National Association of Composers USA/Mid-Atlantic Chapter Concert: "Songs, Keys, and Reflections"

The Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Association of Composers/USA will conclude its 2024-2025 performance season with the “Songs Keys and Reflections” concert at 1:00pm on March 15th 2025 at the Coastal Unitarian Universalists in Virginia Beach. 

Highlights of the concert include Jeraldine Herbison’s “African Folk Song Suite” which is a string quartet and percussion work celebrating the rich cultural landscape of Africa. 

Soprano Liana Valente and pianist Jeanette Winsor will present art songs by Anne Neikirk and Grace Reid. Anne Neikirk is a Professor of Music at Norfolk State University and her "In Praise of Songs that Die" contains vivid oceanic imagery in combination with nostalgic beauty. Grace Reid's "Two Songs" are settings for the theatre work "As You Like It" by William Shakespeare. 

Ian Guthrie’s "Three Memoria" and "Nocturne Fantasy" are piano masterworks and feature celebrations of Husa Swoboda Schoenberg and Martinez-Brockhus.  Ian Guthrie is a Professor of Music at Calvary University.

Three works are offered by Alex Shapira for reflection: his "Enmeshed Development" for solo piano the "Autumn Leaves Ablaze" for viola and clarinet and "The Inner Sea" for clarinet and piano.

Works to be performed ("Songs Keys and Reflections"):

Ian Guthrie: Nocturne Fantasy

Alex Shapira: The Inner Sea

Anne Neikirk: In Praise of Songs that Die

Alex Shapira: Autumn Leaves Ablaze

Ian Guthrie: Three Memoria

Grace Reid: Two Songs for "As You Like It" by William Shakespeare

Alex Shapira: Enmeshed Development

Jeraldine Herbison: African Folk Song Suite

Performers:

John Winsor clarinet 

Jeanette Winsor piano 

Liana Valente soprano 

Rebecca Kim viola 

Ian Guthrie piano 

Megan Jenifer-Harris violin 

Benjamin Garner violin 

Joyce Singleton viola 

Wendy Keene violoncello 

Ricky Micou cultural percussion

The National Association of Composers/USA (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 distinguished composers have been among its members.

NACUSA/Mid-Atlantic is also a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and was established as a regional extension of the parent NACUSA organization by John Winsor in 1997. Past seasons have included concerts at Old Dominion University Christopher Newport University the University of Richmond the Virginia Beach Contemporary Arts Center the Richmond Public Library the Meyera E. Obendorf Central Library Coastal Virginia Unitarian Universalists the Tidewater Community College the College of William and Mary Hampton University Chowan University and the Chesapeake Central Library.

Concerts are held at the Coastal Virginia Unitarian Universalists 809 S Military Hwy. Virginia Beach Blvd. Virginia Beach VA 23464.

Concerts are free and open to the public but donations will be received through PayPal.

For more information contact Harvey Stokes at (757) 768-6263 or Betty Wishart at [email protected].

Host or Publisher NACUSA/Mid-Atlantic