[0:29] Good evening and welcome to Orchestra Hall. I'm Terry Stalo and while I have lost a bit of my voice, I am proud to [0:37] serve as the superintendent of Robbinsdale Area Schools where our mission, our purpose, the reason we [0:43] exist is to inspire and educate all learners to develop their unique potential and to positively contribute [0:50] to their community. Tonight's fall music festival brings that mission to life. [0:55] Together, we'll witness the incredible talent, dedication, and creativity of [1:00] our students as they share their gifts and inspire us through music. This [1:06] evening's featured performers include the Robbinsdale Elementary all district choir, the Robbinsdale Cooper High [1:13] School Belcanta and Concert Choirs, Symphony Orchestras and Wind Ensemble, [1:19] and the Robbinsdale Armstrong High School Canour and Concert Choirs, [1:24] Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Band Ensemble. Since joining Robinsdale Area [1:29] Schools a year ago, I've had the opportunity to experience many amazing things with our students. Among them was [1:36] last year's fall music festival right here and it was truly an unforgettable [1:41] experience. Tonight, I'm equally as excited to be here once again surrounded [1:47] by community as we experience the same excellence, passion, and artistry that [1:53] define Robbinsdale Area Schools. To our students, thank you for your incredible [1:59] dedication and commitment, your discipline, and your passion. You represent your schools and our district [2:06] beautifully. And tonight we celebrate you. To our music educators, thank you [2:12] for your tireless dedication and love for both music and our students. You [2:18] make all of this possible. I'd like to recognize our school board members for their support of our students and the [2:24] fine arts. And finally, I'd like to acknowledge and share gratitude for our [2:29] parents, families, and community members for your ongoing support of our students [2:35] and music education in Robbinsdale. The tradition of this festival dates back to [2:42] 1973. For over 50 years, the outstanding music faculty in our district have provided [2:49] this high quality performance opportunity for our students. Since 1998, we've been right here in Orchestra [2:57] Hall. This evening stands as a showcase of the remarkable talents within our district and the enduring power of the [3:05] arts and education. Because here's what we know to be true. Music connects us. [3:12] It helps us learn, express, and feel. It brings us together to celebrate, to [3:19] reflect, and to unite as a community. Thanks for being here to celebrate the [3:25] Robbinsdale Area Schools Fall Music Festival. Tonight's performance features [3:31] the integration of nar nariation to help guide the performers and you the [3:36] audience to a deeper understanding of the musical theme of light. We want to [3:42] thank Joe Love it for writing the script that is embedded in this concert selections. [3:48] Jennifer Lovevet recently retired from Robins Dill Area Schools as an English teacher and theater teacher and director [3:55] and we're grateful that both Joe and Jennifer continue to direct theater productions at Armstrong High School. [4:02] Tonight, we're thrilled to collaborate with them as they guide us through tonight's program. Before welcoming our [4:08] guest conductor for this year's festival, Manny Lauraniano, I'd like the concert uh mistress to come out and [4:16] complete the tuning. [4:43] Heat. [5:09] Heat. [6:11] It's the first thing we see when we come into the world. The first thing that ever captures our attention. [6:18] Through barely opened eyes, we see it. Welcoming but mysterious, [6:24] inviting but elusive, shapeless but undeniably real. [6:29] We respond instinctively. We reach for it as we will for the rest [6:34] of our lives, hoping to touch it to make it our own. And so begins our longing for light. As [6:42] author and theologian William Gernal said, "Of all the creatures in this visible world, light is the most [6:50] glorious." Mythological gods were named for it. Civilizations have worshiped it. [6:56] The light of the sun, the moon, and stars drew their attention upward. Light has always been a shared blessing. [7:04] The light cast from flames is a natural centerpiece. From roaring campsites to [7:10] flickering candles, even children with empty jars chasing fireflies in the dark can't help but [7:17] want it for their own. Its joy is reflected equally by both the mightiest of rivers and the tiniest of [7:24] puddles. We're drawn to light, craving what it might hold for us. [7:29] Insight, warmth, and comfort. Poet Sarah Williams writes, "Though my soul may set [7:36] in darkness, it will rise in perfect light. I have loved the stars too fondly [7:42] to be fearful of the night." It's no wonder when we discover the truth, [7:48] receive real enlightenment, or when we finally find the answer that was there all the time, [7:53] it's called seeing the light. [8:10] Heat. Heat. [8:19] A little [8:34] to the soo. [8:54] When you're tired of troubled and you have lost your way, [9:02] don't let hard times lead you