Jill Kremer
Christa’s Song : Around the World
This is the second blog about “Christa’s Song”. Since the song debuted at her wedding in 2010, the song has been played and purchased all over the world. Such as:
Australia,
United Kingdom,
and various locations in Europe; to name a few.
This bridal procession piano solo is a unique composition being enjoyed world wide. Also available in sheet music.
Christa’s Song (Bridal Procession) – Single – Jill Kremer
Christa’s Song : The Story
One of my more popular songs is “Christa’s Song”. I’ve realized not everyone knows the back story to this song.
In 1995, I met a second grade girl named Christa. She was a new student and it was my pleasure to teach her for many years. Similar to other students, I enjoyed teaching her piano and she became a fine musician. Luckily she had younger siblings and, like her, I taught them until they had similarly mastered the piano and this way I was able to continue to see and visit her. In 2010, she asked me to play her wedding and I accepted the honor.
During our meetings, we discussed which songs she would like played at the ceremony. Toward the ending of our meeting, the subject of the Bridal Procession came up. Being one of the more prominent songs of the wedding, not including the reception and first dance this was a major decision.
Christa mentioned she didn’t want to have the traditional song of “Here Comes the Bride” and asked my opinion. I was unable to restrain myself and asked if I could compose her Bridal Procession. This shocked her a bit at first because it was a surprise, who would expect their former piano teacher to offer to write them a song let alone their Bridal Procession? Christa graciously accepted and was very happy with the end result.
Each song has some sort of back story of how the inspiration or idea came to be, but this one was a life event that was very special to me, as the composer and piano teacher. It was a true honor to be included in this experience.
Link to song: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jillkremer7
Stay tune for part two of this trilogy and read about how far a song can really go.
2 Successful Concerts : Tacoma and Mercer Island
http://www.cdbaby.com/AlbumDetails.aspx?AlbumID=jillkremer10
Two extraordinary events have taken place this year. First, the P.E.O. Founders’ Day
Celebration in Tacoma, WA in January 2014, and second, the P.E.O. Founders’ Day
Celebration on Mercer Island, WA. in March 2014. Both events were well attended
and both featured the same program: “The Piano Solos: A Tribute to the P.E.O. Founders”.
Some of the attendees commented that they were surprised at how different each piano
solo was from each other. For example: Franc Roads’ song is an aggressive march, but
Suela Penfields’ composition reflects the era of the Roaring 20’s.
Thankfully, I’m already booked in Ellensburg, WA for January 2015, but certainly looking for
other opportunities.
Composing with a first grade
On May 9th,2014 , its my great privilege to debut “Dear Grandparent, and Grand friends” at Saint Matthew’s School.
The first graders chose their favorite style of music, their favorite melody line and then composed the lyrics!
The song covers an array of activities : from Grandma drinking tea, to spending birthdays and holidays with Grandparents and Grandfriends, to Grandpa napping all afternoon! Well done first grade!
Here are the compositions on the CD…
Alice Bird Babb Cultural, Reader of Classics, Intellectual, Mozartish
(composer note: Listen for her grand entrance at the end)
Hattie Briggs Bousquet Comforting, Note of Joy, First to propose sisterhood, Simplistic, Elegant
EIla Stewart Social, Lively Irish
Daisies This song was composed for Chapter BL in honor of all your support. Thank You!
Suela Pearson Penfield Musician, Flapper of the group, Rare Beauty, Roaring 20s
Alice Virginia Coffin Queenly, Warm Hearted, Fun, Light
(composer note: This is the longest composition I had trouble getting this song to end)
Franc Roads Strong, Vigorous, Artist, March
Mary Allen Stafford Graceful, Motherly, Cheerful, Flowing
Sister Eternal written in loving memory of my mother in law Elizabeth Raymond
On the Grammy Ballot for “Song Of The Year”
http://www.reverbnation.com/JillianGrahamMusic
This Song “I Will Remember You” recorded by Jillian Graham, Joanie Wattles and myself
is a spiritually healing song. Good for Memorials or Funerals.
Please have a listen and comment. Thanks.
“The Piano Solos” reach North Carolina! Thanks Chapter CB!
Pianist Jill Kremer’s Musical Composition of the Seven Founders
In a telephone interview, Jill Kremer, a member of P.E.O. Chapter
BL, Seattle, Washington, shared the following. The inspiration for what
was to eventually be named, “Sister Eternal”, was composed in honor of
her mother-in-law, Elizabeth Raymond, a P.E.O. that encouraged Jill to
become a member. Shortly after Jill was initiated Elizabeth became very ill
and passed away. Elizabeth knew that Jill was writing her a musical composition
before she died. It is very reflective, often used for a memorial.
It was after this event that Jill decided to write a musical composition
for each of the seven sisters and a piece called, Daisies, for her chapter
in honor of their support. It took one year for Jill to complete the music for
the seven sisters. After studying each of the personalities of the seven sisters
she began her work, interpreting each sister’s personality and putting it to
music. The CD begins with:
:
Alice Bird Babb who was a reader of classics, an intellectual and very
like Mozart, according to her research. The listener is encouraged to listen for
Alice’s’ grand entrance at the end.
:
Hattie Briggs Bousquet, is identified as comforting, a leader, the first
to propose sisterhood, elegant, simplistic. Her music is slow, haunting
and romantic, according to Jill.
:
Ella Stewart, is a lively person and
very social, also Irish like Jill.
:
Suela Pearson Penfield, is a musician and flapper of the group, so her
music revolves around the Roaring 20’s.
:
Alice Virginia Coffin’s piece is queenly, warm hearted, fun and waltzlike.
Jill had a difficult time ending this one.
:
Franc Roads and it is like her, strong, vigorous, a dramatic march
approach.
:
Mary Allen Stafford, is a motherly person, graceful and cheerful. Her music
is described as flowing, easy listening and soft.
:
Daisies, is whimsical, contemporary and fast.
Jill’s music has been used in three state conferences, Washington, Illinois
and Ohio. We are the first chapter in North Carolina to order her music. Jill
is a performing pianist that has toured throughout the United States. I encouraged
her to consider a tour in North Carolina so we could enjoy her talent.
Norma Eckard, Chair
The Piano Solos: A Tribute to P.E.O. Founders
Composed and Performed by
Jill Kremer, Chapter BJ-WA
“Piano Time” in Shoreline is back this summer with 5 new pianos!
One of the new pianos this year!
“My P.E.O. Sister” to debut at the Convention
In honor of Kay Ebert’s 2013 P.E.O. State Convention,
the new piano solo “My P.E.O. Sister” will be sold for $5 as
a convention fund raiser. This composition is the perfect gift
for a fellow P.E.O. sister or treat yourself to some inspiring
piano music!
P.E.O. Founder’s CD will be available to order at the State Convention
Presently this CD is Chapter BL’s fundraiser.
Below are some of the songs that will be heard at Convention this year.
Alice Bird Babb Cultural, Reader of Classics, Intellectual Mozartish
(composer note: Listen for her grand entrance at the end)
Hattie Briggs Bousquet Comforting, Note of Joy, Simplistic Elegant
Ella Stewart Social, Lively, Irish
Daisies This song was composed for Chapter BL in honor of all your support. Thank You!
Suela Pearson Penfield Musician, Flapper of the group, Rare Beauty Roaring 20’s
Alice Virginia Coffin Queenly, Warm Hearted, Fun Light
(composer note: This is the longest composition I had trouble getting this song to end)
Mary Allen Stafford Graceful, Motherly, Cheerful Flowing