Celebrate

Cantate Concert Choir

Welcome to Cantate’s interactive program for CELEBRATE. Within the program, use links to read the texts and more. Use “back to top” to return here.

Program

About Cantate

About Lift Every Voice and the 2025-2026 Fellows

About the Orchestra

About Anthony D. Anderson, baritone

Texts

Credits

A Note of Thanks

Join us for Cantate’s next concert: BELIEVE

Words From Our Partners

Program

Lysle S. Follette, IV, baritone, LEV artist

Chorus: For Unto Us a Child is Born
Recitative: There were Shepherds Abiding in the Fields
Recitative: And Lo, The Angel of the Lord 
 Recitative: And the Angel Said unto them
Recitative: And suddenly there was with the Angel

Ayanna Freelon-Coleman, soprano, LEV artist

Chorus: Glory to God
Aria: Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion

Ayanna Freelon-Coleman, soprano, LEV artist

Aria: How Beautiful are the Feet of Them

Marcela Jones-Moreno, alto, LEV artist

Chorus: Hallelujah!

INTERMISSION

Anthony Anderson, baritone

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ABOUT CANTATE

Cantate performs choral literature of the past five centuries, championing neglected masterpieces and 20th- and 21st-century music, including premieres of choral works commissioned from young and diverse composers. Cantate was founded in 1984 as Cantate Chamber Singers and has been under the direction of Victoria Gau since 2019. In 2021, Cantate launched the Cantate Concert Choir, a larger vocal ensemble committed to musical excellence and to enriching the musical life of our community through concerts, outreach, and education. Cantate also encompasses the Summer Choral Institute (in partnership with Montgomery College) as well as the Lift Every Voice oratorio fellowship for pre-professional singers and the biennial Young Composers’ Competition, both of which provide paid opportunities for performance, training, and advancement to emerging artists. Learn more about Cantate here, including our pledge to equity.

Want to sing with us? Cantate singers are auditioned community volunteers from Montgomery County and surrounding areas in the D.C. region. Auditions for Cantate’s Concert Choir and Chamber Singers are held in June each year. Tenors and basses are welcome to audition anytime.

Victoria Gau, Artistic Director

Lauded by critics for her “strong sense of style and drama” (The Washington Post) and her “enthusiastic and perceptive conducting”, conductor Victoria Gau brings a wide range of musical experience and expertise to her work. She has been the artistic director of Cantate since 2019 and helped found Cantate Concert Choir in 2021. In addition to her role as Artistic Director of Cantate, she is in her 29th season as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Capital City Symphony (DC). Read more about Maestra Gau.

Matthew Steynor, Assistant Conductor, Cantate Concert Choir

Matthew Steynor has prepared choirs for performances conducted by Marin Alsop, Stan Engebretsen, Joshua Habermann, Anthony Blake Clark and others. Originally from the UK, he moved to the D.C. area in 2019 from South Florida. In addition to being the assistant conductor for Cantate Concert Choir, he is also the accompanist of the Choral Arts Society of Washington and the Director of Music at St. Alban’s Episcopal Parish in D.C. He also makes occasional appearances at the National Cathedral both as organist and conductor. Read more about Matthew Steynor.

Carter Sligh, Keyboard Artist, Cantate Concert Choir

Collaborative pianist and singer Carter Sligh is an active performer and collaborator in the Washington, D.C., area and is the keyboard artist for Cantate Concert Choir. He also works with local ensembles like the Choral Arts Society of Washington and CASW Chamber Singers. Carter is also an active professional choral singer with ensembles such as the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington National Cathedral Choir, Cathedra, the Washington Bach Consort, and Chantry. Read more about Carter Sligh.

SOPRANO

Annette Anfinrud
Helen Avner
Mariette Balaan 
Joanne Casey
Brady Chenot
Anna Davey
Becky DeLameter
Donna Eckert
*Ayanna Freelon-Coleman
Camile Frezzo
Karen Garlick
Caitlin Garry
Carolyn Gipe
Rebecca Goldberg 
Roma Hart 
Kathleen Henry
Kyleigh Kutz
Maria Lostoski
Sharon Majchrzak-Hong
Melissa McPherson Lange
Lori Minasian
Bekki Minier
Mary Monsma
Ellen Moscoe
Juliana O’Neill
Leila Rao
Jennifer Robertson
Katherine Schnorrenberg
Cathlin Tully
Gillian Vander Tuig
Susanne Villemarette
Shannon Washington
Cindy Williams

ALTO

Mary Barnstead
Lynne Benzion
Diane Bild
Carolyn Chuhta
Michelle Kanter Cohen
Joy Foust Colburn
Rena d’Souza
Sandra Daughton
Robyn Dennis
Ashley Domm 
Sarah Gilchrist
Lois Goodstein
Jacque Grenning
Stacey Henning
Martha Hersman
Jean Hochron
*Marcela Jones-Moreno
Sara Josey
Rachel Leese
Melissa Lieberman
Julie MacCartee
Colette Mrozek
Supraja Murali 
Gabriella Newes-Adeyi
Patricia Pillsbury
Ann Ramsey-Moor
Sallie Roberts
Lisa Rovin
Deb Silberman
Wendy Weinberg
Miriam Young

