from philharmonia with love:
between us
february 21, 2026
biographies:
PHILHARMONIA
PhilHarmonia was founded in 2013 and continues to delight audiences with its commitment to musical excellence and diverse programming. For the past eight full seasons, the ensemble has offered a free concert in a public location and regularly offers two seasonal programs: Winter Spirits and From PhilHarmonia with Love. PhilHarmonia loves to collaborate and partner with local cultural organizations and artists. Collaborations and partnerships include: The Drinker Library of the Free Library of Philadelphia Central Branch, SEPTA, The German Society of Pennsylvania, Philly Homebrew Club, Independence Seaport Museum, Chestnut Street Singers, the Museum of the American Revolution, Nashirah, Singing City, Brian Sanders’ JUNK, Melissa Dunphy, John Conahan, Ajibola Rivers and now Forbidden Fruit. PhilHarmonia is a proud recipient of the Philadelphia Cultural Fund Grant. For more information visit PhilHarmoniaSings.com
mitos andaya hart
Mitos Andaya Hart has served as the Artistic Director of PhilHarmonia since 2014. She is the Associate Director of Choral Activities at Temple University where she conducts the Temple University Singers, works with undergraduate and graduate conductors, and teaches choral literature. Prior to her appointment at Temple, she served as Associate Director of Choral Activities at the University of Georgia where she was awarded one of the university’s highest honors, the Richard B. Russell Undergraduate Teaching Award. Dr. Andaya Hart has taught choral and jazz at the university level in the United States, South Africa, and Australia. She served as guest conductor of the Netherlands Chamber Choir in Amsterdam and Arnhem in 2007 and conducted the Eric Ericson Chamber Choir in concert at the Lund International Choral Festival in Sweden. Additionally, she has served as a guest conductor, master teacher, clinician and adjudicator nationally as well internationally in Germany, Kenya, and South Korea. Dr. Andaya Hart has served at the State level as ACDA R&S Chair for Jazz and also served President of the National Collegiate Choral Organization.Texts and Translations
kim rojo celestino barroso
Kim Rojo Celestino Barroso is a highly sought collaborative pianist in the Delaware Valley region. Originally from the Philippines, where he is a graduate of the prestigious Philippine High School for the Arts, he finished his undergraduate studies at Winthrop University in South Carolina and his Masters at Temple University majoring in Piano Performance and Chamber Music Accompanying. He would go on to become the director of music at St. Augustine Church in Old City, Philadelphia as well as become an Artist-in-Residence at Temple University. His other engagements also included Curtis Institute of Music, University of the Arts, Rutgers University in Camden, Rowan University, Jefferson University, Rowan University, University of Delaware, and performances for dignitaries and guests at Philippine Ambassador’s residence in Washington, DC.
Kim is no stranger to some of the biggest stages in the region including Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall, The Kimmel Center’s Verizon Hall and Field Concert Hall at the Curtis Institute of Music. Furthermore, he has collaborated with the Atlantic Coast Opera Festival, Opera Seabrook, International Opera Theater and the Delaware Valley Opera Company, Greater South Jersey Chorus and Singing City.
ajibola rivers
Ajibola Rivers is a Nigerian-American-Cherokee performing artist currently residing in Norristown, PA.. He received his Cello Performance degree from the Boyer College of Music and Dance and is a proud recipient of the prestigious TU 30 Under 30 award for 2024. Ajibola is also a self-taught composer and arranger. He began informally composing during his junior year of high school. When he applied to Boyer, he applied for a Music Composition degree as well as Cello Performance. He was accepted into a double major program but quickly found that the popularized twentieth and twenty first century writing styles were not in line with his interests. Ajibola left the program and after a two-year hiatus he resumed composing, following his own instincts. He now regularly writes and premieres original compositions and arrangements, and he has been commissioned several times.Ajibola has a strong passion for teaching, viewing it as the final evolution of performing art, and he heavily incorporates learning into both composition and performance. He wishes to revive several "unfinished conversations" in classical music and to facilitate a healthy dialogue between classical music and other genres.
kathleen stevens
Kathleen Stevens is a professional violist and violinist from Reading, PA. She graduated from Ithaca College with a BM in viola performance in 2011 and has spent the past decade and a half building her career. She is the cofounder and principal violist for the Berks Sinfonietta, an intergenerational chamber orchestra that focuses on performing underrepresented music and promoting local talent. She also performs with Reading Symphony, Lancaster Symphony, PA Philharmonic, PA Sinfonia, Brandywine Valley Symphony, Fulton Theater, Servant Stage, and many other regional ensembles as both a violist and violinist. She teaches private lessons from her home in Wernersville. She is also a teacher for Orchestra Zone, a program funded by the Reading Symphony, which provides free lessons to instrumental students in the Reading School District.
