Gloria Ann Kliewer Roe Robertson (5 January 1935 - 20 January 2017) was an American composer, pianist and singer who was best known for her compositions and performances of sacred music. [1] [2] She published and performed as Gloria Roe.
Roe was born in Bakersfield, California, to Peter and Sarah Bartel Kliewer. [2] Her first composition, a hymn, was published by Word Publishing Company when she was a senior in high school. She studied piano with Frances Zulawinski [3] and attended the Hollywood School of Music, Pasadena College (today Point Loma Nazarene University), the Screen Guild School of Music, and Trinity College London. [1]
Roe made her piano debut at Carnegie Hall at age 11. She married Ted Samuel Roe in 1953. They had two children, and performed and recorded together. [4] She later married Mr. Robertson and had two more children. [1] Roe worked at several different churches in northwest Arkansas, including University Baptist Church, Central United Methodist Church, and Covenant Presbyterian Church. [2]
In 1977, Roe was elected to the Sacred Music Hall of Fame. She also received the Bank of America Fine Arts Award. She performed with the Stockholm, London, and Israel Symphonies [3] and with Eddie Cantor, the Billy Graham Crusades, and Al Jolson. [1] [5] Her compositions have been performed by Anita Bryant, Tennesse Ernie Ford, and Billy Joel. [6] [7]
Roe’s LP records were produced by RCA Victor and Word Records. [8] Her compositions (words and music) were published by Rodeheaver, Hall Mack Company [9] and Word Publications, Inc. [10] and included:
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