Annual American Composers Update

A Houston, TX resident, David Ashley White became director of the University of Houston Moores School of Music in Aug. 1999. On the Pro Organo Breaking Ground CD 7026, organist Dawid Lowry played Reflections on a Tune, based one of White's Episcopal hymns.

Come Down, O Love Divine, for SATB choir and organ, had its first performance at Grace Episcopal Church, White Plains, NY, Oct. 1998, with Timothy Lewis, organist and choirmaster. Conducted by Larry Hammerling, Tide of Angels, for two-part choir and handbells, was first sung in Dec. 1998 in Rochester, MI, part of the city-wide Christmas Choral Concert. In Dec. 1998 at Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Kansas City, with John Schaefer, organist and choirmaster, the motet Love Came Down at Christmas was presented. At the Texas Music Educators Association's 1999 state convention, Feb. 1999, the Kantori Women's Choir introduced The Kingdom of Love, for women's choir, recorder, harp, and percussion, led by Randy Woodrome, in Houston. Organist Francine Mate commissioned and premiered For the Means of Grace and For the Hope of Glory at Grace Episcopal Church, Washington, DC, Apr. 1999.

Among the more than 50 recently reported performances of White's music, Triptych, for brass quintet and organ, was played by the St. Anthony Brass Quintet and Thom Robertson at The Church of St. Louis, King of France, in St. Paul, MN, Oct. 1998. The Mariposa Trio performed Elegy and Exaltation, for violin, cello, and piano, Oct. 1998 at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. The motet Our Holy Tribute, This was sung by Houston's Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, led by Robert Simpson, Nov. 1998 at the Washington National Cathedral. In Dec. 1998, organist Simon Nieminski, associate organist at St. Mary's Cathedral, in Edinburgh, presented Aria. Led by Simpson, the Houston Chamber Choir presented The Blue Estuaries (five poems by Louise Bogan), for SATB a cappella choir, at the American Choral Directors Association national convention, in Chicago, Feb. 1999 at Medinah Temple and again at Orchestra Hall.

The Blue Estuaries and O Light of Light, both for SATB a cappella choir by E. C. Schirmer. Is a Murmuring Dove Nearby?, Jubilate, This is a Day of New Beginnings; all for SATB choir and organ; Come Down, O Love Divine, SATB choir, trumpet, and organ; The Kingdom of Love, two-part choir, flute/recorder, harp/keyboard, and percussion; all by Selah Publishing Co. Alleluia, Song of Gladness; two-part choir, handbells, and percussion; Away in a Manger and Come, Holy Spirit; both for SATB choir, flute, and organ; Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven; SATB choir, brass , and organ; all by St. James Music Press.

Choir of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Houston, Robert Brewer and Frances Anderson, directors; Zephyr Echoes of the American Cathedral: Music of David Ashley White Z-115-99, fall 1999. Cantate Domino, for SATB choir, brass, and organ; Gloriae Dei Cantores, Elizabeth C. Patterson, conductor; By the Rivers of Babylon (second volume of American Psalmody) GCDC 027. Triptych; Millennia Consort and Alison J. Luedecke; World Library Publications Transformations 3070.

• 1997-1998 American Composers Update
• 1996-1997 American Composers Update