Violet Archer

File:Violet Archer on graduation day, Yale University.tif]

Archer earned a licentiate degree in music from McGill University in 1934, and a bachelor of music degree from McGill in 1936. She studied composition with Douglas Clarke. Archer travelled to New York City in the summer of 1942 and studied composition, including Hungarian folk music and variation technique, with Béla Bartók. She taught at the McGill Conservatory from 1944 to 1947. Later in the 1940s she studied with Paul Hindemith at Yale. She earned a B MUS from Yale in 1948, and a M MUS also from Yale in 1949. From 1950 to 1953 Archer was Composer-in-Residence at the University of North Texas.[http://archive1.lse.ualberta.ca/FindingAids/VioletArcher/VioletArcher.html Violet Archer Fonds Finding Aid] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051029230817/http://archive1.lse.ualberta.ca/FindingAids/VioletArcher/VioletArcher.html |date=2005-10-29 }} From 1953 through 1961 she taught at the University of Oklahoma.[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20000309/ai_n14295592 Obituary: Violet Archer | Independent, The (London) | Find Articles at BNET.com]{{dead link|date=March 2012}} Returning to Canada in 1961 for doctoral study at the University of Toronto, she set that aside when, in 1962, she joined the Faculty of Music at the University of Alberta. There she would become chairman of the Theory and Composition Department. She remained at the University of Alberta until her retirement. Her notable students include Larry Austin, Jan Randall, Allan Gilliland, and Allan Gordon Bell.

Archer built a career as a musician and composer in addition to her teaching. She played percussion with the Montreal Women's Symphony Orchestra from 1940 to 1947,{{Cite web|title=Violet Archer|url=http://www.composedbycanadianwomen.ca/violet-archer.html|access-date=2020-06-19|website=Choral Music Composed by Canadian Women|language=en}} a time period when major municipal orchestras were not admitting women to their ranks.{{Cite web|title=Montreal Women's Symphony Orchestra/Symphonie féminine de Montréal {{!}} The Canadian Encyclopedia|url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/montreal-womens-symphony-orchestrasymphonie-feminine-de-montreal-emc|access-date=2020-06-19|website=thecanadianencyclopedia.ca}} In addition to percussion, Archer played clarinet and strings,{{Cite news|date=9 March 2000|title=Obituary: Violet Archer|work=Independent [London, England]|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A66339251/WHIC?u=edmo69826&sid=WHIC&xid=1dce918f}} and worked in Montréal as an accompanist and organist. As a composer, Archer's prolific work of more than 330 compositions included traditional and more contemporary works for instrument and voice. Examples of her wide-ranging work include a 1973 comic opera, Sganarelle, the film score for a 1976 documentary, Someone Cares, and experiments with electronic music. Her music includes some 90 compositions for novice musicians, written to acquaint performers and audiences with modern concepts of harmony, melody, and rhythm.

Archer has received honorary degrees from McGill University (1971), University of Windsor (1986), University of Calgary (1989), Mount Allison University (1992), and University of Alberta (1993).{{Cite web |last1=Keillor |first1=Elaine |last2=Nygaard King |first2=Betty |last3=Kallmann |first3=Helmut |date=March 4, 2015 |title=Violet Archer {{!}} The Canadian Encyclopedia |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/violet-archer |access-date=2020-06-19 |website=thecanadianencyclopedia.ca}} In 1983, she was made a Member of the Order of Canada.{{OCC|39}}

In 1985 the three day Violet Archer Festival was held in Edmonton where 14 of her works were performed. This festival is credited as being first festival to honour a living Canadian composer.{{Cite book |last1=Aubrey |first1=Merrily K. |url=https://archive.org/details/namingedmontonfr00aubr |title=Naming Edmonton : from Ada to Zoie |date=2004 |publisher=Edmonton : University of Alberta Press |others=Edmonton Historical Board. Historic Sites Committee |pages=319|isbn=9780888644237 }} She is memorialized at Violet Archer Park in the Parkallen neighbourhood of Edmonton. In Calgary, the Prairie Region of Canadian Music Centre Library is home to The Violet Archer Library which holds over 20,000 scores.{{Cite web|title=Canadian Music Centre – Prairie Region Library Research Guide|url=https://library.ucalgary.ca/canadianmusiccentreguide/home|access-date=2020-07-03|website=library.ucalgary.ca|language=en}}{{cite web |url=http://www.musiccentre.ca/pra.cfm |title=Canadian Music Centre – Prairie |publisher=Musiccentre.ca |access-date=2012-03-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203181346/http://www.musiccentre.ca/pra.cfm |archive-date=2012-02-03 }}

