NACUSA/Los Angeles

Deon Nielsen Price, President

NACUSA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Founded by Henry Hadley in 1933, it is one of the oldest organizations devoted to the promotion and performance of American concert hall music. Many of America's most distinguished composers have been among its members. NACUSA presents several chamber concerts each year that feature music by its members.

A big step forward for NACUSA, for the composers, for the orchestra and for the audience!

The 75th Anniversary of NACUSA in Los Angeles was celebrated March 22, at Armstrong Theater in Torrance, CA, by the Palos Verdes Regional Orchestra, Dr. Berkeley Price, conductor, in a concert of music by Los Angeles Chapter members Bonnie Janofsky, Deon Nielsen Price, Matthew Hetz, Adrienne Albert, Jeannie Pool and Daniel Kessner, and film composers John Williams and Henry Mancini. Preceding the concert, Dr. Paul Humphreys moderated a Meet the Composers Panel. In her four-minute introduction of NACUSA, Dr. Jeannie Pool, NACUSA Historian, told the 70-piece orchestra and audience of 350, that in the last 50 years NACUSA has presented more new music to Los Angeles audiences than any other composer organization. In just its first 25 years back in New York, NACUSA presented more than 5,000 new works!

There was excitement in the air with this program of contemporary art music that was a new challenge for the youth/community ensemble who seemed to give it their all. Many players, such as the xylophonist, were obviously thrilled with their individual accomplishment. The string section coached by Assistant Conductor Elmer Su played with exceptionally fine intonation and ensemble. Gems that sparkled in the concert were duets by two young violinists and concerti played by Julie Long, flute, and Berkeley Price, clarinet. The audience was quiet and attentive during the composer panel and several said they had never before been to an orchestra concert with composers present.

NACUSA President Daniel Kessner commented:
"Last night's concert was a monster success for the orchestra, for NACUSA, and of course for the fortunate composers. It was a great idea, as well as a very generous gesture to the composers... special congratulations for getting the orchestra to confront so many new works and new challenges, and to come through with a creditable performance of all of the pieces. I enjoyed the whole evening immensely, and was proud to be a part of it.

Thanks to the stylistic variety and appeal of the music chosen and conducted by Dr. Price, the quality of performance, the electricity in the air from the audience and the composers, there was a surprise fairy-tale ending to the event: It seems that a few days prior to the concert the premier Los Angeles venue, Disney Hall, had offered a performance date for the next PVRO concert at a formidable cost of about $10,000. Immediately following the successful NACUSA concert a grant to cover the expense was offered from a foundation whose chairman had been in the audience!"

Program:

  • Bonnie Janofsky (1997) "Manhattan Holiday"
  • Deon Nielsen Price "Yellow Jade Banquet" (2007); Berkeley A. Price, clarinets
  • I-Kejian "The Song of the Emancipation" (1985); Kristie Su and Jessie Chen, violins
  • Matthew Hetz "Reflections in in Wet Sand" (2008)
  • Adrienne Albert "Courage" (2000)
  • Jeannie Pool "Overture" (2005)
  • Daniel Kessner "Celebrations for Flute and Orchestra" (1998); Julie Long, flute
  • John Williams/Story "Highlights from Harry Potter (2001)
  • Henry Mancini/Custer "A Tribute to Henry Mancini" (1991)

 

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