“Confusion. Frustration. Pain. Raw emotions are abundant during a time of loss. We ask the philosophical questions, “Why God?” Anger erupts inside. Reality sets in. Grief takes us deep into the depths of our soul, and in our moment of profound grief we don’t understand why we must suffer. When we come face to face with what is dark and painful, we may lash out at God in anger to release our emotions, and it is then that we begin the healing process. Through the words of Psalm 13, crying out to God, we will come to trust in Him. For the answer is not a why, but a “Who.” “But I have trusted in your merciful love.”
- Theresa Martin 2-1-24
Text from Psalm 13:
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever
How long, Lord? Will you utterly forget me?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I bear pain in my soul,
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long must I carry sorrow in my soul,
grief in my heart day after day?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;
lighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
Look upon me, answer me, Lord, my God!
Give light to my eyes lest I sleep in death,
Lest my foes rejoice at my downfall.
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
But I have trusted in your merciful love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
But I trust in your mercy.
Grant my heart joy in your salvation,
I will sing to the Lord, for he has dealt bountifully with me.
Bach’s Cantata 51
The opening movement features an intricate conversation between the coloratura of the soprano and the trumpet. It is celebratory music with fanfare in both the trumpet and the piano. The recitative and second aria that follow are more intimate prayers of supplication. In the fourth movement, the lively counterpoint in the piano is reinforced by the verses of the hymn “Nun lob, mein Seel, den Herren” with instrumental interludes between the soprano’s phrases. That leads without a break into the joyous Alleluja, in which the trumpet returns for a glorious finish.
Text and Translations
I. Aria
Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen!
Shout for joy to God in every land!
Was der Himmel und die Welt
An Geschöpfen in sich hält,
All the creatures contained in heaven and earth
Müssen dessen Ruhm erhöhen,
must exalt his glory,
Und wir wollen unserm Gott
and to our God we would
Gleichfalls jetzt ein Opfer bringen,
now likewise bring an offering
Dass er uns in Kreuz und Not
since in affliction and distress
Allezeit hat beigestanden.
at all times he has stood by us.
II. Recitative
Wir beten zu dem Tempel an,
We pray at the temple
Da Gottes Ehre wohnet,
where God’s honor dwells,
Da dessen Treu,
where his faithfulness
So täglich neu,
that is renewed every day
Mit lauter Segen lohnet.
Rewards us with unmixed blessing.
Wir preisen, was er an uns hat getan.
We praise what he has done for us.
Muss gleich der schwache Mund von seinen Wundern lallen,
Even if our weak mouths have to babble about his wonders,
So kann ein schlechtes Lob ihm dennoch wohl gefallen.
yet imperfect praise can still please him.
III. Aria
Höchster mache deine Güte
Most High God, make your goodness
Ferner alle Morgen neu.
new every morning from now on.
So soll vor die Vatertreu
Then to your fatherly love
Auch ein dankbares Gemüte
a thankful spirit in us in turn
Durch ein frommes Leben weisen,
through a devout life will show
Dass wir deine Kinder heißen.
that we are called your children.
IV. Chorale
Sei Lob und Preis mit Ehren
May there be praise and glory and honor
Gott Vater, Sohn, Heiligem Geist!
For God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
Der woll‘ in uns vermehren,
May it be his will to increase in us
Was er uns aus Gnaden verheißt,
what he promises us through his grace,
Dass wir ihm fest vertrauen,
so that we firmly trust in him,
Gänzlich uns lass’n auf ihn.
rely completely on him,
Von Herzen auf ihn bauen,
from our hearts build on him,
Dass uns’r Herz, Mut und Sinn
so that our heart, spirit and mind
Ihm festiglich anhangen;
depend steadfastly on him;
Drauf singen wir zur Stund:
about this we now sing:
Amen, wir werdn’s erlangen,
Amen, we shall achieve this,
Glaub’n wir aus Herzensgrund.
if we believe from the bottom of our hearts
V. Alleluja!
Camargo’s Coming of Age
This song cycle was commissioned by the Kansas Music Teachers Association. Payton and Naren performed the premiere performance at the 2026 KMTA conference in Wichita, KS on September 9, 2026.
Notes from the writers:
“One of the many fascinating aspects about Cailtin Vincent’s text is that, through five relatively short songs, it expresses a wide range of contrasting emotions on what it feels like to finally become an adult. I explored these different nuances through a variety of musical styles: the disappointment of learning that you now have to pay taxes and mop the floor is juxtaposed with the (not so) irresistible festiveness of samba; a nursery-rhyme is the perfect music for healthy decisions such as going to bed early and not overdoing it with the wine on weekends – as well as the less healthy discovery that things might get funky after eating that cheese; the drama of navigating societal expectations is challenged by the tranquil realization that all this might be just a game of appearances; a glamorous, jazzy cabaret is the soundtrack of the simple freedom granted by a dress with pockets, and a soft contemplative jazz tries to preserve and immortalize tea with a parent.