In 2021, Violet Archer fonds held at University of Alberta Archives was added to the Canada Memory of the World Register.{{Cite web |last=UNESCO |first=Canadian Commission for |title=The Canada Memory of the World Register Lists Three New Collections |url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/the-canada-memory-of-the-world-register-lists-three-new-collections-859983061.html |access-date=2023-02-13 |website=www.newswire.ca |language=en}}

The Canadian indie rock band The Violet Archers is named for Archer.{{cite web |url=http://www.thevioletarchers.com/about.htm |title=See: "our namesake" |publisher=Thevioletarchers.com |access-date=2012-03-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210134417/http://www.thevioletarchers.com/about.htm |archive-date=2012-02-10 |url-status=dead }}

File:Violet Archer age 4.tif|alt=Black and white studio portrait of Violet Archer, age 4|Violet Archer, age 4. Source: [https://discoverarchives.library.ualberta.ca/index.php/violet-archer-fonds-2 University of Alberta Archives]

File:Violet Archer age 11 with her parents.tif|alt=Black and white photo of Violet Archer age 11 with her parents|Violet Archer age 11 with her parents. Source: [https://discoverarchives.library.ualberta.ca/index.php/violet-archer-fonds-2 University of Alberta Archives]

File:Violet Archer on graduation day, Yale University.tif|alt=Black and white photo of Violet Archer on graduation day, Yale University|Violet Archer on graduation day, Yale University. Source: [https://discoverarchives.library.ualberta.ca/index.php/violet-archer-fonds-2 University of Alberta Archives]

File:Violet Archer with friends at Yale University.tif|alt=Black and white photo of Violet Archer with friends at Yale University|Violet Archer with friends at Yale University. Source: [https://discoverarchives.library.ualberta.ca/index.php/violet-archer-fonds-2 University of Alberta Archives]

File:Violet Archer at the piano.tif|Violet Archer at the piano. Source: [https://discoverarchives.library.ualberta.ca/index.php/violet-archer-fonds-2 University of Alberta Archives]

• 3 Concerti, Archer Piano Concerto, Christina Petrowska Quilico, piano, CBC Vancouver Orchestra, Sir John Eliot Gardiner, conductor, Centrediscs(CMCCD)15610
• Women Composers for Organ, Barbara Harbach. Peterborough, NH: Gasparo Records (294), 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7357139&cart=668191556&style=classical |title=Women Composers For Organ – Amy Beach, et al. / Harbach Classical |publisher=Cduniverse.com |access-date=2012-03-09}}
• Ovation, Volume 2. Toronto: CBC Records (PSCD 2027-5), 2002.{{cite web |url=http://www.musiccentre.ca/apps/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspItemDetails&buyItemsID=469 |title=Canadian Music Centre — About the CMC |publisher=Musiccentre.ca |access-date=2012-03-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207055059/http://www.musiccentre.ca/apps/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspItemDetails&buyItemsID=469 |archive-date=2012-02-07 }}
• Canadian Composers Portraits. Toronto: Centrediscs, (CMCCD 8502) 2002.{{cite web|url=http://www.yorku.ca/caml/en/review/31-1/archer.htm |title=Violet Archer. Canadian Composers Portraits |publisher=Yorku.ca |access-date=2012-03-09}}
• Sinfonietta (CBC Vancouver Chamber Orchestra, John Avison, conductor)
• Trio no. 2 (The Hertz Trio)
• String Quartet no. 3 (University of Alberta String Quartet)
• The Bell (CBC Chorus and Orchestra, Geoffrey Waddington, conductor)
• Northern Landscapes – A Tribute to Violet Archer, Sarah Muir and Ann Nichols, performers with the Columbian Girls Choir and Chanteuses. Edmonton, 1997.{{cite web |url=http://www.musiccentre.ca/apps/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspItemDetails&buyItemsID=493 |title=Canadian Music Centre – About the CMC |publisher=Musiccentre.ca |access-date=2012-03-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207055010/http://www.musiccentre.ca/apps/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspItemDetails&buyItemsID=493 |archive-date=2012-02-07 }}
• Surrealistic Portraiture Kenneth Fischer, saxophone, Martha Thomas, piano. Atlanta: ACA Digital (ACD 20036), 2001.{{cite web |url=http://www.hbdirect.com/album_detail.php?pid=414101 |title=Surrealistic Portraiture / Kenneth Fischer, Thomas – ACA Digital – ACD 20036 – – HBDirect Classical |publisher=Hbdirect.com |date=2001-04-01 |access-date=2012-01-29 |archive-date=2012-02-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208072526/http://www.hbdirect.com/album_detail.php?pid=414101 |url-status=dead }}
• By a Canadian Lady – Piano Music 1841–1997, Elaine Keillor, piano. Ottawa: Carleton Sound CD1006, 2000.:de:Elaine Keillor
• Assemblage, Charles Foreman, piano. Calgary: Unical (CD9501), 1995?.{{cite web |url=http://www.musiccentre.ca/apps/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspItemDetails&buyItemsID=626 |title=Canadian Music Centre – About the CMC |publisher=Musiccentre.ca |access-date=2012-03-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207055219/http://www.musiccentre.ca/apps/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspItemDetails&buyItemsID=626 |archive-date=2012-02-07 }}
• NORTHERN ARCH, various artists, Edmonton: Arktos Recordings (ARK 94001), 1994.[http://eccsociety.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=cpage&file=preview&id=71 Northern Arch – CD] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061020180033/http://www.eccsociety.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=cpage&file=preview&id=71 |date=2006-10-20 }}
• Soliloquies for changing Bb and A clarinets (performed by Dennis Prime)
• CROSSROADS, James Campbell, clarinet. Toronto: Centrediscs / Centredisques (CMCCD 4392), 1992.{{cite web |url=http://www.musiccentre.ca/apps/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspItemDetails&buyItemsID=116 |title=Canadian Music Centre – About the CMC |publisher=Musiccentre.ca |access-date=2012-03-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207055135/http://www.musiccentre.ca/apps/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspItemDetails&buyItemsID=116 |archive-date=2012-02-07 }}
• Ballade, Charles Foreman, piano. Toronto: Centrediscs, (CMCCD 1684), 1991.{{cite web |url=http://www.musiccentre.ca/apps/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspItemDetails&buyItemsID=104 |title=Canadian Music Centre – About the CMC |publisher=Musiccentre.ca |access-date=2012-03-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207055157/http://www.musiccentre.ca/apps/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspItemDetails&buyItemsID=104 |archive-date=2012-02-07 }}
• Hertz Trio. Calgary: Unical Records, 1991.{{cite web |url=http://www.musiccentre.ca/apps/index.cfm?fuseaction=score.FA_dsp_details&bibliographyid=16294&dsp_page=1 |title=Canadian Music Centre |publisher=Musiccentre.ca |access-date=2012-03-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207055212/http://www.musiccentre.ca/apps/index.cfm?fuseaction=score.FA_dsp_details&bibliographyid=16294&dsp_page=1 |archive-date=2012-02-07 }}

