Sharon Elery Rogers*

Sharon Elery Rogers, with more than 550 publications throughout her career, has been awarded her 40th consecutive ASCAP Composer’s Award. She has received “The Alumni Achievement Award” from Hillsdale College in Michigan, and also the 1999 Composer of the Year Award. She is an Honorary Life Member of the Cecilian Music Society (National Federation of Music Clubs) and the Detroit Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and won First Prize Composers Award of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers in 1993. Her hometown newspaper The Venice Gondolier has created a Web site about Sharon, which lists several of her recent publications: www.venice_florida.com/artandculture/rogers.htm. The composer adds, “A Bit of Beethoven,(Alfred Music) is the latest publication in my popular series used in public schools and in many churches. This is part of the series with A Bit of Bach, A Bit of Handel, and A Bit of Mozart, each containing three abbreviated well-known pieces, Grade Level 1, for early handbell or handchime ringers. The next one to be in print in 2005 is A Bit of Haydn and, in 2006, A Bit of Chopin. These are excellent teaching pieces for students to become familiar with the music of the classic composers.”

Premieres

Several selections from the new easy organ collection Hymn Tune Preludes were played by student organist David Dolby at Auburn Road Presbyterian Church in Venice, FL.

Performances

Palm Sunday Majesty for handbells was performed on Palm Sunday 2004 under the direction of Jan Daniels, Chapel of St. Andrew, Boca Raton, FL. The Trinity Lutheran Choir, under the direction of Tom Doerzbacher, presented Cherry Tree Carol, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Jeanette, PA. The Northminster Presbyterian Handbell Choir, directed by Gerry Mead, presented A Bit of Handel and A Bit of Bach. A handbell workshop at Tom Mathis Music Center featured A Rose Tree Blooms in the Silent Night, conducted by Cynthia Dobrinski.

Publications

Three Early American Hymn Tunes, 2 octave handbells or handchimes; Two Songs of Hope and Rest (Land of Rest and Mendon), 2-3 octave handbells or handchimes; both by Harold Flammer/Shawnee. Jingle Calypso, 3-4-5 octave handbells with light percussion and optional jingle bells; Sassafras. A Rose Tree Blooms in The Silent Night; 2-3 octave handbells; Lorenz. A Bit of Beethoven, 2-3 octave handbells; Alfred. Come, Christians, Jesus Reigns (Jesus Shall Reign and Come Christians, Join and Sing), 2-octave handbells; Lifeway Christian Resources, Nashville, TN. Exultant Praise, versions for 2-3 octaves, and 3-4-5 octaves with optional handchimes; Christmas Season Trio (Watchman, Tell Us Of The Night, O Sing A Song of Bethlehem, and Go Tell It On the Mountain), 3-4-5 octave handbells; both by Jeffers.

*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