10:30am (5th-10th Graders)
“A Celebration in Song”
Saturday, May 31, 2025
10:30 AM
Calvary Bible Church
Collaborative Pianist: Angela Reeder/ Sound Technician: David Bergner
PROGRAM
Tyler Levey
“When I Get My Name in Lights” from The Boy from Oz Peter Allen
This Australian jukebox musical tells the story of Peter Allen, a singer and songwriter. This song reflects his childhood dreams of fame and how he began his journey in music.
Sophia Nenninger
“The Girl I Mean to Be” from The Secret Garden Lucy Simon / Marsha Norman
Mary Lennox dreams of who she hopes to become—someone free, self-aware, and connected to nature. The garden symbolizes healing and transformation, offering Mary a path toward self-discovery.
Emma Keller
“Dandelions” Ruth B.
This song captures the innocence and purity of first love. Singer/Songwriter, Ruth B., described it as “the first time you wished for someone rather than something.” Emma dedicates this song to her parents, and says, “this song is for my parents because it represents that they love each other and are made for each other. Love you, Mom and Dad!”
Sanjay Prince
“Nel cor più non mi sento” from L’amor contrastato Giovanni Paisiello
A classic comic opera aria, this piece reflects emotional confusion caused by love.
Translation: No longer do I feel a sparkle in my heart. Love is the cause of my torment! What IS this feeling? Pity, pity—Love is something that drives me crazy!
Emma Griffith
“Popular” from Wicked Stephen Schwartz
Glinda attempts to help Elphaba fit in by teaching her the rules of popularity. The song humorously reveals the superficiality of social acceptance and its use as a tool for influence.
Aubrey Waldrop
“My Grand Plan” from The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical Rokicki / Tracz
Annabeth Chase shares her dreams of proving herself and earning the approval of her mother, Athena. The song is a powerful declaration of ambition and self-worth.
Emma Griffith & Kelsey Ayars
“For Good” from Wicked Stephen Schwartz
From Wicked, this duet reflects on the transformative power of friendship between Glinda and Elphaba, realizing how deeply they’ve impacted each other. A special thanks to GVS Junior, Kelsey Ayars, for joining Emma at this recital.
Kamila Torres
“Breathe” from In the Heights Lin-Manuel Miranda
(Joined by Kami’s mother, Carmen, and sister/former GVS student, Angie Torres)
Nina Rosario is dealing with guilt after leaving Stanford and the fear of disappointing her supportive community.
Noah Levey
“Younger Than Springtime” from South Pacific Rodgers and Hammerstein
Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific is a timeless gem from the Golden Age of musical theatre. During his military leave, Lieutenant Cable visits the mystical island of Bali Hai, where he meets the beautiful Liat, introduced to him by Bloody Mary. Captivated by her, he expresses his feelings through the song "Younger Than Springtime."
Kami & Angie Torres
“For the First Time in Forever (Reprise)” from Frozen the Musical Kristen Anderson-Lopez / Robert Lopez
Anna begs Elsa to unfreeze the kingdom and mend their bond. Elsa’s fear overwhelms her, resulting in Anna being struck by magic. Musically, Anna’s lines are in a major key, Elsa’s in a minor—underscoring their emotional divide.
THANK YOU…
— To our collaborative pianists: Angela Reeder (10:30 AM recital), and Jason Jones & Shelley Litavish (3:00 PM recital) — your talent and kindness lifted every singer today.
— To Calvary Bible Church, and to David Bergner, our sound technician
— To Marek Jones and Levi Hughes - the Calvary facilities team - for their assistance
— To Eric and Logan Gilmore for behind-the-scenes support and setup, and Elizabeth Molina for reception help.
— And most importantly, to the parents and loved ones who drive, encourage, and support these students. Your investment in their musical journey means more than you know.
3:00pm (Juniors/Recent Graduates)
“A Celebration in Song”
Saturday, May 31, 2025
3:00 p.m.
Calvary Bible Church
Collaborative Pianists: Jason Jones, Shelley Litavish/ Sound Technician: David Bergner
PROGRAM
Marek Jones
“The Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha – Leigh/Wasserman
Don Quixote sings about his desire to right wrongs in an unfair world. Themes of following one’s dreams and striving for what seems unattainable make this one of the great songs in the musical theatre repertoire.
Annalyn Milford
“There Are Worse Things I Could Do” from Grease the Musical – Jacobs/Casey
Rizzo reflects on the judgments she faces and lists things she sees as worse than dating boys—like leading someone on, wasting her youth, or settling too soon. In the end, she sees showing vulnerability by crying as the worst of all.
Levi Hughes
“Without a Believer” from Waitress – Sara Bareilles
"Without a Believer" emphasizes the need for someone who believes in you—offering support, hope, and encouragement to pursue your dreams. This song was cut from the final version of the musical, Waitress, replaced by “It Only Takes a Taste.”
