Annual American Composers Update

Margaret Shelton Meier resides in Claremont, CA.

On June 22, 1997, 'Claremont Symphony', a "Violin Symphony" received its first European performance with Maria Peeva and the Ruse (Bulgaria) Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Tsanko Delibozov. Recent premieres by the Windsong Southland Chorale, directed by Janet Harms, were Windsong, at the Trinity United Methodist Church, Pomona, CA, June 1, 1997; and Shepherd's Song, with harpist Mary Dropkin and flutist Christine Maddox, at Cornerstone Church, Ontario, CA, Dec. 11, 1998. At the 1997 Berkshire American Guild of Organist convention, Prelude on "Beach Spring", for organ, was heard for the first time. Three Psalms, for mezzo-soprano and string orchestra, was presented at Mt. San Antonio College Jan. 30, 1999, with Elizabeth Sanford, soloist, and Gary Toops, conductor.

Also performed at Mt. San Antonio College were Celebration, Sorrow, Strength, with soprano Marybeth Haag accompanied by Meier at the piano, Jan. 25, 1998, at the inaugural concert of the school's Recital Hall; and Kartonyal Processional, with duo-pianists Toops and Meier, Jan. 31, 1998. With pianist Barbara Rogers, soprano Laura Greenwald sang the song cycle Three Marys in Four Songs at Caldwell College, Mar. 15, 1997 in New Jersey. Greenwald and Rogers also presented Rachel, Crying for her Children and Mary and Martha at Drew University, Oct. 10 and 18, 1997, and at Union Theological Seminary, including dancer Kimberleigh Jordan, Mar. 1998.

Prelude on "Beach Spring"; organ; Blessed; SATB choir; both in the Berkshire A. G. O.'s The Berkshire Organbook.

'Claremont' Symphony, a "Violin Symphony"; Peeva and the Ruse Philharmonic Orchestra, Delibozov conducting; Vienna Modern Masters VMM 3042 CD, fall 1998.

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