A Message from Jay Trottier, Music Director

In many cultures the number 13 is considered unlucky, but for me, 13 represents the number of seasons I’ve had the privilege of being Music Director of the Temple Hill Symphony Orchestra… I’m a lucky guy! What an absolute honor and joy it has been! Making music from my favorite classical composers – Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff and others has been exhilarating. More modern compositions from Copland, Gershwin and Bernstein with their complex and syncopated rhythms have tickled my fancy. And playing  John Williams’ original score from Star Wars gave me goosebumps! Broadway tunes, Disney favorites, blockbuster movie themes – pure magic!

We’ve been entertained by dancing dinosaurs, R2-D2, costumed children and adults. Darth Vader and Superman have claimed the podium! We’ve also been wowed by notable musicians Jenny Oaks Baker, Russell Hancock, David Archuleta and Adassa. Budding new artists have graced our stage in “Salute to Youth” programs. The past thirteen years have been nothing short of awesome!

Unfortunately, due to some lingering health issues, it has become necessary for me to step aside as Music Director. My heart is heavy, yet joyful, and very much full of gratitude. I’m grateful for a supportive Board of Directors accomplishing every task necessary for each concert’s success. I appreciate the tech support who have made my fanciful ideas become reality. My heart swells when thinking of all the talented, dedicated musicians I have had the privilege of working with over the past 13 seasons. Without them, of course, there would be no music! Their passion is my passion! To all of you, the audience, I thank you for filling the seats. I have felt your support and love through your attendance and applause! And last, but certainly not least, I thank my wife and children for their unwavering “You got this, Dad!” encouragement. You may have seen only me on the podium, but they were there right by my side… always!

Tonight is my “swan song”… I conclude my tenure as Music Director of the THSO with four of my all-time favorites – Gabriel’s Oboe, Carmina Burana, Pavane, and the 4th movement of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. For you, I hope it’s a night to remember — for me, a night never to forget!

With much gratitude,
Jay

Symphony Program

I AM A CHILD OF GOD

Words by Naomi Ward Randall

Music by Mildred Tanner Pettit

Arranged by Mike Carson

Kirsten Bradford, Guest Conductor

Amy Strong, Soprano

Craig Anderson, Baritone

GABRIEL’S OBOE

Ennio Morricone, Arranged by Harry Walker
Semyon Lohss, Guest Conductor
Eric Hagen, Oboe
Chorus

Carmina Burana

Carl Orff
Jay Trottier, Conductor
Amy Strong, Soprano
Craig Anderson, Baritone
Chorus
Avanti Ensemble from Ragazzi Boys Chorus

 

Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi (Fortune, Empress of the World)

1. O Fortuna (O Fortune) – Chorus
2. Fortune plango vulnera (I Lament the Wounds That Fortune Deals) – Chorus

 

I. Primo vere (Springtime)

5. Ecce gratum (Behold, the Welcome) – Chorus

 

Uf dem anger (On the Green)

6. Tanz (Dance)
7. Floret silva nobilis (The Noble Forest) – Chorus
8. Chramer, gip die varwe mir (Salesman! Give Me Colored Paint) – Chorus
9. Reie (Round Dance) – Chorus
Swaz hie gat umbe (They Who Here Go Dancing Round)
10.Were diu werlt alle min (If the Whole World Were But Mine) – Chorus

 

II. In Taberna (In the Tavern)

13. Ego sum abbas (I Am the Abbot) – Craig Anderson, Baritone & Men’s Chorus
14. In taberna quando sumus (When We Are in the Tavern) – Men’s Chorus

 

III. Cour d’amours (The Court of Love)

15. Amor volat undique (Love Flies Everywhere) – Amy Strong, Soprano & Boys Chorus
18. Circa mea pectora (My Chest) – Craig Anderson, Baritone & Chorus
20. Veni, veni, venias (Come, Come, Pray Come) – Chorus
21. In trutina (In the Scales) – Amy Strong, Soprano
22. Tempus est iocundum (Pleasant Is the Season) – Amy Strong, Soprano, Craig Anderson, Baritone & Boys Chorus
23. Dulcissime (Sweetest Boy) – Amy Strong, Soprano

 

Blanziflor et Helena (Blanziflor and Helena)

24. Ave formosissima (Hail to Thee) – Chorus

 

Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi (Fortune, Empress of the World)

25. O Fortuna (O Fortune) – Chorus & Boys Chorus

INTERMISSION

PAVANE OP. 50

Gabriel Fauré
Semyon Lohss, Guest Conductor
Chorus

SYMPHONY NO. 9, 4th MOVEMENT “ODE TO JOY”