Essy Kerns
“The Beauty Is” from The Light in the Piazza – Guettel/Lucas
Based on Elizabeth Spencer's 1960 novella, this story follows Margaret Johnson and her daughter Clara during a summer in 1950s Florence, Italy. In this song, Clara visits a museum and reflects on her desires, navigating new feelings of love and independence.
Kelsey Ayars
“Hopelessly Devoted to You” from Grease (film) – John Farrar
This song, sung by Sandy, expresses deep, unwavering love that endures even without being returned. It captures the pain and persistence of loving someone despite rejection.
Brielle Barnes
“Both Sides Now” – Joni Mitchell
Mitchell’s classic reflects on the complexity of love and life. In the version from the Academy-award winning film, CODA, the lead character, played by Emilia Jones, performs this at her Berklee audition, capturing her emotional and musical growth.
Alyssa Bush
“God Help the Outcasts” from The Hunchback of Notre Dame – Menken/Schwartz
A heartfelt plea for compassion toward society’s marginalized. This song reminds us all that even the rejected deserve love and dignity as children of God.
Fenix Pinilla
“Johanna” from Sweeney Todd – Sondheim/Wheeler
In this piece, Anthony, a young sailor, falls in love with Johanna and expresses his devotion. The song showcases pure romantic longing amid the darkness of the musical.
Kelsey Ayars & Emma Griffith
“For Good” from Wicked – Stephen Schwartz
From Wicked, this duet reflects on the transformative power of friendship between Glinda and Elphaba as they say goodbye, realizing how deeply they’ve impacted each other. A special thanks to GVS 6th grader, Emma Griffith for joining Kelsey at this recital.
Lindsey Liu
“Lilacs” – Sergei Rachmaninoff
Composed in 1902, this Russian art song speaks of finding happiness in nature. Lindsey accompanies herself on piano and performs in Russian, honoring her favorite composer.
English Translation Excerpt:
“In the green boughs, in the fragrant bunches, my poor happiness blossoms.”
Senior Recognition: Lindsey Liu
Levi Hughes & Fenix Pinilla
“A New Horizon” from Starry – Dahan/D’Angelo
This song is from the new musical, Starry, about the life of Vincent Van Gogh. Fenix introduced Starry to Dr. Gilmore, and he often brings in lesser-known or new works - another example of how she learns from her students! Fenix shares that in this song, “Vincent and his brother, Theo, discuss their mutual desire to make a world where artistry is more than aesthetics, and inspires deep emotional and intellectual meaning.”
Senior Recognition: Levi Hughes
Annalyn Milford
“From the Start” – Laufey
This hit by Icelandic artist, Laufey (LAY-vay), blends bossa nova and modern lyrics to explore unrequited love and emotional vulnerability.
Senior Recognition: Annalyn Milford
Claire Simmons
“What Baking Can Do” from Waitress – Sara Bareilles
Jenna uses baking as a way to cope and create beauty in her difficult life, showing the healing power of personal passion.
Kobe Schindler
“Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” from Les Misérables – Schönberg/Boubil
Marius mourns his fallen friends after the barricade, capturing grief, guilt, and the loss of youthful idealism.
Fenix Pinilla
“Corner of the Sky” from Pippin – Stephen Schwartz
A musical expression of Pippin’s longing for purpose, and a meaningful, extraordinary life beyond the ordinary.
Senior Recognition: Fenix Pinilla
Marek & Annalie Jones
“Who I’d Be” from Shrek – Jeanine Tesori
Shrek and Fiona each long to be more than what others see. Marek and Annalie turned this into a sibling duet for this recital, and re-imagined their inner thoughts coming together at the end, rather than an aside as in the original musical. They are joined by their father, Jason, on piano.
Senior Recognition: Marek Jones
Bella Chudleigh
“The Life I Never Led” from Sister Act – Menken/Steinkellner
Sister Mary Robert considers a life beyond obedience, discovering her own voice and independence.
Levi Hughes, Marek Jones, Annalyn Milford
“Old Friends” from Merrily We Roll Along – Sondheim/Furth
This number explores the resilience of friendship through life’s changing seasons and the bonds that endure.
Class of 2025
“Thank You for the Music” (ABBA) - Andersson/Ulvaeus
Annalyn, Fenix, Levi, Lindsey, and Marek thank their parents and families for their support, encouragement, and belief in their musical dreams.
Thank you…
— To our collaborative pianists: Angela Reeder (10:30 AM recital), and Jason Jones & Shelley Litavish (3:00 PM recital) — your talent and kindness lifted every singer today.
— To Calvary Bible Church, and to David Bergner, our sound technician
— To Marek Jones and Levi Hughes - the Calvary facilities team - for their assistance
— To Eric and Logan Gilmore for behind-the-scenes support and setup, and Elizabeth Molina for reception help.
— And most importantly, to the parents and loved ones who drive, encourage, and support these students. Your investment in their musical journey means more than you know.