Annual American Composers Update
Annetta Hamilton Rosser
SAI Patroness Annetta Hamilton Rosser's song cycle
Songs
of a Nomad Flute: The Story of Lady Wen-Chi was included
in the first annual SAI Women Composers Concert organized
by Rho Chapter and presented on the University of Wisconsin
(Madison) campus on Mar. 19, 1999. The song cycle was
performed by Margaret Walters, soprano; Judith Walker,
flute; and Valerie Erstad, piano. Rosser, who recently
celebrated her 87th birthday, was honored with a standing
ovation by the choir and congregation of Christ Presbyterian
Church when she retired from the choir after nearly 70
years of singing in church choirs. She also was honored
by the Madison Symphony Orchestra and Chorus with flowers
and tributes at her final concert with them in Haydn's
The Creation, Apr. 29-30, 2000. She had played
first violin in the symphony for many years, including
serveral years as concertmaster, and then sang in the
chorus for many more years. She continues to serve on
the board of the Madison Symphony Orchestra League, arranging
speakers for concert previews, and also volunteers at
the Madison Art Center and at the University's Elvehjem
Museum. Rosser is recognized in
Who's Who in America
and
Who's Who of American Women.
Performances
On Feb. 6, 2000, soprano Peggy Faden, accompanied by Lynn
Zeigler, sang the anthem
Lord, Make our Lives a Blessing,
at the Collegiate Presbyterian Church in Ames, IA. Soprano
Margaret Walters and pianist Miriam Steiner presented
Snow Toward Evening, Silver, The Road not Taken, Stopping
by Woods on a Winter Evening, and
Dust of Snow
at a Madison SAI program held at Bethany Methodist Church,
Mar. 27, 2000. Heard at Madison's Euterpe Club were
Tears,
This World is not Conclusion, and
For Lo, The Winter
is Past, with Therese Bauer, soprano, and Arthur Lodge,
piano, Mar. 2000;
Snow Toward Evening and
December
Roundelay, with Genevieve Gersbach, soprano, and Grace
Finkenbinder, piano, Dec. 21, 1999; and
Dust of Snow,
with Fern Lawrence, Feb. 22, 2000. The Lenten Vespers
service, Apr. 1999 at Christ Presbyterian Church, featured
Behold Thy Mother, from the song cycle
Meditations
on the Cross, with soprano Joanne Robinson; mezzo-soprano
Kathleen Otterson, and pianist Sally Jamieson.
Further Information
