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ANDERSON, RUTH A.
Ruth A. Anderson is a composer, performing organist and music educator. Ruth Anderson grew up in central Illinois. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota in vocal education and organ performance. After music study in the far east and graduate work through Ball State University, Orff Institute, Salzburg, Austria, and Hamline University she began teaching public middle school music in Barron, Wisconsin. Ruth has years of directing Illini Girls State music, presenter at Wisconsin Music Educators Convention and appears in Organ and Harpsicord Music By Women Composers by Adel Heinrich, Greenwood Press.
Barbara Swant grew up in Silver Bay, Minnesota and received her Bachelors of Arts degree in English from the University of Wisconsin ñ Eau Claire. She also holds a Masters of Science degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin ñ Eau Claire. Barbara taught Language Arts before being a school psychologist for Barron Area Schools, Barron, Wisconsin. Ruth and Barbara are the composer and lyricist of many sacred and secular works for adults and children, including the full-length musical, Mary's Story. They own Purple Sand, a company engaged in the business of playwriting, songwriting, play production, and commissioned works. They also owned, remodeled and built a successful business in County Seat Saloon & Steakhouse, a banquet and entertainment facility in Barron, Wisconsin.
Ruth and Barbara are ASCAP members. They were named Gospel Songwriters of the Year in 2006 at the Nashville Symposium and were happy to be included in Donne en Musica Library, Rome, Italy in 2008.
She received her BA from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota, in Choral Education and Organ Performance and completed graduate work in Europe and the Far East. Ruth has composed many works including 19 selections for the musical drama, Mary’s Story which was recorded at Minnesota Public Radio.
Throughout her career, Ruth has inspired thousands of students and helped them to develop the lifelong love of music. She believes that music truly is the universal language and that every selection of music must tell its own story. Ruth and Barbara Swant are recipients of the Gospel Songwriter of the Year Award, Nashville Symposium and their music can be found in the Donne en Musica Library in Rome, Italy. Ruth is sought after as a music clinician and speaker.
Barbara Swant - Lyricist
Barbara Swant (b. 1950) is the co-creator of the musical drama and novel, Mary’s Story, the story of the crucifixion as told by Mary, the mother of Jesus. Barbara received a BA degree in English and psychology and a Master’s of Science in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. She is a retired school psychologist and currently works as a writer and speaker. She is involved in projects in Malawi, Africa where she works to empower and educate women and children. Barbara strives to tell the most powerful story she can through her lyrics and feels passionately that the lyrics and music must make a good marriage. She has collaborated on numerous projects with Ruth Anderson.