LAMB of GOD - WMCA logo 2025

Witness Music California is Proud to Present

ROB GARDNER’S

LAMB of GOD

His Life Our Hope

A Sacred Work for Choir, Orchestra, Narrators and Soloists

Composed by 

Rob Gardner

Conducted by 

Marianne Woolf

Narrated by 

Aaron Woolley and Marie Tarbet

March 29th

4:00 pm  &  7:00 pm
Performances

at The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints

3400 Sawtelle Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA

April 12th

7:00 pm
Performance

at the
Kavli Theater
Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza
Thousand Oaks, CA

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

Lindie Turley

Lindie Turley

Welcome to the 2025 presentation of Rob Gardner’s Lamb of God.

When I first experienced this sacred work—both hearing it and participating in it—I was profoundly moved. It stirred something in me that led to a deep and lasting love for this music. It has impacted my life, my relationships, and most importantly, my understanding of Jesus Christ and His boundless love for each of us.

Whether this is your first time attending a performance or your tenth, I truly believe tonight will become a cherished memory—one that inspires you to draw closer to the Savior and become a more devoted disciple of Jesus Christ.

Since 2016, Witness Music California has performed Lamb of God in the Conejo and Pleasant Valleys, reaching thousands within our beloved communities. This year, we’re honored to expand our reach to Santa Monica and welcome many new friends. We know that some of our guests there were affected by the devastating Palisades Fire earlier this year, and we hope this evening brings a measure of peace and healing.

We are especially thrilled to perform in the 1,800-seat Fred Kavli Theater at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza—fulfilling a dream of our founder, Ryan Metheny. Ryan was deeply inspired after hearing Lamb of God for the first time and was instrumental in bringing it to life here in Southern California. God bless you, Ryan. We are honored to carry the torch you lit and continue your vision with gratitude.

Behind this production stands an army of talented and devoted individuals. From marketing and production to rehearsal and performance, every person involved brings heart, professionalism, and sacrifice. Many travel long distances to be here. Our Soloists, Orchestra, Choir, and Sound Engineering Team include many seasoned professionals—each of them drawn to the power and message of this music. If you have a chance to thank them, please do. They make this possible.

A heartfelt thanks also goes to our generous donors. Because of their support, you are able to enjoy this performance at no cost. With a venue like the Kavli Theater and the transformation of a church into a concert hall for our Santa Monica shows, our expenses have grown—and our donors rose to meet the need without hesitation.

As you listen tonight, I invite you to reflect on the message and the feelings this music brings. Let them settle in your heart. Then consider how you can share that light — with your family, your neighbors, and your community. The world needs the hope we experience tonight.

 — Lindie Turley, WMCA President

CONDUCTOR’S NOTE

Marianne Woolf

Conductor, Marianne Woolf

When I first listened to Lamb of God, I had to stop and put all things aside so I could truly take in the powerful music and message. I felt a deep connection with Mary and Martha and with Peter and John and how they all must have felt as their faith was tested and strengthened. I can only imagine how glorious and personal it must have been when Christ appeared to Mary Magdalene and Thomas. The music in this magnificent work is truly inspiring and has strengthened my conviction of who Jesus Christ is and how His life and ministry are a message of love and hope.

The music and text within this musical production have been written on my heart. It amazes me how something that I know so well can lift and inspire me in new ways. That is the beautiful miracle of the music in this powerful work. We can all find solace, peace, love, and understanding as we listen again and again to these melodies and passages. Whether you are with us for the first time or the fifth, I hope this music can speak to your heart as it has to mine.

It has been an incredible experience preparing and creating this beautiful oratorio. My desire is that each of us may come to know Christ and know that “Here is Hope!”

 — Marianne Woolf, WMCA Conductor

PART 1

” I Told You, and Ye Believed Me Not”

THOU HOPE and DELIVERER

THIS IS HE | Accuser, Thomas, John, Peter

PART 2

“Thy Brother Shall Rise Again”

MAKE ME WHOLE  |  Martha, Mary of Bethany

I AM THE RESURRECTION  |  Martha, Mary of Bethany

PART 3

“Nevertheless, Not What I Will,
But What Thou Wilt”

JUDAS’S DENIAL  |  Judas

HOSANNA

THE LAST SUPPER  |  John, Thomas, Peter, Judas

GETHSEMANE

I CANNOT WATCH THEM  |  Peter

TO CALVARY  |  Pilate, False Witness, Peter, Mary, John, Maid, Damsel

HERE IS HOPE  |  Mary

PART 4

“Be Not Faithless, But Believing”