TENOR

Philip Anfinrud
JI Canizares
Colin Church
Ruth Faison
Dan Gallagher
Nick Hopwood 
Gabriel Krotkof 
Chantal McHale
Duncan McHale
Andy Miller-Peterson
Jack Mountain
Tom Nessinger
Bill Newhouse
Joan Reinthaler
Dennis Vander Tuig

BASS

Richard Chitty
Bopper Deyton 
Eric Dolson
Doug Fisher 
*Lysle S. Follette, IV
Ronald Frezzo 
Robbie Gerard
Tom Hart
Chris Hersman
Filbert Hong
William Josey
Chris Lao-Scott
Larry Maloney
John Milberg
David Minier
Joaquim Nassar
John Newman
David Ottenbreit
Greg Robertson 
Peter van Gelderman
Robert Weinig

* Lift Every Voice (LEV) artist

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF & VOLUNTEERS

Cara Schaefer, Executive Director
Drew Cahoon, Production Manager
Sara Josey, Chorus Manager, Cantate Concert Choir
Chelsea Bromstad Lee, Program Design
Dennis Tosh, Copyeditor

Learn more about Cantate staff.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Many people help guide Cantate. Learn more about Cantate’s Board of Directors.

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ABOUT ANTHONY D. ANDERSON, BARITONE

Anthony D. Anderson, a baritone and native of Washington, D.C., holds his master’s degree from the Maryland Opera Studio at the University of Maryland, where he studied with the renowned bass-baritone Kevin Short. He also holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from the prestigious Oberlin Conservatory. Anderson has distinguished himself in a wide array of roles, including Marchese d’Obigny in La Traviata (Annapolis Opera), the Premier Minister in Massenet’s Cendrillon (Cedar Rapids Opera), John Proctor in Robert Ward’s The Crucible (Opera in the Ozarks), Àlvaro in Daniel Catán’s Florencia en el Amazonas, Sid in Britten’s Albert Herring (both with the Maryland Opera Studio), and the title role in Henry Mollicone’s Emperor Norton (Oberlin Opera Theater). Anthony was also the inaugural young artist in what is now known as Cantate’s Lift Every Voice Program in the 2021–2022 season.

A passionate advocate for new music, Anderson has originated several roles in contemporary operas, including the title role in Noah Getz’s Dear Mr. Duncan (Keegan Theater) and Joe/Gil’s Father in Matthew Recio’s The Puppy Episode (Oberlin Opera Theater). In March 2025, he debuted as W.E.B. Du Bois in a New Work Workshop of The Faces in the Flames, a collaboration with composer Nathan Felix and librettist Anita Gonzalez. In recent seasons, Anderson has performed with Des Moines Metro Opera and Musiktheater Bavaria. Most recently, he has featured with Washington National Opera in their production of Verdi’s Aida and Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess. He has also appeared as a soloist at the National Cathedral in a concert celebrating African American composers. In late 2024, Anderson collaborated with members of the Washington National Opera Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Alvise Casellati, for a special outreach event at the Lincoln Memorial’s Reflecting Pool. His artistic achievements also led to an invitation from the White House to perform for First Lady Jill Biden and guests at the opening of the East Wing extension. Anderson continues to grow as a dynamic performer and is recognized as a rising voice in the world of classical music.

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ABOUT THE ORCHESTRA

VIOLIN 1

Andrea Vercoe†
Camille Jones
Eleanor Shen
Enrique Reynosa

VIOLIN 2

Charles Gleason*
Anna Luebke
Elizabeth Cunha
May Ing

VIOLA

Kimia Hesabi*
Rizwan Jagani
Derek Smith

CELLO

Lori Barnett*
Alison Bazala

BASS

Yoshi Horiguchi

PERCUSSION

Nobue Matsuoko*
Julie Choi

PIANO/ORGAN

Jeff Kempskie

OBOE

Joe DeLuccio*
Amy Houck

TRUMPET

Philippe Brunet*
Neil Brown

† Concert leader
* Principal

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TEXTS

Chorus: And the Glory of the Lord 

And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.             

Recitative: For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover the Earth

For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee.
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

Aria: The People that Walked in Darkness

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light;
and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.        

Lysle S. Follette, IV, baritone, LEV artist

Chorus: For Unto Us a Child is Born

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Recitative: There were Shepherds Abiding in the Fields

There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night.    

Recitative: And Lo, The Angel of the Lord 

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. 

Recitative: And the Angel Said unto them

And the angel said unto them: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

Recitative: And suddenly there was with the Angel

And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying: 

Ayanna Freelon-Coleman, soprano, LEV artist

Chorus: Glory to God 

“Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will towards men.”

Aria: Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, thy King cometh unto thee; He is the righteous Saviour, and He shall speak peace unto the heathen.

Rejoice greatly. . . da capo

Ayanna Freelon-Coleman, soprano, LEV artist

Aria: How Beautiful are the Feet of Them

How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.

Marcela Jones-Moreno, alto, LEV artist

Chorus: Hallelujah!

