Special Event

NATS Competition Winners Concert

Friday, June 22 • 7:30 p.m.

9:00 p.m. – Meet the Artists Reception Sponsored by NATS Foundation

NATS combines the winners of the 2016 NATS Artist Awards and National Music Theater Competition in a concert highlighting their collective talents.

Introduced by: Diana Allan
Location: Trinidad 1-3, Club Lower Level

PROGRAM

Rachel Schutz, soprano (2016 NATSAA winner) 
Hsin-Chiao Liao, piano

Missy Wise, vocalist (2016 NMTC winner)
Jeffrey Poindexter, piano

American Pioneers

Linger in Blissful Repose • Stephen Foster (1826–1864)
At the River • Charles Ives (1874–1954)
Poème (Songs of Separation) • William Grant Still (1895–1978)
The Year’s at the Spring • Amy Beach (1867–1944)
2 Love Songs • Leonard Bernstein (1918–1990)

Extinguish my eyes
When my soul touches yours

— Ms. Schutz & Ms. Liao —

If You Knew My Story (Bright Star) • Steve Martin & Edie Brickell
Mister Snow (Carousel) • Rogers & Hammerstein
What Baking Can Do (Waitress) • Sara Bareilles
Everybody Loves Louis (Sunday in the Park with George) • Stephen Sondheim

— Ms. Wise & Mr. Poindexter —

Songs from Letters • Libby Larsen (b. 1950)

So Like Your Father’s (1880)
He Never Misses (1880)
A Man Can Love Two Women (1880)
A Working Woman (1882–1893)
All I have (1902)

— Ms. Schutz & Ms. Liao —

— PAUSE —

Excerpts from Vignettes: Ellis Island • Alan Louis Smith (b. 1955)

Prologue

I. Preparing To Leave For America – Anna, Martha, Clara
II. Boarding The Ship – Theresa, Kaj
III. On The Ship – Mary, Elizabeth
IV. In The Harbor – Dora, Max S.
V. On The Island – Max Schnapp
VI. In America – Jack, Morris

Epilogue

Anna

— Ms. Schutz & Ms. Liao —

Right Hand Man (Something Rotten)• Karey & Wayne Kirkpatrick
A Quiet Thing (Flora the Red Menace) • Kander & Ebb
They Just Keep Moving the Line (Smash) • Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman

— Ms. Wise & Mr. Poindexter —

Selected Songs • Sergei Rachmaninoff (1973–1943)

Zdes Kharasho, Op. 21 No. 7
K ney, Op. 38 No. 2 Davnol moj drug,
Op. 4 No. 6

— Ms. Schutz & Ms. Liao  —

About Rachel Schutz

Hailed for her “diamantine high notes, witty characterization, and giddily delirious coloratura” (Boston Globe), Welsh-American soprano Rachel Schutz is increasingly in demand throughout the US, Asia and Europe for her sensitive and evocative performances and wide range of repertoire. She enjoys a multi-faceted career which includes opera, concert, and recital performances, and her upcoming engagements include Gretel (Hänsel und Gretel) with Stockton Opera and a performance of Schönberg's Second String Quartet with the Euclid Quartet. Info: http://www.rachelschutz.com 

About Hsin-Chiao Liao

Admired for her stirring yet cordial touch, Taiwanese-born pianist Hsin-Chiao Liao has established a presence as one of today’s foremost rising artists. Her performances have taken her to venues such as Symphony Space in New York, Paul Recital Hall at Juilliard School of Music, Merkin Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, and Steve and Judy Turner Recital Hall at Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University. As an avid chamber musician, Hsin-Chiao has collaborated with acclaimed artists including Jennifer Frautschi, Harumi Rhodes, Philip Setzer, Arnaud Sussmann, Dimitri Murrath, Colin Carr, Cheng-Hou Lee, Julio Elizalde, Alexander Fiterstein, and Carol Wincenc, among others.

About Missy Wise

 A Louisiana native currently based in Chicago, Missy Wise toured as a singer/songwriter for several years before digging her heels into the music theater industry. Her last self-written album (Issues) topped out at #12 on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts. Since making the career shift to a music theater focus, Missy has found great success. Her recent credits include Big Fish with Big Noise Theater, an all-new reading of 24 Words: A Feminist Rock Musical, Into the Woods, and Bonnie & Clyde, as well as countless readings, concerts, and cabaret appearances. Info: www.missywise.virb.com 

About Jeffrey Poindexter

Jeffrey Poindexter is an active music director and pianist in the Chicagoland area, having worked with numerous theaters including FWD Theatre Project, BoHo Theatre, Griffin Theatre, the Performer’s School and Fox Valley Repertory. Jeffrey is an adjunct faculty accompanist at Roosevelt University and frequent collaborator at Columbia College Chicago and College of DuPage. Along with his various theater work, Jeffrey plays for numerous recitals, concerts and special events throughout the year, as well as teaches piano lessons. Jeffrey earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master’s degree in Jazz Piano Performance from DePaul University. For inquiries about piano recordings, arrangements, orchestrations, and transpositions, please contact Jeffrey at poindexterpiano@gmail.com.