Search - Johannes Somary, AmorArtis Chorale, Jeanne Ellison Shaffer :: American Choral Music

Jeanne Ellison Shaffer (b. Knoxville, Tennessee, 1925) began singing professionally when she was four years old, doing commercial radio programs throughout the 30's for WNOX (Knoxville) and WCKY (Covington, Kentucky) and other stations. She signed a five-year contract to sing with Paul Whiteman's Orchestra when she was eleven and toured 38 states with his orchestra. Playing the role of Jeannette MacDonald as a child in the MGM movie, "Girl of the Golden West" and singing with Grace Moore on the Lux Radio Theater were some 30's highlights. Shaffer has won the Birmingham Festival of Arts Composition Award three times, and has received grants from NDEA, The National Endowment for the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, Aspen Music Festival and Alabama State Council on the Arts. Johannes Somary, composer and conductor, is now in his 35th season as Music Director and Founder of Amor Artis. He has achieved a prominent international career, having conducted such ensembles as the English Chamber Orchestra, the New Orleans Symphony and London's Royal Philharmonic, and has participated in many international festivals. Somary has worked with such renowned singers as Elly Ameling, Sheila Armstrong, Ernst Haeflinger, Maureen Forrester, Benjamin Luxon, Felicity Palmer and John Shirley Quirk. Maestro Somary's discography claims over 50 recordings, including 4 Stereo Review Record-of-the-Year Awards. Recording producer and post production: Marnie Hall. Shaffer recorded by Jerry Bruck at John Harms Center for the Arts, Englewood, New Jersey, 1996. Somary recorded by Malcolm Addey at George's Episcopal Church in New York City, 1997. This recording is made possible with public funds from The New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency. Cover Painting, "Portrait of Cousins" © Barbara Gallagher, 1993, is owned by Mr. & Mrs. Fred Applegate. Graphic Design: Marnie Hall. © Leonarda Productions, Inc., 1999.