• "À la claire fontaine" (SA and Piano) – Berandol Music

• Music of Canada
• List of Canadian musicians
• List of Canadian composers

{{Portal|Music|Canada|Classical music}}

==References==

{{Reflist

| colwidth = 30em

| refs =

{{cite web

| url = http://archive.gg.ca/honours/search-recherche/honours-desc.asp?lang=e&TypeID=orc&id=39

| title = Violet B. Archer, C.M., D.Mus.

| first = Edward Richard

| last = Schreyer

| author-link = Edward Richard Schreyer

| date = 30 April 2009

| work = archive.gg.ca

| publisher = Queen's Printer for Canada

| location = Ottawa

| access-date = 17 January 2012

}}

{{cite encyclopedia

| url = https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/violet-archer

| title = Violet Archer

| first1 = Helmut

| last1 = Kallmann

| author-link1 = Helmut Kallmann

| first2 = Elaine

| last2 = Keillor

| author-link2 = Elaine Keillor

| first3 = Betty

| last3 = Nygaard King

| author-link3 = Betty Nygaard King

| encyclopedia = The Encyclopedia of Music in Canada

| publisher = The Historica Dominion Institute

| access-date = 17 January 2012

}}

}}

• University of Alberta Archives – [https://discoverarchives.library.ualberta.ca/index.php/violet-archer-fonds-2 Violet Archer Fonds] (28 m of textual records. – ca. 750 sounds recordings. – 18 video cassettes. – 20 art works. – 2420 graphic materials.)
• University of Calgary Special Collections – [https://searcharchives.ucalgary.ca/index.php/violet-archer-fonds Violet Archer fonds]. (0.525 m of textual records.)
• [https://archive.org/search.php?query=creator%3A%22Violet+Archer%22 Music of Violet Archer]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Archer, Violet B}}

Category:1913 births

Category:2000 deaths

Category:Canadian people of Italian descent

Category:Members of the Order of Canada

Category:University of North Texas College of Music faculty

Category:Canadian women classical composers

Category:Musicians from Montreal

Category:Pupils of Béla Bartók

Category:Pupils of Paul Hindemith

Category:20th-century Canadian classical composers

Category:20th-century Canadian women composers