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Composers BureauAlice JordanBiography Alice Jordan is known for her widely published choral and organ compositions which are regularly used in churches, schools and colleges in this country and abroad. Born in Davenport, IA (December 31, 1916) to Anna H. and J. Frank Yost, she is a lifelong resident of Des Moines and attended Hubble, Callanan and Roosevelt public schools. A graduate of Drake University, she studied Composition at the undergraduate and graduate levels with the late Dr. Francis J. Pyle. Further study was at the School of Sacred Music at Union Theological Seminary. In 1986, Grand View College conferred upon her the honorary degree Doctor of Letters; earlier she received the Drake Alumni Distinguished Service Award (1970) and "One In A Hundred Centennial" honor (1981) for "outstanding service to her profession and community". In 1990, her published choral works (over 60) were the subject of a doctoral dissertation (Gary Schwartzhoff, BA, MM, DMA) at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Seven 48-page collections of organ works have been published in addition to numerous other volumes and pieces for organ, a Suite for Two Pianos and works for solo voice. Some of her compositions have won recognition in national competition. Take Joy Home, a song with piano accompaniment, was written in 1982 at the request of Sherrill Milnes, baritone of Metropolitan Opera fame, and Jon Spong, pianist, to close their world-tour recitals, and is recorded on the CD: In Recital (VAIA 1141 Vol. 2). America The Beautiful arr. is on the CD Blessed Is The Nation recorded by the National Christian Choir and Orchestra. In 2000, the National Day of Prayer organization selected this CD as its official recording. America The Beautiful arr. Was commissioned by the Iowa High School Music Association for the Annual All-State Concerts at Hilton Coliseum in Ames. Alice Jordan is the recipient of over 40 commissions from churches, schools, colleges and organizations from across the United States. Along with her husband, the late Dr. Frank B. Jordan, former Dean of the College of Fine Arts at Drake University, Alice has been active in the cultural and educational life of Des Moines. She has served on the boards of the Des Moines Symphony Association, the Des Moines Women's Club and Des Moines Civic Music Association, for which she held several offices including President. She was President of the Drake Alumnae Association and also served for several years as Chairman of the Scholarship and Loan Board, interviewing students and arranging loan repayment plans to enable them to complete their degrees. She held a similar office for the Scholarship and Loan Fund of Mu Phi Epsilon Professional Music Fraternity. She was for a few years a member of the Speakers Bureau for United Campaign (now United Way). Memberships also include ASCAP, Kappa Alpha Theta and The American Guild of Organists. She is listed in Who's Who of American Women (first edition 1958-59), and Women In American Music (Block & Bates, first edition 1979) and other biographical directories. Alice Jordan was inducted into The Iowa Women's Hall of Fame
on August 24, 2002 - The Honorable Thomas J. Vilsack, Governor
of Iowa, presiding.
Contact Information 4004 Grand Avenue, #104 |
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Last updated
11/29/04 |
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