The Ponca City Federated Music Club invites the public to the Composer’s Workshop 37th annual program, Sunday, March 7, 2021 at 2 p.m. via Zoom. Local composers include: Elaine Armstrong, Suzi Lenhart, Leslie Rardin and Debbie Rue. National composers: Syneva Colle and Fanny Crosby.

To get the Zoom invitation, send an email to misssuzi99@ yahoo.com requesting the invitation in the subject line.

Leslie Rardin and her daughter Anne Rardin, of Los Angeles, CA will be presenting "My State Oklahoma." This song was written by Leslie Rardin and Suzi Lenhart, text by Earl Sutton, for the musical, "Designed by a Fluke." The musical play was based on a book of the same name written by Marquita Brown about the development and adoption of the Oklahoma State Flag. The musical was written to celebrate the anniversary of the 1925 adoption of Louise Fluke's iconic design by the Oklahoma State Senate. The premier performance of the musical play was presented in 2007 in the newly restored City Hall in Ponca City. Louise Fluke's original flag was on display at City Hall during the performance, and her family was in attendance. A repeat performance was done at the Oklahoma State Convention of the Daughters of the American Revolution the following year. Louise Fluke (1900-1986) was a member of the DAR in Ponca City, and a local regent of the DAR. "My State Oklahoma" tells of Louise standing at her easel, painting the flag with her choices of an Indian calumet peace pipe, Osage war shield, and olive branch against a blue silk, representing the Oklahoma sky.

'My task is to capture what happened back then. Can I capture the spirit of women and men? Place on this canvas our heart and our soul, an Oklahoma banner that's a symbol for all.'

The original flag that Louise Fluke made for the state of Oklahoma can still be found framed in Oklahoma State Capitol Building.

Suzi Lenhart will be presenting her composition “A Place of Our Dreams,” sung by Kyla Radakar-James and Suzi Lenhart, accompanied on baritone uke . This song was written in 1997 when Mrs. Lenhart took her daughter’s Girl Scout troop to Switzerland as part of a multicountry trip for the group. They stayed at Our Chalet, one of the Girl Scout-Girl Guide World Centers. Having dreamed of visiting Our Chalet since a child, the song flowed from all the beauty of the environment. This song is published in the Pax Lodge Song Book. “The Keeper,” an English folk song, Mrs. Lenhart has arranged for Orff instruments. It is performed by the Miss Suzi’s Singing School Orff I vocal ensemble. Bass Xylophone: Frankie Diaz, Soprano Xylophone: Andie Wood, Bass Metallophone: Claire Davis; alto xylophone: Jaelyn Stolhand, alto glockenspiel: Annabell Shelton.

Denise Jones will present the hymn “Blessed Assurance.” The text of the hymn was written in 1873 by the prolific hymn writer, Fanny Crosby. She is one of the most influential, well known, and well loved hymn writers in history. The text of the Hymn is about the love and assurance we have in Jesus the Saviour. Denise will play the clarinet and Debbie Rue will accompany on piano.

Elaine Herrell Armstrong will be presenting her composition, “Jehovah Shama," Is a poem about God being there for us in the dark and cold times of life. There is beauty in creation even when it's hard to feel grateful for difficulties. As we call on Him, our emotions are calmed, our mind is redirected to the assurance of God's presence. , “Jehovah Shama" started last March in the parking lot of Sam's Club in Edmond, Ok. Part of a rhyme was dancing around in Elaine's head while waiting for her husband Jim. She has been fascinated by the names of God revealed in the Bible. This particular name was from Ezekiel 48:30. Jehovah Shamah means "The Lord is There". Elaine has been in the Ponca City Federated Music Club Composers Workshop and Choral Workshop for many years. She wrote another song about this particular name of God called, "You're Here". Lyrics for this years entry are below:

Snow blows soft against my window. Leaves once brown are clothed in white.

Coral embers in the fireplace drifting down to gray the light. Songs sung soft against my pillow. Smiles still linger on my face.

In my heart Your name's a symbol of Your faithful love and grace.

Jehovah Shamah, You are here with me. You are always near to me.

Jehovah Shamah, You are always there, always there.

Night comes whispering Your lullaby. Azure blues peek through the cloudy sky.

Wind-blown shadows dancing on the snow, partners laughing in the cold.

Jehovah Shamah, You are here with me. You are always near to me.

Jehovah Shamah, You are always there, always there, always near.

Always, Always, You are always there.

Land Girls, an original musical by sisters Stefni and Syneva Colle, tells the story of four teenage girls who serve with the Women's Land Army in WWII. The sounds of jazz and Big Band Swing form the backdrop to a story about friendship, courage, and growing up. Sunday's presentation will highlight two duets from Act II of the show: "Should You Be Calling Me Baby?" and "Can I Trade My Now For Then?"

Debbie Rue will present her new composition, “Seasons,” a song from the upcoming multimedia musical, PIONEER WOMEN. The musical was written by Debra Harden Rue in commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the unveiling of the Pioneer Woman Statue and the 100th Anniversary of the Ponca City Federated Music Club. This song and accompanying story reflects the "Fearless" statue submitted by Wheeler Williams at the request of E.W. Marland when he commissioned twelve statues to honor the pioneer women who helped shape America. Williams' statue was not selected to be erected in Ponca City but his model was enlarged, cast and placed at the public library in Liberty, Kansas.

Singing "Seasons" is Suzi Lenhart and Kyla Radaker-James portraying a mother who tries to convince her daughter that she should not go West.

