Persis Anne Parshall Vehar*

Persis Anne Parshall Vehar is in her seventh year as Composer-in-Residence at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. Recent commissions include Everybody Suddenly Burst Out Singing, a song cycle, for the ensemble Sweet, Fair & Wise (tenor Carl Johengen, flutist Jill Rubio, guitarist Doug Rubio) for the 2005-06 season; and The City of Light Concerto for principal clarinetist John Fullam and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (JoAnn Falletta, conductor) for the 2006-07 season.

Premieres

Watercolors – Blues & Raucous Reds was introduced in September 2004 by the Corona Guitar Quartet in Copenhagen, Denmark; the piece was later performed by the Crane School of Music Guitar Quartet at the New Music Festival for Guitar, April 26 and May 5, SUNY-Potsdam. Frank Lloyd Wright Suite was first heard in an October 20 performance by the Buffalo (NY) Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Ron Spigelman, Canisius College, Buffalo, NY. The opera George Sand . . . and Chopin?, received its premiere March 14, 2005, from mezzo-soprano Sharon Mabry, tenor Thomas King, and pianist Patsy Wade, Dimensions New Music Series at Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN; the ensemble gave a repeat performance on April 8 at Canisius College, Buffalo, NY.

Performances

Three Pieces and Buffalo Beguine were presented by clarinetist John Fullam, accompanied by the composer, on April 18, 2005, Canisius College, Buffalo, NY. BukowskiOut of Absurdity was performed by Valerian Ruminski, bass, and the composer on May 18, Detroit (MI) Pro Music Series. The Crane School of Music Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Scott Lavine, presented Fanfare of Praise on October 17, SUNY-Potsdam.

Publications

The Swan of Avon (Shakespeare on Music), 3-pt treble voices, SATB, 2 trumpets (or 2 flutes/oboes or violin) and piano; Boosey & Hawkes. Life Dances, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, and piano (commissioned by Sigma Alpha Iota for its 100th Anniversary Convention); C. F. Peters.

Recordings

Emily Dickinson Songs‘How happy is the little stone’ and ‘the martyrs even trod’ from Three From Emily; soprano Joyce Andrews, pianist Beverly Hassel, cellist David Cowley; Capstone.

*Sigma Alpha Iota Member

Further Information

• 2002-2003 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
• SAI's Music for Young People section