Gloria Wilson Swisher (born March 12, 1935) was an American composer, music educator and pianist. She died July 23, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington.
Gloria Wilson Swisher | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 12, 1935 |
| Died | July 23, 2023 (aged 88) |
| Occupation(s) | composer, music educator and pianist |
Biography edit
Gloria Wilson Swisher was born in Seattle, Washington. She graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle where she received a Bachelor of Music, summa cum laude, Mills College in Oakland, California, where she earned a Master of Music in composition and the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where she earned a Ph.D. in 1960. She studied composition under John Verrall, Darius Milhaud, Bernard Rogers, and Howard Hanson. She was a member of The International Association of Women in Music, the Darius Milhaud Society and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.[1] She was awarded the Sigma Alpha Iota Inter-American prize for her composition Salutations for oboe and piano.[2] Swisher was the subject of a 2009 University of Washington dissertation, The choral music of Gloria Wilson Swisher, by Robert Bigley.[3]
Swisher taught at Washington State University in Pullman, Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Shoreline Community College (1969–1998) in Seattle, and the University of Washington in Seattle. She was a Professor Emerita of Music at Shoreline Community College, and often performed as a duo pianist with Nancy Matesky. She was a founding member of Ars Nova Press, Inc., a non-profit corporation that promotes and reprints the work of quality composers.[4][5]
Works edit
Selected works include:
Orchestral Works:
- 1957 Canción, for orchestra
- 1960 Concerto for clarinet and orchestra
- 1986 Niigata No. Sumie Black Ink Impressions of Niigata, concerto for piano and orchestra
- 2004 Concerto for flute and orchestra
- Serafina, portrait for orchestra
Works for large ensemble:
- 1955 3 Pieces for Piano & Band
- 1958 Suite for Piano & Wind Sinfonietta
- 1963 Dances for Tomorrow
- 1977 Thanksgiving I
- 1978 Procession
- 1984 Words to a Grand Child, for mixed choir and orchestra
- The Mountain and The Island
Masses and liturgical music:
- Psalm 150 for mixed choir, 2 trumpets, timpani and piano
- God is Gone Up With A Merry Noise, for mixed choir and organ
Stage works: Opera:
- 1983 The Artist and The Other - libretto: Willy Clark
- 1999 The Prestigious Music Award - premiered on February 18–20, 1999 at the Shoreline Community College Little Theater - libretto: Willy Clark
- 2008 The Legend of Poker Alice - libretto: Willy Clark[6]
Theatre:
- 2004 Gallagher And The Moonbeam
- Incidental music to "For Such A Time as This - text: Ann Chamberlin
Works for choir:
- 1973 Two Faces of Love, for mixed choir and piano
- Beat! Beat! Drums, for mixed choir, 2 trumpets, timpani and piano
- Let Us Celebrate, for mixed choir, 2 trumpets and piano
Vocal music:
- 1977 Sisters, for soprano and piano
- I Sit and Sew
- Tenebris
- The Cabal at Nickel Nackeys
- 1983 Sonnets for Donald, for soprano and piano
- 1990 Three for T, for tenor and piano
- 1995 A Velvet Madonna, for soprano and piano
- Montana, song cycle of six songs for mezzo soprano or baritone and piano
Chamber music
- 1990 Salutations, for oboe and piano
- In 1991 Caprichos for guitar and piano
- Pas de trois, for flute, violin and piano
- Sado, for flute and piano
- Theatre Trio for trumpet, alto saxophone and piano
Works for Organ:
- 2001 Chorale Prelude on "Slane" and "In Dulce Jubilo"
Works for Piano:
- 1983 "Joel" Variations
- Siciliana
- Transcending[7]
References edit
- ^ "Pleasure for the Ear: The Composers". Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2010.
- ^ "SIGMA ALPHA IOTA INTER-AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS (under Chamber Music section)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
- ^ "The choral music of Gloria Wilson Swisher". Retrieved 15 November 2010.
- ^ "Composer Biography:Gloria Wilson Swisher". Archived from the original on 4 May 2009. Retrieved 13 September 2010.
- ^ Who's Who in American Music: Classical. Jaques Cattell Press. 1985.
- ^ "Sigma Alpha Iota Member Laureate: Annual Updates". Archived from the original on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 13 September 2010.
- ^ "The Music of Gloria Wilson Swisher". Music Library of the University of Washington. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
External links edit
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