Annual American Composers Update

Violet Archer

Honorary Member Violet Archer lives and composes in Edmonton, Alberta. On Dec. 7, 1997, Edmonton's Grandview Heights Elementary School grades 3-7 choir sang her arrangement, Three Christmas Carols, for choir, piano, and percussion.

Premieres

Songs of North, dedicated to Suzanne Summerville, was premiered by soprano Shaunna Shandro and pianist Suzanne Ward, Nov. 16, 1997, as part of Canada Music Week. A concert tour of six United States cities (Athens, New Orleans, El Paso, New York, and Bennington) included the first performances of Lydian Mood, Prelude No. 1, and The American. At a Grandview Heights grade 5 concert, conducted by Shirley Funk, four of Archer's Eight Short Songs for Young Singers were presented.

Performances

Kaleidoscopio for Lyric Soprano was sung by Alyia Ahmad with pianist Gloria Reimer. From 1992 through 1997, baritone Harold Wiens, flutist Jonathan Bailey and pianist Diana Wiens performed Archer's song cycles Epigrams and Green Jade in 17 Alberta cities. Honorary SAI Shauna Rolston toured Finland, Norway, and Italy with Archer's solo cello piece Inspiration, and also played the work Sept. 17, 1997, at the Wenspear Music Centre in Edmonton. On Oct. 5, 1997, a full concert of Archer's music took place at Albert College in Edmonton.

Recordings

All soprano/piano songs and some choral music; Soundtrack Studios Northern Landscapes SMCD-1001, September 1997.