Jane Ellen*

Jane Ellen continues to work as freelance composer, lecturer, and web designer. While serving as webmaster and worksheet editor for the national award-winning radio program Boombox Classroom, she often contributes to scripts which focus on historical music. With nearly 50 publications to her credit, she released her first CD of piano compositions in 2004, titled “From My Heart.” Her most recent commission is a festive anthem for the 50th anniversary of Asbury United Methodist Church in Albuquerque, NM; frequent collaborator Claire Roth (ASCAP) will supply the text. The two-act musical Burying Mama by Kathleen Matthews, for which Ellen wrote the music, is in post-workshop revisions with plans in the works for a full production; she is also planning an historical musical theatre work with playwright Jonathan Evans. While no longer maintaining a studio, Ellen occasionally coaches select students; she also serves as substitute church organist for her parish. She received her 15th consecutive ASCAP award in June 2004, and is listed in Who’s Who of American Women 24th edition (2004-2005), the Dictionary of International Biography 31st edition, and Who’s Who in the 21st Century 2nd edition. For more information visit www.JaneEllen.com or e-mail Jane@JaneEllen.com.

Premieres

Diary of a Soul, commissioned and premiered by flutist Anthony Sanchez, was first heard in recital on February 15, 2004, at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. A new version of Celtic Triptych, for folk harp with flute or organ obbligato, was introduced by harper Donese Mayfield and organist Vera Edwards on March 15, at an Albuquerque Chapter American Guild of Organists recital. Burying Mama, a two-act musical with book and lyrics by Kathleen Matthews, premiered as a full-cast workshop production directed by Robb Sisneros on October 9, at the Center for Peace and Justice in Albuquerque, NM. Several new piano works written especially for the CD “From My Heart,” were presented by the composer throughout the summer at the Albuquerque Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) including, Dream With Me, A Love Without End, Glorieta (new arrangement for piano solo), By the Sea, Reflections, I’ll Remember You, and From My Heart. The piano composition Hard to Say Goodbye was introduced by the composer on October 24 at the AUUF.

Performances

The students of Osuna Elementary School in Albuquerque, NM, under the direction of Kathy Maxwell, entered the 2004 Oscar Mayer nationwide competition using Ellen’s original rock and salsa, bilingual arrangement of the official Oscar Mayer “Hot Dog Jingle.” “Dream Vacation” and “Sweet Seduction,” humorous choral pieces with texts by Claire Roth, were presented February 28, 2004, in small ensemble arrangements at the annual American Music Concert presented by the local alumnae chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota; the original version of Dream Vacation was later performed on the May 2 Quodlibet Reunion Concert at St. Michael and All Angel’s Episcopal Church, Albuquerque, NM. Organist Jim Bratcher performed Danse des Esprits on March 15 at an Albuquerque Chapter recital of the American Guild of Organists. The new version of Celtic Triptych was performed by harper Mayfield and flutist Bonnie Dils on Albuquerque Civic Chorus Concerts on May 14 at Central United Methodist Church, and May 18 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, NM; Mayfield presented the work again on May 30 at St. Thomas of Canterbury, with organist Fritz Frurip playing the obbligato.

Publications

Glorieta (theme from The Man Who Lost the Civil War), arranged for piano solo; Danse des Esprits, organ; Celtic Triptych, revised with obbligato; “Dream Vacation” and “Sweet Seduction,” both SATB and piano, with texts by Claire Roth; all by JEMS Publications.

Recordings

“From My Heart,” 16 piano compositions written, performed, and produced by the composer; JEMS Publications. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, 25th anniversary edition DVD; includes abbreviated version of the film The Man Who Lost the Civil War, which makes extensive use of the theme Glorieta; MGM.

*Sigma Alpha Iota Member

Further Information

• 2002-2003 American Composers Update
• 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