Ludwig van Beethoven
Jay Trottier, Conductor
Madison Barton-Holloway, Soprano
Shauna Fallihee, Mezzo-Soprano
Steve Ohlin, Tenor
James Haskin, Bass
Chorus

Program Notes

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Meet the Temple Hill Symphony Orchestra

The Temple Hill Symphony Orchestra is comprised of volunteer musicians who are dedicated to providing great classical music to the public. The mission of the Temple Hill Symphony Orchestra is to foster excellence and innovation in the performance and presentation of great music; to enrich the lives of residents of the greater Oakland area; to educate current and future audiences; to provide opportunities for musicians to perform classics from the symphonic repertoire; and to cultivate a love of music by providing free concerts that educate, entertain, and inspire individuals and families in the community.

Temple Hill Symphony Orchestra Members

MUSIC DIRECTOR

Jay Trottier

VIOLIN I

Cybèle D’Ambrosio, Concertmistress
Peggy Jellinghausen, Associate Concertmistress

Doug Morrison
Linda Sandifur
Devyn Gay
Sophie Koval
Keita Moriwaki
Miki Nakamura
Trevor Barrus
Arthur Jue

VIOLIN II

Spencer Larsen*
Linda Pedersen
Stephanie Black
Joseph Gold
Helen Duncan
Jeremy Pack
Jackie Koval
Ed Walker

VIOLA

Betsy London*
Debbie Dare
Liz Hare
Thomas Pack

CELLO

Chris Jackson*
Asher Spackman
Mary Asnicar
Iris Kwok
Stephen Young
Ted Kolda
Natasha Wunderlich

BASS

Tim Neff*
Suzanne DiVincenzo
Damian Anderson

FLUTE

Melissa Gulamhussein*
Sharon Young
Kristina Spackman

OBOE

Eric Hagen*
Mary Kruzas

CLARINET

Ron Jarvis*
Brinley Nearon
Kathy Vork

BASS CLARINET

Mariko Abe

BASSOON

Michael Stern*
Catherine Tracy

FRENCH HORN

Jeanne Porter*
Mary Archer
Peter Jilka
Daniel Bao

TRUMPET

John Escalera*
Max Miller
Karen Kitchen

TROMBONE

Dave Downer*
Megan Kennedy
David Parker

TUBA

Stacie Andersen

TIMPANI

Doug Knoll

PERCUSSION

Ralph Granich*
Daniel Edwards
Alexandra de Lory
John Mack
Louie Lock

PIANO

Rica Van Katwyk
Larry Petersen
* Principal

OPERATIONS

Dave Downer

LIBRARIAN

Linda Pedersen

TECH

Harold Waters, Manager
Grant Huberty, Sound
Jeff Beyer, Lighting
Lauren Stewart

VIDEOGRAPHY

Paris Fox

Chorus

Temple Hill Choir – Alan Chipman, Director
Larry Petersen, Rehearsal Accompanist
Solano Chamber Society Chorus – Lori Landin, Director
Rica Van Katwyk, Rachel Lewis & Denise Plaskett, Rehearsal Accompanists

SOPRANO

Diana Allocco
Elizabeth Anderson
Lori Armstrong
Meggan Boren
Kirsten Bradford
Karen Collins
Theresa DeLargy
Barbara Edwards
Donna Edwards-Weber
Yvonne Fuhriman
Rachel Haskin
Nikki Hikari
Eunice Hojilla
Katie Jackson
Sharon Keeton
Victoria Lorz
Hak Young Park
Jessica Ryan
Amy Strong
Dana Thompson
Gayla Wilson

ALTO

Joey Amrhein
Erica Bingham
Mary Kaye Brown
Miriam Brown
Catherine Davis
Michele Dernay
Alice Elder
Rebecca Ellefsen
Raye-Lee Estes
Kathlene Jackson
Lori Landin
Catherine Nary
Kathy Palmer
Bethany Paradise
Kathleen Perez
Denise Plaskett
Anneke Reimers
Sara Saengkeo
Winifred Schultz-Krohn
Janine Shafer
Larissa Stimmel
Becky Trottier
Lynda Valerio
Natalie Wright

