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Download this program:
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Here Comes the Sun

Saturday, May 13, 2023
Mindy Walwer, Director
Life has been difficult these last few years and, for many of us, “normal" remains relative. As I was sitting down with the rest of the artistic staff, discussing and suggesting songs and themes for this particular concert, I’ll admit, I threw a bit of a tantrum. “I want to sing songs that make me happy, songs that feel good to sing!” Questions arose as to how we would market that concert. I mean, just how would you title that on our publicity? “Songs that Mindy Likes” might not bring people in the doors. I suggested, “We all need a little happy, so get in here and feel better!” It was pointed out that this title wouldn’t fit on the postcards… 

As our song selections narrowed to those you will hear tonight, it became clear that “Here Comes the Sun” conveys the hopefulness that can point us in a positive direction. Tonight’s program just might take you from a fake-it-till-you-make-it attitude to a true sense of happiness and peace.

May you gain a sense of hopefulness for the future.
Mindy


Yale New Haven Hospital is happy to sing the praises of Another Octave

Another Octave: Connecticut Women’s Chorus

presents . . .

Here Comes the Sun

ACT ONE
We Dance    
Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty

…is the opening number from the Broadway musical Once on This Island. The show is a Caribbean retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale The Little Mermaid. The peasants sing about their hard lives and the comfort they feel as they dance and sing to their gods. 
Our hearts hear the song, our feet move along, and to the music of the Gods, We Dance!
Featuring: Chandra Rivers, Rhea Hirshman, Amy Weiss, Nancy Welsch, Charisse Hutton, Anne Harrigan, Galianna Erazo, & Aurora Corteville
How Can I Keep from Singing?    
Rev. Robert Lowry; arr. Rollo Dilworth

…was originally composed as a Christian hymn by Baptist minister Robert Lowry and appears in hymnals from several different denominations. The song, with a revised text that omits most of the Christian content, also appears in song collections with an added verse about solidarity in the face of oppression. 
When tyrants tremble, sick with fear, and hear their death-knell ringing,
When friends rejoice both far and near,
How can I keep from singing?
Sweet Woman    
Cris Williamson; arr. J. David Moore

…was written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Cris Williamson, whose music was one of the cornerstones of what would become known as "women's music": music created, performed, and marketed specifically to women.
Sweet woman, rising inside my glow, I think I’m missing you.
Andrea Barley, Kathie Cote, Amy Eppler-Epstein, Carol Gale, Nara Giannella, Anne Harrigan, Charisse Hutton, Joan Krogh, Dawn Melo, Chandra Rivers, Rebecca Severance, Carol Walter, Mindy Walwer, Amy Weiss, Nancy Welsch

Another Octave is presented to you with support from CT Humanities
CT Humanities CT Cultural Fund logo

I Want It Now    
​
Anthony Newley & Leslie Bricusse

… was written for the 1971 musical fantasy film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
The song is a temper tantrum by 12-year-old Veruca Salt. After three years of COVID, we’re all starting to feel like Veruca!

I want a party with roomfuls of laughter, ten thousand tons of ice cream;
And if I don't get the things I am after… I'm going to scream!

Solo: Amy Weiss
I Can See Clearly Now    
Johnny Nash

…was written and recorded by singer Johnny Nash. The song’s style is heavily laced with reggae influences, as Nash had earlier collaborated with Bob Marley. The lyrics are a hopeful look toward the future.
I Can See Clearly Now, the rain has gone… I can see all obstacles in my way.
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind… It’s gonna be a bright, bright, sunshiny day.

Erica Champion, Kim DeNote, Nara Giannella, Anne Harrigan, Rhea Hirshman, Joan Krogh, Catie McClure, Kris Montgomery, Mary Roche, Marilyn Russell, Anna Schürkmann, Rebecca Severance, Amy Weiss, Nancy Welsch
A Girl’s Best Friend    
Words by Leo Robin; Music by Jule Styne; arr. Alan Billingsley

…is a jazz song from Gentleman Prefer Blondes, a Broadway show and film about two women on a road trip. Our version is updated to include things some of us prefer to diamonds.
The French are glad to die for love, they delight in fighting duels.
But, I prefer someone who lives …and gives expensive tools.

