Carol Ann Weaver facts for kids

Carol Ann Weaver, born on May 6, 1948, is a talented American-Canadian composer, pianist, and teacher. She creates amazing music and has taught many students.

About Carol Ann Weaver

Carol Ann Weaver was born in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Her family belonged to a Mennonite church. When she was very young, her church did not allow musical instruments in homes. Luckily, this rule changed when Carol Ann was a child. Her family quickly got a piano, and she began her musical journey.

Carol Ann went to Indiana University in Bloomington. There, she earned three degrees in music. She studied composition, which is the art of creating music. She also learned to play the piano and studied music theory. She had many great teachers, including John Eaton and Gyorgy Sebok.

Carol Ann's Teaching and Performances

Today, Carol Ann Weaver is a Professor Emerita at Conrad Grebel University College at the University of Waterloo. This means she is a retired professor who is still highly respected. She also taught music at other universities.

Carol Ann is known for her "Sound in the Land Festival Conferences." These events bring together musicians and experts from all over the world. They come to share ideas about music. She has also traveled internationally as a pianist. She often performs with singer Rebecca Campbell. Carol Ann also plays keyboards in a duo called Mooncoin. She performs with mandolin player Lyle Friesen.

Awards and Creative Works

Carol Ann Weaver won a piano competition in Virginia in 1966. She has performed as a solo pianist in many concerts. Her music has been played on radio and TV stations around the world. These include stations in Canada, the United States, Europe, and Korea.

Carol Ann is a leader in the music community. She is the chair of the Association of Canadian Women Composers. She is also a member of the Canadian Music Centre. This organization supports Canadian composers.

Books by Carol Ann

Carol Ann Weaver has written and edited several books. These books often explore music and its connection to different topics:

• Departure and Return (2014)
• Sound in the Land: Essays on Mennonites and Music (2006)
• Sound in the Land: Music and the Environment (2015)
• Sound in the Lands: Mennonite Music Across Borders (2011)

Music Commissions and Grants

Carol Ann has received support to create new music. This support comes from grants and commissions. A commission means someone asks a composer to write a new piece of music. Some groups and organizations that have supported her work include:

• Canada Arts Council
• Laidlaw Foundation
• Manitoba Arts Council
• Ontario Arts Council
• Goshen College (Indiana)
• University of Waterloo Orchestra

Major Music Compositions

Carol Ann Weaver has composed many pieces of music. She writes for different groups of instruments and voices. Here are some examples of her major works:

Dance Music

• Early and Late Garden (1989)
• In Flight (1987)
• Pumps 'n Power (1985)

Electronic Music

• Afterday (uses multimedia)
• "Beyond Soundless Stars" (for piano and tape; 1973)
• Dawn Chorus (for chorus, string orchestra, and nature sounds; 2017)
• Earth Voices (multimedia with texts by writers)
• Gathering (for chorus, electric guitar, percussion, and amplified piano; 1975)

Orchestra Music

• Blessing (for saxophone and string orchestra; 2012)
• Fourteen Women/Quatorze Femmes (1990)
• Georgian Bay (for chorus and string orchestra; 2017)
• Kgalagadi Calls (2011)
• Parry Soundings (for string orchestra; 2017)
• Water (2007)

Music Albums

Carol Ann Weaver has released eight music albums, also called CDs. These albums feature her compositions and performances:

• Daughter of Olapa (1996)
• Journey Begun (1999)
• Dancing Rivers: From South Africa to Canada (2001)
• Awakenings (with Rebecca Campbell; 2003)
• Thistle and Jewel (2006)
• Every Three Children (2007)
• Paraguay Primeval (2012)
• Songs for My Mother (2018)