Samuel Magrill ***

SAI National Arts Associate Samuel Magrill is a Professor of Music and Composer-in-Residence in the School of Music at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) in Edmond, OK. In the summer of 2003, he received his 16th consecutive ASCAP Award, a UCO Silver Faculty Merit Credit Award for Scholarly/Creative Achievement, and a UCO faculty research grant for his work in composition. He collaborated with M.V. Narasimhachari on The Music of India: An Introduction: Volume II: Study Songs and revised Volume I: Exercises. He is planning to host the Society of Composers National Conference March 3-6, 2004, at the University of Central Oklahoma. All Samuel Magrill's works are available through Lynn Morse Publishing, 1725 Westwood Lane, Edmond, OK 73013.

Premieres

The first performances of Tango Cellito (2002) for cello ensemble (written for Dr. Tess Remy-Schumacher and the UCO Cello Ensemble), occurred October 9, 2002 (UCO Cello Ensemble) and December 3 (UCO Chamber Orchestra); it was also heard March 27-29, 2003 as music for "Just Another Tango" choreographed by Jamie Jacobson for the Kaleidoscope Dancers Company in Concert, as well as in an arrangement by violists Luis Cala, Jennifer Ibarra, Elin Jonasdottir, and Ina Veli on an April 24 Studio Recital, University of Oklahoma, Norman. Seven works premiered October 27, 2002, on a UCO program titled "Music of the Twenty-First Century: Seven Compositions by Samuel Magrill:" Fanfare for Peace I, II, III (2000-2002) for six trumpets (written for James L. Klages, director of the UCO Trumpet Choir), UCO Trumpet Choir, conducted by the composer; Remy 2002 (2001) for cello and piano (written for Remy-Schumacher), Remy-Schumacher and the composer; Island of the Dew of God (2001), violinist Hong Zhu and the composer; Song of Shalom (2001, based on Hebrew liturgical texts) for soprano and cello, Pamela Richman and Remy-Schumacher; Totally Solo (2001) for solo bassoon, Lori Wooden; Odyssey Etude (2001) for flute and piano, Amy Zuback and the composer; Sacred Suite (2001, based on Hebrew liturgical texts and Bach's Solo Violoncello Suite in G Major) for soprano and cello, Richman and Remy-Schumacher. For a New Day (2002) for wind ensemble (written for Lynn Ann Feroli, conductor of the Edmond Memorial High School Wind Ensemble) was presented December 12, 2002, by the Edmond (OK) Memorial High School Wind Ensemble conducted by Feroli, and again on May 1, 2003, by the UCO Wind Ensemble led Dr. Brian Lamb. Three Americans (2002) for orchestra (based on paintings by Robert Henri, Childe Hassam, and Thomas Moran, commissioned by Dr. Ralph Morris, Director of the UCO Symphony Orchestra), was first performed February 28, 2003, by the UCO Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Lori Wooden, The College Music Society South Central Chapter Regional Meeting, Baylor University, Waco, TX; it was also heard March 11 on a UCO Symphony Orchestra Concert. Cellist Remy-Schumacher introduced A Wedding Braid (2003) September 4 and September 21, UCO.

Performances

Sacred Suite was performed September 22, 2002, at the World Festival of Sacred Music, West Los Angeles, CA, by soprano Vanessa Paloma and cellist David Mergen; it was also performed by Richman and Remy-Schumacher on various concerts during October and November 2002 and January 2003. Fanfare for Peace I, II, III was again heard on programs in February, including Concert 6 of the Society of Composers, Inc. Region VI Conference, Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, AR. Paradise of Children and the Gremlins Who Stole It (1998), an opera based on a portion of Nathaniel Hawthorne's A Wonder Book, was performed nine times November 19-21, 2002, by the Southeastern Oklahoma State University Opera Theatre, directed by Steven W. Emge. Remy-Schumacher presented "Tess" Variations (1998) March 3, 2003, on a concert at Imperial College, Edmond, OK, and April 10, on the Noontime Concert Series at the University of Chicago, IL. Swans in the Blue (1997) was heard in performance April 5 by flutist Amy Zuback, clarinetist Ron Howell, and the composer, Chamber Players Concert, Lindsay (OK) United Methodist Church; while Odyssey Etude (2001) for flute and piano, was performed April 13 by Mira Magrill and the composer on a flute recital at Oklahoma Christian University, Edmond.

***Sigma Alpha Iota National Arts Associate

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