Emma Lou Diemer

b. 1927 - d. 2024

Emma Lou Diemer, a native of Kansas City, Missouri, received her degrees in music composition from the Yale School of Music (BM, MM) and the Eastman School of Music (Ph.D). She furthered her studies in Brussels on a Fulbright Scholarship and at Tanglewood. She was Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she taught composition and theory from 1971 to 1991. She had been composer-in-residence with the Santa Barbara Symphony and was organist emerita at First Presbyterian Church in Santa Barbara.

Her music had been published since 1957, and a number of her works were recorded. Diemer received annual ASCAP awards since 1962 for performances and publications. Other recognition included a Louisville Orchestra Student Award, a Ford Foundation Young Composers Grant for a 2-year composer-residency in the Arlington, VA schools, an NEA fellowship in electronic music, a Kennedy Center Friedheim award for her Concerto in One Movement for Piano, the American Guild of Organists Composer of the Year award, and a Mu Phi Epsilon Merit Award, in addition to numerous commissions.