

Production Team

Production Manager:
Jason Underferth

Orchestra manager:
Mary Beth Hensel

Special Thanks

Fine Arts Center Staff

Emplify Health by Gundersen
Candlewood Suites
Altra Financial Advisors
Lukasek Family Endowment Fund
Viterbo Fine Arts Center
900 Viterbo Drive
La Crosse, WI 54601
608-796-3100 | boxoffice@viterbo.edu
www.viterbo.edu/fac

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All rights reserved.