Wallace De Pue**

In May 2004, Wallace De Pue received his 20th consecutive ASCAP Award, and Ohio State University’s Web site re-ran the “Great Artists in Music Award” featuring De Pue and his four virtuoso violinist sons. “Since November 2003, I have been working on The Bird, Frog and Tree Club, (full symphony orchestra and chorale), a commissioned work by Paul Stanbery, conductor of the Hamilton/Fairfield Symphony and Chorale. The premiere will be on February 27, 2005, in Hamilton, OH (Cincinnati area). There are three movements: The Sensible Bird, The Friendly Frog, and The Servant Tree; they are unified as a continuous composition through melodic material, orchestral forces, and poetry. Each movement is distinctive in style: the first is a discourse between a lyric soprano and her observers in the chorus; the second is highly ‘contemporary’ and depicts a frog who celebrates life in a swamp-like musical atmosphere; the third is the celebration of life as experienced by trees that swirl in the wind, shelter wild life, and serve mankind in countless ways. This composition is also arranged for SATB with organ. Both orchestral and organ versions may be performed apart from the others without any loss of musicality.”

Premieres

Prayer to the Muse was introduced by the SAI Chorus on May 7, 2004, at the Toledo (OH) Art Museum.

Performances

Sing dem Herrn for men’s chorus was presented April 16, 2004, in a performance directed by William Skoog, Bowling Green (OH) University. Violinist Alex De Pue joined the Hamilton/Fairfield (OH) Sculpture Park Symphony August 8 for a performance of Fiddler’s Contest. A Call from Home was presented October 22 by violinist Jason De Pue, Toledo Art Museum.

Publications

Christmas Eve Candlelight, organ; Dedication (The Song of Ruth); The Bird, Frog and Tree Club, large symphony orchestra and chorale; all by Picardie Court Publications. The Christmas Rose, SATB and piano; O Sing Unto the Lord, SATB and piano; Harrock Hall Music (Internet). The Birthday Party, unison and piano; published in the April-May issue of “Music Teacher Magazine” (Australia). The poem The Lowly Dandelion was chosen to be included on a three-album CD set and in a book sponsored by Poetry.com.

Recordings

Arrangements of Zigeunerweisen (Sarasate) and Pizzicato Polka (Johan Strauss, Jr.); “Classical Grass,” De Pue Brothers CD.

**Sigma Alpha Iota Friend of the Arts

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
• SAI's Composers Bureau Online
• SAI's Music for Young People section