Annual American Composers Update
Hubert Bird
For 30 years, Hubert Bird was on the faculty of the southwestern
campus of the University of New Hampshire system, in Keene,
NH. Presently he is an independent composer living in
Baxter Springs, KS. Performances of his music occur annually
throughout the United States, Europe, and South America.
In June 2000, he was the guest composer at the Y2K Symposium
held on the campus of Kansas State University, in Manhattan,
KS.
G. Schirmer/
Hal
Leonard has published his arrangements
Three Carols
(
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, The First Nowell, and
O Come, All Ye Faithful) and
Five Carols
(
The Lord at First did Adam Make, Carol of Beauty,
Lullay, My Liking, On Christmas Night -- the Sussex Carol,
and
My Dancing Day).
Premieres
Commissioned by the American Guild of Organists Ocean
County Chapter,
O Sing Unto the Lord a New Song,
for SATB choir, organ, brass, and percussion, was conducted
by the composer in its first performance in Toms River,
NJ.
Adam Lay Ybounden was presented at the Kennedy
Center on the opening-night program of the Music Educators
National Conference (MENC) national convention, with the
Florida State University (Talahassee) Chamber Choir under
the direction of Rodney Eichenberger, and again a week
later, with Eichenberger leading the High School Honor
Choir of the American Choral Directors ASsociation Southwestern
Division conference, held in Oklahoma City. At the MENC
convention,
Canticle for a New Time was heard first
with the U.S. Army Band and mezzo-soprano Virginia Dupuy,
of the Southern Methodist University artist-faculty.
Concerto
for Flute and Orchestra was introduced under the baton
of Andrei Vasilevsky with Ecuador's Orquestra Sinfonica
Nacional, featuring soloist Luciano Carrera, head of that
country's Conservatorio Nacional de Musica.
Sonata
for Clarinet and Piano was played first at Kansas
State University, with faculty members Beth Gooldy and
William Wingfield.
Performances
Under Richard Sparks, the Pacific Lutheran University
Choirs sang
Once in Royal David's City before an
audience of over 5,000. Ensembles around the United States
and on tour in foreign countries including Italy and Australia
have performed
Adam Lay Ybounden.
Publications
Alleluia; Like as the Hart Desireth the Water-Brooks;
My Song Shall Be Always; Mass; all for choir;
Quintet
for Brass; Duo Concertante for Two Trumpets and Piano;
all by Schaffner Publishing Co.
Recordings
Made in America; CONCORA (Connecticut Choral Artists),
Richard Coffey, conductor.
