Salli Terri - some memories of those who knew her |
 click on pic for full size image |
 from "Conversations..." LP cover |
|
"...I've known Salli for many years - in the fifties, she studied guitar with me. We used to work together when she lived in Santa Barbara. We did Christmas concerts at the Lobero theater and then more in the Los Angeles area. She is a wonderful singer. She recorded as part of the the Roger Wagner Chorale for many years and arranged folkstyle pieces for them. I haven't seen her now for over twenty years or so. Last time I heard, she and her husband John Biggs were teaching in Fullerton, right outside of Los Angeles. John is a composer and specialist in early music, Rennaisance and pre.... [John Biggs] plays harpsichord, recorder and is a vocalist as well. He used to be a choir instructor at Los Angeles City College." (email from Frank Hamilton, Aug 1999) [two of Salli's folk arrangements, "The BlueTail Fly" and "Deep River", are listed in the Choral Music section of the Consort Press catalog] |
|
"salli terri was my high school senior english lit teacher. the years were 1951-52 at the tokyo american school, japan. i remember her vividly, she is the only teacher i can remember. she also taught music and drama. i have been trying to locate her for some time just to thank her for her inspiration ... her bio at that time said that she was from sherman oaks, ca ... all of her students loved her, especially the boys." The following comes from the 1951/52 yearbook of the Meguro American School, Tokyo, Japan - "Salli C Terri, BA - "Sherman Oaks, California; Wayne University, UCLA, University of Southern California; English IV, Music; National Thespian Society" (email from Shambora, Dec 2000) "One of the bios on the Program Notes for a performance in 1957 indicates that Salli joined the Chorale right after teaching in Japan, which would place it in 1952 or 1953... In these 1957 concerts, the program indicates that Salli was the soloist on "Were You There" which was arranged by 'Wagner-Terri'." (emails from Teresa Myers, Dec 00) |
 click on pic for full size image |
|
"I used to sing in choral groups in the Los Angeles area and had the pleasure to do some singing with the Roger Wagner Chorale. As a result, I came to know Salli and enjoy her charm, wit and knowledge. I even took a solfeggio class from her to improve my sight reading skills and worked with her in some musical presentations at UCLA doing American based choral folk music settings as well as shaped note compositions. Of course, that kind of program fit with her extensive knowledge of American folk music. Her giving classes in sight reading is another example of her as an artist and a well rounded person who was willing to take time to share and extend her creativity to others. She never felt that teaching was beneath her, but I was flattered that she thought I was worth the time. It was a time of joy. I also sang in groups with John Biggs, her husband. My, those were the days of being a singing single. We miss her great graciousness." (email from Rod Stephens, Jun 2004) Obituaries Los Angeles Times The Choral Journal |
John Biggs - biography & reviews
Salli Terri home page | Salli Terri discography | Roger Wagner Chorale