Sharon Elery Rogers *

Sharon Elery Rogers, with over 535 publications throughout her career, has been awarded her 39th annual ASCAP Award for her many publications and performances. She was awarded "The Alumni Achievement Award" by Hillsdale College in Michigan, the Jeffers Publishers Composer of the Year Award, Honorary Life Membership by the Cecilian Music Society (National Federation of Music Clubs), Honorary Life Member of the Detroit Chapter of The American Guild of Organists, and First Prize Composers Award of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers. Her new classical series of excerpts of well-known masterworks for early level handbell and handchime ringers with Alfred Publishers has proven to be a valuable teaching tool for children in schools and churches, as well as adults.

Premieres

The SATB choir anthem, Jesus Died On Calvary's Mountain, was introduced at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Dearborn, MI, during the 2003 Lenten Season; this anthem was also heard at Chapel of St. Andrews, Boca Raton, FL. Open Our Eyes/Bind Us Together, an anthem for 2- or 3-octave handbells or handchimes, was presented at Venice-Nokomis (FL) United Methodist Church. Cherry Tree Carol, for SATB choir, was featured at a Tom Mathis Music Center workshop in September, Sarasota, FL. Followers of the Lamb, for 3-4-5-octave handbells, was first heard in the October Mathis Music Center workshop.

Performances

In December 2003, an organ dedication recital at Auburn Road Presbyterian Church featured the composer playing several of Christmas selections from her new organ collection, as well as music by other composers. The composer served as guest organist this past summer, playing several of her compositions at the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Venice, FL. Several of the composer's published Christmas handbell pieces were performed at various malls in Boca Raton, FL, by the Chapel of St. Andrew choirs. A Bit of Handel for handbell choir was heard at Northminster Presbyterian Church, Sarasota, FL; choral reponses from Service Music For All Seasons are used frequently at the same church.

Publications

Come Worship the King/Ye Thankful People, Come, 3-4-5-octave handbells; Were You There When I Surveyed the Wondrous Cross?, 2-3-octave handbells or handchimes; Jeffers Publishers. Jesus Died on Calvary's Mountain, SATB; Cherry Tree Carol, SATB; Coronet (Theodore Presser). A Rose Tree Blooms in the Silent Night, 2-3-octave handbells; Lorenz. A Bit of Mozart, 2-3-octave handbells or handchimes; Alfred. Open Our Eyes Lord/Bind Us Together Praise Songs, 2-3-octave handbells or handchimes; Hope. A-Rock-A-My-Soul, 3-4-5-octave handbells; Harold Flammer (Shawnee).

*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