Annual American Composers Update
Persis Parshall Vehar
Persis Parshall Vehar is a free-lance
composer and pianist based in Buffalo, NY, where she
has a three-year appointment as Composer-In-Residence
at Canisius College. She has won 15 consecutive ASCAP
awards. On Mar. 27-28, 1998, she lectured on her works
and participated in a panel discussion on "Women: The
Survival as Artist in America," for Ethos 20th Anniversary
New Music Group at SUNY College at Fredonia. She also
spoke about her music for a SUNY College at Buffalo
"Women in Music" program. The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
Chorus has commissioned Peace Requiem.
Premieres
On Mar. 12, 1998, the LaCrosse (WI)
District Fifth Grade Orchestra gave the first performance
of Strolling Dinosaurs. The University of Buffalo
Wind Ensemble, led by Sarah McKoin, presented View
from the Catskills, June 1, 1998. Also in Buffalo,
soprano Cristen Gregory, cellist Brian Eckenrode, and
the composer at the piano premiered Three Walking
Songs, June 13, 1998 at the Burchfield Arts Center.
Guitarist Doug Rubio introduced Time Studies
at the SUNY College at Potsdam Crane School of Music,
Sept. 30, 1998. The Butterfly Songs was heard
first at Austin Peay State University, Clarksville,
TN, with mezzo-soprano Sharon Mabry accompanied by pianist
Patsy Wade, Nov. 2, 1998.
Performances
On Apr. 5, 1998, Sea Pieces,
for woodwind quintet, was on the program of the Syracuse
(NY) Society for New Music. Organist Jonathan Biggers
played the second movement of Sound-Piece at
the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, in Washington,
DC, June 8, 1998. Adrienne Tworek-Gryta, soprano; Michael
Harris, baritone; and Vehar, piano; performed the children's
opera French Friends, June 26, 1998 at Nichols
Middle School, in Buffalo. At the International Clarinet
Fest, held at The Ohio State University, in Columbus,
Crystal Reinoso, clarinet, and Vehar, piano, presented
Sound-Piece, July 10, 1998. A Dornacht, Switzerland
recital included Four Pieces, for alto saxophone
and piano, with Michael Ried, July 1998.
Publications
Dona Nobis Pacem; SATB choir;
Plymouth Music Co. (Rodney Eichenberger Choral Series).
Women, Women; song cycle; Leyerle Publications.
Strolling Dinosaurs; elementary string orchestra;
Missa Brevis Pro Pace; SATB choir and string
orchestra; both by Northfield Press.
Further Information
