QC Treble Choir: My Letter to the World 

Program: qcpages.qc.cuny...
My Letter to the World
QC Treble Choir
Eric Rubinstein, Director
Matthew Camastro, Piano
December 6, 2021 - 8:00pm - LeFrak Concert Hall
I.
Choral Hymns of the Rig Veda, Group 3
Gustav Holst
I. Hymn to the Dawn
IV. Hymn of the Travellers
II.
Epiphany
Music and text by Patricia Van Ness
Matthea Maduro and Angie Martinez, soprano
“Wir eilen mit schwachen” (from BWV 78)
J.S. Bach
Lily Manzueta, cello
III.
For Thee
Christopher Harris
Text: Robert Herrick
Tuttarana
Reena Esmail
Alyssa Aviles, soprano
The title of this piece is a conglomeration of two words: the Italian word ‘tutti’, meaning ‘all’ or
‘everyone’, and the term ‘tarana’ designates a specific Hindustani (North Indian) musical form, whose
closest Western counterpart is the ‘scat’ in jazz. The text of this piece is comprised of onomatopoeic
syllables based in the Hindi language - it has no specific words. (Reena Esmail)
IV.
Always Keep this Close
Zachary Moore
Text: Colleen Carhuff
Diana Pipa, violin
Alejandra Fred, violin
Alyssa Budzynski, viola
Lily Manzueta, cello
With Deepest Gratitude towards
Justin Tricarico and the LeFrak Concert Hall administrative team
Matthew Camastro for his work as collaborative pianist
Mark Powell for his collaboration and organization of our featured string quartet
James John for his continued support of the Treble Choir
About the artists:
The Queens College Treble Choir is a select, auditioned ensemble of 23 voices comprised of both
music and non-music majors from across Queens College. Under the direction of Dr. Eric Rubinstein,
the Treble Choir performs repertoire exclusively for soprano and alto voices, highlighting a broad
spectrum of music from medieval to modern. Founded in 2018, the choir has risen to prominence in
New York and New England, having accepted invitations to local and regional conventions of NAfME
and ACDA. Committed to amplifying underrepresented voices, the Treble Choir has inspired several
collaborations with Faith Morgan, Joanne Metcalf, and the Brooklyn-based Black Sea Hotel.
Dr. Eric Rubinstein is Assistant Professor of Choral Music at the Aaron Copland School of Music,
Queens College (CUNY), where he directs the select Treble Choir and teaches undergraduate and
graduate coursework in conducting and choral methods. Prior to his appointment at Queens, Dr.
Rubinstein amassed a decade of high school teaching in Monticello and Westhampton Beach, NY, and is currently on the artistic faculty at the New York State Summer School of the Arts. Dr. Rubinstein holds a D.M.A in Choral Conducting from Louisiana State University, a M.M. in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University, and a B.M. in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia.
An active scholar, Dr. Rubinstein’s area of research focuses on the advancement of twenty-first
century, progressive practices in choral music education. He has given clinical lectures through state
and regional chapters of NAfME and ACDA, as well as through the International Society of Music
Education (ISME). His work has also appeared in such publications as Music Educators’
Journal, SmartMusic, ChorTeach, and Anacrusis (Choral Canada).
Ensembles under Dr. Rubinstein’s direction have been featured at state and regional conferences of
NAfME and ACDA, and have performed at Carnegie Hall, Chautauqua Institute, and abroad. Dr.
Rubinstein is also a member of the College Music Society, NAfME, and ACDA, where he also serves
as a New York-ACDA Repertoire & Resources co-chair for LGBTQIA+ Choral Music.
A San Francisco native, pianist Matthew Camastro has studied a wide range of piano literature and
has performed in numerous solo recitals and masterclasses across the country. During his time at Bob Jones University, Matthew placed first in the annual program-wide music competition in 2019 after reaching finals the year before. As a collaborative pianist, he has worked with soloists and large
ensembles in dozens of recitals and concerts. In addition, Matthew has collaborated with numerous
college, community, and church choirs for over five years. Currently Matthew is a graduate student at
the Aaron Copland School of Music and studies with Edna Golandsky.