Carl B. Staplin***

Carl B. Staplin reports, “I completed my fifth recital in a series of five organ recitals devoted to 44 of Bach’s organ masterpieces. Bach recitals were performed this year at Drake University in Des Moines; Freeport, Illinois; and Perry, Iowa. During the overall series, which began in 2000, recitals were also performed in Minneapolis at Wayzata Community Church, and at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church in the Philadelphia area. I also composed a Jubilate Deo for mixed choir, and a number of shorter piano pieces based on our grandchildrens’ first names.”

Premieres

A work commissioned for organ by Jan Horak in memory of her son, titled Toccata for Daniel for organ and choir, was premiered by organist Mary Jane Crail on May 2, 2004, at a hymn festival sponsored by the Mason City AGO Chapter at First Methodist Church. Trio on the Name of Mary was played by organist Ruth Harris at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines, IA, during Mary Staplin’s baptism, fall 2004.

Performances

O Clap Your Hands, All Ye People, for mixed voices, was sung February 29, 2004, by the Drake University Choir under the direction of Dr. Aimee Beckmann-Collier for the Cavalcade of Choirs, Drake University; the Drake Choir also performed this work throughout The Czech Republic and Austria during its 2004 European tour. The flute and piano work Variations on Two French Christmas Carols was performed by pianist Pam Prouty and flutist Jennifer Norton for the April 18 concert of the Greater Des Moines (IA) Alumni Chapter of SAI; this work was commissioned by the Alumni Chapter in 2003, and has received three performances in the Des Moines area.

***Sigma Alpha Iota National Arts Associate

Further Information

• 2002-2003 American Composers Update
• SAI's Composers Bureau Online