Carol Ann Weaver


Carol Ann Weaver is an American-Canadian composer, pianist, and teacher.
WWW carolannweaver.com

Biography

Weaver was born in Harrisonburg, Virginia, to a Mennonite family. At the time of her birth, her parents belonged to a Mennonite church that banned musical instruments in members' homes. Fortunately, the ban was lifted during Weaver's childhood, and her family immediately got a piano. She attended Indiana University, where she earned a B.M., M.M., and D.M.A. in composition. During the summer of 1974, she studied theory and composition at the University of Michigan.  Weaver studied composition with John Eaton, Bernard Heiden, Juan Orrego-Salas, and Higo Hirado; piano with Gyorgy Sebok, Robert Weisz, and Enrica Cavallo Gulli; and theory with Mary Wennerstrom, Vernon Kliewer, and Elaine Barkin.
Currently a Professor Emerita at Conrad Grebel University College/University of Waterloo, Weaver also taught music at Wilfrid Laurier University, Canadian Mennonite University, Indiana University, and Eastern Mennonite University. Her Sound in the Land Festival Conferences at the University of Waterloo have brought together composers, performers, and scholars from all over the world. Weaver has toured internationally as a pianist with vocalist Rebecca Campbell. She plays keyboards with mandolinist Lyle Friesen in the duo Mooncoin.

Awards and publications

Weaver won a Virginia Music Teachers Society piano competition in 1966. She has performed as a solo pianist in recitals at Eastern Mennonite University, Ohio State University, and Bridgewater College. Her music has been heard on CBC radio and TV, SABC, Korean National TV, and other Canadian, American, and European radio stations. Weaver is chair of the Association of Canadian Women Composers and secretary of the Canadian Association of Sound Ecology. She is a member of the Canadian Music Centre and the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada. She has written numerous articles, and written or edited several books:
  • Departure and Return
  • Sound in the Land: Essays on Mennonites and Music
  • Sound in the Land: Music and the Environment
  • Sound in the Lands: Mennonite Music Across Borders  
Weaver has received grants or commissions from:
She has composed many works for chamber ensembles, piano, and voice. Her major compositions include:

Dance

  • Early and Late Garden
  • In Flight
  • ''Pumps 'n Power''

Electronic

  • Afterday
  • "Beyond Soundless Stars"
  • Dawn Chorus
  • Earth Voices
  • "Erscheinen"
  • Gathering
  • "Mini-moog-scape"
  • Rejoice
  • Sing Praises
  • ''Tower of Babel''

Orchestra

  • Blessing
  • Fourteen Women/Quatorze Femmes
  • Georgian Bay
  • Glimpses
  • Kgalagadi Calls
  • Mass
  • Orogeny
  • Parry Soundings
  • Rejoice
  • Water
  • ''West Wind''

Discography

Weaver has released eight CDs:
  • Daughter of Olapa
  • Journey Begun
  • Dancing Rivers: From South Africa to Canada
  • Awakenings
  • Thistle and Jewel
  • Every Three Children
  • Paraguay Primeval
  • Songs for My Mother