Solo: Kathie Cote; Aurora Corteville, Kim DeNote, Nara Giannella, Rhea Hirshman, Catie McClure, Dawn Melo, Chandra Rivers, Rebecca Severance, Mindy Walwer
Come Softly to Me    
Gretchen Christopher, Barbara Ellis, Gary Troxel

… originally was two songs until composer Gretchen Christopher realized that the doo-wop melody her friend Gary Troxel was improvising fit perfectly with the song she’d just finished writing. The song was recorded a cappella, and a sparse accompaniment was added afterward, including Gary flipping his car keys as percussion.
Come softly, darling…  Come to me, stay…
Kathie Cote, Kim DeNote, Amy Eppler-Epstein, Carol Gale, Nara Giannella,Charisse Hutton, Joan Krogh, Catie McClure, Dawn Melo, Kris Montgomery, Mary Roche, Marilyn Russell, Carol Walter, Mindy Walwer, Amy Weiss, Nancy Welsch
Route 66    
Bobby Troup; arr. Kirby Shaw, Melinda Walwer

The lyrics follow the path of Route 66, established in 1926 as part of the U.S. national highway system, and otherwise known as the Will Rogers Highway. The road underwent many realignments over the years, but portions of the road have been designated a National Scenic Byway with the name Historic Route 66. We look forward to traveling the whole length of Route 66, lake shore to coast someday, singing the names of the towns as we pass by.
It winds from Chicago to L.A. More than 2000 miles all the way.
Get your kicks on
Route 66.
Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat
 Frank Loesser

…from the Broadway musical Guys and Dolls, is based on Damon Runyon’s story, The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown, about a gambler who falls in love with a missionary girl. The song is sung by the character Nicely-Nicely Johnson as he “testifies” at the mission’s revival meeting.
I dreamed last night I got on the boat to heaven,
and by some chance, I had brought my dice along,
And there I stood and I hollered, ‘Someone fade me,’
but the passengers, they knew right from wrong.

Solos: Emily Stagg, Kim DeNote, & Mindy Walwer

INTERMISSION    
Please peruse our basket raffle items in the social hall.

Enjoying our concert? Mark your calendars for our fall concert!
Woman’s Work
Saturday, November 18, 2023

Another Octave is…

Soprano 1
Kathie Cote
Laurie Edwards
Kiyoko Karwowski
Elisabeth Kennedy
Kris Montgomery *
Rebecca Severance
Soprano 2
Andrea Barley *
Barbara Curry
Kim DeNote
Nara Giannella
Anne Harrigan
Charisse Hutton
Judy Lhamon
Caitlin McClure
Mindy Walwer *
Alto 1
Aurora Corteville 
Galianna Erazo
Joan Krogh 
Dawn Melo
Diana Resasco
Chandra Rivers *
Marilyn Russell
Anna Schürkmann
Emily Stagg *
Amy Weiss
Nancy Welsch
Alto 2
Barbara Brosseau
Erica Champion *
Amy Eppler-Epstein *
Laura Fawcett
Carol Gale
Rhea Hirshman
Mary Roche
Carol Walter

​
* = section leader
On leave 2023
Renée Barley
Rebecca Gilbert
Karen Kriner
Ilene Lefland
Freddi Lindsay
Bethany Mead
Joyce Mercer
AO Board
Charisse Hutton: chair
Amy Weiss: vice chair
Judy Lhamon: secretary
Bethany Mead & Freddi Lindsay: treasurers
Karen Kriner: publicity
Aurora Corteville, Ken Hudson,
Kiyoko Karwowski, Joan Krogh, Carol Walter: members-at-large

AO Band
Polina Mann: piano 
Carole Sylvester: drums, percussion
Kiyoko Karwowski: guitar, keyboard
Amy Eppler-Epstein: flute, percussion
Carol Gale, Chandra Rivers: percussion, dance
…and others on shakers and such

AO Sound
Barbara Curry, Brenda Zaprzalka
AO Auxiliary
Nick Souris, production coordinator
Jecy Belmont    
Ken Hudson

Susan Isch    
Gina Juliano

John Kennedy    
Darlene Maki

Gary McNeff    
Gwen Severance

Lynn Severance    
Chris Stagg

Brenda Zaprzalka​

Thank you to those businesses who donated to our basket raffle.
Please support their generosity by mentioning Another Octave when you visit:
Cheshire Nursery 
Five Churches Brewery, New Britain
Gouveia Vineyard, Wallingford 
Grandpa’s Best, Wallingford
Paradise Vineyard, Wallingford 
Walker-Loden, Ltd., Madison & New Haven

Happy retirement to Linda Estabrook of the Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective

ACT TWO
Lioness Chant
Lebo M

…is from the Broadway musical The Lion King. South African composer, Lebo M. (Lebohang Morake), was asked to add authentic African music to the score when the movie was adapted for the stage. This song is a call to action, gathering the lionesses to the hunt.
We baba zingela siyo zingela baba
Solos: Kris Montgomery & Aurora Corteville
Big Dogs, Music, and Wild, Wild Women    
Ruth Huber

…was written by Ruth Huber, artistic director of the Rainbow Women's Chorus
of San Jose, California and is one of AOCWC’s earliest songs.

