Annual American Composers Update

Ruth Brush

A resident of Bartlesville, OK, SAI member Ruth Brush coaches advanced students and presents workshops and programs for music teachers. On May 6, 1997, Taproote, a women's network, honored her for her devotion to the fine arts. Bethany College, in Oklahoma City, has asked permission for classroom use of The Redbud, which won a First Place award from Oklahoma Heritage and whose lyrics recently were published in a poetry book, Thalia. Brush continues to receive ASCAP Quarterly Awards.

Premieres On June 16, 1997, Spencer Prentiss, cello, and Brush, piano, premiered Pastorale, at the Mozart Festival. The composer introduced Three Preludes on an organ recital in Sedan, KS, Apr. 26, 1997. On May 21, 1997, Frankie James, soprano, and Robert Heckman, piano, gave the first performance of The Fountain Sprite, for the Hyechka Music Club, Tulsa, OK, as part of a program that was repeated for a Tuesday evening musical group.

Performances On the same program, James and Heckman performed The Fountain Sprite and Like the Shore Birds, with Debbie Turner, flute. James and Heckman also presented Twilight, Enchantment, and Lovlier Than Day for the Composers Group in Oklahoma City, Mar. 19, 1997. During the 1997 International Mozart Festival, Brush gave a piano recital including Suite (Prelude, Gigue, Sarabande, Minuet, Scherzo, and Contra Dance), Night, and Rhapsody (June 15); and repeated Night on the Music Teachers Mozart Program (June 16). The dedication of a new pipe organ at the Church of the Epiphany included Three Preludes, Allemande, Canzona, Canticle, Chorale, and Toccata, with the composer at the organ.

Publications

I Shall Not Live in Vain (poem by Emily Dickinson); Bartlesville Publishing Co.