THE RESURRECTION  |  Mary Magdalene

TO THE DISCIPLES  |  Thomas

PART 5

“Feed My Sheep”

FINALE  |  John, Thomas, Peter, Mary Magdalene, Martha, Mary of Bethany, Mary

Christ's Language Translations
Christ's Language Translations
Christ's Language Translations

Christ’s Language

— Rotate to landscape for best viewing of translations —

ARAMAIC

—-  THIS IS HE  —-

Adma Lamatai?
Omar Lan, Omar
Ant Hu?
M’lal hu

—- THE LAST SUPPER —-

Dkhad menkuhn meshlem li

Yavdin le duk rayi


—-  GETHSEMANE  —-

Abba Avi, ehvar manee kasah hanah

Ala lo tsavani, Ant tsavanach
O Abba!

Qum, ktush!

—-  TO CALVARY  —-

Ha! Ha gabra!
Emrah dallahha!
Lo sapeq Leh?
Shkulaihi lehhana
Lebaraba
Sheetah hukashan hu saiber

Makika, kiban
hu saba

Emrah d’shaqel katiteh d’alama!

TRANSLATION

—-  THIS IS HE  —-

How long, Oh Lord?
Tell us
Art Thou He?
He hath spoken it

—-  THE LAST SUPPER  —-

One of you shall betray Me

This do in remembrance of Me


—-  GETHSEMANE  —-

Father, take away from me this cup

But not my will, Thy will,
Oh Father

Rise, fight!

—-  TO CALVARY  —-

Behold, the Man!
The Lamb of God!
Is this not enough?
Away with Him!
Barrabas
He is despised, He hath borne our sufferings

He was rejected, our
pains He carried

The Lamb who beareth the sins of the world!

Christ's Language Translations

PERFORMERS

John Fare
John Fare- The CELLO, as the Instrumental Voice of Christ -

John is delighted to return as a cellist in Lamb of God, where his expressive solos beautifully reflect the sacred nature of Jesus Christ. His musical journey began in sixth grade when he joined his school orchestra in Abilene, Texas, leading him to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in music from Texas Tech. He later performed professionally with the North Carolina Symphony and the Denver Symphony. John’s career spans movies, television, commercials, and musical theater, as well as performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Pasadena Symphony. He has played live with The Eagles and performed at the Oscars, Emmys, and Grammys. A career highlight was performing at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. With decades of experience across various musical platforms, John is grateful for the opportunity to once again bring his artistry to Lamb of God, sharing its powerful message through the voice of his cello.

Marcus Klotz
Marcus Klotz- PETER -

Marcus Klotz is honored to return for his third year as Peter in Lamb of God. A tenor, music educator, and conductor, he has served as faculty at Pepperdine University and CSU Long Beach, where he directed Bel Canto and assisted with the Bob Cole Chamber Choir. Marcus has trained with renowned teachers, including Vladimir Chernov, Timothy Mussard, Louise Lofquist, and Henry Price. He sings with the LA Master Chorale and LA Philharmonic under Grant Gershon and Gustavo Dudamel and has performed with the Palm Springs Opera Guild, Opera Buffs, and Pasadena Opera Guild. Marcus holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from CSU Long Beach and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Vocal Performance from Pepperdine University. He is the choir director at Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, a Professor of Voice at Moorpark College, and co-owner of Westlake Music Academy with his wife, Christy.

Julie Hinton
Julie Hinton- MARY MAGDALENE -

Julie Hinton is a multifaceted performer based in Los Angeles, excelling as a singer, actor, writer, composer, and producer. She regularly lends her voice to various performances throughout the greater LA area, working as a recording artist, church soloist, choir ringer, Christmas caroler, and more. Her dynamic stage presence has led her to star in numerous musical theater productions, and she co-wrote and recorded The Big American Winter Holiday Musical Spectacular. Additionally, she is the featured soloist for the Sounds of Christmas singalong tour, spreading holiday cheer through music. Beyond performing, Julie’s choral arrangements are sung by groups around the world, showcasing her talents as a composer and arranger. She also moonlights as an audiobook narrator, bringing stories to life with her expressive voice, and works as a professional organizer, helping others create order and harmony in their spaces. Julie is passionate about using her talents to inspire and uplift audiences everywhere.