Here’s some advice of mine, get you some… Big Dogs, Music, and Wild, Wild Women, and they’ll make your life complete.
Canticle of Brother Sun  
 
Words by St. Francis of Assisi, the Book of Job,
 & F.S. Pierpont; Music by Jim Scott & Paul Winter
…is a movement within Missa Gaia (Earth Mass) which was commissioned by the Dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York as a contemporary ecumenical Mass.
The mass integrates world music with songs from the wild to celebrate the whole Earth as a sacred space.

Ask of the beasts, and they shall teach you the beauty of the earth.
Flute: Amy Eppler-Epstein; Andrea Barley, Kathie Cote, Nara Giannella, Anne Harrigan, Rhea Hirshman, Charisse Hutton, Judy Lhamon, Kris Montgomery, Rebecca Severance, Carol Walter, Mindy Walwer

Another Octave thanks our host for their ongoing support.
Unitarian Society of New Haven: A Unitarian Universalist Congregation
usnh.org

I Want It All
Words by Richard Maltby, Jr.; Music by David Shire

…was originally performed in the Broadway musical Baby. Three women think about the choices they face and how to manage work, motherhood, life, and love.
I put what I want in life on this side… and what I don’t want over here…
It was quite a bout but I worked it out and now the answer's very clear…
I WANT IT ALL!!!
Solos: Andrea Barley, Rebecca Severance, & Kris Montgomery
Come In from the Rain  
Melissa Manchester & Carole Bayer Sager; arr. Mac Huff

Carole Bayer Sager has won an Oscar, a Grammy, two Golden Globes, and was inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame in 1987. Melissa Manchester won her own Grammy as a singer. As a writer, Manchester collaborated on several hits with Sager including Midnight Blue and Don’t Cry Out Loud.
There’s no right or wrong, I’m not here to blame,
I just want to be the one to keep you from the rain.
Come in from the rain…
Kathie Cote, Kim DeNote, Amy Eppler-Epstein, Carol Gale, Nara Giannella, Charisse Hutton, Catie McClure, Kris Montgomery, Chandra Rivers, Mary Roche, Rebecca Severance, Carol Walter, Mindy Walwer, Nancy Welsch
Miss Chatelaine    
​
k.d. lang & Ben Mink

…was a Grammy nominated hit from k.d. lang’s award-winning 1992 album Ingenue. The title of the song refers to the Canadian magazine Chatelaine, which named lang Woman of the Year in 1988. The accompanying video lovingly paid homage to Lawrence Welk.
Just a kiss, just a kiss, I have lived just for this.
I can't explain why I've become 
Miss Chatelaine.
Erica Champion, Kathie Cote, Carol Gale, Nara Giannella, Elisabeth Kennedy, Dawn Melo, Kris Montgomery, Chandra Rivers, Mary Roche, Rebecca Severance, Mindy Walwer

Celebrate PRIDE Month
with Another Octave as we perform

WE GOT ISSUES

on Saturday, June 24, at 7pm at the
Enfield Congregational Church of Christ
1295 Enfield St., Enfield, CT
EnfieldUCC.org
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Jenny Rebecca    
​
Carol Hall

…was recorded by Barbra Streisand on her album My Name Is Barbra and by Olivia Newton-John on her album of lullabies called Warm and Tender. In the 1970s, the song was used as a jingle for Gerber baby food (also sung as Christopher Michael for a baby boy).
Jenny Rebecca, four days old. How do you like the world so far?
Solo: Emily Stagg
Chili Con Carne    
Anders Edenroth

…was created by The Real Group, a Swedish a cappella vocal group formed in 1984. Thirty-nine years later, the original singers have retired, but the group continues on. Chili Con Carne was recorded on Nothing But the Real Group, one of their first albums, and is actually a recipe – you might want to jot this down!
Take some ripe and fresh tomatoes, put them in a bowl with oil,
Add the onions strong and tasty, on the stove you let it boil…

Erica Champion, Aurora Corteville, Kathie Cote, Amy Eppler-Epstein, Galianna Erazo, Carol Gale, Nara Giannella, Charisse Hutton, Kris Montgomery, Mindy Walwer

Grateful thanks to ALL 80 donors 
who helped us raise $8,500 through The Great Give 2023!