Currently, Kathleen is attending Temple University as a graduate Academic Intern studying viola performance with Kerri Ryan of the Philadelphia Orchestra. As part of her internship, she teaches violin and viola lessons for Temple Music Prep’s Community Music Scholars Program. She is looking forward to graduating in the Spring.
Kathleen enjoys baking, yoga, running, hiking, reading, podcasts, cats, socks, and tacos. She loves sharing these interests with her two children, Leo and Amaya.
yuan tian
Yuan Tian is a Chinese violinist from Harbin who earned his Bachelor and Master of Music degree from Temple University in 2024 and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts under the guidance of Eduard Schmieder on full scholarship. A recipient of the Emily & Arthur Crosby Award and First Prize in the Temple University Solo Competition, he has performed as a soloist at major venues including Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and Harbin Concert Hall.
Yuan began studying violin at age three and made his public debut at four. He trained at the Central Conservatory of Music and has received mentorship from renowned artists such as Shlomo Mintz and Viktor Tretyakov. His career highlights include performances with NYO-China at Carnegie Hall, appearances at international festivals in the United States and Europe, and multiple competition prizes, including a Special Prize at the 10th International Violin Competition “Astana Violin.” In 2024, he performed Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with Maestro Muhai Tang and the Harbin Symphony Orchestra, continuing his active career as both soloist and concertmaster.
texts and translations
Toast pour le nouvel an - Gioachino Rossini
En ce jour si doux
On this sweet day,
Tous au rendez-vous,
All together,
Nouvel an, sois fêté par nous;
New Year, be celebrated by us;
Des plaisirs, des chansons,
Pleasures, songs,
Des cadeaux, des bonbons,
Gifts, sweets,
Accourez filles et garçons.
Come one, girls and boys.
L’amitié, le tendre amour tour à tour,
Friendship, tender love in turn,
Fêteront de ce beau jour le retour;
Will celebrate the return of this beautiful day;
Aux repas joyeux,
To joyful meals,
Jeunes cœurs, vins vieux,
Young hearts, aged wines,
N’est-ce pas le bonheur des cieux?
Is this not heavenly bliss?
Compagnons, à longs traits buvons,
Comrades, let us drink deeply,
Compagnons, épuisons les flacons,
Comrades, let us empty the bottles,
trinquons!
let us toast!
O Vierge mère, sois-nous prospère,
O Virgin Mother, bless us,
Garde sur terre nos fils bénis.
Guard on earth our blessed sons.
En ce jour si doux…le bonheur des cieux?
On this sweet day… …heavenly bliss?
Tra, la, la, la, la, la,
Tra, la, la, la, la, la,
Que le champagne écumant,
Let the foaming champagne,
Pétillant mousse,
Sparkling froth,
Tra, la, la, la, la, la,
Tra, la, la, la, la, la,
Le vrai bonheur, il est là.
True happiness, it is here.
O Vierge!
O Virgin!
Tra, la, la, la, la, la,
Tra, la, la, la, la, la,
L’heure qui vient fuit déjà,
The coming hour is already fleeting,
Passons-la douce,
Let us spend it sweetly,
Tra, la, la, la, la, la,
Tra, la, la, la, la, la,
Oui, le bonheur, il est là.
Yes, happiness is here.
En ce jour si doux . . . le bonheur des cieux?
On this sweet day… …the happiness of heaven?
Compagnons, sans façons,
Comrades, without ceremony,
Arrachons les bouchons,
Let us pull off the corks,
À nos amis buvons, trinquons,
Let us drink, let us toast to our friends,
Épuisons les flacons,
Let us empty the bottles,
Festoyons et trinquons,
Let us feast and toast,
Au nouvel an, buvons, trinquons!
To the New Year, let us drink, let us toast!
Arise, awake - Thomas Morley
Arise, awake, awake
You silly shepherds sleeping;
Devise some honour for her sake
By mirth to banish weeping
See where she comes, lo where
In gaudy green arraying
A pince of beauty rich and rare
Pretends to go a-maying
You stately nymphs draw near
And strew your paths with roses;
In you her trust reposes
Then sang the shepherds and nymphs of Diana:
Long live fair Oriana!
Hard by a crystal fountain - Thomas Morley
Hard by a crystal fountain
Oriana the Bright lay down asleeping.
The birds they finely chirped, the winds were stilled;
sweetly with these accenting the air was filled.
This is that Fair, whose head a crown deserveth,
which Heav'n for her reserveth.
Leave, shepherds, your lambs keeping,
upon the barren mountain,
and nymphs attend on her and leave your bowers,
for she the shepherd's life maintains and yours.