Paul Snyder
Paul Snyder- JOHN -

Paul returns for his seventh year performing as John. A native of Thousand Oaks, he grew up loving music and participating in various performing groups in junior high and high school. He studied Piano Performance on scholarship at Brigham Young University where he was a member of Concert Choir and performed in several musical theater productions, including West Side Story and Guys and Dolls.  He also spent two summers doing professional musical theater at Sundance Theater, performing in Carousel and Guys and Dolls. He is reprising his role as John in Lamb of God which he has performed each of the past three years. Paul graduated from UC Berkeley’s School of Optometry and has practiced optometry in Thousand Oaks for the last 20 years. Besides being an eye doctor, he loves being Dad to his 4 children and being married to his wife Romy.

Danielle Smith
Danielle Smith - MARY, MOTHER of JESUS -

Danielle is honored to join Lamb of God as the voice of Mary, Mother of Jesus. A Los Angeles native, she is a passionate and accomplished vocalist with a Bachelor of Arts in Music with Honors from Stanford University and a Master of Music in Voice Performance from Boston University. Danielle has performed on prestigious stages, most recently portraying Marcellina and Cherubino in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro at the historic Estates Theatre in Prague. She has refined her artistry through esteemed vocal programs, including the Prague Summer Nights Young Artists Music Festival and the Bel Canto Institute Summer Vocal Performance Program in Florence, Italy. Her musical excellence has earned her numerous honors, including membership in the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society and Stanford’s Marie Gibson Prize in Vocal Performance. With a rich background in opera and recital performance, Danielle is thrilled to bring her voice to this sacred production.

Natalie Penfield
Natalie Penfield - MARTHA -

Returning for her fourth year in Lamb of God, Natalie has previously portrayed the roles of Damsel, Maid, and choir member. She performed as a soloist in Night in Bethlehem, playing Mary in 2021 and Rebecca from 2022 to 2024, and in Finding Christmas in 2011. From 2003 to 2005, she sang with the Brigham Young University Women’s Chorus. Natalie has conducted the multi-congregational choir of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Thousand Oaks Stake for six years, along with various children’s, youth, and adult choirs. She enjoys arranging, composing, and transcribing music and plays the organ for her local congregation. A dedicated mother, she homeschools her four children, instilling in them a love of learning and faith in Jesus Christ. Truly, she has come to know that “This is He,” and delights in this opportunity to share that testimony with you.

Jonathan Matthews
Jonathan Matthews- THOMAS -

Jonathan is delighted to return as Thomas for his seventh year in Lamb of God with Witness Music California. By day, he is a dedicated tax preparer; by night, a passionate singer and actor. He lives in Westlake Village with his wife, Jamie, and their three sons. Jonathan sings with the Opera Santa Barbara Chorus and Arete Vocal Ensemble, recently appearing with the New West Symphony. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Utah and a Master of Music from Indiana University, performing roles such as Romeo in Roméo et Juliette, Ruggiero in La Rondine, and Faust in Faust. He has also portrayed Don José in Carmen and Tamino in The Magic Flute. Beyond the stage, Jonathan has taught voice at Pepperdine University and Lincoln Trail College. As a freelance studio singer and voice-over actor, he has recorded hundreds of songs, commercials, films, video games, and audiobooks.

Caiden Babbitt
Caiden Babbitt - JUDAS -

Caiden is happy to be returning for his third year as Judas. He has been actively involved in choir and musical theater throughout the Thousand Oaks area. He was a member of Westlake High School’s top audition choir, A Class Act, under the direction of Mr. Allen Rose. His theatrical experience includes roles such as Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, Stromboli in Geppetto and Sons, Rooster Hannigan in Annie, and Gaston in Beauty and the Beast. Currently, Caiden works as an electrical assistant at Gold Coast Electric. During his missionary service for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he frequently listened to Rob Gardner’s Lamb of God, making this production especially meaningful to him. Given his history of portraying villainous characters, stepping into the role of Judas feels like a natural fit. Caiden is grateful for the opportunity to be part of this powerful production.

