Nancy Bloomer Deussen
American composer Nancy Bloomer Deussen is well known as a composer, performer and arts impressario. She is a leader in the growing movement for more melodic, tonally oriented contemporary music and is co-founder and President Emeritus of the SF Bay Chapter of the National Association of Composers, USA. Her original works have been performed throughout the US and Canada and she has received numerous commissions both locally and nationally from such performers and ensembles as: The Oakland Chamber Orchestra, The Walnut Street Chamber Ensemble(Phila), The Baton Rouge Concert Band and Augustana College Band, The Bresquan Trio, The Santa Clara Chorale, The Women's Caucus in the Arts, OPUS 90 Chamber Ensemble, Richard Nunemaker, clarinetist, the Gabrieli Brass, Soundmoves(Western Oregon University), the Mission Chamber Orchestra /American Composer's Forum, flautist Angela Koregelos/pianist Zoe Smith, Sempervirens environmental group, Jim and Pat Watt, Mu Phi Epsilon Centennial, Guitarist Thomas Amoriello, The Choral Project, The San Francisco Choral Artists and others.
Ms Bloomer Deussen is a graduate of The Manhattan School of Music and the USC School of Music and her teachers of composition were: Vittorio Giannini, Lukas Foss, Ingolf Dahl and Wilson Coker. A recipient of many honors, her most recent honors were winning the Second Marmor Chamber Music Composition Competition sponsored by Stanford University (2002) and being selected in 2003 to receive a commission to compose today's composition.
Recent performances of her works during the 200-04 season include the band transcription of "Reflections on the Hudson" by the US Military Academy Band at West Point and the Interlochen Advanced band,"San Andreas Suite" by The New Music Works of Santa Cruz, CA, "Trio for Violin, Clarinet and Piano"by The American Chamber Ensemble at The National Gallery of Art in Wash. DC ,World Premiere of the commissioned work"Celebration Octet"at the Mu Phi Epsilon Centennial Convention in Cincinatti, Ohio as well as two performances this past June of her works "Tribute to the Ancients" for brass quintet and "Ascent to Victory" for orchestra in the Music in the Mountains Music Festival that is held in Grass Valley, California each summer.
FROM THE COMPOSER
" The Message "
When I originally submitted my ideas for a text to The Foundation for Universal Sacred Music they were just small, unconnected and scattered notes. Upon finding out that I had been selected be one of the commissioned composers I sought three poets whom I felt could best translate my ideas into a workable poem to use as the text. As the weeks went by and the deadline for completion of the composition drew nearer I became increasingly concerned that none of the poets seemed to have the time to write the poem. Finally I decided that, although I had little experience writing poems, I was going to have to write the poem myself. With this in mind, I took my ideas, along with pencil, paper and a prayer to the library asking that the words be given to me. Miraculously I had the poem completed within an hour and the words say exactly what I had wanted to express. With this in mind I offer you today, "The Message"-words and music. Through the words and music I have tried to express the most fundamental spiritual belief that I have "The Message is Love". It is my gift to all of you.