Another Octave
BOARD MEMBERS & FRIENDS
who donated to the Great Give 2023 Match Fund

Anonymous 
Carole Arnold & Linda Bray
Barbara Curry
Aurora Corteville
Amy Eppler-Epstein
Laura Fawcett
Doris A. Gale
Anne M. Harrigan
Ken Hudson
Charisse Hutton
Karen A. Kriner
Joan M. Krogh
Judy Lhamon
Freddi Lindsay
Darlene Maki
Bethany Mead
Joyce Ann Mercer
Mary E. Roche
Carol Walter
Amy Weiss
Your gift was pitch perfect!

Here Comes the Sun    
George Harrison; arr. Melinda Walwer

Our title song was written by George Harrison and originally performed by the Beatles on the album Abbey Road. While the song celebrates the end of winter and the coming of spring, it also celebrates our emergence from the pervasive negativity surrounding us during COVID.
Little darlin', the smile's returning to their faces.
Little darlin', it seems like years since it's been here -
Here comes the sun
Drums Make Me Happy
Patrick Bianco, Marissa Jack, Mario Mestanza; arr. Melinda Walwer

Mindy first heard this on one of her many road trips during the pandemic. As she listened to this on the radio, she was transported, if only for four minutes, to a world before COVID. Enjoy this and remember what makes YOU happy.
Break all the walls down. Forget all the rules now.
A hero, a champion wears the crown of the sun like a dawning light!


Our thanks to…
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…for donating tonight’s bouquets.

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Keep in touch!
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Another Octave is grateful for the generosity of all donors.
You make us possible.
Marie Alford-Harkey
Elaine Allen
Anna
Anonymous Donors
Carole Arnold and Linda Bray
Andrea Barley and Jecy Belmont
Renée Barley
Anthony and Donna Barone
David Boss and Karyn Montgomery
Virginia Bressano
Barbara Brosseau
Jennifer Brosious
Jackie Brown
Victoria Carmona
Mary Carriero
David and Janice Champion
Erica Champion
Susan Conover
Aurora and Greg Corteville
Kyle Corteville
Kathie Cote
Barbara Curry
Laura Diorio
Laurie Edwards
Anne Eisner
Sharron Emmons
Joan Enoch
Amy Eppler-Epstein
Sally Esposito
Lorin and Elaine Evans​
​Laura Fawcett
Nathan D. Fuhrman
Joe Gaffney
Carol Gale 
Doris Gale 
Sue Garten
Nara Giannella
Shirley Girouard
Sarah Guterman
Bradley Harper
Anne Harrigan
Gwenith Heuss-Severance
Rhea Hirshman
DJ Horn
Ken Hudson
Charisse Hutton
Harold Jordan
Gina Juliano
Keith & David
Keith & Josie
Elisabeth Kennedy
Janet Kriner
Karen Kriner and Nic Souris
Joan Krogh
Suzanne Lagarde
Beverly Lett
Judy Lhamon
Linda
Freddi Lindsay
Darlene Maki
Chuck Maturo and Peter Roche
Bethany Mead
Dawn Melo

Joyce Mercer
Rebecca Miller
Karen & Steve Minkler
Gerald Montgomery
Kris Montgomery and Melinda Walwer
Mary Ann Moran
Barbara Nicolazzo
Mary Anne Osborn
Fiona Pearson
Patricia Perkins
Eleanor Powell
Ann Pratson
Susan C. Quinlan
Diana R.
Chandra Rivers
Mary Roche
Peter Roche and Chuck Maturo
Crystal Algea Rosa
Marilyn Russell
Patricia Silber Lazzeri
Barbara and Lovett Smith
Elisabeth Stagg
Emily Stagg
John Tagliaferro
Carol Walter
Max Walter
William Walter
Michael Walwer
Amy Weiss
David Weiss
Nancy Welsch
Donate

Another Octave
​

P. O. Box 185234
Hamden, CT 06518


Phone: 203.672.1919

[email protected]

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@anotheroctavechorus
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