Hubert Bird

Personal appearances as guest composer on campuses of two universities were special highlights of Spring 2005 for Hubert Bird. In May, the choir of Park Street Church, Boston (MA), conducted by Thomas Brooks, premiered the commissioned anthem, If Our God Be For Us (SATB chorus and organ). A new, eight-minute work for concert band, Yoolis Carol, based on medieval Christmas carols, was commissioned by the Gordon College (Wenham, MA) Wind Ensemble; it was premiered in December with Dr. David W. Rox conducting the ensemble. Epistle to be Left in the Earth, a multi-movement, 25-minute work for wind ensemble, SATB chorus, and tenor solo (poem by Archibald MacLeish), was commissioned by Pittsburg (KS) State University (PSU) Music Department Alumni, PSU Foundation, the PSU Music Department, and members of the Beta Delta Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, with assistance from the National Sinfonia Foundation. It received its world premiere February 17 at Memorial Auditorium, Pittsburg, KS, by PSU Music Department ensembles and guest soloist, tenor William Vance. Choral preparation was by Dr. Susan Marchant; wind ensemble preparation was by the conductor, Dr. Craig Fuchs. Further information on the composer can be found on the websites www.schaffnerpublishing.com and www.luxnova.com.

Premieres

Concerto for Flute and Orchestra received its U.S. premiere on March 10, 2005, in a performance by Dr. James Hall with the Southeast Kansas Symphony conducted by Dr. Selim Giray, Pittsburg (KS) State University.

Performances

A Gift of Self a song-cycle of eight songs for high voice and piano was presented March 7, 2005, by soprano Elizabeth Farnum and pianist Margaret Kampmeier, on Concert I of the Third Biennial Festival of New Music, Pittsburg (KS) State University; Sonata for Piano was performed on Concert II on March 8 by Dr. Reena Berger, and again on March 13 at the 2005 Composition Festival held on the campus of Missouri State University (MSU), Springfield. Suite for Organ was also performed on March 13 by Jeremy Chesman at the MSU Composition Festival. Choral arrangements of two spirituals, My Lord, What a Mornin’ and Gospel Train, as well as the choral compositions Alleluia, Echoes, and Adam Lay Ybounden, were performed March 14 by the MSU Concert Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Guy Webb, at the Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, Springfield, MO; the same program also featured a performance of the overture to the comic opera The Powerful Potion of Doctor D by the MSU Symphony Orchestra conducted by Dr. Robert Quebbeman. Grant Peters and Michael Casey, with pianist Peter Collins, performed Duo Concertante for two trumpets and piano on March 15 during Concert III of the Biennial Festival; Exchanges, performed by flutist Jill Heyboer, clarinetist Allison Storochuk, and pianist Wei-Han Su, was heard on the same program.

Publications

Three Poems by Dorothy Parker (“Prayer for a New Mother,” “The Maid-Servant at the Inn,” and “The Gentlest Lady”), SATB chorus a cappella; hymn anthems My Jesus I Love Thee, I Am Bound for the Promised Land, I Will Arise, What Wondrous Love is This?, and The Wayfaring Stranger, all for SATB chorus; Schaffner Publishing Company.

Further Information

• 2002-2003 Annual American Composers Update
• 2000-2001 Annual American Composers Update
• 1999-2000 Annual American Composers Update