Hallelujah: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.                
The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord,
and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.       
King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.        
Hallelujah!

See, amid the winter’s snow,
born for us on earth below,
see the tender Lamb appears,
promised from eternal years.

Refrain:
Hail, thou ever blessed morn!
Hail, redemption’s happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Alleluia!

Lo, within a manger lies
He who built the starry skies;
He who, throned in height sublime,
sits amid the cherubim! (Refrain)

Sacred Infant, all divine,
what a tender love was Thine,
thus to come from highest bliss
down to such a world as this! (Refrain)

Anthony Anderson, baritone

This is the truth sent from above,
The truth of God, the God of love;
Therefore don′t turn me from your door,
But hearken all, both rich and poor.
Ah…

The first thing, which I will relate,
Is that God did man create
The next thing, which to you I’ll tell,
Woman was made with man to dwell.
Ah…

Then after this, ′twas God’s own choice
To place them both in Paradise,
There to remain from evil free
Except they ate of such a tree.
Ah…

And they did eat, which was a sin,
And thus their ruin did begin;
Ruined themselves, both you and me,
And all of their posterity.

Thus we were heirs to endless woes,
Till God the Lord did interpose
And so a promise soon did run
That he would redeem us by his Son.
That he would redeem us by his Son.
Ah…

Come all you worthy gentlemen
That may be standing by.
Christ our blessed Saviour
Was born on Christmas day.

The blessed virgin Mary
Unto the Lord did pray,
O we wish you the comfort and tidings of joy!

Christ our blessed Saviour
Now in the manger lay;
He’s lying in the manger,
While the oxen feed on hay.

The blessed Virgin Mary
Unto the Lord did pray.
O we wish you the comfort and tidings of joy!

On Christmas night all Christians sing
To hear the news the angels bring.
News of great joy, news of great mirth,
News of our merciful King′s birth.

When sin departs before thy grace,
Then life and health come in its place.
Angels and men with joy may sing
All for to see the new-born King.

God bless the ruler of this house,
And long, on may he reign;
From out of darkness we have light,
Which makes the angels sing this night:
Many happy Christmases
He live to see again!
From out of darkness we have light,
Which makes the angels sing this night:
God bless our generation
Who live both far and near;
“Glory to God and peace to men,
Both now and evermore, Amen.”
And we wish them a happy, a happy New Year!
O we wish you a happy, a happy New Year!
Both now and evermore, Amen.

Lully, lullay, Thou little tiny Child,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
Lullay, thou little tiny Child,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.

O sisters too, how may we do,
For to preserve this day
This poor youngling for whom we do sing
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.

Herod, the king, in his raging,
Charged he hath this day
His men of might, in his own sight,
All children young to slay.

Then woe is me, poor Child for Thee!
And ever mourn and say,
For thy parting nor say nor sing,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.

The holly and the ivy,
When they are both are full grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
the holly bears the crown.

Refrain:
Oh, the rising of the sun
and the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ,
sweet singing in the choir.

The holly bears a blossom
as white as lily flower,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
to be our dear saviour.

The holly bears a berry
as red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
to do poor sinners good. (Refrain)

The holly bears a prickle
as sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
on Christmas Day in the morn.

The holly bears a bark
as bitter as the gall,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
for to redeem us all. (Refrain)

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
it is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born!
O night divine! O night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
with glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
there came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger;
in all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,
and in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!

Hail the bless’d morn, see the great Mediator
Down from the regions of glory descend!
Shepherds go worship the babe in the manger,
Lo, for his guard the bright angels attend.

Refrain: Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star in the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining;
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall.
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Savior of all. (Refrain)

Shall we not yield Him, in costly devotion,
Odors of Edom and offerings divine,
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest and gold from the mine? (Refrain)

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echo back their joyous strains

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

See Him in a manger laid
Jesus Lord of heaven and earth;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
With us sing our Savior’s birth.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

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A NOTE OF THANKS

Cantate would like to thank…

• Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church for providing space for the concerts
• the First Baptist Church of Silver Spring for providing rehearsal space for the chorus
• Temple Shalom for providing meeting space for the Board
• our box office and usher volunteers

Cantate’s 2025–2026 Concert Season is supported in part by funding from the Montgomery County government and the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, the Maryland State Arts Council, and The Dallas Morse Coors Foundation for the Performing Arts.

Cantate is also supported by the generous donations and underwriting of individuals and corporations, whose support we warmly welcome.

Learn more about Cantate’s donors and how you can support Cantate.

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Join us for Cantate’s next concert: BELIEVE

Saturday, January 31, 2026 • 5:00 p.m.
Christ Episcopal Church
4001 Franklin St, Kensington, MD 20895

What does it mean to believe? What do we believe, and how do we act on that belief? Cantate Chamber Singers explores, challenges, and builds on this theme in a concert featuring powerful and haunting music: Credo by Margaret Bonds, If I Am Silent by David Lang, and more, with texts taken from the Hebrew Bible, the Latin Credo, and poets Alfred Kreymborg, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Langston Hughes. Featuring soprano Melissa Wimbish and bass-baritone VaShawn Savoy McIlwain-Lightfoot.

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Words From Our Partners

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