Music
Robert Graham
Patricia Wise
Robert Graham
Robert Graham, renowned American composer, was born on September 5, 1912 in El Dorado, KS.
When America entered World War II, Graham first worked for a war plant in Wichita, KS. In 1944, he joined the Army, serving as Chaplain’s assistant with the Army of Occupation, Eighth Army in Yokohama, Japan.
Graham earned his degree from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, followed by a master’s degree from the University of Redlands in California.
Recognized as a truly gifted composer, he combined strains of melody with marked skill as a pianist and organist, becoming a celebrated musical composer. He had a varied career, accomplishing seemingly impossible feats in spite of repeated illness. He wrote both secular and religious works, through 21 separate publishers.
Among awards he received are an early one from the Kansas Federation of Music Clubs, and the Hubert Prize for outstanding work in the field of musical composition in 1951. In 1956, he was chosen as one of the top 12 outstanding composers of educational music for piano in America.
He died on Dec. 9, 1992 in San Diego, California.
Patricia Wise
Patricia Wise, internationally known soprano opera singer, was born July 31, 1943 in Wichita, KS. Her family moved to El Dorado in 1952. While here, she began to take voice lessons at age 13.
Receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education at the University of Kansas in 1966, her professional singing career spanned over 35 years. She performed in a long list of operas and concerts throughout the United States and Europe, as well as Tokyo.
Singing with some of the best-known names in the opera world, she is especially remembered for her portrayals of Zerbinetta, Queen of the Night, Un Ballo in Maschera’s Oscar, Der Rosenkavalier’s Sophie and Lucia.
Now serving as Professor of Voice at the Indiana University School of Music, she continues to perform both in America and abroad.
Among the many awards she has been honored with is the prestigious title of Kammersängerin from the Austrian State Opera in 1989.