TENOR

Thomas Anderson
Wit Ashbrook
Rob Dellenbach
Chris Ellsworth
Clayton Gardner
Don Hardwick
Jim Harle
James Haskin
Daniel Jensen
Bob Johnson
Julia Johnson
Darin Johnston
Paul Mann
Adam Monteith
Caden “Monty” Montgomery
Bud Nebeker
Jeffrey Neidleman
Steve Ohlin
Michael Ryan
Nancy Swearengen
Craig Wilson

BASS

Craig Anderson
Mark Anderson
Gene Beyer
Gary Foley
Tim Lorz
Jarom Nelson
Jim Ogden
Glen Palmer
Chris Pedersen
James Saengkeo
Tim Salaver
Kim Staking
Larry Wolter

Avanti Ensemble
from Ragazzi Boys Chorus, Silicon Valley

Thomas Wade, Director
Neil Aggarwal
Rakshan Balakrishnan
Julian Chen
Milo Chung
Nirvan Das
Noah Henderson
Alexander Friesen
Andrew Lao
Zachary Lau
Jalan Lei
Lucas Lin
Yichen Liu
Paul Matsushima
Aarav Pancholi
Keshavan Rao
Benedikt Schmiedehausen
Samarth Sinha
Michael Sonn
Linus Stallings
Cory Tsai
Bruce Wang
Ryan Wang
Colin Williams
Mason Young

GRAMMY Award-winning Ragazzi Boys Chorus, Silicon Valley, provides outstanding musical education and performance opportunities for boys and young men ages 5 to 18. The largest boys’ chorus in the San Francisco Bay Area, Ragazzi serves 239 choristers in six tiered levels. Under the leadership of Artistic and Executive Director Kent Jue, Ragazzi shapes the lives of boys from diverse backgrounds, developing tenacious and confident young musicians who pursue choral arts of the highest caliber together.

Recent performance highlights include singing at the 2024 Western Region ACDA conference in Pasadena and singing as a host choir at the 2023 Chorus America conference in San Francisco. Ragazzi is a prominent collaborator in the Bay Area, providing vocalists for such notable organizations as the San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Symphony, Opera San Jose, Symphony Silicon Valley, and the Stanford University Symphonic Chorus, among others. Recent collaborations include Benjamin Britten’s “War Requiem” with the San Francisco Symphony and Opera San Jose’s production of “Tosca.” The group tours throughout the United States and internationally to widen chorus members’ cultural and musical horizons and deepen Ragazzi’s reputation for performance excellence. The chorus has concertized in historic venues including Carnegie Hall in New York City, St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice, and MuTH Concert Hall in Vienna, and the Sydney Opera House.

Meet the Guest Performers

SEMYON LOHSS, Guest Conductor

Maestro Semyon Lohss is in his 33rd season as the Music Director and Conductor of the Solano Symphony Orchestra. The Maestro has years of orchestral, opera, and choral conducting experience.

From 1999 till 2002 he held two additional posts as Music Director and Conductor of the Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra and Associate Conductor of the Santa Rosa Symphony. In June 2002, Maestro Lohss made his Carnegie Hall debut with great success.

His guest conducting highlights include the Ballet California, North Bay Opera, Vallejo Symphony, Palo Alto Philharmonic, and Nova Vista Symphony, among others. A native of St. Petersburg, Russia, the Maestro is an honors graduate from the St. Petersburg State Conservatory of Music with two Masters of Music Degrees: one in Symphony and Opera Conducting and the other in Choral Conducting.

KIRSTEN BRADFORD, Guest Conductor

Kirsten Bradford developed a love of orchestral music, film scores, musicals, and opera at an early age. Her conducting career started at the age of five, marching to and conducting the KDFC Classical Radio Morning March every day before school, and she’s been involved in music ever since. She has performed as a solo vocalist many times on Temple Hill and has been seen in musicals and choral performances around the Bay Area. She has conducted dozens of youth, teen, and adult choirs over the last decade.

Kirsten started as an assistant conductor with the Temple Hill Symphony in 2024 and has been incredibly lucky to study conducting under Maestro Jay Trottier. She also currently studies with Dr. Buddy James at CSU East Bay and is slowly making her way towards a master’s degree in conducting. When not performing, Kirsten loves spending time with her husband and two teenage daughters.

LORI LANDIN, Chorus Director

Lori Landin holds a Master’s degree in Music Conducting and has extensive experience in music and theatre as a conductor, director, performer, and educator. She served as Musical Director for the Oakland Temple Pageant, has been honored with both an “ARTY AWARD” for Best Musical Director in Solano County and the “Teacher Who Makes a Difference Award” for the Placer County High School District.  She’s performed in many prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall and Notre Dame.

