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Dear Friends,
Happy New Year! I hope that 2012 is treating you kindly thus far; for my part, it’s certainly begun with a lot of musical excitement. This newsletter has taken a rather prolonged and somewhat unexpected hiatus, but I look forward to being back in touch with you throughout this new year.
Last October I had the privilege to be a guest on the radio show Peace Talks, hosted by Paul Ingles. The resulting effort, The Peace Message in Classical Music, aired on KUNM 89.9 FM Albuquerque on October 28, and was subsequently picked up by several other public radio stations in the United States. You can listen to the show here: prx.org/pieces/68447-the-peace-message-in-classical-music-peace-talks
The choir of Faith Bible Church (Alb, NM), under the direction of Irma Reeder, gave the premiere of the cantata God’s Perfect Love, December 18. This work featured narration and lyrics by long-time collaborator Claire Roth, and was written expressly for the FBC Choir. It was exciting to work with the singers in rehearsal last autumn, as well as to serve as pianist for the performance.
Last year the Albuquerque Civic Chorus (abqchorus.org) commissioned me to write a piece celebrating the centennial of New Mexico statehood. The resulting piece, Enchanted Land, also with lyrics by Claire Roth, was successfully completed in December, and I’ve already received some wonderful comments from choir members. The premiere is scheduled for mid-May, and I will publish dates and locations in advance.
Continue reading January 2012
Dear Friends,
This month’s newsletter will be brief, as I’ve been spending most of my time writing without much in the way of other news to report. The commission for Belgian clarinet choir Claribel is proceeding nicely, and I’m very excited about it. I’m also working on a short Christmas cantata for a local church, have started sketching the piece for Albuquerque Civic Chorus celebrating the 100th anniversary of New Mexico statehood, and am playing with ideas for the inter-generational musical The Mystery of the Cold Wet Nose.
You may remember I mentioned having seen both Spirit Family Reunion and singer-songwriters Eric Brace and Peter Cooper in Nashville last March and how impressed I was by these fine musicians. I’m thrilled to let my friends in the ‘burque area know that Eric Brace (redbeetrecords.com/eric-brace), and two singer-songwriter friends, Phil Lee and Tom Mason, will be making two local stops in August during their current tour.
Monday, August 8th, Eric and friends will be at The Range (505.867.1700) in Bernalillo at 8pm. The Range is the most popular restaurant in Bernalillo, so you’re guaranteed a great meal as well as amazing music! The following night, Tuesday, August 9th, there will be a special all-acoustic performance from the East Nashville Rambling Revue at Apple Mountain Music in Albuquerque (505.237.2048). This will be Eric’s first time in Albuquerque, so I hope you’ll come out and make these brilliant musicians feel welcome! Continue reading July 2011
Dear Friends,
It’s officially summer (in this hemisphere,) and I hope that you have many wonderful activities lined up for a refreshing and productive season. For those of you in deep mid-winter, you have both my sympathy and rather a lot of envy as my thermometer heads toward 100F.
I have two new music projects to announce, and I’m very excited about both of them. Firstly, Verallen Kleinhenz, director of the renowned Albuquerque Civic Chorus, has commissioned a piece celebrating the 100th anniversary of New Mexico Statehood which will be performed on tour throughout 2012. Secondly, I have been asked to write several songs for The Mystery of the Cold, Wet Nose, an inter-generational musical with book and lyrics by Linda Bairstow. This project of the Animal Advocates of the First Unitarian Church in Albuquerque and their supporters is scheduled to premiere in April 2012. As with most artists, it always seems to be feast or famine, and I’m blessed to be enjoying a feast of compositional work at the moment. Continue reading June 2011
Dear Friends,
Many people told me that April sped by them in a whirlwind of activity, and that’s pretty much what happened to me. I hit the ground running in mid-March after returning from Nashville and have only just this week been able to get my head above water for a few days. Meanwhile, lots of exciting things are happening, so I’ll get right to the news!
It seems like the winter term only ended a couple of weeks ago (actually, it did!) but OASIS classes begin again next week, with Showtunes rehearsals starting the last Tuesday in May. Watch for me this summer not only at OASIS, but also at both Osher campuses: in Albuquerque at the University of New Mexico, and in Bernalillo at Del Webb Alegria.
In June and July I’m presenting a four-week class for adults entitled For the Love of Music at the New Mexico School of Music, Nob Hill Campus. This light-hearted introduction to music history and appreciation is designed to emphasise the enduring importance of music in the world and to help students acquire a deeper understanding of music in general. We’re going to have a lot of fun, and I’m really looking forward to the class! If you’re interested in joining us, please call the NMSM Office on 505.266.3474. Continue reading May 2011
Dear Friends,
There isn’t a lot of news this month, but I’m determined to keep in touch with you on a monthly basis this year, so I’ll get right to the news.
