Jane Ellen*

Jane Ellen was awarded the Ring of Excellence by the National Executive Board of Sigma Alpha Iota during the June 2006 observance of Founder’s Day by the Albuquerque Alumnae Chapter of SAI. In July she was invited to participate in the “Peace Autograph Project” at the International Museum of Peace and Solidarity in Samarkand, Uzbekistan (a non-profit, non-governmental institution which houses a permanent display of 20,000 different pieces including literature, artwork, music, and memorabilia from over 100 countries, featuring universal human values and focusing on the global challenges mankind is currently facing). Her piano solo CDs From My Heart and Seasons of the Heart are available internationally through iTunes, as well as major online stores such as Amazon.com and CDBaby.com. Ellen’s latest commission is a medley of African-American spirituals for classical accordion duo, and plans are in progress for a third CD of original works. Also in 2006 she served as Associate Editor for the publication Finally Organized, Finally Free: Office Edition (Get Organized Now!); received her 17th consecutive ASCAP award, and was notified of listings in Who’s Who in America, 61st edition (2007) and Who’s Who of American Women (2007). For more information visit www.JaneEllen.com or e-mail Jane@JaneEllen.com.

Premieres

The commissioned work Just for the Folk of It, a four-part classical accordion ensemble, was premiered by members of the Albuquerque Accordion Ensemble in March 2006. The piano solo Sunflower was introduced by the composer on April 30, at a meeting of the Albuquerque Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF). Sword of Hope, a festive anthem for SATB choir and organ (text by Claire Roth), was commissioned by St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church to premiere at a celebration of its patronal feast day, October 1, in Albuquerque, NM. The piano solos Early One Morning and Yesterday’s Dream were presented by the composer on October 8 at a meeting of the AUUF.

Performances

The piano solos Memories of Erin and Green Hills of Eire were featured at the April 2, 2006, World Peace Day Concert at the Albuquerque (NM) Center for Peace and Justice. In August, composer/pianist Mollie O’Meara performed Chiara for a worship service, and Celtic Dream for a memorial service, at Paradise Hills (NM) United Methodist Church. Works from the CDs From My Heart and Seasons of the Heart were used as pre-show music for Albuquerque (NM) Little Theatre’s September production of Angels in America.

Recordings

Selections from the 2005 CD Seasons of the Heart were used as the incidental music for the 2006 radio drama Elaine, written and produced by Christopher Dale, recorded at Pinewood Studios in London, England.

*Sigma Alpha Iota Member

Further Information

• 2003-2004 American Composers Update
• 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