Celebrating Emma Lou Diemer: Highlights from the Gerald Carpenter Music Club Concert | Arts & Entertainment | Noozhawk

The Santa Barbara Music Club is hosting a free concert celebrating Emma Lou Diemer, a beloved local composer. This special event features her instrumental and choral music, showcasing pieces for piano, violin, solo voice, and chorus.

Join us at 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, at the First United Methodist Church, located at 305 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara.

Here’s what to expect during the concert:

• Two pieces for piano performed by Tachell Gerbert and Bradley Gregory:
  • “Norteamexispanicumsake”
  • “Variations for Piano, Four Hands: Homage to Ravel, Schönberg, and May Aufderheide”
• Four songs inspired by the poetry of Shakespeare, Joyce, and Parker, sung by soprano Kate Unger with pianist John Ballerino. The selections include:
  • “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day” (Shakespeare)
  • “Strings in the Earth and Air” (Joyce)
  • “One Perfect Rose” (Parker)
  • “Comment” (Parker)
• “Before Spring” for violin and piano, composed in 1997, performed by violinist Nicole McKenzie and pianist Erin Bonski.
• “Three Madrigals” for SATB and piano, performed by the UCSB Chamber Choir under Brent Wilson’s direction.

Emma Lou Diemer’s music stands out for its modernity and beauty. She was a vibrant figure in the Santa Barbara music scene, inspiring many with her creativity.

To share a bit about her life, Emma Lou was born in Kansas City in 1927 and passed away in Santa Barbara in 2024. Her musical journey began early; she played the piano and composed as a child. By the age of 13, she was already the organist at her church.

Emma Lou studied composition at prestigious institutions such as Yale and Eastman and earned a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Brussels. Her teaching career spanned several colleges, including the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she helped establish the electronic music program.

Throughout her career, she composed a wealth of music, including orchestral, choral, and chamber works. Many of her pieces are still published today, and she has received numerous awards for her contributions to music.

This concert is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy Emma Lou’s legacy and experience her powerful music. All are welcome to attend.

For more details about this and future concerts, visit the Santa Barbara Music Club’s website.