Annual American Composers Update

Emma Lou Diemer

Emma Lou Diemer lives and works in Santa Barbara, CA, where she is Professor Emeritus of the University of California, Santa Barbara and organist at the First Presbyterian Church. She has received her 35th ASCAP Standard Award for publications and performances. During 1997, several recordings of her works were made for future release.

Premieres

At the International Women's Brass Conference, held at Washington University, St. Louis, MO, June 29, 1997, Susan Slaughter, Nancy Block, and Abbie Conant introduced A Little Light Music. Before Spring, for violin and piano, was heard first at the Third Street Settlement House, New York, NY, Nov. 7, 1997, with Stanley Hoffman and Eddy Kronengold. Variations on "Reformation" and a new hymn tune premiered at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation, Washington, DC, May 18, 1997, with organist Eileen Guenther. Written in honor of Helen C. Smith, organist and choirmaster, Rejoice in the Lord, for choir, organ, and flute, was presented at the Calvary Episcopal Church, Front Royal, VA, Oct. 19, 1997. Jesus, Still Lead On, for choir, congregation, organ, and brass, received its first performance for the 100th anniversary of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Morgantown, WV, Beth Dameier, choir director, Sept. 21, 1997.

Performances

At the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, William Deal played Ice Rhythm, for percussion and electronics, August 1997. Uriel Segal conducted the Chautauqua (NY) Symphony Orchestra in Festival Overture, Aug. 7, 1997. Duo-pianists Tachell Gerbert and Bradley Gregory presented Norteamexispanicumsake at the Thousand Oaks (CA) Civic Arts Plaza, May 30, 1997. In December 1997, the Capitol Hill Chorale, led by James Turk, sang A Feast for Christmas, for choir and brass, at the Church of the Reformation, Washington, DC. In 1997 the Santa Barbara Choral Society, conducted by JoAnne Wasserman, performed Gloria at the First Presbyterian Church, with choir, two pianos, and percussion (May 3-4), and with full orchestration (Dec. 6-7).

Publications

Toccata, piano; in Duma Music, Inc.. Music Without Borders, a collection of 20th-century piano music by six Ukrainian and six American composers, Ivan F. Karabyts, editor. Before Spring, violin and piano; Homage to Paderewski, viola and piano; Catchaturian Toccata, flute and piano; all by Seesaw Music Corp. Aria and Scherzo, C instrument and keyboard; Sacred Music Press. Various anthems.

Further Information

For more complete information, see Emma Lous Diemer's entry in our Composers Bureau Online.