astray. [9:09] Though you may be weary, just know you're not alone. [9:17] For the stars will guide you home. [9:36] We will carry strong. [9:56] Oh, [10:04] the stars. To the stars. [10:11] To the stars. To the stars. [10:18] To the stars. [10:36] Heat. Heat. [10:44] Heat. Heat. [11:14] Heat. Heat. [11:22] Heat. [11:45] Heat. [12:00] I see the moon is shining from far away [12:07] with every all the stars above cast out their [12:14] light. Till the moon is all that I see [12:19] and it's falling out comfort away. And [12:24] we'll sail the clouds for our sea. And the sh [12:32] of the night till we t [12:45] the moon approaches my window [12:50] stretching itself to the ground. The music softly and fast and smiles and [12:59] it never makes a sound. [13:05] I see the moon. I see the moon. [13:18] run away. And the s I see. [13:24] And the tr of the night sto [13:32] I see all that I see. [13:54] Heat. Heat. [14:26] Fireflies shining in the night. Firefly spectacle light flashing flickering all [14:34] so bright. Fireflies shining in the night. [14:42] Why are you hiding in the light of the day? [14:48] only igniting when the sun goes away. [14:54] Flashing, flickering, flickering, flashing, [15:00] flashing, flickering. Firefly, [15:13] firefly, shining in the night. Firefly, firefly. Magical light flashing the [15:20] rainbow so bright firefly shining in the night. [15:28] Why are you hiding till the moon in the sky? [15:35] Only igniting when the evening is gone. [15:40] Flashing, flickering, flickering, flashing, [15:47] flashing, flickering. Fireflies. [15:59] Firefly Firefly [16:06] Firefly Shining in the nightly [16:25] All [16:37] right. [17:39] Softly falls the winter snow. [17:47] Whispers to the sleeping world below. [17:56] Winter time [18:02] morning breaks the earth [18:13] gent. [18:21] the glory of the glory [18:39] for the season. [18:47] as [19:00] soft [19:08] whispers to the sleeping world. [19:25] Let the softly falling. [19:37] Oh, [20:04] speech speech. [20:19] By its very nature, light is fickle. Science has determined it is composed [20:26] both of particles and wavelengths. Only a tiny bit can enter through a pinhole. [20:32] But when it exits, it spreads. Throw a little light on the subject and [20:38] you learn a lot. But shine it directly in your eye and it can blind you. [20:43] Most frustrating of all. You may feel it in your hands, but you [20:50] can never hold it there. But our own light, the light we're called to let [20:56] shine before mankind, is easier to contain. We can hold it, hoard it, and let it [21:03] inspire us without ever touching the heart of anyone else. We can refuse it altogether and let the [21:10] darkness overtake us. Or we can follow the example of the Quakers who [21:15] communicate love and prayerful concern when they offer to hold someone in the [21:21] light. Or the words of author Edith Wharton, spreading the light by being either the [21:27] candle or the mirror that reflects someone else in it. It's up to us to hold light. Let it [21:34] inspire and fulfill us and then share it in equal measure. Folklore has it that [21:41] conductors of the Underground Railroad would only approach cabins with a lamp burning in the window. So slaves stored [21:48] up extra oil to keep their lamps burning at night. The lesson, store it up. Before you can [21:56] give light away, you have to find it within yourself. You may just be waiting for the moment [22:02] when it's needed the most because light begins with us. [22:18] Heat. Heat. [22:38] Heat. [22:52] Heat. [23:12] Heat. Heat. [23:35] Heat. Heat. [23:43] Heat. [23:59] Heat. [24:26] Heat. [24:47] Heat. [25:08] Heat. [25:15] Heat. [25:29] Heat. Heat. [25:39] Yeah. [25:48] Heat. [26:34] Heat. Heat. [26:47] Heat [27:02] up here. [27:27] Heat up [27:40] Perhaps [28:01] the songs begin. [28:08] Perhaps it is always [28:15] perhaps it takes a lifetime to open our eyes [28:22] to learn to see [28:31] the map in the dark. The vial flame in the house of the heart. The house [28:42] we can't keep on singing. The Lord has light up the weapon dark. [28:51] The vial flame in the house of the heart. The loy [28:59] we can't hear from singing from crying out. [29:06] Perhaps [29:14] it is not good. [29:22] Perhaps it is. [29:28] Perhaps it takes a place to [29:38] see the luminous line of the map in the [29:46] dark. The vial flame in the house of the heart. The lost so [29:55] we can't hear sing the lowest line of the map in the dark. [30:03] The vial flame in the house of the heart. The soy [30:12] we can't sing from crying out. [30:28] This day the light begins. [30:35] Perhaps this day the light begins. [30:44] Perhaps this day [30:52] perhaps this day the light begins. [31:02] We are where the light begins. [31:11] Perhaps not begin. [31:21] Perhaps [32:27] Heat. Heat. [32:50] Heat. [32:58] Heat. [33:08] Heat. [33:24] Heat. [34:10] Heat. Heat. [34:20] Heat. [34:30] Heat. [34:40] Heat. [34:56] Heat. [35:11] Heat. Heat. [35:25] Thank you. [36:01] Heat. Heat. [36:40] Hallelujah. Yeah. [36:48] Heat. [37:10] Heat up here. [37:22] Heat [37:36] up here. [38:15] There we go. [38:31] Heat. Heat. [39:30] back. [39:37] Okay. [40:32] Come. [40:40] Keep