As a philanthropist and international speaker, Lori founded The Lori Landin Foundation where she serves people in need worldwide.  She also has an events business, is a board-certified health coach, Optimal Life Designer, Certified Challenge Consultant, and the Director of Networking for an international organization.

Lori is grateful for this opportunity to serve as Chorus Master for this concert and is honored to now serve as head Musical Director for the singers of the Solano Chamber Society Chorus as they begin to pave the path forward for music and performance in Solano County and surrounding areas.

ALAN CHIPMAN, Chorus Director

Alan has been part of 600 musical performances in the Bay Area over the past 35 years as a director, performer, producer, composer, and arranger. Performances have included Lamb of God, Magic of Christmas Lighting Concerts, the Oakland Temple Pageant, and dozens of musicals for South Valley Community Theatre and Temple Hill Communications Events. Alan has been married to his wife, Helen for 50 years. Alan invites all good singers to come join the Temple Hill Choir for Christmas and Easter.

ERIC HAGEN, Oboe

Eric Hagen has been playing the oboe since the 4th grade (after being banned from his elementary school’s clarinet section for excessive squeaking). Over the years he has been blessed to study under excellent mentors, including Eugene “Gino” Chieffo, a Curtis-trained oboist and principal of the Phoenix Symphony, and later under Neil Boyer of the Portland Maine Symphony. Eric has been playing with the Temple Hill Orchestra for 8 years. He can also be heard during annual performances of Handel’s Messiah at Christmas time or in the Temple Hill Choir performances of “Lamb of God” at Easter. Presenting “Gabriel’s Oboe” with the choir and orchestra is a special treat for Eric, as it is a personal favorite for him (and oboists everywhere). Professionally, Eric is a software product management leader and alum of companies like Salesforce, EMC, and SAP. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Economics from Dartmouth College and master’s in Management from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School. Eric currently resides in Danville with his wife of 24 years and their 3 children.

AMY STRONG, Soprano

Amy is thrilled to be singing with the incredible Temple Hill Symphony Orchestra & Choir. It is a dream of hers to collaborate with so many talented singers and musicians. Amy is a graduate of BYU where she performed with the BYU choirs. She also toured & performed with MCO in Arizona before relocating to Northern California with her family in 2013. Here in the Bay Area she has participated with the Temple Hill Choir, Scrooge! The Musical, The Music Man, and performed as a soloist in Lamb of God and Days of Christmas. Amy lives in Brentwood with her husband and 5 children and loves teaching music classes, piano, and directing vocals for musical theater.

CRAIG T. ANDERSON, Baritone

Craig started singing as a child with his family where he learned to love making music. His first experience performing as a soloist was as a member of the Concord High School Concert Choir under the direction of Mrs. Virginia Walker, who changed his life forever. He has performed multiple times under the baton of Maestro Trottier as a featured soloist in Messiah, Carmina Burana, and an evening of Broadway tunes. He lives in Fairfield with his wife and best friend, Megen. They are the parents of five amazing children.

MADISON BARTON-HOLLOWAY,Soprano

Madison Barton-Holloway, a Portland, Oregon native, is a soprano pursuing her Master’s at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She has performed roles such as the Queen of the Night in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Mme. Herz in Mozart’s The Impresario, and Sophie in Richard Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier. Upcoming engagements include the soprano solo in Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem with the Portland Choir & Orchestra and the U.S. premiere of Errollyn Wallen’s opera, Anon.

SHAUNA FALLIHEE, Mezzo-Soprano

Mezzo-Soprano Shauna Fallihee has been featured with San Francisco Choral Society, San Francisco Bach Choir, Stanford Symphonic Chorale, Masterworks Chorale, Chora Nova, and Oakland Civic Orchestra.  As an ensemble singer, Shauna regularly performs with American Bach Soloists, Philharmonia Baroque Chorale, Cantata Collective, and the San Francisco Symphony Chorus including performing on the Grammy-winning recording of Saariaho’s Adriana Mater. Shauna has performed world premieres with Empyrean Ensemble, San Francisco Composers Chamber Orchestra, Stanford Laptop Orchestra, and Volti. Shauna has served on the voice faculties of Holy Names University and City College San Francisco. She presently teaches at Chabot and Las Positas Colleges and maintains a robust private studio.

