BEVERLY LEWIS
Beverly Lewis studied music at Mount Allison University, majoring in piano. She currently resides in Toronto, teaching piano at the University Settlement Music and Arts School, directs music at Bathurst United Church and is a freelance accompanist and chamber musician. Bev’s compositions have been performed in Austria, Canada, France, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States and her music has been broadcast on CBC Radio and on CFTA FM Radio. She has won several awards (Amadeus Choir Carol competition and Toronto Arts Council). Beverly’s music has been commissioned by such musicians as: the Xavier Consort (choral), Dr. Janet Hammock (piano), Joseph Salvalaggio (oboe), Dr. Michele Fiala (English horn), Erik Oland (baritone), Crumlin United Church (choral), and Thames Centre Community Choir (choir). Bev’s compositions have been included in recordings by the Mount Allison Chamber (CD: Choir Christmas at Mount Allison Chapel, 1995), Les Jolies (CD: Tillägnad, 2010 BIEM/n©b TLJCD01, Sweden), Amadeus Choir (CD: Ring-a the News! IBS 1009, 1994), Saskatoon Chamber Singers (CD: Remember – Solace and Consolation SCS01, 2012), and Dr. Michele Fiala (CD: Overheard – New Music for Oboe and English Horn MSR Classics MS1403, 2011).
Offering at the Manger (The Pie Carol)
by Beverly Lewis
SATB a cappella (with divisi) – CP 1728 – 3:45 
Offering at the Manger tells the inspiring fictional story of an elderly woman who takes a homemade pie as a gift to the infant Jesus. Upon presenting her gift, she becomes the object of some derision from the more affluent gift givers. She leaves the stable feeling embarrassed when, suddenly, she is visited by an angel. The angel assures the woman that, of all the material gifts anyone could offer the Christ child, the grea gift is love. The poem consists of six verses using varying voicings and gradually building in intensity until the final verse ends with the musical climax as the universal message of love is delivered.
The piece presents a simple melody which is harmonized in various ways within the different verses. It is accompanied by piano or organ and has a flute obligato during the last verse, which, if required, could be played on most C-instruments.
Offering at the Manger was the winner of the Amadeus Choir Christmas Carol Competition 1992 in the category of Adult (Unpublished) SATB with Keyboard Accompaniment and was performed by the Amadeus Choir during the same year, under the direction of its conductor, Lydia Adams. The piece has been recorded by the Amadeus Choir (CD: Ring-a the News, 1994) and by the Mount Allison Chamber Choir (CD: Christmas at Mount Allison Chapel, 1995), conducted by Dr. Willis Noble. It has also been performed by other choirs across Canada and in Germany
This Endris Night
by Beverly Lewis
SATB a cappella (with divisi) – CP 1730 – 3:45
This Endris Night is a carol based on anonymous poem dating back to the fifteenth century. The text, consisting of six verses, is a dialogue between the mother Mary and the infant Jesus. Each verse has been given a slightly different harmonic treatment. A challenging piece, it features an unpredictable melodic direction and frequent meter changes. This Endris Night was the (tied) winner of the Amadeus Choir Christmas Carol Competition 1993 in the category of SATB with keyboard (Published Composer). It was performed in Toronto by the Amadeus Choir in Toronto during the same year, under the direction of its conductor, Lydia Adams.