Last week I was fortunate enough to spend several days in Nashville, meeting up with good friends and enjoying all that this beautiful city has to offer. I was truly amazed at how many things we were able to do for free (from Israeli folk dancing, to an exhibit of historic Egyptian artefacts and replicas, to a collection of Fabergé treasures of Tsar Nicholas II and Alexandra, to an onstage concert with members of the Nashville Symphony). We also attended a taping of Music City Roots at the Loveless Café, where we heard an amazing new Americana band, Spirit Family Reunion, and enjoyed singer-songwriters Eric Brace and Peter Cooper, in addition to other acts. Needless to say, I can’t wait to go back, and am looking to make contacts in the city.
Social networks seem to be a love/hate relationship with nearly everyone I know. Many musicians seem to dislike them, but I really love them, and in particular, Facebook. Currently I’m trying to build my artist page on Facebook; in recognition of my 25 years as a published composer I’m giving away free tracks and CDs throughout the year. If you’re using Facebook, I would love for you to “like” my page; it can be found at www.facebook.com/Composer.Jane.Ellen. I’m hoping to reach 100 fans this month. Continue reading March 2011
Dear Friends,
I’m not sure if it’s winter or summer; last week I had boots, hat and gloves whilst this week I’m working in short sleeves. I’m sure the weather will change again before we know it!
On January 12, Radio presenter Tom Quick presented two of my works (‘Keeper of My Heart’ and ‘High King of Heaven’) on his weekly programme Music for the Soul, on FM94.3. He will also feature some of my music on another programme this year, Women in Music: Those Who Write, Those Who Play, on radio FM98.5. Both programmes are accessible through the internet, so as soon as I have details about the second programme I’ll let you know.
Accordionists Dan Wright and Dick Steichen presented The Accordion: Its Origin, Design and Music, January 30, for the Albuquerque Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. As part of their demonstration of accordions in western music, they played their commissioned duo version of my arrangement of German folksongs, Just for the Folk of It. Continue reading February 2011
Dear Friends,
It’s a new year and a new decade, and my prayer is that everyone will have a good year filled with friends, health, joy, and abundance!
This year marks the 25th anniversary of my first published compositions, three choral pieces for Heritage Music/Lorenz. It’s a landmark for me, and a genuine privilege to still be working as a composer and arranger. I’m currently hard at work on a piece for the phenomenal clarinet choir Claribel which I hope to finish in the next few weeks.
The choir of St Michael’s and All Angels sang Sword of Hope (a previously commissioned work, with text by Claire Roth) for Michaelmas Sunday, October 3, 2010. Bishop Michael Voss was in attendance, and I am told he enjoyed the work. Also in October, I was once again privileged to work with the composition students in Petra Dawson’s studio who are not only unbelievably talented, but an awful lot of fun to be around. Continue reading January 2011
Dear Friends,
Autumn has arrived, and with it milder temperatures after an intense and unrelenting summer. The cool evenings and mornings are certainly welcome! The past few months have fled by, and it’s beginning to feel like it will be winter before we know it.
First of all, I’d like to let you know that there are still openings available in the two-part class I am giving on the Dead Sea Scrolls at Congregation Albert (3800 Louisiana NE, Albuquerque). The classes are being offered on consecutive Thursday nights, October 7th and 14th, and you can get more information by calling the Adult Education Office on 505.883.0306. You do not have to be a member to attend, everyone is welcome. I am very excited about presenting these classes (I always knew that double majors in music and religious studies would come in handy!), and I hope to also present some music classes there next spring. Continue reading October 2010
Dear Friends,
I’m not sure what it’s like in your part of the world, but mine is triple digit HOT. I’m seriously missing the lush greenery, the cooling water, and the lovely humidity of northern Missouri where I stayed for a week to attend a Memorial Day weekend family reunion. Highlights included hanging with my cousin Bobbi (who took pictures of me getting my feet wet in the Mississippi), seeing a fox from only a few feet away, attending church at the Shrine of St Patrick whilst my Aunt Ellen played organ and my cousin Laddy served at the altar, meeting a cousin I didn’t even know I had (Mary Ann), having a great time with her and Bobbi (we “girls” giggled so much we nearly drove my Aunt crazy), and going four-wheeling with my cousin Cyndy. I hope to go back for another visit soon.
I am thrilled to announce that organist James Thomas David Gonder will be performing the Canadian premiere of my work Danse des Esprits in September 2010 as part of a concert in Toronto, Ontario. Progress continues as well on the indie film Lukisan Hati, which has seen a flurry of media attention after an official launch and press screening in Malaysia. Work continues on an English translation, and the film will soon be available for downloading via the Youngstreet website (www.youngstreet.com.my). I’ll be sure to keep you posted as more news develops. Continue reading June 2010
Dear Friends,
I hope you’re all enjoying the arrival of spring (or autumn, depending on your location!). I travelled by train to Santa Fe this month and was able to rest and recharge for a few days, but I am now back in Albuquerque with lots of news to share!
Excitement about the independent film Lukisan Hati continues to build. Trailers from this film, a touching story about love and friendship as seen through the eyes of five teenagers and which features my music, are now popping up on YouTube and Facebook. The producers are also working toward a television premiere, as well as screenings in Singapore. For those of you who have been asking, I’m happy to let you know that there will be an English version of the film available, and I will share the details as I get them. Continue reading April 2010
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