Then sang the shepherds and nymphs of Diana:
Long live fair Oriana! As Vesta was from Latmos hill descending - Thomas Weelkes
As Vesta was from Latmos hill descending
She spied a maiden Queen the same ascending
Attended on by all the shepherds' swain
To whom Diana's darlings came running down amain
First two by two, then three by three together
Leaving their goddess all alone hasted thither;
And mingling with the shepherds of her train
With mirthful tunes her presence entertain
Then sang the shepherds and nymphs of Diana
Long live fair Oriana!
Death hath deprived me - Thomas Weelkes
Death hath deprived me of my dearest friend,My dearest friend is dead and laid in grave,In grave he rests until the world shall end As end must all things have.All things must have an end that Nature wrought,Must unto dust be brought.
Litanies de la Vierge, H. 83 - Marc-Antoine Charpentier
Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison,
Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy
Christe audi nos, Christe exaudi nos.
Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.
Pater de Coelis Deus, miserere nobis.
God, the Father in Heaven, have mercy on us.
Fili Redemptor mundi Deus, miserere nobis.
God, Son, redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
Spiritus sancte Deus miserere nobis.
God, Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Sancta Trinitas unus Deus, miserere nobis.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Sancta Maria, Sancta Dei genitrix,
Holy Mary, holy Mother of God,
Sancta Virgo Virginum, ora pro nobis.
holy Virgin of Virgins, pray for us.
Mater Christe, Mater diviae gratiae,
Mother of Christ, Mother of Divine Grace,
Mater purissima, Mater castissima,
Mother most pure, Mother most chaste,
Mater inviolate, Mater intemerata,
inviolate, undefiled,
Mater amabilis, Mater admirabilis,
to be loved, to be admired,
Mater Creatoris, Mater Salvatoris,
Mother of the Creator, Mother of the Saviour,
ora pro nobis.
pray for us.
Virgo prudentissima, Virgo veneranda,
Virgin most prudent, Virgin to be venerated,
Virgo praedicanda, Virgo potens,
Virgin to be proclaimed, Virgin powerful,
Virgo clemens, Virgo fidelis,
Virgin merciful, Virgin faithful,
ora pro nobis.
pray for us.
Speculum justitiae, Sedes sapientiae,
Mirror of Justice, Seat of Wisdom,
Causa nostrae laetitia, ora pro nobis.
Cause of Our Joy, pray for us.
Vas spirituale, Vas honorabile,
Spiritual Vessel, Vessel of Honour,
Vas insigne devotionis, ora pro nobis.
Excellent Vessel of Devotion, pray for us.
Rosa mystica, Turris Davidica,
Mystic Rose, Tower of David,
Turris eburnea, Domus aurea,
Tower of Ivory, House of Gold,
Federis arca, Janua coeli,
Ark of the Covenant, Gate of Heaven,
Stella matutina, ora pro nobis.
Morning Star, pray for us.
Salus infirmorum, Refugium peccatorum,
Salvation of the Weak, Refuge of Sinners,
Consolatrix afflictorum, Auxilium Christianorum,
Consoler of the Afflicted, Helper of Christians,
ora pro nobis.
pray for us.
Regina Angelorum, Regina Patriarcharum,
Queen of Angels, Queen of Patriarchs,
Regina Prophetarum, Regina Apostolorum,
Queen of Prophets, Queen of Apostles,
Regina Marytrum, Regina Confessorum,
Queen of Martyrs, Queen of Confessors,
Regina Virginum, Regina Sanctorum omnium,
Queen of Virgins, Queen of All Saints,
ora pro nobis.
pray for us.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,
Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world,
parce nobis, Domine.
spare us, O Lord.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi
Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world,
exaudi nos, Domine.
hear us, O Lord.
Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi
Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world,
miserere nobis.
have mercy on us.
O waly, waly - arr. Daryl Runswick
The water is wide, I cannot get o’er,
And neither have I wings to fly.
Give me a boat that will carry two,
And both shall row, my love and I.
O, down in the meadows the other day,
A-gath’ring flowers both fine and gay,
A-gath’ring flowers both red and blue,
I little thought what love can do.
I leaned my back up against some oak,
Thinking that he was a trusty tree;
But first he bended and then he broke,
And so did my false love to me.
A ship there is, and she sails the sea,
She’s loaded deep as deep can be,
But not so deep as the love I’m in:
I know not if I sink or swim.
O, love is handsome and love is fine,
And love’s a jewel while it is new,
But when it is old, it groweth cold,
And fades away like morning dew.
Wannabe (as an English madrigal - Spice Girls, arr. Nathan Howe
Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want.
So, tell me what you want, what you really really want.
I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want.
So, tell me what you want, what you really really want.
I wanna—, I wanna—, I wanna—, I wanna—, I wanna really, really, really wanna zigazig, ah.
