Dear Friends,
February was an amazingly busy month with so many things happening that I thought it best to wait until March to touch base again.
The official published announcement will be coming out this week in the annual Winter issue of Pan Pipes dedicated to the American Composer, so it is with mixed emotions I announce here that I am standing down as Director of the Sigma Alpha Iota American Composers Bureau. After three years of working as Coordinator of Admissions under then-Director Dr Dorothy Gross, followed by seven years working as Director, ably supported by the wonderful Pan Pipes team, it is time for me to pass the torch. I am blessed and privileged to have been in personal contact with not only some of the most gifted composers in the United States, but more importantly, some of the best human beings – several of whom have become dear friends.
Although this was an incredibly difficult decision to make, I know that it was the right one for me at this time. My leaving would not be complete without expressing my most heartfelt thanks to two dear fraternity sisters, Marcia Williams, who has served as Editor of Pan Pipes for many years, and SAI National Executive Director Ruth Sieber Johnson. Both of these extraordinary women have stood by me offering support and encouragement through some of the darkest and most difficult years of my life. “Thank you” isn’t enough – but sometimes those are the only words we know to say.
On a much happier and certainly less bittersweet note, my trip to San Antonio, TX for the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Convention was absolutely brilliant. Although we have been friends for more years than any of us can remember, this trip marked the first “in person” meeting with renowned composer James Cohn and his wife Eileen. Several of Jim’s pieces were premiered during the Convention, but for me, the highlight had to be when 3500 people attending a concert sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to Jim on his 82nd birthday.
Jim and Eileen introduced me to their friends Guido and Chantal Six, of Oostende, Belgium, who direct (Guido) and perform in (Chantal) the phenomenal clarinet choir Claribel. We hit it off very well, and before the evening was out, I had been asked to write a work for their ensemble. I was also privileged to meet Belgian composer Norbert Goddaer whose works were performed at the convention by Claribel, and clarinetist Raphael “Raph” Sanders from SUNY-Potsdam, who was one of many guest performers with Guido’s group. In addition to attending several phenomenal performances, there was much sight-seeing and some amazing meals, which included a not-too-successful effort to learn Flemish over an Italian dinner, and an attempt to one-up Raph over Mexican food (I was clearly out of my league, but had a great time nevertheless!).
Now that I’m back in Albuquerque, I’d like to remind everyone that the next four-week session of Music Through The Ages begins April 3rd at the New Mexico School of Music, Nob Hill Campus. This four-week class explores different facets of music appreciation and history as presented in a light-hearted but serious manner. Classes are filled with historical illustrations and musical trivia, and amply illustrated by recordings. Due to their intimate nature, discussion will be encouraged if desired. Please contact the NMSM for further information on 505.266.3474, or email me directly.
Recent performances of my works include: ‘Comes a New Day’ on January 12th, by pianist Wilma Gantz, La Vida Llena Music Ministry; and my own performances of ‘Winter Snow’ and ‘Comes a New Day’ (January 3rd), ‘Prayer for Peace’ and ‘In the Bleak Mid-winter’ (February 7th), and ‘Green Hills of Eire’ and ‘Memories of Erin’ (March 7th) all at the Albuquerque Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.
