Kirke Mechem ***

Premieres

American Trio: Three Short Pieces for Mixed Chorus, a cappella, op.70, by SAI National Arts Associate Kirke Mechem, was commissioned by Old First Concerts/San Francisco Arts Foundation for performance by three choruses. The premieres took place April 11, 2003, San Jose Choraliers directed by Charlene Archibeque; November 2, San Francisco Choral Artists directed by Magen Solomon; and November 8, Volti directed by Robert Geary. Blow Ye the Trumpet, in a new version for SSAA and piano, was commissioned and premiered by Wellesley College Choir, under the direction of Dr. Lisa Graham, during a summer 2003 tour of England and Wales. Two Ballads for Christmas: The Ballad of Befana and Christmas Carol (new version with piano accompaniment) was introduced December 6 by Volti, Sacramento, CA.

Performances

The three-act opera Tartuffe received four performances February 6-9, 2003, by Millikin University, Decatur, IL; scenes from the opera were performed by University of Mississippi, January 10, 2004, at the National Opera Association Convention, Kansas City, MO. The a cappella choral cycle Winging Wildly was performed May 22 by the West Side Singers, New York, NY; July 2003 by the Baroque Choral Guild in performances throughout Italy (Assisi, Siena, Florence, Venice); and in October by the Camerata Singers, Muskegon, MI. Selections from the Missa Brevis, for mixed chorus a cappella, were sung throughout February on national tour by the St. Olaf Choir, under the direction of Anton Armstrong. Preview selections from the operas John Brown and The Newport Rivals were performed in an all-Mechem concert August 24, by the San Francisco Lyric Chorus, directed by Robert Gurney. Sonata for Piano was presented November 23 by William Corbett-Jones, Santa Rosa.

Publications

American Trio, SATB a cappella; Lydia's Romance in three versions, all with piano accompaniment: SATB, SA, and soprano and mezzo-soprano duet; Blow Ye the Trumpet, new version for SSAA and piano; all by G. Schirmer, 2004.

Recordings

American Trio, SATB a cappella, San Jose Choraliers. Blow Ye the Trumpet, Windsor Classic Chorale. Seven Joys of Christmas, The A Cappella Singers. Selections from Seven Joys of Christmas, Christmas with the Dale Warland Singers. John Brown (excerpts) and The Newport Rivals (excerpts), San Francisco Lyric Chorus and soloists.

***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
• SAI's Music for Young People section