On November 30th, 2003 the Canadian Music Centre’s regional office in Vancouver hosted a CD release party launching Associate Composer Euphrosyne Keefer’s new CD: Far Other Worlds. The party, attended by over eighty composers, performers, and friends was a huge success. There was much cause for celebration as at least half of the CDs had already been sold and the album had been accepted for world wide distribution by the Canadian Music Centre.

Consisting entirely of the late Ms. Keefer’s varied and delightful compositions of music for flute, the CD is played by prominent local Anne-Elise Keefer, the composers daughter. She is accompanied by renowned Vancouver performers Christopher Millard (bassoon), Michael Strutt (guitar), Jane Hayes (piano), Blanche Olivar (percussion).

Just months after the recording of the CD was completed, Euphrosyne Keefer died suddenly in January, 2003. A consummate musician, she lived a remarkable life, driven by insatiable intellectual curiosity, a love of travel, and a comsuming interest in the people around her. The CD reflects her divergent interests, featuring musical depictions of ancient Greek mythological subjects, Incan culture, and Messiaen- like transcription of bird song.

Trained at the Royal Academy of Music in London, Euphrosyne Keefer possesed impeccable credentials as both a composer and performer (piano, viola and voice). A talented soprano, she was about to embark on a singing career with the Sadler’s Wells Opera. However, like so many of her generation, her aspirations were cut short by the war. In a whirlwind wartime romance, she met and married a handsome Canadian officer and moved to Canada as a war bride in 1945.

After raising five accomplished children, she resumed her musical career and became a prolific composer of instrumental and vocal chamber music, choral works, and piano music. As an associate composer with the Canadian Music Centre, her works have been performed in Canada, England, and the United States, and broadcast on CBC.

Flutist Anne-Elise Keefer has played for many years with the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and the Abbotsford Symphony, and has freelanced with the Vancouver Symphony, the CBC Radio Orchestra, Victoria Symphony, Orchestra London and Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra.

After recieving her Master’s degree from the University of Toronto, she pursued doctoral studies in Europe with the support of three Canada Council grants. She performed to critical acclaim in England, France, Italy, Yukoslavia and Norway. She was a prize winner at eight major competitions in Europe, the USA and Canada, including the Ancona International Flute Competition (Italy), and the Concert Artists’ Guild Competition (New York City). Having taught for five years at the University of Western Ontario, she moved to Vancouver where she has been an active soloist, orchestral musician, recording artist and teacher at the University of Victoria, Douglas College, and the Vancouver Academy of Music where she is Head of the Suzuki Flute Department.

Proceeds from the sale of Far Other Worlds have been donated to the Vancouver Academy of Music to establish a flute scholarship in her memory.

1. Far Other Worlds and Other Seas

2-5. Coricancha Ceremony

6-8. Treis Harites

9-12. Five Ideas

13. Persephone’s Garland

14. Melodia de los Cantores

15. Ataraxia

16-19. Tower of Aerides