your lips. Keep your lips and keep your lips [40:46] Keep your legs. Keep your legs. Keep your legs. [40:56] Keep your lips. Keep your lips. Keep your lips. Keep your lips. Keep your [41:05] lips. Keep your lips. The time is drawing. [41:12] Don't you give you [41:24] The time is dry and dry and keep your lips. Keep your lips good. [41:33] Keep your lips. Keep your lips good. Keep your lips keep your lips good. The [41:41] time is dry and dry. [41:57] The time is drawing. Don't you get Don't you get [42:09] Don't you get the time is drawing dry. [42:17] The time is drawing dry. The time is drawing, drawing. [43:14] Heat. Heat. [43:24] Light is universal. Whether it's at the center of the solar system or a symbol at the center of [43:31] spirituality. From Matthew's gospel to the teachings of Buddha, the message is the same. [43:38] Light was never meant to be hidden under a bushel basket. It's meant to be shared. [43:43] Hide your light and you hide your authentic self. Let it shine and you [43:49] give others permission to do the same. Hide your light and darkness will isolate you. Let it shine and others [43:56] will find you and reflect your light onto the world. Hide your light and the world remains in [44:03] darkness. Let it shine and you open the eyes of others, lighting their path. [44:09] Hide your light and it dies in solitude. Let it shine and it spreads throughout [44:14] the world, throughout your life and throughout eternity. And so children, share your light, [44:22] listen, empathize, serve, forgive, uplift, [44:27] and above all else, love. Do it all without reservation or judgment, [44:33] without conditions or prejudice. Because like one candle that lights another, your glow will not diminish. [44:40] And the result is a brighter world. So let it shine. Let it shine. [44:46] Let it shine. [45:28] Oh my god. [46:18] I love you. [46:34] Heat. Heat. [46:57] See? [48:50] Heat. Heat. [49:12] Heat. [49:27] Heat. [49:35] Heat. [49:46] Heat. [50:12] Heat up here. [50:20] Heat. [50:32] Heat. [50:52] Heat. Heat. [51:04] Heat. [51:20] Heat. [51:38] Heat up [51:51] here. [52:25] Let it shine. [52:31] Let it shine. Let it shine. Shine. [52:37] This little light of mine, [52:42] I'm going to let it shine. [52:48] This little light of mine, [52:53] I'm going to let it shine. [52:59] This little light of mine. [53:04] I'm going to let it shine. Let it shine. [53:11] Let it shine. Let it shine. [53:25] Everywhere I go, everywhere I go, [53:31] I'm going to let everywhere. [53:37] Everywhere I go, my relation, [53:44] I'm going to let it everywhere I [53:50] go. I'm going to let it shine. [53:56] Let it shine. Let [54:01] it shine. [54:12] All the night [54:18] I'm going. [54:33] Heat. Heat. [54:45] My God to me [54:54] children. My God. [55:00] I'm going to let it shine. [55:05] This little light. [55:10] My sh [55:36] Heat. Heat. Heat. [55:47] Yes, [56:15] heat. [56:43] I guess it's on. You know, this is the part of the [56:49] program where I'm supposed to say something to you all very inspiring and all that. I'm [56:56] speechless. Honestly, when I was asked to come on [57:04] and work with these young people, I thought they were crazy. [57:12] I'm a trumpet player. working with choruses is something that [57:19] well as I told Stephanie Trump I said you know now I understand [57:26] why you folks are so driven so drawn to conduct young people in choruses and [57:34] teach them to use their voices. I have always felt [57:41] that this is a time in a person's life, these teen years, [57:46] these elementary years to these teen years, where it's all about finding your [57:53] voice, finding out what it is exactly that you have to say. Is it worth anything? [58:01] But it's amazing what happens when you put instruments in the hands of young [58:07] people. Teach them how to buzz on a mouthpiece, how to keep a read in good repair, [58:14] how to teach them to sing a scale arpeggios, teach them songs. [58:20] What you're doing when you support your child in an endeavor like this is teaching [58:26] them the most important thing you can teach them and that is to communicate. [58:32] This is a time when very often kids will shut down and you won't hear a word out of them. [58:40] Tonight's a little bit different, isn't it? You got that right. [58:53] And in the words of a conductor that I had the opportunity to work with when I [58:58] first became a musician with the Minnesota Orchestra by the name of France Allers. [59:05] He once turned to the audience after hearing a young chorus sing and he said, [59:11] "You know what's the matter with youth today? Absolutely nothing. Let's [59:41] knock it. Heat. [1:00:06] Heat. Heat. [1:00:13] Heat. [1:00:23] Heat. Heat. [1:00:33] Yeah. Heat. [1:00:44] Glory. [1:00:55] Glory. Glory. [1:01:13] You share share. All [1:01:24] shooest. [1:01:46] Sh. [1:02:00] Oh. [1:02:07] Jesus [1:02:30] Heat. Heat. [1:02:40] Heat. Heat. [1:02:54] Heat. Heat. [1:03:14] Heat. Heat. [1:03:26] Heat [1:03:39] up here. [1:04:01] Heat up [1:04:10] here. [1:04:18] A [1:04:38] Oh, [1:05:06] heat [1:05:18] Heat. Heat. [1:05:42] Heat up [1:06:09] Happy birthday. [1:06:15] Heat. [1:06:34] Heat. [1:06:51] Happy birthday.