NOTES ON THE PROGRAM

SHERRY BLEVINS
Tipping Point: A Choral Suite on Climate Change

Tipping Point was a collaborative composition project with Santa Monica College Choirs led by Dr. Jeremiah Selvey. The commission was funded by both the college and Dr. Genghmun Eng. The work was inspired by the choir's and composer's passion for environmental justice. Composer and lyricist, Sherry Blevins, met with the choir on numerous occasions to create Tipping Point based on the stages of grief (excluding bargaining). Movement 1: "I Remember" is about denial. It is rooted in nostalgia for how we remember the earth of our childhood - full of beauty, wonder, and joy. Movement 2: "Where Will We Go Now?" represents anger. During the compositional process, we found that fear and anger tend to coexist. With wildfires, flooding, and hurricanes becoming more prevalent, the anger at our government's lack of urgency was the inspiration and then anger turned to fear as Santa Monica itself experienced devastating wildfires in early 2025. Movement 3: "The Eye of the Hurricane" is the height of grief. It was the first movement of Tipping Point that was composed, and its success was the catalyst for the rest of this work. This movement is visceral sadness at the state of the world and the powerlessness we feel which leads to this despair. With a melody borrowed from "America, The Beautiful", yet altered to a minor key, it is an ironic representation of our world today. And lastly, Movement 4: "The Power to Change" represents acceptance - acceptance of the damage done but hope for the future if only we could realize our own power to effect change. We must believe that one person and one positive action can change our world for the better. Please begin today by committing to making a difference yourself AND by holding your representatives accountable. Our planet’s future, our fellow humans, and future generations are depending on YOU. 

-Program Notes by the Composer

ELAINE HAGENBERG
Illuminare

llluminare is Elaine’s first extended work, consisting of five-movements for SATB chorus and chamber orchestra. Using lesser-known sacred Latin texts, the piece takes us through a season of beauty and goodness that has been disrupted by darkness and confusion. But as Light gradually returns, hope is restored, illuminating our future and guiding us in peace.

MOZART
Requiem in D minor, K.626
completed and edited by Robert D. Levin

Mozart’s Requiem in D minor, K. 626, stands as one of classical music’s most iconic and enigmatic works. Left unfinished at Mozart’s death in 1791, it was completed by his student Franz Xaver Süssmayr, whose version became the standard for over two centuries. However, Süssmayr’s completion, while historically significant, has long been criticized for its musical shortcomings and deviations from Mozart’s style.

In 1991, musicologist and pianist Robert Levin introduced a new completion of the Requiem, aiming to address these issues with a more scholarly and stylistically faithful approach. Levin’s version has since gained widespread acceptance among leading ensembles and conductors, with over 125 recordings to date.