Michael Babbitt
Michael Babbitt- PONTIUS PILATE -

Michael is honored to return as Pilate. A talented tenor/baritone, he is a Los Angeles-based songwriter, producer, vocalist, and sound designer. His passion for music began at age eight when he first recognized its cognitive and spiritual power, sparking a lifelong dream to create it. Michael’s career took off with his debut solo album, Power Undiminished, released under the artist name Monolithic, which won “Best Album of 2001” at The American Synthpop Awards in Hollywood. Since then, he has written countless songs for television, movie trailers, and video games. He has also collaborated with Grammy-nominated artists Kaskade and BT, further solidifying his place in the industry. Beyond composing, Michael has played a key role in sound design, creating top-rated sounds for the award-winning software synthesizer Omnisphere. His innovative sounds can be heard in today’s top recordings and film scores. He is thrilled to be part of Lamb of God once again.

Faith Clegg
Faith Clegg- DAMSEL -

Faith Clegg is honored to join the talented artists of Lamb of God. Born and raised in the Newbury Park area, she discovered her love for vocal performance at an early age, singing in church choirs and participating in programs at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts. She continued her voice training in college and is happy to be back singing in her hometown and to reconnect with the local arts community and contribute to this powerful production. Faith is grateful for the opportunity to sing alongside such talented musicians and to be part of a performance that uplifts and inspires. She looks forward to sharing her testimony and love for music with the audience.

Selena Johnson
Selena Johnson- MAID -

Selena Johnson is a wife, mother of five grown children, and a proud new grandmother. Music has been part of her life since childhood, growing up in a musical family. Her mother sang in the women’s choir and played the organ at church, while she and her siblings filled their home with music through piano, choir, and drums. In high school, she was honored to join the Madrigals her senior year. Though she sings Second Soprano, she learned to harmonize as an Alto at just three years old beside her mother. For 20 years, she has composed and performed piano solo renditions of hymns for church Sacrament meetings. Last year, she joined The Southern California Latter-day Saint Choir and Lamb of God, a deeply fulfilling experience. She cherishes the opportunity to share uplifting music that brings the spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, her Salvation, Redeemer, and Savior.

Eric Law
Eric Law - FALSE WITNESS -

Eric is delighted to be returning to the part of False Witness. He has always had a deep love for singing and has been a member of several choirs, including the Los Robles Master Chorale and the Southern California Latter-day Saint Choir. Music has been a meaningful way for him to express his faith and reflect on the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He is continually in awe of the Savior’s infinite power to intercede on behalf of all God’s children, standing as an advocate between them and justice. Eric resides in Camarillo, California, with his wife, Shae. He cherishes time spent with his family, especially his three children and four grandchildren. Being part of Lamb of God is a profound and humbling experience for him, allowing him to share his testimony through music while honoring the Savior’s love and grace.

Lynette Green
Lynette Green- MARY of BETHANY -

Lynette Green is thrilled to return to Lamb of God this year. Her musical journey began at age eight with piano, and in high school, she discovered her passion for singing. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Arts from CSU Northridge, where she performed in Gianni Schicchi and honed her classical training. She has sung with the Ventura Master Chorale, soloing in Carmina Burana, and performed in musicals like Who Shot the Sheriff? With the Village Voices Chorale, she soloed in Grandma’s Killer Fruitcake, Jamaican Noel, and Puttin’ on the Ritz. She and her brother recently performed a 45-minute set at the Simi Valley Community Christmas Crèche, sharing their love of music. With over 20 years of teaching piano and voice, Lynette has mentored students, directed school performances, and inspired young musicians. Outside music, she enjoys triathlon training, reading, and crafting healthy cookie recipes for her children.

Chad M. Wright
Chad M. Wright- ACCUSER -

Chad has been a performer since age 11, starring in Oliver Twist and later leading in The Savior of the World, The Forgotten Carols, Night in Bethlehem, and more. For 15 years, he has been the lead singer of Loudmouth, a high-energy Rock and Roll band covering classics from Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, and the Rolling Stones, as well as modern hits. Loudmouth entertains at dances, weddings, church events, and corporate gatherings, keeping audiences on their feet. Outside of music, Chad is an orthodontist with offices in Camarillo, Santa Barbara, and Buellton, California. Married to Laura Torgersen for 32 years, they are proud parents of four and grandparents to four. This year marks his second performance in Lamb of God.

