Once again this year NACUSA President Deon Nielsen Price hosted a House Concert at her home in Culver City. Deon was pleased to announce the release of the new updated edition of her book: Accompanying Skills for Pianists which you can see her displaying in the picture.

Works by a number of NACUSA members were performed including a piano work written and performed by Carol Worthey .

'Snow Flurries' is a musical journey through a snow shower, from its sparkly beginnings to a whirlwind of snow and then full circle back to a few snowflakes. Having been raised in New England, Carol has created a mischevious ending:

"The snow has stopped and you're bundled up warm in your mittens to go outside... you open your door and snow falls on your face from the roof!"

Carol hopes to instill in its listeners the delight each of us should have in our own uniqueness (like snowflakes) and the spirit of play we can enjoy in each others' company!

As usual, Carol created a visual art work depicting this piece (which you see displayed in front of the piano in the picture to the left and you can see in detail here:

"Snowflurries" 13 1/4" x 10 1/2"

You can decide for yourself if you picture the same imagery by listening to the sound bite below for the full performance.

	Snow Flurries (Carol Worthey, Piano)
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Attendees were treated to other composer's works as well, most performed by the composers themselves. Other composers / performers who delighted us with their compositions were: Marshall Bialosky (work performed by Peter Yates , guitar), Deon Neilsen Price (with her son, Berkeley Price , clarinet, the PRICE DUO), David Lefkowitz (work performed by Daniel Kessner , flute), Michael Glenn Williams piano, Jeannie Gayle Pool (work performed by the PRICE DUO), Charles Shatto (work performed by David Zea , piano), and Daniel Kessner bass and alto flute.

The world renowned Debussy Trio , Marcia Dickstein harp, Angela Wiegand flute, and David Walther viola, world premiered a new work by Carol Worthey in two concerts presented in conjunction with NACUSA (National Association of Composers USA) and the Loyola Marymount University and California State University (CSULB) Music Departments.

Carol's work, An Iridescent Splash in Liquid Time was inspired by the rich, glowing sonorities inherent in the instrumental blend of the Debussy Trio .

Here is what Carol has to say about the work:

"I wanted splashes of color and free flowing rhythm to take the listener on a magical excursion."

Featured also were the works of other NACUSA composers: Spirals on Light by Reena Esmail , Capriccio by Duane Tatro , Rage, Denial, Hope and Revertigo by David S. Lefkowitz , Doppler Effect by Adrienne Albert and A Two for One Trio by David Walther .

Carol's work was well received by the audience and the other composers who were all present.    A reception immediately followed the concert where performers, composers and audience had the opportunity to exchange views on the evening. A good time seems to have been had by all!

Debussy Trio Concerts

October 2005, Loyola Marymount University, CSULB

	An Iridescent Splash in Liquid Time (The Debussy Trio)
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Carol Worthey has been inspired to create a series of acrylic paintings of Italian cityscapes in Tuscany. She is really excited to be back painting again on a more regular basis.

Two paintings of the series have been completed and you may view them on her "Gallery" page by clicking the links below.

"Tuscany: Laundry Day" 29 1/2" x 22 1/4"

"Tuscany: Old Doors, New Bicycle" 36" x 24"

Carol Worthey is pleased to announce the completion of a commission for Concert Pianist and Recording Artist Dr. Ruth Ann Galatas .

The work is a concert encore piano piece based upon the 60's Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong Motown Hit: 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine'.

Here's what Dr. Galatas has to say about the work:

"Carol Worthey's dazzling transcription of 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' conjures up a smile but requires a challenging listen. Carol deftly compliments the Motown hit by embellishing its famous theme with enriched harmonies and surprising textures. She's taken a popular melody and put it in concert attire--a jewel of an encore!"

Ruth Ann will give the world premiere performance in an upcoming concert. Carol will publish the performance information as soon as it becomes available.

" A Choral Taste of Los Angeles " on Saturday, January 22nd, 2005 happens to be one of those rare and special artistic events that can only happen in a major center of art. Contrary to snobby views of Los Angeles as a cultural desert, the talent that lives and works in this diverse city is amazing. Case in point: all nine composers at this choral sightsinging bash were uniquely their own selves and the variety of works presented was rich.

All the vocalists in attendance seemed to enjoy themselves heartily--and the gourmet lunch was delicious. Shawn Kirchner accompanied, revealing a stunning level of sightreading and artistic sensitivity to all the varied offerings of the day. Parker Emerson of Emerson Music worked hard for days to make xeroxes of all the works and put them into neat packets. Los Angeles Master Chorale member Jim Raycroft , who originated "A Choral Taste" , presided over the event with an endearing warmth and dedication, introducing each composer and encouraging the idea of commissions and performances for us all. (I second the motion!)

Each composer presented more than one composition, but just to give you an idea of the enormous variety of works, here is a bit about each composer:

Sharon (pronounced Sha-Rohn ) Farber thrilled us with her "Ashkina" , a powerful major work premiered in Merkin hall, Kaufman Center, New York that incorporates evocative ethnic instruments. Another piece she presented, "My Beloved" , was premiered in her native Israel in December 2004. Byron Adams conducted his moving and beautifully-crafted work "Three Epitaphs" with sensitivity and the polish of years of experience. Paul Gibson regaled us with the benefits of wine in his lively, jazz-flavored work "In vino veritas" and then proceeded to present deeply religious pieces. Eric Schmidt gave us "The Lord's Prayer" , rhythmically utilizing the way people actually say those words as opposed to the artificial way the text is often set. Stephen Grimm took us on a "Summer Night" resplendent with soft chords and lush, colorful settings. The cheerful Cindy O'Connor belied her countenance by revealing a portrait of a morally bankrupt murderer in her pulsating musical theatre work "Crime" . William Chapman 's setting of "Shenandoah" was effectively lyrical and very appropriate for choirs across America. David O told us of how he created the surging evocation of "Many Waters" using the Biblical text that speaks of water as dangerous (as opposed to our modern concept of water as soothing)--then the Tsunamis occurred and he was shaken a bit and just now returning to complete the work.

Hard acts to follow: Carol Worthey was the final presenter. She conducted "Voices Golden on The Silver Wind" (organizer Jim Raycroft commented "It knocked my socks off!"). Then she guided the singers through "Gloria in Excelsis Deo" , a gentle but powerful religious work with an unexpected and fresh chord sequence in the "Amen"--Alto Kim Switzer remarked that Carol's "courtesy accidentals" made the score easy to read--there was strong interest from some distinguished attendees to get this work and "Voices Golden" out to some professional choral directors for possible Premiere. Lastly, Carol conducted "In The Ancient Time" written in collaboration with New Age artist David Arkenstone , a magical evocation of long, long ago with a mix of Celtic sonorities and little touches of "dissonance" or spice. Carol is grateful for three superb soloists (all members of the Los Angeles Master Chorale) who assisted her in this final work, along with the choir-- Stephen Grimm took on the Counter Tenor part and yet is a Bass in the Master Chorale--what a range. Marnie Mosiman sang the Soprano Solo, joined with fellow Master Chorale Soprano Phoebe Alexander at the end, and Kim Switzer sang the Alto Solo. Carol's works were very well-received. Sharon Farber described Carol's music as "beautiful and spiritual." Each of us left the beautiful Westwood United Methodist Church nourished in mind, body and spirit! Come next year.

A Choral Taste of LA

January 2005 at Beverly Hills, CA