Annual American Composers Update
Kirke Mechem
SAI National Arts Associate Kirke Mechem
is a San Francisco, CA resident. On Apr. 23, 1999, the
San Francisco State Univ. Centennial Celebration of
California Composers included several of his songs,
choral music, and piano works.
Premieres
Lydia's Romance, for soprano,
mezzo-soprano, and piano, from Mechem's opera in progress,
The Newport Rivals, was sung first by Sara Ganz
and Donna Bruno, Sept. 26, 1999, in San Francisco. The
Winifred Baker Chorale, led by Carol Negro, introduced
A Farewell Round, for SATB choir, June 12, 1999
in San Rafael, CA. To honor the 20th anniversary of
director Gregory Wait, the Stanford Univ. Memorial Church
Choir presented A Lutheran Lesson, June 6, 1999.
Performances
In 1999, Tartuffe, an opera in
three acts, was in the repertory of the Mussorgsky National
Theater for Opera and Ballet, in St. Petersburg (Jan.-Nov.),
and at California State Univ., Bakersfield, Peggy Sears,
director, Oct. 22-23. Songs of the Slave (suite
from the opera John Brown), produced by the Colorado
Chorale and orchestra, Daniel Grace, director, with
the Zion Baptist Church Choir, baritone Carlos Clarke,
and soprano Flora Young, Mar. 20, 1999 in Denver, will
be performed by the Detroit Symphony, under Raymond
Harvey, with the Brazeal Dennard chorale and bass-baritone
Robert Honeysucker, Feb. 18-19, 2000. In Dec. 1998,
Seven Joys of Christmas was heard with the Girls
Choir of Harlem (NY), the Houston Symphony, the Springfield
(MO) Symphony, the Arlington (TX) Choral Society, the
Southern Methodist Univ./Dallas Vocal Arts Ensemble,
and many others. The Navarro Trio played Trio for
Piano, Violin, and Cello in Sonoma and Berkeley,
spring 1999. The Golden Gate International Children's
Choral Festival, June 21-26, 1999 in Oakland, CA, featured
Sing All Ye Joyful with 11 choirs from around
the world.
Publications
To Music, op. 66, No. 1, and
Blessed are They, op. 66, No. 2; both for SATB
choir and organ/piano;
Sing Unto the Lord a New Song,
ST and SAB choirs and trumpet; all by
G.
Schirmer.
Recordings
Blow ye the Trumpet; To Music; Blessed
are They; all by the San Francisco Lyric Chorus.
Alleliua, Amen; St. Olaf Choir. Make a Joyful
Noise; Augustana Choir.
Further Information
