Beth Wiemann

Beth Wiemann was raised in Burlington, VT and studied composition and clarinet at Oberlin College and Princeton University. Her works have been performed by the New York New Music Ensemble, Continuum, Ensemble 21, Earplay, the Motion Ensemble, Opera Vista, saxophonist John Sampen, singers Paul Hillier, Susan Narucki, D'Anna Fortunato, and others. Her compositions have won awards from Copland House, the Orvis Foundation, Colorado New Music Festival, American Women Composers, and Marimolin as well as various arts councils, and have been featured on the Capstone, Americus, innova and Albany record labels. She teaches composition and clarinet at the University of Maine.

"Erie, on the periphery" (2005) was composed while in residence at the Ragdale Foundation, and after a harrowing winter drive to that artists' colony around Lake Erie. The piece alternates between relatively calm progressions supporting the main melodic line and sections of irregular and unpredictable rhythms. I want to thank Ben and Marilyn for preparing this premiere outing of the work.