Jane Ellen *

Jane Ellen continues to work in Albuquerque, NM, as a freelance composer, lecturer, and web designer. While serving as webmaster and worksheet editor for the national award-winning radio program Boombox Classroom, she often collaborates on scripts with producer Marty Ronish. Among her recently completed works is Diary of a Soul (five movements for flute and piano) commissioned by Anthony Sanchez, which is scheduled to premiere in March 2004. Working with playwright Kathleen Matthews, Ellen is also finishing the score to a new, two-act musical titled Burying Mama, which will be presented in workshop format in Spring 2004. Her most recent commission is for a new choir anthem (text by Claire Roth) for Providence Presbyterian Church, in Albuquerque. She continues to work frequently with Roth, and they are currently completing a fantasy suite for piano, with accompanying poems. While no longer maintaining a studio, Ellen coaches select students; she also serves as substitute organist for her parish, Our Lady of the Annunciation. She received her 14th consecutive award from ASCAP in June 2003, and will be listed in Who's Who in America, 2004. For more information, please see her website at www.JaneEllen.com, or contact her by E-mail at Jane@JaneEllen.com.

Premieres

Celtic Triptych, a set of three pieces for Celtic or folk harp with accompanying poems by Claire Roth (ASCAP), was introduced by Donese Mayfield, February 15, 2003, at the annual SAI American Music Month concert, sponsored by the alumnae chapter in Albuquerque, NM. Organist Janette Fischell premiered the commissioned work Danse des Esprits, June 17, at the American Guild of Organists District VII Convention, San Antonio, TX. Ritual Postlude, for piano, was a winning entry in the SAI Centennial Convention Composition Competition, and was premiered at the Convention in August 2003, in Dearborn, MI. The composer presented the piano work Thoughts of Home, a commission from William Hicks, on September 14, at a meeting of the Albuquerque Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Holy Infant (text by Ann Cragg), for two part voices and piano, was first heard December 12, with soloists Kimberly C. Newman and Corey Mark Newman, at Providence Presbyterian Church, Albuquerque.

Performances

The First Snowfall was performed by the Prescott (AZ) High School Women's Chorus in December 2002. The Rick Creese documentary The Man Who Lost the Civil War, which uses instrumental and vocal versions of Ellen's Glorieta, was broadcast June 29, 2003, over PBS station KRMA, Denver, CO. Mass of the Faithful was used throughout summer 2003 by Our Lady of the Annunciation Church, Albuquerque, NM. Harper Donese Mayfield performed Celtic Triptych for an October 20 meeting of the American Guild of Organists, Albuquerque Chapter, at St. Luke's Lutheran Church. The composer was a frequent guest of the Albuquerque Unitarian Universalist Fellowship where she performed the following piano solos: Green Hills of Eire and As A Deer, November 17, 2002; Chiara and Celtic Dream, December 29; Meditation, June 22, 2003; Light of Love, September 14; Lullabye and Prayer, October 19; Memories of Erin and Sorting Through Your Pictures, November 9.

Publications

An Irish Shamrock, three works for piano; Celtic Triptych, three pieces for Celtic or folk harp with accompanying poems by Claire Roth (ASCAP); Hearts and Hands United (text by Roth), SATB, flute and piano; Thoughts of Home, piano; Longing, voice and piano; all by JEMS Publications. Danse des Esprit, organ; American Guild of Organists (Alamo Chapter), 2003 District VII Convention Music Collection.

Recording

Underwriting has been received to record a CD of lighter piano works; release is scheduled for early 2004 by JEMS.

*Sigma Alpha Iota Member

Further Information

• 2001-2002 American Composers Update
• 2000-2001 American Composers Update
• 1999-2000 American Composers Update
• 1998-1999 American Composers Update
• 1997-1998 American Composers Update
• 1996-1997 American Composers Update
• SAI's Composers Bureau Online