Margaret Ann (“Peg”) Shelley Vance (30 July 1925 - 18 May 2008) was an American composer and music educator who is best remembered today for her compositions and arrangements for choirs. Vance was born in

Lincoln Lincoln most commonly refers to: * Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865), the sixteenth president of the United States * Lincoln, England, cathedral city and county town of Lincolnshire, England * Lincoln, Nebraska, the capital of Nebraska, U.S. * Lincol ...

, Nebraska, to Dora Aldona Kidd and Harold E. Shelley. She married Robert Wesley Vance in 1957 and they had two sons, Robert and Miles. Vance earned degrees from the

University of Nebraska A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, ...

and

Columbia University Teachers College Teachers College, Columbia University (TC), is the graduate school of education, health, and psychology of Columbia University, a private research university in New York City. Founded in 1887, it has served as one of the official faculties and ...

. She taught music at Chico State College and the

University of Portland , mottoeng = The truth will set you free , established = 1901 , type = Private university , religious_affiliation = Catholic (Congregation of Holy Cross) , endowment = $218 million , president = Robert D. Kelly , students = 3,731 (fall 20 ...

, where she chaired the Fine Arts Department and served as the interim Dean of Education. Vance published several collections and series of music for choirs: *''Music for Advancing Choirs'' *''Music for Young Choirs'' *''Sacred Music for Treble Voices'' (with Lee Kjelson) *''Secular Music for Treble Voices'' (with Lee Kjelson) Vance's music was published by Belwin ( Belwin Mills) and G. Schirmer Inc. Her works for choir include: *''Angelico'' (Haitian folk song arranged by Vance) *''Billy Boy'' *'' Blow the Wind Southerly'' (English folk song arranged by Vance) *'' Bring a Torch, Jeannette Isabella'' *''Christmas Folk Song'' (text by Lizette Woodworth Reese) *''Halleluia Amen'' *''( The) Holly and the Ivy'' *''Horo Mhairidu Turn Ye to Me'' (text by John Wilson; Scottish melody arranged by Vance) *''Hymn to the Night'' (text by

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (February 27, 1807 – March 24, 1882) was an American poet and educator. His original works include " Paul Revere's Ride", '' The Song of Hiawatha'', and ''Evangeline''. He was the first American to completely tran ...

) *''

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" is a Christmas carol based on the 1863 poem "Christmas Bells" by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The song tells of the narrator hearing Christmas bells during the American Civil War, but despairing ...

'' (text by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow; music by

Johnny Marks John David Marks (November 10, 1909 – September 3, 1985) was an American songwriter. He specialized in Christmas songs (although he himself was Jewish and did not celebrate Christmas) and wrote many holiday standards, including "Rudolph the Red- ...

; arranged by Lee Kjelson and Vance) *'' I Ride an Old Paint'' *''I Will Give Thanks'' *''Loch Lomond'' *''Love the Lord'' *''March of the Kings'' ''- French folk song'' *'' Night Before Christmas'' (text by

Clement Clarke Moore Clement Clarke Moore (July 15, 1779 – July 10, 1863) was an American writer, scholar and real estate developer. He is best known as author of the Christmas poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas." Moore was Professor of Oriental and Greek Literature ...

; music by Johnny Marks; arranged by Lee Kjelson and Vance) *'' Pretty Saro'' (Appalachian folk song arranged by Vance) *'' Reuben and Rachel'' *''Ring Around the World'' (text by Annette Wynne)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vance Shelley, Margaret American women composers Choral composers 1925 births 2008 deaths People from Lincoln, Nebraska University of Nebraska alumni Teachers College, Columbia University alumni California State University faculty University of Portland faculty