Denise Jones will present the hymn, “Blessed Assurance.” The text of the hymn was written in 1873 by the prolific hymn writer, Fanny Crosby. She is one of the most influential, well known, and well-loved hymn writers in history. The text of the Hymn is about the love and assurance we have in Jesus the Savior.

Bios

Debra Rue graduated from the University of Tulsa with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree in Vocal & Instrumental Music. She received her Master of Music Degree in Conducting from the University of Colorado - Boulder. She has two compositions written with composer James Adler published by Colla Voce Music - “Daughters of Music” and “Canticle for Peace” which was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in Music after being performed in New York City at a United Nations Ecumenical Service commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She won the 2018 Sigma AIpha Iota national songwriting competition with her composition, “Ode to Pan’s Cottage” commemorating the 100th anniversary of this historic structure at MacDowell Artists Colony in New Hampshire. This work was performed at the 2018 SAI National Convention in Scottsdale, AZ as well as the composition she wrote with composer James Adler, “Daughters of Music”. She received a grant from the Brooklyn Arts Council in New York to write her full-length musical, “SCROOGE: A Musical Valentine Tale.” Debra retired as a high school choral director from Fort Worth ISD where she was the recipient of the 2011-2012 Friedman Award for Teaching Excellence in the Performing Arts and Fort Worth Teacher of the Year finalist. Mrs. Rue served as Music Minister for 25 years at Western Hills United Methodist Church in Fort Worth and currently serves on the University of Tulsa National Alumni Board of Directors. She is president of the Ponca City Federated Music Club.

Elaine Armstrong is a member of the Ponca City Federated Music Club and has shared her musical compositions for several years. In 2019, the Ponca City choirs of Northeast Baptist Church (where she participates in the choir and special music) and First Baptist Church recorded a CD of Christmas music. Elaine is a former member of the Singing Church Women of Oklahoma. This choir sang at the Kennedy Center, the US Capital Rotunda, and on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during Memorial Weekend in Washington, D.C. in May, 2018.

Suzi Lenhart — Miss Suzi has 2 degrees in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She started writing songs at Girl Scout at age 19. Highlights in her music career include co-compiling the Pax Lodge Song Book which was published by Girl Scouts of the USA in 2004 and she is thrilled to have 6 of her original songs in the collection. In 2006, she co-produced the Pax Lodge Song Book CD, 2008, co-produced the Sangam Cd and 2014, co-produced the Our Chalet CD. In 2004 she received the Outstanding Musician from the Oklahoma Federation of Music Clubs. She is married to Larry and has 2 grown children. This is the 39th year that she has been the owner/teacher for Miss Suzi’s Singing School.

Leslie Aton Rardin has been a music teacher in Ponca City since she came in 1958 to teach vocal music at Ponca High School. During the years she taught at PO-HI her position covered all the vocal classes, theory and harmony, music history, directing the Broadway musicals, and the Pon-Dram Panic shows. Mrs. Rardin entered her choirs and vocal students in many music festivals and contests across the US. Leslie also served the First United Presbyterian Church Minister of Music for 25 years. She was the Music Director of “Camelot” for the Ponca Playhouse in 1968, and involved in many more musical productions in ensuing years. Involved with the Poncan Theater for many years as well, she and Earl Sutton wrote and produced “The Gift of Willie Cry ” for the Cherokee Strip centennial. In addition, she served for 21 years as Music Director for “Taste and Tasteless,” a fundraiser for the theater. Mrs. Rardin has been honored with 3 national awards from Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) for composing and producing musical theater productions that preserve American history. For many years, she had a private studio of voice and piano students. Many of her students have made a career in the music world - all the way from Broadway productions in NYC and San Francisco, to Disney cruises, to schools and colleges across the country - including PO-HI. For several years the chairperson for the Ponca City Cultural Affairs Commission, Leslie has been a member of the Ponca City Music Club since the 1960’s.

Syneva Colle is a composer, performer, and teacher based in Washington, D.C. In her original works and arrangements, she focused on vocal, piano, and string music. Her string arrangements have been featured on over twenty albums and she composed the original film score for the documentary Huan Dao. Most recently, Syneva's full-length musical Land Girls (cowritten with her sister, Stefni Colle) was one of four works produced at the 2019 Atlanta Music Theatre Festival. Syneva is an active freelance musician and a founding member of the Corwin Trio, a professional string ensemble. She is currently earning a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Cello Performance from the University of Maryland. Her works are published through Sheet Music Press. Syneva spent several years of her childhood in Ponca City. She attended Miss Suzi’s Singing School as a 3-year old and it was evident at that tender age that she was very gifted musically. She also studied piano with Kathy Wimberley and was a very successful student, winning at the OFMC State competition many times.

Fanny Crosby was "the most prolific of all nineteenth-century American sacred song writers". By the end of her career she had written almost 9,000 hymns, using scores of noms de plume assigned to her by publishers who wanted to disguise the proliferation of her compositions in their publications.

It is estimated that books containing her lyrics sold 100 million copies. Blind from infancy, Fanny never let her handicap keep her from sharing her poetry and music.

National American Women Composers contest

The Ponca City Music Club Composer’s Workshop has been participating in the National Federation of Music Clubs Women’s Composer Contest since 1984 and have placed in the top 10 Clubs on a nearly annual basis. The Ponca City Federate Music Club is part of the National Federation of Music Clubs. For those who are interested in joining the PCF Music Club or for more information, contact Debra Rue, 817-296-4621.