Annual American Composers Update
Jane Ellen
Jane Ellen** lives in Albuquerque, NM, where she works
as a free-lance composer, lecturer (OASIS, University
of New Mexico ElderHostel, etc.), and music instructor.
She accepted the nomination as Albuquerque Music Teachers
Association First Vice-President, Aug. 1998. In 1998-99,
she judged the New Mexico Federation of Music Clubs Junior
Division Composition Contest (Feb.), and served on the
SAI Albuquerque Alumnae Scholarship Committee. In Sept.
1999, she accepted the position of SAI Composers Bureau
national Admissions Director. Ellen Krueger has commissioned
Green Hills of Eire, for piano, to commemorate
radio presenter Tommy Murphy's 10th annual St. Patrick's
Day visit (Mar. 17) to the Shrine of St. Patrick, in St.
Patrick, MO. She composed
Glorieta, the theme music
for the cable television documentary
The Man Who Lost
the Civil War. In May, July, and Oct. 1999, she appeared
on KHFM Classical Radio's Classical Cafe program with
host Marty Ronish, discussing music of the American Civil
War and sacred music of the 12th century. She lectured
on topics ranging from music history and entertainment
to religious studies at the University of New Mexico ElderHostel,
OASIS, and various civic and religious organizations.
ASCAP has awarded Ellen her 10th consecutive annual award.
Premieres
Heard first in Albuquerque were
Christmas Eve,
for voice and piano, sung by the composer at Marble Avenue
Bible Church, Dec. 24, 1998;
Two Irish Pieces for Piano,
with Jane Viemeister, at the New Mexico Women Composers'
Guild (NMWCG), Mar. 21, 1999; and
Sing to the Lord,
commissioned and premiered by the combined choirs of St.
Luke's Lutheran Church, Apr. 4, 1999. An Albuquerque SAI
Alumnae Chapter Program on American Music, Feb. 21, 1999,
featuring the works of Adelina Timofeyew and Ellen, introduced
Phantom Lost, with baritone Daniel Cummings, oboist
Helen O'Meara, and the composer at the piano; and
Windows
of the Soul, a three-part song cycle for voice and
piano, with Cummings and Ellen.
Performances
In 1999,
Psalm 150, for SATB choir and organ, was
performed by the University of New Mexico Concert Choir,
directed by Cummings, with organist John Clark, Apr. 18;
and by Quodlibet and the University of New Mexico Chamber
Singers, at the St. John's United Methodist Church Millennial
Concert, led by Marilyn Alletzhauser, in Albuquerque,
Nov. 18. Other works heard in Albuquerque in 1999 included
Phantom Lost and
Three Songs for Mezzo Soprano,
both with Susan Corley, mezzo-soprano, and Viemeister,
piano, at the NMWCG meeting, Mar. 21; and the piano solo
Green Hills of Eire, played by Ellen at Marble
Avenue Church, May 23.
Publications
The Green Hills of Eire; Linen Press LPJE0103.
Further Information