Aaron Woolley
Aaron WoolleyNARRATOR

Aaron Woolley is honored to return as a narrator for the seventh consecutive year. A longtime Conejo Valley resident, he has been deeply involved in the local arts scene, performing in numerous musicals and singing groups. His powerful voice and stage presence have made him a frequent participant in community productions and a valued contributor to local events. Frequently invited to serve as Master of Ceremonies, he is a familiar and trusted presence at various gatherings, bringing professionalism and charisma to each occasion. His voiceover talents have also been featured in professional business advertisements, further showcasing his versatility. Beyond performing, Aaron is a dedicated business professional. He serves as a business manager for the entertainment industry, is a skilled tax accountant, and owns Trust Management of Westlake Village. Balancing his career and artistic pursuits, he is also a devoted husband to Maren and a proud father of five children.

Marie Tarbet
Marie TarbetNARRATOR

Marie Pearson Tarbet is thrilled to return as a narrator this year. She is a voice-over artist with national ads for Hallmark, NBC, Allstate, Olive Garden, and projects for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is also the voice of the Nauvoo Visitor’s Center women’s statues. As one half of the brother-sister band “The Pearsons,” she has worked on projects for Deseret Book, PBS, Especially For Youth, Shadow Mountain, Target, and Irving Music. Their song “I Believe That Jesus Loves Me” will be published in multiple languages in the Friend magazine in 2025. Marie loves narrating this beautiful story of Jesus Christ! She enjoys playing instruments, teaching music, and growing vegetables. Her best friend is her husband Lee, and together they served a senior mission in rural Thailand (2022-2023), where she recorded voice-overs for a major public hospital. During her time there, she picked up a bit of Thai and enjoyed plenty of spicy food.

Marianne Woolf
Marianne WoolfCONDUCTOR

Marianne Woolf brings this beautiful performance of Lamb of God to life with her innate ability to pull choir, orchestra, soloists and narrators together into a cohesive ensemble. She is a graduate of Brigham Young University-Idaho’s Choral Education program. She spent four years teaching junior high choir and orchestra, as well as directing school musicals such as Guys and Dolls, Bye Bye Birdie, Sound of Music, Me and My Girl, Oklahoma and Seussical the Musical. After being swept off her feet by the love of her life, she retired from her school teaching career to become a mother of seven. Besides training for half marathons and homeschooling her children, Marianne continues to teach voice, piano, and cello lessons in her private studio.

ORCHESTRA

VIOIN I

Cari Celaya *
Ava Watanabe
Lydia Steadman
Mark Lang
James Zhang
Jacob Lassen
Baylee Townsend

VIOIN II

Courtni Neff **
Maissoun Qatan
Mary Ann Marx
Eileen Johnson
Xiao-dong Sun
Erin Tracy
Noya Achiasaf
Anna Tellez

VIOLA

Kevin Breeding **
Jennifer Deirmendjian

CELLO

John Fare**
Becky Heninger
Valerie Wong
Zohar Achiasaf
Kristina Bartlett
Abigail Thorne

BASS

Mark Kamrandt **
Lucas Helfman **
Eli Leukenga
Tony Everts

HARP

Elaine Litster

FLUTE

Rhondda Dayton **
Linda Zarlenga
Emily Hodges

OBOE

Fred Beerstein

CLARINET

Sandee Langlois **
Don Nardone
Karen Gatchel

BASSOON

James Parlevliet
Jeffrey Alvarado

FRENCH HORN

Jennifer Bliman **
Phyllis Rautenberg
Cheyenne Halderman
Joseph Fong

TROMBONE

Tony Bown **
Patrick Rose
Andrew Mabey
Rick Austinson

TUBA

James Litster

TIMPANI

Joe Martone

PERCUSSION

Everett Saltzberg
Rohan Kuenstle
Brandon Payne

* Concertmaster
** Section Principal

ORCHESTRA

VIOIN I

Cari Celaya *
Ava Watanabe
Lydia Steadman
Mark Lang
James Zhang
Jacob Lassen
Baylee Townsend

VIOIN II

Courtni Neff **
Maissoun Qatan
Mary Ann Marx
Eileen Johnson
Xiao-dong Sun
Erin Tracy
Noya Achiasaf
Anna Tellez

VIOLA

Kevin Breeding **
Jennifer Deirmendjian

CELLO

John Fare**
Becky Heninger
Valerie Wong
Zohar Achiasaf
Kristina Bartlett
Abigail Thorne

