About the Work
For Choir, Vocal Soloists(Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass, Boy Soprano), and Organ in 8 Movements
＊
About the Performers
St. Thomas Choir ++
(plus plus) is the combined effort of St. Thomas Choir that meets at the church’s sanctuary for practice Thursday nights for the Sunday morning services under the leadership of Music Director Patricia Pietrzyk, and the talented and committed members of the community that rally together when performing new and substantial works. On Christmas Eve of 2023, the choir premiered Celestial Prophecy; a multi movement cantata featuring soloists with a theme exploring the stars and the universe through the yearnings of humanity for a savior, whereupon finding the answer to be that each one of us are to shine like stars, becoming beacons of hope for each other. For 2024’s Easter Service, the choir premiered Easter Cantata, another multi movement work with additional instruments flute, violin, guitar, cello, percussion, where the work created a celebration for the easter occasion with a rustic and renaissance-like feel. Both works were written and directed by the same composer as the Requiem.
Tina Paulson (Solo Soprano) holds a BM in Voice Performance from Washington State University, and Masters degrees in Voice Performance and Choral Conducting from San Jose State University, where she studied with Erie Mills, Dr. Charlene Archibeque, and Dr. Amanda Quist. As a music educator and program builder, she has taught elementary, middle school, high school and community college choirs. She is currently the Director of Music at Notre Dame High School, San Jose where she leads choir, band, strings, and music ministry ensembles. Outside of teaching duties, Ms. Paulson vocal/music directs musicals for Bay Area theater companies, and has served as a section leader for the Santa Clara Chorale since 2017. In between work and gigs, she loves to travel, run long-distance, hang out with her family, and read.
Featured soloist in Celestial Prophecy(2023) by the same composer of the Requiem.
Akane Ota (Solo Alto)is a versatile mezzo-soprano, educator, and conductor originally from Japan. She holds a B.A. in Vocal Performance from Oita Prefectural College of Arts and Culture and an Artistic Diploma from Shobi Gakuen Tokyo. Akane has performed extensively as a soloist and choral artist, contributing to the Japanese and international music communities. Currently, Akane is an active member of 21V Choir and Volti and serves as the alto section leader and soloist at the Universalist Unitarian Church in San Francisco. She also serves as the Assistant Conductor, and Pianist for the Ragazzi Boys Chorus and the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir, contributing her expertise to the development and success of young vocalists. Additionally, she is the founder and organizer of Ensemble AO, a Japanese ensemble group dedicated to celebrating and sharing Japanese music and culture through collaborative performances. She has performed at prestigious events, including singing the Japanese National Anthem at the Consulate-General of Japan and the WWII Peace Treaty’s 60th Anniversary at the Presidio. In 2016, Akane organized a charity concert for earthquake relief in her hometown of Kumamoto, Japan, raising funds to support local music education. Recently, she conducted a Chuō high school choir in Kumamoto, earning a silver medal at a major choral competition. In March, Akane will perform as the alto soloist and leading alto section in Duruflé Requiem with MasterWorks Chorale. Outside of her musical commitments, Akane maintains a private voice and piano studio in Burlingame and enjoys Reading, Pilates, Zumba, and learning the cello with her cat and two daughters.
Featured soloist in Celestial Prophecy(2023) by the same composer of the Requiem.
Finn Goulart (Solo Tenor) is a Bay Area tenor, and is thrilled to be singing another one of Benjamin’s original compositions here at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Finn made his debut with the St. Thomas choir in December 2023 singing in the solo quartet for Celestial Prophecy. Currently Finn sings in three groups in the Bay Area: Peninsula Cantare, a community choir based in Palo Alto, the St. Ann choir, a gregorian chant and early music choir based in Palo Alto, and The Merrie Olde Christmas Carolers, a professional christmas caroling company that performs all over the Greater Bay Area. Finn received his Bachelors of Music degree in vocal performance at San Jose State University in 2017. During his studies there, he was fortunate to take private lessons from Professor Joseph Frank, a world renowned operatic character tenor, specializing in performance of early music. Finn also sang for the award winning chamber chorus, Choraliers under the direction of Dr. Jeffery Benson, and participated in SJSU’s opera performance program under the direction of Professor Layna Chianakas and Michael DiGiacinto. After graduating from SJSU, Finn stepped in as interim choral director both at Carlmont High School in Belmont, and Piedmont Middle School in San Jose. He also worked for Ragazzi Boys Chorus based in Redwood City, and was the music director at Epiphany Episcopal Church in San Carlos for a short period of time. After the 2020 pandemic, Finn made a personal decision to continue pursuing music only as a hobby rather than a career, and shifted his career direction to the Hospitality and Food Service industry as a bartender and restaurant manager. Finn adores early vocal music, especially polyphonic music from the medieval and renaissance periods. His favorite composer of all time is Thomas Luis de Victoria. Outside of music and work, Finn enjoys binge watching Star Trek, attending furry conventions, spending time with his dog, and commissioning art of his original character.
Featured soloist in Celestial Prophecy(2023) by the same composer of the Requiem.
Gregory Smith (Solo Bass) was educated provincially, nationally, and internationally. Some of the works that have prepared him to sing Benjamin’s REQUIEM with joy are as follows: “Bass” Stravinsky’s LES NOCES, “Sid” Britten’s ALBERT HERRING, “Bass” Johnson’s THE FOUR-NOTE OPERA, and “Bob” Menotti’s THE OLD MAID AND THE THIEF. In the last 5 years, it has been my pleasure to teach ABRSM Piano in the Bay Area and serve as organist with the Christian Science Church. As an accompanist here, musical theater auditions have been lots of fun.
Featured soloist in Celestial Prophecy(2023) by the same composer of the Requiem.
Raymond Shen (Solo Boy Soprano)
is 11 years old, and is making his debut as a boy soprano in the Requiem. In addition to studying voice with Gregory Smith, he has just passed ABRSM 4 piano with distinction.
Wolfgang Roethig (Organ) started playing piano at age 9 and organ at age 14. He enjoys all musical styles from early music to modern jazz. Originally from Germany, he lived in France for 5 years before moving to the US. Holding a PhD in Electronics and Communication, he has worked in the semiconductor industry for 30 years. Currently Wolfgang serves as music director at Foothill Community Presbyterian Church in San Jose.
＊
Venue
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
231 Sunset Avenue, Sunnyvale CA 94086 https://stthomas-svale.org/
＊
Donating for the Cause
2024 has been one of the most tragic years for children in recent times. Many individuals in our community have been emotionally impacted by the graphic images of children who have tragically lost their lives in various conflict zones, especially in the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa and in Ukraine. This needless loss of life, beyond our immediate control, pulls us to look for ways to ensure that each child’s life lost this past year was not in vain, and that those still living at significant risk, can be saved.
In response to these on-going tragedies, St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Sunnyvale is hosting on Saturday, February 15th, 2025, at 6 PM, a musical performance entitled ‘Requiem’, featuring the St. Thomas Choir joined by members from other choirs, together with four soloists and a young boy soprano. This performance is a major fund-raising event to support UNICEF. This UN agency has become the gold-standard for helping children in over 190 countries, whose lives are at significant risk.
(John Pietrzyk)
Information on St. Thomas Website
＊