Margaret Vardell Sandresky

The composer writes: “I would like to report that I received the Distinguished Composer Award, July 7, 2004, at the Biennial National Convention of the American Guild of Organists in Los Angeles, CA, where Paul Jacobs gave three very moving performances of my commissioned organ solo The Mystery of Faith. As the result of commissions, my entire output this year has been for organ and/or choir. I urge other composers to write for this instrument, as there is a need for good organ music. At the present time, I am writing Salem Seasons, a commissioned work for the 18th century Tannenberg organ that has recently been restored in Old Salem, NC. For more information, I would refer those who are interested to my website: e-universe/lmfhome/sandresky.htm, or to Sandresky by way of Google.”

Premieres

Magnificat and Nunc dimittis, for SATB choir and organ, was introduced February 27, 2005, in a performance directed by Barbara Beattie and accompanied by organist John E. Mitchener, St Paul’s Episcopal Church, Winston-Salem, NC. On April 13, Hymn of Praise,for SATB choir and organ was first heard at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Winston-Salem, NC, in a performance directed by Kristin Farmer and accompanied by organist Scott Carpenter. Organist Weil Sawyer presented Helena’s Wedding March on April 23, Holy Family Catholic Church, Clemmons, NC. How Excellent Thy Name for SATB and organ was premiered May 15 by the High Point Community Chorus, under the direction of Anne Carroll, accompanied by Mitchener, Wesley Memorial Methodist Church, High Point, NC. On June 25 the organ solo Set me as a Seal received its first performance at Christ Episcopal Church, Charlotte, NC.

Performances

Christmas Variations on Lo, How a Rose for organ and band received several performances, including one on December 24, 2004, at Kernersville (NC) Moravian Church. The piano solo Bird in Space was presented by Clifton Matthews on February 27, 2005, at Shallowford Presbyterian Church, Winston-Salem, NC. Organist Margaret S. Mueller performed Sonata II on July 5, Christ Church, Roanoke, VA. By the Rivers of Babylon for baritone and organ was heard in an August 7 performance by Douglas Freeman and Mitchener, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Winston-Salem, NC. Organist Mary Lou Kapp Peeples performed Three Sicilian Devotions, August 23, Lutheran Seminary, Columbia, SC.

Publications

Complete Organ Works Volume VII; Wayne Leupold Editions. Dialogues for Organ and Strings; Christmas Variations, organ and band; both by E.C. Schirmer.

Further Information

• 2002-2003 American Composers Update
• 2000-2001 American Composers Update
• 1999-2000 American Composers Update
• 1998-1999 American Composers Update
• SAI's Composers Bureau Online