BASS

Mark Kamrandt **
Lucas Helfman **
Eli Leukenga
Tony Everts

HARP

Elaine Litster

FLUTE

Rhondda Dayton**
Linda Zarlenga
Emily Hodges

OBOE

Fred Beerstein

CLARINET

Sandee Langlois **
Don Nardone
Karen Gatchel

BASSOON

James Parlevliet
Jeffrey Alvarado

FRENCH HORN

Jennifer Bliman **
Phyllis Rautenberg
Cheyenne Halderman
Joseph Fong

TROMBONE

Tony Bown **
Patrick Rose
Andrew Mabey
Rick Austinson

TUBA

James Litster

TIMPANI

Joe Martone

PERCUSSION

Everett Saltzberg
Rohan Kuenstle
Brandon Payne

* Concertmaster
** Section Principal

CHOIR

Curtis Anderson
Becky Baker
Stephanie Barrus
Kirstie Bellman
Pat Bellman
John Bennett
Melodie Bennett
Catherine Blickenstaff
Kurt Blickenstaff
Charlotte Burrows
Nathan Burrows
Zoey Bunce
Chris Buxton
Caroline Carruol
Eric Chun
Keiko Chun
Chelsea Compton
Albert Cornel
William Cortes
Anne Derrick
Konrad De Ruyter
Scott De Ruyter
Donovan Merrick
Charlotte Endecott
Else Endecott
Michelle Feugueng
Elizabeth Fletcher

Kate Fletcher
Kristi Fletcher
Charla Fowler
Cassidy Hitchcock
Becca Hubble
Travis Hubble
Andrea Jones
Eric Josephsen
Tami Josephsen
David Kent
Elina Kent
Isaac Kent
Kirsten Kent
Billie Lang
JoDee Lang
Tarja Little
Taylor Lockwood
Anna Mackay
Kaitlyn Mackay
Carol Malone
Tim Malone
Barry Mathews
Jamie Matthews
Susie Mauceri
Christine McCole
Patrick McCombs
Stewart Miller

John Moffat
Celeste Northrup
Samuel Northrup
Julie Olsen
Jared Pace
Natalie Pace
Stacey Prince
Marlys Pulos
Cynthia Rasmussen
Cynthia Salerno
Clayton Scharf
Adelaide Smylie
Liz Simmons
Alisa Snyder
Romy Snyder
Kirsten Stoneley
Adam Tan
Liep Tan
Taryn Tree
Lindie Turley
Tod Turley
Ditte Wager
Christine Williamson
Curtis Woolf
Heidi Woolf
Rob Woolf
Mei Zheng

CHOIR

Curtis Anderson
Becky Baker
Stephanie Barrus
Kirstie Bellman
Pat Bellman
John Bennett
Melodie Bennett
Catherine Blickenstaff
Kurt Blickenstaff
Charlotte Burrows
Nathan Burrows
Zoey Bunce
Chris Buxton
Caroline Carruol
Eric Chun
Keiko Chun
Chelsea Compton
Albert Cornel
William Cortes
Anne Derrick
Konrad De Ruyter
Scott De Ruyter
Donovan Merrick
Charlotte Endecott
Else Endecott
Michelle Feugueng
Elizabeth Fletcher

Kate Fletcher
Kristi Fletcher
Charla Fowler
Cassidy Hitchcock
Becca Hubble
Travis Hubble
Andrea Jones
Eric Josephsen
Tami Josephsen
David Kent
Elina Kent
Isaac Kent
Kirsten Kent
Billie Lang
JoDee Lang
Tarja Little
Taylor Lockwood
Anna Mackay
Kaitlyn Mackay
Carol Malone
Tim Malone
Barry Mathews
Jamie Matthews
Susie Mauceri
Christine McCole
Patrick McCombs
Stewart Miller

John Moffat
Celeste Northrup
Samuel Northrup
Julie Olsen
Jared Pace
Natalie Pace
Stacey Prince
Marlys Pulos
Cynthia Rasmussen
Cynthia Salerno
Clayton Scharf
Adelaide Smylie
Liz Simmons
Alisa Snyder
Kirsten Stoneley
Adam Tan
Liep Tan
Taryn Tree
Lindie Turley
Tod Turley
Ditte Wager
Christine Williamson
Curtis Woolf
Heidi Woolf
Rob Woolf
Mei Zheng

GETHSEMANE by Carl Heinrich Bloch (1834-1890)

Acknowledgments

We sincerely thank the many individuals and organizations who made this production possible. To all the musicians and performers—over 130 of you—thank you for generously sharing your time, talents, and gifts. Whether you are joining us for the first time or the seventh, we deeply appreciate the sacrifices you make to be part of this effort.

