Church Service October 24th at 4PM

The Bitter End Memorial October 25th at 3PM

Margaret Dorn was a talented musician, beloved friend, and inspiring artist whose legacy lives on through her songs, her dedication to her craft, and the lives she touched. Born in Denton, Texas, Margaret spent her life creating music that resonated deeply with audiences and earned her a place in the hearts of fans worldwide.

Margaret was a New York City based award-winning singer, songwriter, piano player, arranger and producer whose work includes records, movie soundtracks, commercials, industrials, theater, nightclubs and the concert stage.

“I grew up in a musical family. My mother was a singer and my father a composer. I started at a young age playing the piano and the church organ. I played the flute in marching bands while in school. As a senior in high-school, I played Helen Keller in THE MIRACLE WORKER.

My sister Ami Dorn reminded me that I received the award for most talented senior that year. Ami also reminded me that I accompanied her when she was practicing French horn concertos and that I ran a tight rehearsal ship. I would never let Ami go back and do a part again when she made a mistake. I always said ‘Don’t Stop’. One year, our band director needed someone to play the double-bass part which was vacant. He asked me to learn the instrument. And I did as I could already read the bass cleft. All you could see of me was my hand up on the neck of the instrument. I was so small.

My sister Karen Dorn, who resides in London, came to see me when I toured as one of the soloists with The Manhattan Transfer. Prior to that, Karen came to see me in London when I acted in Joe Papp’s Shakespeare in the Park. Karen reminded me that getting my baby grand piano to the fifth floor of my apartment building was quite an adventure. The movers used a crane to lift the piano all the way up before pulling it into the living room through the window. I was born nearly seven years after Karen. She has fond memories of me as a toddler playing beside a flowerbed of irises in the back garden of our house in Texas. This might explain my love for plants and flowers. I keep quite a lot of them in my apartment.

Karen reminded me that our mother (for whom I was named Margaret) postponed formal piano lessons so that I could practice on my own, as my musical ability was apparent from early years. Karen has a great memory. I had forgotten that when Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the Sydney Opera House in Australia, I was touring with Petula Clark and we sang the first concert.
I have been singing ever since I can remember, in church choirs, in school and then professionally when I came to New York City after graduating from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. I started working right away in the New York musical theater scene, composing, singing, acting at the Joseph Papps’ Public Theater in productions such as IPHIGENIA, BLOOD, and GALT MCDERMOTTS, TROILUS & CRESSIDA, as well as appearing on Broadway with Melina Mercouri in LYSISTRATA.”

Margaret released solo albums, albums with her group WOMEN OF A CERTAIN AGE, and with her a cappella group, MARGARET DORN and THE ACCIDENTALS.

MARGARET DORN and THE ACCIDENTALS is an eclectic octet whose awards include the National A Cappella Festival Championship, three Manhattan Cabaret Awards (MAC), a Back Stage Bistro Award and three Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARA). THE ACCIDENTALS include Emily Bindiger, Rosie Vallese, Marcia Pelletiere, Bill Mitchell, Jim Vincent, Dennis Deal, and Matt Perri.

Margaret was a member of the celebrated Jenny Burton Experience, serving as vocal arranger and choir captain.

Margaret wrote an extensive collection of songs, worked with publishers like Chappell, MCA, BMG, and Halfmoon Records and Publishing. Her songs have been recorded by such artists as Karen Carpenter, Melba Moore, Hiromi Ota, The Sweet Inspirations and Tom Jones among others. She has written the music for the FARAWAY BAYOU, a Broadway show that features lyrics by Janie Barnett and a book by Michael Milton. She collaborated with many songwriters and lyricists, including Janie Barnett, Deborah Mullis, Karen Kantor, Lisa Herman, Linda Lawley, Bob Christianson, Jay Elle, etc.

Margaret worked live and in studios with many artists, including Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, Bette Midler, Taylor Dane, Michael McDonald, Lionel Ritchie, Diana Ross, Jessica Simpson, Donny Osmond, Koko Lee, The Chieftains, Rosanne Cash, Melissa Manchester, Boz Scaggs, KD Lang, Barry Manilow, Garth Brooks, Donald Fagen, Willie Nelson, Michael Bolton, Patti Austin, Phoebe Snow, Jenny Burton, Leata Galloway, Ronnie Spector, Jean-Michel Jarre, Darlene Love, Petula Clark, Al Jarreau, Bob Telson, Kathy Lee Gifford, Brenda K. Starr, Paul Jabarre, Jennifer Rush, Appolinia, B.J. Thomas, Evelyn “Champaign” King, Kathy Troccoli, Martika, Leslie Gore, The Caroling Carolers, The Manhattan Transfer, Peter Link, Joy Askew, Vernon Reid, Lisa Herman and The Longhouse, Suzzy and Terre Roche, and others.

“I have learned so much from all the artists I have worked with and I am so grateful they shared their experiences, knowledge and inspiration. They influence my writing in many ways as I blend sounds from various genres, including classical music, blues, country and pop music. I have always had a passion for choirs and vocal groups and voices make up a significant part of my sound. I also listen to Laura Nyro and Joni Mitchell. They bring music and lyrics together in unique ways.”

“I love writing, composing, arranging, producing and of course singing. But I love sharing great music moments with an audience even more and I am so grateful for the opportunities to do so and forever thankful when people take the time to stream one of my songs. I hope my songs accompany them through their lives’ ups and downs and keeps them going as they keep me going.”