Ultimately, these five songs are a snapshot of the growing up process. From the euphoric, carefree celebratory initiation through the more grounded responsibilities and newer – yet deeper – emotions, these poems are all universal and precious material for me to work with.”
- Rodrigo Camargo
“This song set explores the different facets of early adulthood. From the frustrations of ‘adulting’ to the joys of practical shoes and dresses with pockets to the poignant reality of aging parents, I wanted to capture the complexity of this stage of life. We grow up with this idea of adulthood as a benchmark, a state of definitive maturity and knowledge. But the reality is far more uncertain. What does it actually mean to come of age? Is it finally knowing what you’re doing? Or is it simply realizing that we don’t?
- Caitlin Vincent
Text:
1. Adulting
Congrats!
You’ve done it!
You’ve passed the final test!
Finally left the nest.
You’re all grown up.
It’s what you’ve been waiting for.
What you’ve been longing for.
To make your own choices.
To build your own life.
To do your own…
Taxes.
And laundry.
And cleaning and shopping.
And dusting and mopping.
And paying the bills.
Plunging the toilet.
Calling the dentist.
God, it’s relentless.
But smell the freedom…
When you’re taking out the trash!
Feel the autonomy…
When the filling starts to crack!
‘Cause congrats.
You’ve done it!
You’ve finally arrived!
Fully grown and on your own.
Now you only have to survive!
Good luck as you try to survive!
2. Meal Plan
Today’s menu is:
Pizza for breakfast.
An ice cream sundae for lunch.
A bowl of fruit loops for dinner.
Because I want to.
Because I can.
Because no one can tell me otherwise.
No one needs to authorize.
Just me.
Just me.
And my…
Acid reflux.
Irritable bowel.
The way I feel after cheese.
Then there’s…
Constipation.
Fluid retention.
Did I mention how I feel after cheese?
But I do what I want!
I eat what I say!
Which is why the menu today…has changed.
Toast for breakfast.
Chicken salad for lunch.
Tofu and quinoa for dinner.
Then in bed by eight.
Lights off by nine.
And maybe this weekend,
Some Tums with wine.
3. Twenty-Something Face
Looking around at all of you.
At all the adults in the room.
I wonder…
If you’re pretending too?
You, with your twenty-something face.
You, with your thirty something knees.
And you, with your forty-something back
That cracks when you sneeze.
Is there someone else inside?
A kid behind those eyes?
Wishing they knew the rules.
Wishing they knew what’s right.
Knowing they should’ve got it together by now.
But still wondering how.
I see you.
Hiding.
Behind those grown up eyes.
Can’t you see I’m hiding too?
Faking it ‘til I’m making…
Just like you.
4. A Dress with Pockets
Enough with stilettos!
With blisters and twisted ankles.
Enough with mini-skirts!
With sucking in and tucking in.
I’m done with it all!
With the spanks and the trends.
I want none of it all!
Today the torment ends!
Give me comfortable shoes.
And a dress with pockets.
Practical heels.
And a dress with pockets.
I’ve important places to go.
And a lot of baggage to stow.
So you really oughta know what I need.
I need arch support.
And a dress with pockets.
Insoles from Doctor Scholls.
And a dress with pockets.
I need durable and functional.
A place for my wallet and keys.
A hemline below the knees.
Give me comfortable shoes
And a dress –
A dress with pockets!
5. Jasmine Tea
I used to throw tantrums.
Slam doors in your face.
Used to yell and rebel.
Tell you I hated this place.
And now…
We have tea.
Just you and me.
With a cup from your favorite china.
We talk about the cousins.
Laugh about our weeks.
I ask for your advice.
And this time, I listen.
I’m finally old enough to listen.
That means you’re getting older too.
Let’s stay like this.
As long as we can.
As long as we’re both here.
You and me.
And a cup of jasmine tea.
About the Performer
Payton is a lyric-coloratura soprano based in Kansas City working toward a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She has performed with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City in their outreach performances and in the chorus of Madama Butterfly, and she will perform in the chorus of Pirates of Penzance and Aida in the Spring. She has performed numerous other roles around the United States and in Italy, including Cunegonde (Candide), Lauretta (Gianni Schicci), Laetitia (The Old Maid and the Thief), Adina (L’elisir d’amore), Pamina and Erste Dame (Die Zauberflöte), Adele (Die Fledermaus), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro), Laurette (Doctor Miracle), and Cinderella (Into the Woods). Payton is so grateful to those who came to support her today and hopes you enjoy her DMA Chamber Recital!
Payton Boldt-Childs is a student of Dr. Maria Kanyova.
This recital is presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance.
UMKC Conservatory recitals are recorded. Please silence all electronic devices and help us maintain a hall conducive to music-making.