If you want my future forget my past.
If you wanna get with me better make it fast.
Now don't go wasting my precious time.
Get your act together, we could be just fine.
I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want.
So, tell me what you want, what you really really want.
I wanna—, I wanna—, I wanna—, I wanna—, I wanna really, really, really wanna zigazig, ah.
If you wanna be my lover
You gotta get with my friends
(gotta get with my friends).
Make it last forever,
Friendship never ends.
If you wanna be my lover
You have got to give.
Taking is too easy, but that's the way it is.
What do you think about that? Now you know how I feel.
Say you can handle my love. Are you for real
(are you for real)?
I won't be hasty, I'll give you a try.
If you really bug me then I'll say goodbye.
Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want.
So, tell me what you want, what you really really want.
I wanna—, I wanna—, I wanna—, I wanna—, I wanna really, really, really wanna zigazig, ah.
If you wanna be my lover
You gotta get with my friends
(gotta get with my friends).
Make it last forever,
Friendship never ends.
If you wanna be my lover
You have got to give.
(You got to give.)
Taking is too easy, but that's the way it is.
Dancing up and down and winding all around
If you wanna be my lover
Baby Mine - Ned Washington, Frank Churchhill, arr. Neera Goyal
“Baby Mine" was written in 1941 by Frank Churchill and Ned Washington for Disney’s animated Dumbo. The song is a universal anthem for a mother’s unconditional love for her child. We sing it today to honor all of the mothers and caregivers in our lives, and to celebrate mothers-to-be!”
Baby mine, don't you cry
Baby mine, dry your eyes
Rest your head close to my heart
Never to part
Baby of mineLittle one, when you play
Don't you mind what they say
Let those eyes sparkle and shine
Never a tear
Baby of mineFrom your head to your toes (Baby mine)
You're so sweet, goodness knows (Baby mine)
You are so precious to me
Cute as can be
Baby of mineYellow - Coldplay, arr. Saunder Choi
Look at the stars
Look how they shine for you
And everything you do
Yeah, they were all yellow
I came along
I wrote a song for you
And all the things you do
And it was called "Yellow"
So then I took my turn
Oh what a thing to have done
And it was all yellow
Your skin
Oh yeah your skin and bones
Turn into something beautiful
Do you know
You know I love you so
You know I love you so
I swam across
I jumped across for you
Oh what a thing to do
'Cause you were all yellow
I drew a line
I drew a line for you
Oh what a thing to do
And it was all yellow
Your skin
Oh yeah your skin and bones
Turn into something beautiful
Do you know
For you I'd bleed myself dry
For you I'd bleed myself dry
It's true
Look how they shine for you
Look how they shine for you
Look how they shine for
Look how they shine for you
Look how they shine for you
Look how they shine
Look at the stars
Look how they shine for you
And all the things that you do
I’ll Be There
Jackson 5, arr. Tom Meadowcroft
I'll Be There is a tender ballad that rose to become number one on the pop charts for the Jackson 5 in 1970 on the Motown label. Featuring 11-year-old Michael Jackson on lead vocal, it's a soulful song of emotional support, loyalty and reassurance. Authored by Motown president Barry Gordy and his stable of writers, this 5 part a capella version was arranged by Philharmonia's own Tom Meadowcroft.
You and I must make a pact
We must bring salvation back,
Where there is love, I'll be there (I'll be there)I'll reach out my hand to you
I'll have faith in all you do.
Just call my name and I'll be there (I'll be there)I'll be there to comfort you,
Build my world of dreams around you,
I'm so glad that I found you.I'll be there with a love that's strong,
I'll be your strength,
I'll keep holdin' on (Holdin' on)
Yes I will, yes I willLet me fill your heart with joy and laughter,
Togetherness, girl, is all I'm after,
Whenever you need me, I'll be there (I'll be there)I'll be there to protect you, (yeah baby)
With unselfish love that respects you.
Just call my name, I'll be there (I'll be there)I'll be there to comfort you,}
Build my world of dreams around you,
I'm so glad that I found you.
I'll be there with a love that's strong,
I'll be your strength,
I'll keep holdin' on.
Ooh ooh ooh
Yes I will (Holdin' on, holdin' on)]
Yes I will If you should ever find someone new
I know he better be good to you
'Cause if he doesn't
I'll be there (I'll be there)Don't you know baby I'll be there
I'll be there I'll be there Just call my name, I'll be there (I'll be there)
Just look over your shoulders honey, ooh!
I'll be there, I'll be there,
Whenever you need me, I'll be there (I'll be there)Don't you know baby,
I'll be there, I'll be there
Just call my name, I'll be there (I'll be there)
Oh oh oh oh I'll be there, I'll be there