Annual American Composers Update
Alice Jordan
Alice Jordan's commissioned anthem
Let us Exalt His
Name, Psalm 34, for the Westminster Presbyterian Church
Choir, Buffalo, NY, and dedicated to organist/choirmaster
Thomas Swann, was completed in Sept. 2000. On Sept. 18,
2000, the Central Iowa Chapter of the American Guild of
Organists devoted their opening program of the year to
honor Jordan and her music. Besides remarks by the composer,
Aria, for oboe and organ, organ solos, a vocal
solo, plus three anthems in a reading session comprised
the program, featuring Robert M. Speed, chairman and organist;
Marvin Johns, organist; Sue Beach, oboist; and Clay Hulsey,
baritone. On Mar. 13 and 31, 2000, the National Christian
Choir recorded Jordan's arrangement of
America the
Beautiful, part of the Heritage Music Press Americana
Series (Lorenz), for Iowa Public Television. The National
Day of Prayer organization selected the choir's
Blessed
is the Nation CD, which includes this work, as its
official recording. Her recently published arrangements
include
Away in a Manger, for TTBB choir and organ,
from
Morning
Star Music Publishers; and the French carol
What
is this Lovely Fragrance?, for SATB choir and organ,
from Van Ness Press (Church Street Music Division).
Performances
Heard in 2000 at Central Presbyterian Church, in Des Moines,
IA were organ works
Schonster Herr Jesu, with Frederick
Swann, Apr. 9; and
Canonic Variations on For the Beauty
of the Earth, with James Thrash, Aug. 20. Rebecca
Small and John Schink played
Aria for Flute and Organ,
Apr. 30, 2000 at Drury University, in Springfield, MO.
Gloria Febro Grilk's organ recital at Bella Vista (AR)
Presbyterian Church included
Partita on Foundation,
Sept. 10, 2000. For the inauguration of the president
of Grand View College, Speed performed
Processional
on Lift High the Cross, for organ, at St. Johns Lutheran
Church, in Des Moines, Sept. 24, 2000.
Publications
Psalm 8; SATB choir and organ;
Sacred
Music Press.
Jubilate Deo; New Heart and New Spirit;
both for SATB choir and organ;
Cantate
Music Press.
Further Information