We extend our gratitude to the Thousand Oaks Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for graciously accommodating our rehearsal schedules and providing the support needed for our preparation. We also wish to thank the Los Angeles Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for hosting our Santa Monica performances this year.

Your collective contributions have been invaluable, and we are profoundly grateful for your dedication and support.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible individuals who make this performance possible. Special appreciation goes to our talented conductor, Marianne Woolf; our dedicated orchestra Co-presidents, Cari Celaya and Sandee Langlois; our organization President, Lindie Turley; our choir President, Jo Dee Lang; and choir assistant, Liz Simmons.

We are especially grateful to Tod Turley for his efforts in fundraising and serving as assistant to the President, and to Tony Bown for his accompaniment during rehearsals and role as our financial director. We also thank Michael Babbitt and Chris Barton for their expertise in sound management and Ryan Halverson for providing beautiful photography.

We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Corinne Holden and Rachel Wright for their exceptional work on our website and graphic design; to Becky Garrett, Scott Tanner and Nicole Paris for their diligent efforts in publicity; to Kerry Anderson and much help from her husband, Curtis. Thank you to Jen and Carl Hammer for their dedicated service as our Venue Managers. Your contributions are truly invaluable to this production.

We would also like to express our deepest gratitude to our generous donors, whose support has been instrumental in bringing this sacred production to life. Your contributions provide essential resources that allow our talented musicians, vocalists, and crew to share their gifts of worship and testimony through music. We are immensely thankful for your kindness and commitment to sharing the message of Jesus Christ through song, which helps us continue to offer this meaningful performance year after year. Your generosity and belief in our mission are truly appreciated, and we could not do this without you. Thank you for being such an integral part of our journey.

At Witness Music California, our mission is to present powerful, sacred musical works that bear witness of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and His divine role as the Savior and Redeemer of the world. We are dedicated to creating spiritually uplifting experiences that inspire and strengthen both our performers and audiences alike. This year marks our seventh annual performance of Lamb of God in Southern California, and we are passionate about establishing this music as an Easter tradition, much like The Messiah is for Christmas. Our vision is for Rob Gardner’s Lamb of God to become a cherished Easter season tradition throughout Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, bringing people closer to the Savior through the profound message and beauty of this inspired work.

–Witness Music California Board of Directors


Please support us with your generous donations. To bring this vision to life year after year, we need your support.  To join us in this worthy effort, please consider making a tax deductible financial donation by visiting our website at www.WitnessMusicCa.org.

About the Work

Lamb of God is a musical portrayal of the final days of the life of Jesus Christ, from the foreshadowing raising of Lazarus, to the devastating arrest and crucifixion of Jesus, and finally to His glorious resurrection. Composed and written by Rob Gardner, the story is told through the ever-relatable perspective of those who loved and walked with Him: Peter, John, Thomas, Mary and Martha of Bethany, Mary Magdalene and His Mother Mary. “Lamb of God” offers a new and unique take on the Passion story in that it’s told entirely through music. The music serves to heighten the innate emotion of the narrative and carry a very personal meaning to everyone who experiences it.

In the summer of 2010, just weeks after completing the score, Rob Gardner headed to London to record the work with the world-renowned London Symphony Orchestra. He then returned to Arizona to record the soloists and glorious Spire Chorus in the weeks leading up to the performance premiere at Gammage Auditorium in Tempe, AZ in September 2010. The Gospels of the New Testament were the sole source material in the composition of “Lamb of God”. Because of this, the work is performed every year, all around the world, by thousands of musicians and singers across dozens of faiths. It is performed in concert halls, Catholic Cathedrals, Protestant Sanctuaries, Evangelical Churches, Latter-day Saint Chapels and on University campuses. Most of these performances are multi-denominational, involving members of as many as 60 different faiths in one performing group alone. In fact, the artistry of the music and storytelling is such that even many non-believers are moved to participate in or attend a performance.

Each year, an estimated 4,000+ performers across the world participate in locally-produced performances of “Lamb of God” in places as far-reaching as The Netherlands, Romania and Buenos Aires. These performances played for a total audience of well over 50,000 people from dozens of faiths. Almost all of these performers, both professional and amateur, volunteer an enormous amount of time and talent to share this message because they believe it would transform and bring a measure of hope and light into many lives, including their own. Such is the power of the music and message of “Lamb of God”.

Source: www.RobGardnerMusic.com/lamb