STEVE OHLIN, Tenor

Residing in the Bay Area and Solano County for many years, Steve has enjoyed learning and performing music of various genres, including: Classical, Opera, Sacred, Church, Contemporary, and Art Songs. In addition to solo work he has performed with small ensembles and large choirs. Steve’s career was in Engineering, primarily process equipment and facilities/utilities. He has maintained his music “hobby” throughout his life. He enjoys singing Tenor and Baritone solos in annual Handel’s Messiah presentations, and recently performed the role Gastone in the opera La Traviata.

JAMES HASKIN, Bass

James Haskin has previously performed various solos in the Temple Hill Choir and is excited for the opportunity to sing this beautiful music with the Symphony.

Support Temple Hill Music

Help us keep the music alive on Temple Hill! Your contribution helps us continue providing concerts filled with your favorite music to the Bay Area community. How you can help:

Sponsor an Artist
Sponsor a Chair
Include the Orchestra in your Will
Donate at the concert or by mail*
Come play with us!

*To make a tax-deductible donation, make your check payable to THSO and drop it in the donation box in the foyer or mail to:

Temple Hill Symphony Orchestra,
P.O. Box 1861, Orinda, CA 94563.

Phone: 510-903-9252; Email: info@thsymphony.org

Temple Hill Symphony Orchestra Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit organization.

Temple Hill Symphony Orchestra
Board of Directors 2025

Dr. Arthur Jue, President
Jay Trottier, Executive Director
Rob Dellenbach, Secretary
Dr. Spencer Larsen, Treasurer
Kirsten Bradford, Conductor
Charlie Allison
Frank Chang
Dave Downer
Peggy Jellinghausen
Rosario Monge

Meet new Board President, Dr. Arthur Jue

Dr. Arthur L. Jue is the Co-Founder and CEO of LiveFreely Inc., a serial entrepreneur, executive, educator, and author. An HBS Certified Corporate Board Director, he serves on multiple financial services, academic, and nonprofit boards, including as Board Chair of Meriwest Credit Union, Vice-Chair of LDSPMA, and Co-Chair of the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project, which operates the Chinese American History Museum in San Jose. He holds a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership (Summa Cum Laude), an MBA, and a BSc in Marketing and Decision Sciences (Valedictorian) with a Music Minor, alongside executive studies at Harvard, Oxford, and London Business School. As a published author with Jossey-Bass, Sage, and Trafford, he speaks globally on leadership, talent and organizational development, technology, and entrepreneurship. A seasoned violinist, Dr. Jue co-founded the CRANDL Chamber Group and performs with the Palo Alto and Saratoga Symphonies. He has been concertmaster of multiple orchestras, guest-soloed internationally, and was invited to compete in the Vienna International Music Festival. He also plays bluegrass with Huckleberry Pickers. Dr. Jue is Dean Emeritus of Lincoln Law School, a graduate-level educator, and a media director for the NorCal Bay Area Communication Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A former missionary in New Zealand, been joys rock collecting, Latin dancing, visual arts, martial arts, and being a single menace to society.

Special Thanks to Past Donors

Platinum Level Donors ($1,000 and above)

Doug & Mary Bodily, Lila Bringhurst, Richard & Doreen Kopf, Darryl & Jana Rains, Borgas & Jeanne Solnordal, and Jay & Becky Trottier.

Gold Level Donors ($200-$999)

Randy & Zenda Benning, Ann Binning, Daren & Shae Blonski, Dan & Wendy Brinton, Greg & Cirila Call, Stuart & Evelyn Candland, Adam & Cynthia Christensen, Dean & Nancy Criddle, Elizabeth Durkin, Christian & Karen Hardy, Ted & Heidi Harris, Thomas & Cherlyn Hart, Dennis Haymore, Scott Hicken DDS & Jenette Hicken, Mike & Annette Linney, Cynthia Miller-Pfaff, Richard & Lindy Palfreyman, Mandi Palfreyman, Lee & Ann Sorenson, Larry Vollintine, Walter Wanberg, Brett & Esther Ward, Daniel & Julie Wright, and Paul & Virginia Wright.

Silver Level Donors ($100-$199)

Enoch & Marge Bell, Keith & Janet Brimhall, Richard & Louise Brower, Espen & Sumire Dahlen, Marian Gray, Lois Huntoon, Richard Jergensen, Rulon & Cecile Linford, Robin Mickle, Willis Peterson, Ralph & Sue Severson, and Joan Sorensen.

Join us for a Meet and Greet

Please join us for a “meet & greet” and light refreshments immediately following the concert in the cultural hall behind the stage. Thank you for your attendance this evening!

Next Concert by Temple Hill Symphony Orchestra

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